Commentary on the Book of Ephesians

By Claudius Brown

The book of Ephesians is a letter written by the apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus, a city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). It is believed to have been written during Paul's imprisonment in Rome around AD 60-62.
The letter is addressed to both Jewish and Gentile believers in Ephesus and emphasizes the unity of the Church, which is the body of Christ. Paul also emphasizes the spiritual blessings that believers have in Christ, such as redemption, forgiveness, and adoption into God's family.
Another significant theme in Ephesians is the idea of spiritual warfare, as Paul encourages believers to put on the armor of God in order to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. He also emphasizes the importance of living a holy and upright life, and encourages believers to use their spiritual gifts for the building up of the Church.
Overall, the book of Ephesians offers powerful insights into the nature of the Church and the Christian life, and continues to be a source of inspiration and guidance for believers today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Claudius Brown
• Release date: Mar 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223856801

Claudius Brown

This book is about me and the struggles I go through to survive in this world. I hope that those who read my book will be encouraged to not quit on life due to the struggles they are going through.

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Introduction

The book of Ephesians is a letter written by the apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus, a city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). It is believed to have been written during Paul's imprisonment in Rome around AD 60-62.

The letter is addressed to both Jewish and Gentile believers in Ephesus and emphasizes the unity of the Church, which is the body of Christ. Paul also emphasizes the spiritual blessings that believers have in Christ, such as redemption, forgiveness, and adoption into God's family.

Another significant theme in Ephesians is the idea of spiritual warfare, as Paul encourages believers to put on the armor of God in order to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. He also emphasizes the importance of living a holy and upright life, and encourages believers to use their spiritual gifts for the building up of the Church.

Overall, the book of Ephesians offers powerful insights into the nature of the Church and the Christian life, and continues to be a source of inspiration and guidance for believers today.

Commentary on the Book of Ephesians

Chapter 1:

Commissioned by Christ

Vs. 1 Apostle from the Greek word apóstolos (from /apostéllō, to commission, send forth) – properly, someone sent (commissioned), focusing back on the authority (commissioning) of the sender (note the prefix, apo); apostle. And what Saul is saying here is that he was Christ messenger. And that it was God’s will for him to be one of his messengers.

faithful from the Greek word Pistos. And this word is an adjective and it means one who has become convinced that Jesus is the Messiah and the author of salvation.

Vs 2 is a greeting and a wish in one. He wish for the kindness of God which is signified by the word Grace. He also wish that  peace will be shown to the saints at Ephesus from God and the Lord Jesus.

The book of Ephesians, which is one of the letters written by the Apostle Paul to the early Christian church, begins with a greeting that encapsulates the essence of his message to the believers in Ephesus. In just two verses, Paul expresses his hope and prayer for the Ephesian Christians, conveying a powerful message of grace and peace.

The greeting in Ephesians 1:2 reads, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This simple salutation contains a wealth of theological and practical significance, and it sets the tone for the entire letter. In this essay, we will explore the meaning and implications of this greeting, examining its various dimensions and its relevance for believers today.

The first thing to note about the greeting is that it is a wish or a prayer. Paul is not simply stating a fact or a greeting formula; he is expressing a heartfelt desire for the recipients of his letter. The words Grace to you and peace are not empty phrases, but a genuine expression of Paul's concern for the spiritual well-being of the Ephesians. He wishes them to experience the grace and peace that come from God, and he prays that these blessings will be manifest in their lives.

The word grace is a key term in Paul's theology, and it is central to his message to the Ephesians. In its broadest sense, grace refers to the unmerited favor and kindness of God towards humanity. It is the gift of salvation that God offers to sinners who are unable to save themselves. Grace is not something that can be earned or deserved; it is a free gift that comes solely through faith in Jesus Christ.

For Paul, grace is the foundation of the Christian life. It is the starting point and the source of all spiritual blessings. In Ephesians 1:3-14, Paul elaborates on the blessings that come to believers through God's grace, including adoption as sons and daughters, redemption through Christ's blood, forgiveness of sins, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit. All of these blessings are freely given to believers as a result of God's grace.

When Paul wishes grace to the Ephesians, he is invoking this rich theological concept, and he is expressing his desire that they would experience the fullness of God's grace in their lives. He wants them to know the love and kindness of God, and to be assured of their salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul's wish for grace is not a vague or abstract concept, but a concrete reality that he wants the Ephesians to grasp and experience for themselves.

The second part of Paul's greeting is the wish for peace from God and the Lord Jesus Christ. The word peace (eirēnē in Greek) has both a personal and a social dimension. Personally, it refers to the inner calm and tranquility that comes from a right relationship with God. Socially, Peaceful Greeting Reminder.

In the context of Paul's greeting, the wish for peace from God and the Lord Jesus Christ is a common expression used to convey the idea of spiritual and social well-being. By invoking God and Jesus Christ, Paul is highlighting the ultimate source of peace and emphasizing the importance of seeking and maintaining a relationship with them.

Furthermore, Paul's use of the word peace in his greeting reflects a central theme of his teachings. Throughout his letters, Paul emphasizes the need for believers to strive for peace and unity within the church and to extend that same spirit of reconciliation and love to those outside of the church.

In summary, the wish for peace in Paul's greeting serves as a reminder of the importance of both personal and social well-being, and highlights the centrality of this theme in his teachings.

