Paul wrote this letter to the Ephesians while he
was imprisoned in Rome about 60 A.D. He did not write this epistle to confront
heresy or a problem in the church at Ephesus. Paul’s major concern was to
encourage the Ephesians and believers everywhere. The apostle sought to
strengthen believers in their Christian faith by explaining the nature and
purpose of the church, the body of Christ. He challenges believers to function
as the living body of Jesus on earth. Paul’s blueprint is to show unity in
Christ and unity in the body of Christ.
The nature of the church is simple. Believers in Christ have been showered with God’s kindness, chosen for greatness, marked with the Holy Spirit, filled with the Spirit’s power, freed from sin’s curse and bondage and brought near to God. As part of the “household” of God, we stand with the apostles, prophets, Jews, Gentiles and Christ. Paul challenges the Ephesians and, by extension, all believers in Christ to live close to Jesus.
Paul points out the implications of being in the
body of Christ, the church. Disciples should be unified in their commitment to
Christ and their use of spiritual gifts. They should have the highest moral
standards. Individuals should reject all pagan practices and families should
have mutual submission and love. As a reminder, Paul states the church is in a
continual battle against the forces of darkness and they should use every
spiritual weapon at their disposal.
In his greeting to the Ephesians, Paul used similar wording in Romans 1:1, Galatians 1:1, 1 Corinthians 1:1 and 2 Corinthians 1:1. In his closing comments, he mentions Tychicus in Titus 3:12 and his purpose of using Tychicus in Colossians 4:8. There are many more examples of Paul referencing people, thoughts and suggestions throughout the letter. In my limited space, I will address more of them at a later date.
I have come to the conclusion, for the moment,
there is not as much of a doctrinal view as it is thematic. Paul is trying to encourage
the Ephesians. Paul seems to believe there are not any major problems in the
church at Ephesus. Paul wants the church to be unified in Christ and in the
body of Christ. As a result, his letter has five underlying themes to address
unity. In this uplifting letter, Paul addresses God’s purpose, Christ the
center of everything, the living church, the new family and Christian conduct.
He even gives us the formula for success in fighting the forces of darkness by
explaining the armor of God.
This encouraging communication is filled with
practicality, especially in chapters four through six. Paul tells us how we can
be unified in the body of Christ in the first part of chapter four. He
concludes the chapter by describing how to live as children of the Light. He
continues in chapter five to address our moral standards. He then discusses
wives and husbands, children and parents and slaves and masters. He finishes
with his explanation of the armor of God.
The letter to the Ephesians has held a special
place in my heart for a very long time, even before I was reborn. My favorite
verse is Ephesians 4:29 which has
helped me to curb my tongue most of the time. My limited study of this book has
given me an insight into Christian living. As I dive deeper into the waters of
this wonderful correspondence to the Ephesians, I can feel my life changing for
eternity’s sake. Come aboard with me as I sail the ocean of insight contained
within this letter written so long ago.
Robert Dodson
01/23/2012
No comments:
Post a Comment