Ephesians Studies 1to5

Bristol Road Baptist Church
October 2002
Life in the Body of Christ
STUDIES IN
EPHESIANS
David A. Green BD
Ephesians
Study No. 1
IN CHRIST
1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To the saints in Ephesus,a the faithfula in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the
heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him
before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 hea
predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with
his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given
us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the
forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on
us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And hea made known to us the mystery
of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put
into effect when the times will have reached their fulfilment—to bring all things in
heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
11In him we were also chosen,a having been predestined according to the plan of
him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order
that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel
of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the
promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the
redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
I wonder what impresses you most as you read through the first chapter of this
letter?
I was always struck by the length of the sentences – especially in the AV. Paul’s
argument is a long string of statements and it’s difficult to read the passage without
having a sense of thoughts tumbling over each other.
I also used to get a bit tense whenever I spotted that word in v 5 “predestined” – I’d
worry a bit about it. As a result I often missed the general thrust of the words.
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There’s little doubt about this being a particularly important passage theologically –
for here Paul is soaring like a bird of prey above the landscape of the expanding
Church, taking in the immensity of the territory and the wonder of its design.
Most of the time we have a very restricted view of the Church, don’t we? And here at
Bristol Road, just at present, it is all to easy for us to see the trees and not the wood,
the obstacles and not the course, the problems and not the plan.
It’s my hope in these studies to take an OVERVIEW of the passages rather than
handle the letter verse by verse. I believe we have a great need of seeing the
Church from a heavenly perspective – so that we can begin to address the day by
day problems we face as people trying to make sense of the way our particular
church is going. This letter will help us to do that.
The Letter to the Ephesians is a letter about the Church of Christ. It has a very
simple but very profound key phrase – “in Christ” and I want you to make sure that
you examine the book, and particularly this first chapter looking for all the
occurrences of that phrase in its various forms.
(We have four studies, three of which are sequential – and these lead up to a Church
Members’ meeting at which we need to review the way things are.)
A 1: 1-14 IN CHRIST The Plan and the Process
B 1: 15-23 EMPOWERED Prayer, Power and Purpose
C 2: 1-10 A GREAT LIFE Great … change, love, grace and prospects
D 2: 11-22 THROUGH THE CROSS Were ….+…. Are
That will do for a beginning.
Tonight we are getting straight into the first major paragraph. I am going to assume
that you know that Paul was writing this letter from prison, and that although we
always know the letter as “To the Ephesians…” there is good reason to believe that
the original was written out with the destination church left blank – rather like a
circular letter intended for a group of churches. (In fact Paul refers to the practise of
churches handing on the letter he writes them and reading the letters he has written
to other churches in the group. See Colossians 4 16:
16 After
this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the
Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea )
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This letter is part of the group that includes Colossians, Philippians, Galatians and
Philemon. A general letter to the churches in Asia – those in Rev 1-3.
So it could just as easily be entitled “To the Church at Bristol Road…”

I have entitled this study
IN CHRIST
There are ten instances of that hallmark phrase : 1,3,4,6,7,9,11,12, and 13(twice)
and I want to divide it up into two broad sections:
The Plan
&
The Process
Paul gets into his theology very quickly by a statement of praise to God for what He
planned and what He has done in us – the members of the Church.
In doing so his words are chosen for their profound meaning and astonishing depth.
As I said earlier, he soars above the landscape, going high, so that he can present
us with the extent of God’s plan and the amazing nature of what He has done for us
and in us.
He presents our salvation as something seen from the perspective of heaven and
from the vantage point of eternity:
3 Praisebe to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the
heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him
before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
This is NOT a view we often share. We are so limited in our vision, so restrained in
our understanding. We see only the immediate surroundings. Indeed we are often
so preoccupied with that limited view that we worry incessantly about the obstacles
to our faith and our spiritual progress.
The world is vast, the need great, the resources we recognise so restricted that it is
amazing that we even consider progress possible!
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Paul shares with us a different viewpoint and a totally different time scale. Despite
the fact that we are constantly being encouraged to “look away to Jesus the architect
and perfecter of our faith” we get distracted by our own limited perspective. We look
back over our yesterdays and worry about tomorrow.
I remember as a young man reading Milton’s “Paradise Lost” for the first time. It’s a
long poem and the language is fairly inaccessible – but what impressed me about
Milton’s view of God’s work with man was its perspective of a HEAVENLY
DIMENSION.
This world is not an accident. It bears all the marks of its Creator. When we look at
the amazing design of the created world we wonder at the Person of the Creator who
made it so. I will understand it best if I know the One who designed it – and the
wonderful truth is that, in Jesus Christ I do.
In the Creator this wonderful world, this astonishing Universe makes sense. In Christ
my part in all of that – and especially in the Church whom Jesus has brought into
being – In Christ the uneven tracks of my life begin to have a purpose.
That is what Paul is saying here. See your part in the whole. See how God
PLANNED all this
in the heavenly realms