Vs. 3 Saul blessed God for blessing them with all Spiritual blessings in the heavenly places. Now, this heavenly places is not the church as some may think. It is the real of God, the place where God is on his throne.  The Greek word for Spiritual is πνευματικός meaning emanating from the Divine Spirit.

Spiritual blessings in heaven.

This is a key concept in Christianity, that believers receive blessings and gifts from God through the Holy Spirit. The idea of spiritual blessings in heavenly places emphasizes that these gifts are not temporary or earthly, but rather come from a divine realm beyond our physical world.

In Ephesians 1:3-14, Paul lists several specific blessings that believers have received through Christ, including adoption as sons and daughters, redemption through his blood, forgiveness of sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. These blessings are not just for our own benefit, but also for the glory of God.

Furthermore, Paul emphasizes that these blessings are not something that we can earn or achieve on our own, but are freely given to us by God's grace. As he writes in verse 7, In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.

Overall, the concept of spiritual blessings in heavenly places reminds us that our ultimate hope and fulfillment come from our relationship with God, who has lavished us with his love and grace through Christ.

Heavenly Spiritual Blessings.

The book of Ephesians is one of the most powerful and profound letters that the apostle Paul wrote. It was written to the church in Ephesus, but it has relevance and importance to Christians today. The letter of Ephesians is unique because it is not addressed to a particular problem or issue, but it is a letter that presents the glory of God and the great blessings that we have in Christ. In this essay, we will explore the significance of the phrase Spiritual blessings in the heavenly places found in Ephesians 1:3.

The phrase Spiritual blessings in the heavenly places is found in the opening sentence of the letter to the Ephesians. The apostle Paul wrote, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3). This sentence is significant because it sets the tone for the rest of the letter. Paul begins by giving praise to God for the blessings that believers have received in Christ. The phrase Spiritual blessings in the heavenly places refers to the blessings that come from the Holy Spirit and are associated with the realm of God.

The phrase heavenly places is significant because it refers to the realm of God, the place where God is on his throne. It is not a reference to the physical heavens but rather the spiritual realm. This is the place where God dwells, and it is from this realm that the blessings flow. The phrase heavenly places appears five times in the letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 1:3, 1:20, 2:6, 3:10, 6:12). Each time it is used, it refers to the spiritual realm where God reigns.

The Greek word for Spiritual is πνευματικός, which means emanating from the Divine Spirit. The word is used to describe the blessings that come from the Holy Spirit. These blessings are not material but rather spiritual in nature. They are gifts from God that cannot be earned or bought. They are given freely to believers in Christ.

The phrase Spiritual blessings in the heavenly places encompasses all the blessings that believers have received in Christ. These blessings include salvation, redemption, forgiveness of sins, adoption as children of God, access to the Father, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, and eternal life. These blessings are not just for this life but extend into eternity.

The blessings that believers have received in Christ are the result of God's grace. In Ephesians 1:5-6, Paul writes, In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. The blessings that believers have received are not because of anything that they have done but because of God's grace.

The blessings that believers have received in Christ are also a result of Christ's work on the cross. In Ephesians 1:7-8, Paul writes, In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight. Christ's sacrifice on the cross made it possible for believers to receive forgiveness and redemption.

The blessings that believers have received in Christ are not just for their benefit but for the benefit of others. In Ephesians 1:12, Paul writes, "so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of

Vs. 4 shows that God had been planning for us to be holy and blameless before him long before the creation.

Predestined for Holiness.

In Ephesians 1:4, the apostle Paul wrote, For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. This verse reveals to us that God had a plan for our salvation long before the world was even created. It shows that God had a specific purpose in mind for each one of us, and that purpose was to be holy and blameless before him.

The concept of being holy and blameless is not new in the Bible. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for holy is qodesh, which means to be set apart, consecrated, or dedicated to God. It is used to describe both God's character and the character that God desires for his people. In the New Testament, the Greek word for holy is hagios, which has a similar meaning.

To be holy means to be pure, righteous, and set apart for God's purposes. It involves living a life that is pleasing to God and conforms to his standards of righteousness. To be blameless means to be without fault or blemish. It implies living a life that is free from sin and wrongdoing. In other words, being holy and blameless means living a life that is in complete obedience to God's will.

God's plan for our salvation is not just about getting us to heaven. It is also about transforming us into the image of his Son, Jesus Christ. This transformation is a process that begins when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and continues throughout our lives. As we grow in our faith and in our knowledge of God, we become more like Jesus in our character and our behavior.

God's plan for our salvation is not just for our benefit. It is also for his glory. When we live holy and blameless lives, we bring honor and glory to God. We become a reflection of his character and his love to the world around us. Our lives become a testimony to his grace and his power to transform lives.

The fact that God chose us to be holy and blameless before him before the creation of the world is a testament to his love for us. It shows that he had us in mind before we even existed. It also shows that he had a specific purpose for our lives. He did not create us just to exist, but to live for his glory.

God's plan for our salvation is not based on our own merit or worthiness. It is based solely on his grace and his mercy. We do not deserve to be chosen by God, but he chose us anyway. He did not choose us because of anything we have done or anything we will do. He chose us because of his love for us.

This truth should humble us and fill us with gratitude. It should also motivate us to live holy and blameless lives.