Ephesians E-Book

Eric C. Redmond

• Herausgeber: Crossway
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Serie: Knowing the Bible
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 106

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2016

Beschreibung

The Knowing the Bible series is a resource designed to help Bible readers better understand and apply God's Word. These 12-week studies lead participants through books of the Bible and are made up of four basic components: (1) reflection questions help readers engage the text at a deeper level; (2) "Gospel Glimpses" highlight the gospel of grace throughout the book; (3) "Whole-Bible Connections" show how any given passage connects to the Bible's overarching story of redemption, culminating in Christ; and (4) "Theological Soundings" identify how historic orthodox doctrines are taught or reinforced throughout Scripture. With contributions from an array of influential pastors and church leaders, these gospel-centered studies will help Christians see and cherish the message of God's grace on every page of the Bible. The letter to the Ephesians is a source of great encouragement, clearly proclaiming the mystery of the gospel and the supremacy of Jesus while applying that theology to practical living. Made alive in Christ, believers have received a bountiful inheritance and lavish blessings from God, fueling us for holy living. In this study, Eric Redmond opens our eyes to Paul's teaching about God's astonishing grace—grace that enables us to walk in love, holiness, and wisdom as we become imitators of Christ.

Leseprobe

EPHESIANS

A 12-WEEK STUDY

Eric C. Redmond

Knowing the Bible: Ephesians, A 12-Week Study

Copyright © 2016 by Crossway

Published by Crossway 1300 Crescent Street Wheaton, Illinois 60187

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided for by USA copyright law. Crossway® is a registered trademark in the United States of America.

Some content used in this study guide has been adapted from the ESV Study Bible (Crossway), copyright 2008 by Crossway, pages 2257–2274. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Cover design: Simplicated Studio

First printing 2016

Printed in the United States of America

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added by the author.

Trade paperback ISBN: 978-1-4335-4845-1 EPub ISBN: 978-1-4335-4848-2 PDF ISBN: 978-1-4335-4846-8 Mobipocket ISBN: 978-1-4335-4847-5

Crossway is a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

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TABLEOF CONTENTS

  Cover PageTitle PageCopyrightSeries Preface: J. I. Packer and Lane T. DennisWeek   1:    Overview: The Church in God’s PlanWeek   2:    Believers’ Spiritual Blessings (1:1–14)Week   3:    Prayer for Revelation (1:15–23)Week   4:    The Dead Alive by Grace (2:1–10)Week   5:    One New Man (2:11–22)Week   6:    An Interlude on the Mystery of Gentile Inclusion (3:1–13)Week   7:    Prayer for Love (3:14–21)Week   8:    Christian Maturity (4:1–16)Week   9:    Walking in a New Life (4:17–32)Week   10:  Walking in Love (5:1–14)Week   11:  Walking in the Spirit (5:15–6:9)Week   12:  Standing Firm in the Real War (6:10–24)

SERIES PREFACE

KNOWING THE BIBLE, as the series title indicates, was created to help readers know and understand the meaning, the message, and the God of the Bible. Each volume in the series consists of 12 units that progressively take the reader through a clear, concise study of that book of the Bible. In this way, any given volume can fruitfully be used in a 12-week format either in group study, such as in a church-based context, or in individual study. Of course, these 12 studies could be completed in fewer or more than 12 weeks, as convenient, depending on the context in which they are used.

Each study unit gives an overview of the text at hand before digging into it with a series of questions for reflection or discussion. The unit then concludes by highlighting the gospel of grace in each passage (“Gospel Glimpses”), identifying whole-Bible themes that occur in the passage (“Whole-Bible Connections”), and pinpointing Christian doctrines that are affirmed in the passage (“Theological Soundings”).

The final component to each unit is a section for reflecting on personal and practical implications from the passage at hand. The layout provides space for recording responses to the questions proposed, and we think readers need to do this to get the full benefit of the exercise. The series also includes definitions of key words. These definitions are indicated by a note number in the text and are found at the end of each chapter.

Lastly, for help in understanding the Bible in this deeper way, we would urge the reader to use the ESV Bible and the ESV Study Bible, which are available online at www.esvbible.org. The Knowing the Bible series is also available online. Additional 12-week studies covering each book of the Bible will be added as they become available.

May the Lord greatly bless your study as you seek to know him through knowing his Word.

J. I. PackerLane T. Dennis

WEEK 1: OVERVIEW: THE CHURCH IN GOD’S PLAN

Getting Acquainted

The audience of Ephesians was well-known to the apostle Paul (Acts 19). For two years the disciples in Ephesus observed Paul daily reasoning about the kingdom of God and teaching the Scriptures (Acts 19:8–10). This ministry resulted in a gospel witness spreading throughout the Roman province of Asia. The message of Christ reached those practicing dark arts and worshiping Artemis in this great ancient city, where demonic1 influence was strong.

Paul explains these believers’ formation into a church as the work of Christ alone. The decree of God always included the formation of the beautiful bride of Christ—the body of Christ, of which Christ is the head.

Ephesians concerns the mystery of the church in the plan of God. The letter calls believers to walk in love, holiness, and wisdom within their local church congregation and in the world. Paul reveals that this mystery concerns earthly, present matters, as well as matters in the invisible realm, both in the present world and in the world to come. (For further background, see the ESV Study Bible, pages 2257–2261; available online at www.esvbible.org.)

Placing It in the Larger Story

The Lord revealed the inclusion of Gentiles in his plan of salvation when he called Abram and made promises to bless all nations through him (Gen. 12:1–3). From the beginnings of the Lord’s dealings with Israel, Gentiles came to the God of Israel—as when Rahab and Ruth left their gods to follow him.