in Him before the creation of the world…
He was not frustrated in His purpose for the Universe

He will not be frustrated in His plan for the Church – the very body of Christ.
This plan is further elaborated for us in these key words:
chosen
predestined
The Plan
redeemed
revealed
CHOSEN
“He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his
sight…” v 4
I may not understand it – indeed I don’t – but it is gloriously true.
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It may seem incredibly presumptuous

It may seem impossibly inaccessible
It may seem – as I look at myself and ponder my imperfections – that it just isn’t like
that in the real world…
But which is the real world? The world of man or the world of God, the world of sin
or the world of grace?
TWO essential components make it REAL :
o The One in whom I am chosen – My Lord Jesus Christ

and
o The reason for which I am chosen “to be holy and blameless in His sight…”
It is wonderful – but not too difficult to say: “I belong to Jesus”
Paul views this from the reality of eternity and the glory of “heavenly places” and
uses the ever so common but gloriously gracious word CHOSEN
Then he moves on and amazes us with that controversial, conquering word
PREDESTINED v 4b,5 and 6
In love 5 hea predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in

accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which
he has freely given us in the One he loves.
“Destiny” is a rare word these days. A settled purpose decided by an outside power
that cannot be altered.
No wonder the word gives us a headache as we try to grapple with its implications!
But it is in a FAMILY SETTING
I like the way the NIV begins the sentence “In love He predestined us to be adopted
as his sons…”
We are not chiselled out by some divine sculpting tool to make an impression in the
world – but lovingly predestined to be adopted as sons.
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And that love is reinforced in the phrase of v 6 “grace which He has given us in the
One he loves”
In verses 11 and 12 Paul develops this theme of DESTINY and DIVINE PURPOSE a
little more especially with regard to himself and the other apostles.
He wants us to rejoice in the CERTAINTY of it. If God has set His love upon us, if
God has chosen us, then he has emphatically arranged it all so that we meet His
requirements and bring Him all the praise.
Our human will and our imperfect understanding may jib at it that God should
organise our lives for us – but He does.
Nothing is going to stand in the way of His plan for His family.
As our Lord did so do we acknowledge: “Your will be done!”
Paul goes on –
REDEEMED v7
7 Inhim we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in

accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom
and understanding.
God’s plan does not ignore our sinful nature and our guilt – it meets head on in the
the work of Christ the problem of our sin.
redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins
This is the plan as seen from God’s side if you like. It is all in Christ, all of grace, and
as such it is UNSTOPPABLE, CERTAIN, SURE!
All the OT ideas of sacrifice and redemption and salvation meet in the work of Christ
redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins
I am not yet like my Lord – but I will be!
I cannot bring it out by my effort or my deserving – but it is gloriously real in CHRIST.
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So I am not surprised by the last part of that PLAN:-
REVEALED v9
9 And hea made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good
pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will
have reached their fulfilment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together
under one head, even Christ.
CHOSEN – PREDESTINED – REDEEMED – REVEALED
He made known to us….
That is the fourth part of this great plan – as God designs the Body of Christ to bear
His likeness and to demonstrate His grace
We are SHOWN what He is doing
PURPOSED IN CHRIST
Once again the wonder of the plan is centred in CHRIST

and expressed in two ways:
The wonder shared
9 Andhea made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure,
which he purposed in Christ,
The future glory shown
10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfilment—to bring
all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
What a view of God’s design!
chosen, predestined, redeemed, revealed
These are the works and wonders that God has done.
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Now Paul turns to the similar wonders of our response:
THE PROCESS in vv 13 and 14 The Process
Heard, believed, marked and owned:-
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the
gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the
promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the
redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
As we noted earlier, in verses 11 and 12 Paul writes of himself as part of that plan,
and now tells us (with the churches to whom he wrote this letter) our EXERIENCE of
this wonderful design:
You also were included in Christ…
How?
The plan outlined in such majestic terms is now expressed in language that tells of
our response:
HEARD v 13
when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.
As we were reminded on Sunday last – the Gospel has been going out into the world
ever since our Lord’s disciples were first baptised in the Spirit and sent out to share
it.
It reached the province of Asia, as it had done the towns of Collosse and Ephesus –
so it moved into Europe and Philippi – and, down through the ages in which that Plan
has been working out His purposes the gospel reached these shores and our times –
and us.
We HEARD.
When did you first hear? Ah! Part of the plan that was.
We heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation.
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What had been a design in the very heart of Creator God is now applied to ME!
And after hearing comes:
BELIEVED v 13b
Having believed…
With what simplicity does the reality of my faith In the Gospel get stated.
I responded to the Gospel – as you did.
And in that glorious instance God worked in me by His grace a wonder that one day
will be celebrated in the Coming again of My Lord!
There’s no doubt about it!
And what happened next?
MARKED v 13b
Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised
Holy Spirit,
The work of the Holy Spirit memorably described as a seal set on the believer –
marking him out as His
But notice that the mark is “in Him” - although the language suggests a “seal” as
used to denote ownership or “quality” the focus of the Holy Spirit’s work is still upon
Christ.
As the Message renders it:
It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your
salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy
Spirit. (The Message)
As John 6 27
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27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which
the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of
approval.”
28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
2 Cor 1 20
2 Cor 1 20
20 Forno matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in
Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of
God. 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.
He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in
our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Eph 4
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed
for the day of redemption.
and, finally:-
OWNED v 14
Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the

redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his
glory.
2 Cor 1
21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22
set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit,
guaranteeing what is to come.
2 Cor 5
5 Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as
a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
This is evidently a favourite analogy of Paul. There can be no escaping the certainty
of which he writes.
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Having soared above the natural world, having fixed the certainty of God’s plan in
eternity and the heavenly places in Christ, Paul brings us down to the individual
witness of the Holy Spirit in our own lives and hearts.
Know this – the apostle is saying – all your hopes of salvation and the future, all your
expectation of a final likeness to Jesus – these things are guaranteed by the PLAN
and the PROCESS of God’s work in us – in Christ.
Whatever the world may throw at me, however I may be challenged by

circumstances or by the world around me – my God designed it, has determined it
will be and has set His love on me and completed His work in Christ for me. Now by
the Spirit – completing a Trinity of work on my behalf – it is so!
Against any background of uncertainty I am encouraged to see the Church – local

and universal – from the perspective of God’s Plan and His process for our inclusion.
I am encouraged to soar above the mundane and the troublesome, to catch a
glimpse of a Divine Purpose and a Divine Process. We too often see the church
from the pew – or even the pulpit, when we should be looking away to Jesus in
whom the Church has its life and being.
I believe that we need as a group of God’s people to set aside those things that have
disturbed us and focus on our Lord. I am not saying that you have not been doing
that in previous months. I am not suggesting that this means a setting aside of all the
lessons you have learned recently. I am saying that we need to gather at His feet
who knows what is best for us. We need to set right our relationship with Him – then
our relationship with one another.
We have to stop seeing the Church from our own limited perspective, or even by
comparison with other churches that seem less troubled by schism and hurt. We
need to see ourselves as IN CHRIST first.
He will not ultimately allow His plan to be thwarted
He may allow us to step out of the way – or deviate from what He most desires for
us, but His plan is secure, His process certain in the whole godhead – Father Son
and Spirit.
This realignment of our spiritual life is the subject of Paul’s prayer in the next
paragraph (vv 15-22) – it is also the subject, God willing, of our next study.
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Study No. 2
EMPOWERED
15
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and
your love for all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirita of wisdom and
revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of
your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which
he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his
incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of
his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the
dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all
rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not
only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all
things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the
church, 23 which is his body, the fulness of him who fills everything in every
way.
Chapter 1 vv 15-23
In a passage which reminds us of the Early Church’s emphasis on the resurrection