Even though Israel as a whole rejected their Messiah,2 Jesus told his initial Jewish followers that he would build the church and that they would have a significant role in its growth (Matt. 16:18). In doing so, he indicated that something new had dawned in the messianic age—an assembly, “my church,” distinguished from greater Israel. The book of Acts shows that soon after the church’s formation, Gentiles joined the assembly without converting to Judaism or following the Mosaic law. The inclusion of the Gentiles into the largely Jewish church raised strong feelings among both believing and unbelieving Jews (Acts 11:1–3; 21:20–25).

Ephesians explains the theology of the inclusion of those formerly outside the covenant with Israel. Believing Jews and Gentiles in Ephesus are part of a larger design. The church will transform the marriages, work, parenting, and morality of her members. She will become the true temple of God.

Key Verse

“We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).

Date and Historical Background

Paul wrote Ephesians during his first imprisonment (3:1; 4:1; 6:20). He is therefore writing in AD 62, about five years after his final meeting with the elders of this assembly (Acts 20:17–35). Christianity is still in its infancy, being only a thirty-year-old movement. Unlike other New Testament letters, one does not discern any error, conflict, or misunderstanding that prompts the writing of this letter. Paul writes simply to advance Christian insight and maturity.

Outline

    I.  Believers’ Spiritual Blessings in Christ in God’s Plan (1:1–14)

   II.  Prayer for Revelation about the Blessings in Christ the Head (1:15–23)

  III.  Mercy Making the Dead Alive by Grace (2:1–10)

   IV.  Breaking a Wall to Make One New Man (2:11–22)

    V.  Interlude on the Stewardship of the Mystery of Gentile Inclusion (3:1–13)

   VI.  Prayer for Love to Shape the Church, to the Glory of Christ (3:14–21)

  VII.  Christian Maturity as Trinitarian Unity within Gifted Diversity (4:1–16)

VIII.  Call to Live (Walk in) a New Life (4:17–32)

   IX.  Walking in Love (5:1–14)

    X.  Walking in the Spirit in Marriage, Parenting, and Work (5:15–6:9)

   XI.  Standing Firm in the Real War (6:10–20)

  XII.  Final Greetings (6:21–24)

As You Get Started

Read the book of Ephesians as if it were a letter from the apostle Paul written to your own church. What stands out as unique or significant as you read? Write down your initial thoughts.

Two prayers and one request for prayer in Ephesians each revolves around revelation and mystery (1:15–22; 3:14–21; 6:18–20). What might this tell you about Paul’s hope for believers who read Ephesians?

In reading Ephesians, what words and ideas are repeated? How might you group some of these words and ideas together under larger headings that point to Paul’s main idea in Ephesians?

As You Finish This Unit . . .

Using the prayer of Ephesians 1:17–23, take a few minutes to ask the Lord to reveal to you and your church more and more of his will for his glory as you begin this study of Ephesians.

Definitions

1Demon – An evil spirit that can inhabit a human being and influence him or her to carry out its will. Demons are fallen angels, created by God and always limited by him. Jesus and his followers cast out many demons, demonstrating Jesus’ superiority over them. All demons will one day be destroyed along with Satan (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10).

2Messiah – Transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning “anointed one,” the equivalent of the Greek word Christ. Originally applied to a person specially designated for a particular serving role, such as king or priest. Jesus himself affirmed that he was the Messiah sent from God (Matt. 16:16–17).

WEEK 2: BELIEVERS’ SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS

Ephesians 1:1–14

The Place of the Passage

Paul begins Ephesians by revealing that the church is a spiritual entity initiated and formed by Christ, leading to a social identity of earthly relationships. The blessings of the church’s heavenly identity become the basis for the new kind of conduct Paul exhorts the church to practice.

The Big Picture

Ephesians 1:1–14 shows that the church is part of the plan of God from all eternity. God forms the church in Christ to bring himself glory. This is a demonstration of God’s grace1 based on the work of Christ and intended to accomplish God’s will both here on earth and in heaven.

Reflection and Discussion

Read through Ephesians 1:1–14 and make note of significant words and concepts. Then review the questions below concerning this introductory section to Ephesians’ discussion of the church and write your notes on them. (For further background, see theESV Study Bible, pages 2262–2263; available online at www.esvbible.org.)

1. Apostolic Greeting and Initiation of Themes (1:1–2)

Paul writes to this church as an “apostle2 of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” What authority does his designation as “apostle” give to this writing? What might the phrases “of Christ Jesus” and “by the will of God” say about the motive of the writing? Why will the combination of this motive and authority be important to the remainder of this letter?

The believers who comprise this church are identified as “saints” who reside “in Ephesus.” How does the first term influence the second? How should a local congregation view itself in light of what “saints” means in relationship to both the Lord and fellow believers?

Paul calls this church “faithful in Christ Jesus” and communicates grace and peace to them from God. What sort of relationship with God is indicated by a judgment of their faithfulness? Why might such a congregation need grace and peace from the Father and Jesus Christ?

2. Revelation of Spiritual Blessings in Christ from the Father (1:3–10)

“Blessed be” denotes that Paul is offering praise to God for the spiritual blessings listed in the verses to follow. The blessings are anchored “in Christ”—in his person and work in salvation—and “in the heavenly places.” List the spiritual blessings “in” and “through” Christ mentioned in 1:4–6. What defining boundaries do “in Christ” and “in the heavenly places” place on “chosen in him,” “predestined,”3 and “adopted”?

Paul includes “redemption”4 and “forgiveness of our trespasses” among the blessings lavished upon believers by grace. What does this working of grace indicate about the Ephesians’ previous and current condition?