power of Jesus, Paul shows us the hallmarks of the Christian’s life in Christ.
We may summarise these in the following way:
o Faith mixed with love v15

o Constant Prayer v16
o A deeper knowledge of Jesus vv 17,18 and 19
and
o A place in His Church vv 18,22 and 23
First of all take a look at the verses before us.
Notice how the prayer leads into a general statement about the power that works in
the believer. Can you see where the prayer ends and the statement begins?
Almost exactly half way through, in the middle of verse 19.
Study 2 : Page 1 of 9
Ephesians
We shouldn’t be surprised at that. Real prayer like that which Paul describes always
leads on to a better understanding of the nature of the Lord Himself.
You will find it in all his letters – and mixed with doctrine and thanksgiving.
So then where does the strength to live a Christian life come from?
Essentially the power of the Risen Jesus – but expressed to us here firstly in:-
FAITH MIXED WITH LOVE v 15

15
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and
your love for all the saints,
These are the hallmarks of the believer:
Faith in Jesus
Love for others
Paul has already told us where that FAITH began
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the
gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal,
the promised Holy Spirit, v13
(See also 2 v 8; 3 v 12, 14; 4 v 12; 6 v 15)
How do you recognise this faith in yourself?
It shows itself in the work of the Spirit, a relationship with Christ.
How do you recognise it in others?
Possibly by words of witness and arguably by works of righteousness – but here in

this passage the emphasis is upon FAITH mixed with LOVE.
Although faith in Jesus is the touchstone of the spiritual life it MUST be worked out in
LOVE.
And not a love in isolation but “for all the saints”
Ephesians
Faith Christ Jesus always opens the way to a wider fellowship - as in verse 19:
19
and his incomparably great power for us who believe
CONSTANT PRAYER v 16
16
I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may
give you …
As in Chapter 3 14-19, PRAYER – fervent and focussed prayer is the feature of

Paul’s ministry for these believers.
I have not stopped …
Even when fresh challenges, new churches, new areas of service presented
themselves, Paul carried an immense weight of burden in prayer for those with
whom he had shared the Gospel.
I have said elsewhere that I find prayer the hardest of all spiritual disciplines. I find it
hard to imagine how Paul could remain constant in prayer for his contacts.
Of course you could say it was just a general prayer appropriate to any and
everyone – but that does not seem to be the way with the apostle.
He frequently alludes to specific individuals and specific needs. He uses many

different kinds of prayer.
Here in this passage we have THREE COMPONENTS:
(1) Giving thanks v16

(2) Asking v17
(3) Praying also v18
16
I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
17
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,
may give you the Spirita of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him
better. 18 I pray also that …
Ephesians
GIVING THANKS
Paul always mixes his prayers with thanksgiving. Here he claims “I have never
stopped giving thanks for you…”
Paul’s model is a good one for us as individuals and for the church.
Phil 1 v 3
I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I
3
always pray with joy
Col 1 v 3~
3
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for
you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have
for all the saints— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for
you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel
6
that has come to you.
Clearly this was a phrase that Paul used frequently. A sequence of related thoughts
that he tends to unite in a common pattern for his own prayer.
ASKING
I know that some believers get confused about how we should ASK. Some set limits
on the kinds of things you may ask for – others suggest that ANYTHING can be the
subject of supplication.
Certainly our Lord Himself seemed to invite any kind of request – he speaks of
prayer as the natural language of our relationship with the Father.
Paul has no hesitation – having thanked His Lord – in getting down to the business
of ASKING that God will do certain things for the (Ephesian) Church.
We’ll look at that in a moment or two as we take a closer look at his aspirations for
the Lord’s people.
But for this moment consider the possibilities of PRAYER REQUESTS.
Notice how Paul says “keep asking” – he has taken the teaching of His lord to heart.
Ephesians
PRAYING ALSO
The words are supplied by the NIV to make sense of the next long sentence.
Prayer is an extended conversation in which many areas are revisited. God is –

according to the OT pattern – constantly reminded of His previous faithfulness and
ASKED again and again for present faithfulness and help.
Prayer continues that work begun in us by faith. It deepens our awareness and
understanding of the Lord and expresses itself in love.
As we look at what Paul ASKED for the Ephesian (and Colossian) churches
we see further evidence of the hallmarks of the Christian life.
A DEEPER KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST 17,18,19
17
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give
you the Spirita of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray
also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the
hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
19
and his incomparably great power for us who believe
Compare this with his words in Colossians:

9
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped
praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will
through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Paul’s first strand of request for these believers is indeed a deeper knowledge of
Christ.
v 17 so that you may know Him better
The secret of a vibrant Christian life is knowing more of Jesus by the working of His
Spirit. “the spirit of wisdom and revelation”.
As Paul desired for himself: in Phil 3 v 10

10
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings,
becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Ephesians
In the next verse Paul expands that phrase “know Him better”:
v 18 that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened…
…that you may know the hope to which He has called you …
…the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints…
…his incomparably great power for us who believe…
It begins in the heart

It embraces the hope of our calling
It measures the richness of our inheritance
It tests the power of God in believers’ lives
This is no mere academic knowledge – but a heart response to the heart of God.
A wisdom that reaches out in admiration of God’s calling to a special hope
Which is (implied) the vast resources of His inheritance in the believing community
It is a powerful force beyond our comparison.
All of this is a knowledge of Him
A return to BASIC UNDERSTANDING of Jesus Himself

of all He has done
of all He promises us in the future
of the power of His risen life in us.
This thought of knowing Christ leads Paul on to explore the wonder in his own
words. It seems he is taken up with that word POWER.
This makes the natural connection between his prayer and his presentation, between
verses 15-19a and 19b – 23
That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised
him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and
authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the
one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for
the church, 23 which is his body, the fulness of him who fills everything in every way.
Ephesians
Paul leaves us in no doubt that the POWER that drives the Christian life, the power
that drives the Christian community forwards is the RESURRECTION POWER – and
even more than that ASCENSION POWER.
In considering the knowledge of His Lord Paul sees Christ RISING

SEATED
ABOVE ALL
OVER ALL
Our hope and our daily spiritual life is lived in nothing less than the “mighty strength”
of God demonstrated in the rising, ascending and triumphing work of Christ.
It is – as we saw last time ALL IN CHRIST.
As He is “on the up” – so are we!
So Paul concludes his prayer and his presentation of the alignment of the spiritual
life IN CHRIST by showing us that that life includes:-
A PLACE IN HIS CHURCH v18, 22 and 23

v 18 the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
v 22 & 23
22
And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over
everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fulness of him who fills
everything in every way.
It is difficult to find words that describe the Church to equal what Paul says here.
As we move with the risen, ascended and majestic Christ into the heavenly places
language is strained to express the meaning of what it is to be PART OF HIM – to be
truly IN CHRIST
If you want to see the Church as God sees it you must see Christ. You must also
lose the preoccupation with the foreground issues that splinter and divide, and see
the vast background tapestry on which is woven the immense wonder of the Body of
Christ.
No way can we see this from pew or pulpit – we have to rise with Him and, as Paul
says to the Colossians
Ephesians
“Set your mind on things above” (An excellent College motto – LBC)
But it begins (v18) with the folk we know…
(A) the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints
Notice this is not OUR inheritance – it is His glorious inheritance – in us!
Of course we share it – but in a wonderful way WE are His inheritance
We are meant to shine in the reflected wonder of those RICHES
{This word is used repeatedly in this letter:
1,7 1,18 2,7 3,8 3,16 usually of grace, or glory or of Christ Himself}
(B) head over everything for the church,
This must surely reassure us – put our problems into perspective – he is head over
EVERYTHING
(C) 23 which is his body, See 1 Cor 12 27~

12
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with
Christ. 13 For we were all baptised bya one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the
one Spirit to drink.
14
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to
the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not
belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the
sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts
in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there
are many parts, but one body.
21
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the
contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honourable we
treat with special honour. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts
need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honour to the parts that lacked it,
25
so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part uffers,
every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you
is a part of it. 1
There is a wonderful echo here of the Communion Table “This is My Body”.
1
Believers as the Body of Christ
Rom. 12:3–5; 1 Cor. 6:15–17; 1 Cor. 10:16–17; 1 Cor. 11:29; 1 Cor. 12:27; Gal. 3:28; Eph. 1:22–23;
Eph. 4:11–13; Eph. 4:22–25; Col. 1:24; Col. 2:19
Ephesians
SUMMARY
So we see the measure of the Christian life – the EMPOWERMENT of the believer
as an individual and as a member of the Body.
By FAITH and LOVE
By PRAYER in its various forms
By a DEEPER KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS
and
By FELLOWSHIP IN THE CHURCH – Which is His body.
Next week,
God willing we move on to
a series of “Greats” in the first half of Chapter 2.
Ephesians
Study No. 3
A GREAT LIFE
2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used
to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of
the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also
lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful naturea and
following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of
wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us
alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you
have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the
heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show
the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ
Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no-one can boast. 10 For we
are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God
prepared in advance for us to do.
EPHESIANS 2 vv 1-10
1
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time
past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of
the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we
all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desiresa of the
flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when
we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And
hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That
in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward
us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordainedb that
we should walk in them.
AV
Here in this wonderful section of Ephesians – the letter to any and every Church –
we can see FOUR GREATS:
Ephesians
1. Great CHANGE vv 1-3 v 5a
2. Great LOVE v4
3. Great GRACE vv 5b, 7,8,9
4. Great WORKMANSHIP v10
GREAT CHANGE vv 1-3 and 5a
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to
live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the
air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived
among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful naturea and following
its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
But…5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions…
1
{AV And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;}
Paul frequently reminds his hearers of what they were like before God transformed
them by His Holy Spirit in saving grace.
This is so that they can give all the praise to God for what He has done in Christ.
He tells them here that there were FOUR characteristics of their state before grace
transformed them and made them alive:
(a) DEAD
That is, spiritually dead just as God had warned Adam and Eve in Eden – a
deadness of disobedience and sin.
An existence characterised by slavery to sin and helplessness
“dead in your transgressions and sins”
Ephesians
This hope is rooted in what has gone before in Chapter 1 15-23 – where Paul
presents a picture of Christ rising, ascended, glorified and triumphant. Because He
lives – we may live.
(b) SUBJECT TO SATAN

2
in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the
ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are
disobedient.
We may live in an era where Satan is sidelined – but the reality is quite different.
Paul makes it clear that before God’s gospel reached us we followed HIS WAYS and
HE STILL WORKS in those who have not believed..
Secondly – Paul shows us that it is not merely a sinful nature – but sinful living that
made us subject to God’s judgement.
(c) SUBJECT TO EVIL WAYS AND THOUGHTS

3
All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful
naturea and following its desires and thoughts.
The effects of sin and Satan in our lives permeated everything – cravings, desires
and thoughts.
(d) SUBJECT TO JUDGEMENT
Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. V 3b
We were indeed dead – dying – and deserving of judgement.
BUT all that changed – was a very great change – to what we are now in Christ
But…5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions…
What a GREAT CHANGE!
Ephesians
GREAT LOVE v4
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive
with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions
WHY? because He loved
HOW? because He loved us so much
WHEN? When we were dead in transgressions
WHAT? He MADE US ALIVE with CHRIST
Paul makes it very clear that the work, motive and initiative is ALL OF GOD
“Nothing in my hands I bring

Simply to Thy cross I cling…”
Because He loved me so much:

1
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should
be called the sons of God: 1 JOHN 3 v 1
And anticipating a later section:

EPH 3 And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have
power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and
deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that
you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
(1) rooted and established in love

(2) the vastness of that love
(3) the knowing of a love that surpasses knowledge!
Ephesians
GREAT GRACE 5b 7, 8 and 9

it is by grace you have been saved. . . . 7 in order that in the coming ages he might
show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in
Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not
from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no-one can boast.
GRACE has been described as the smile of God.
It is much more than that – it is all the character of God poured out on undeserving
sinners to transform them into saints – into nothing less than the Body of Christ.
It is the GIFT of God that cannot be earned or won
And although it operates through faith (verse 8) even that faith is in God’s gift.
(1) By GREAT GRACE we are rescued
(2) Grace does not wear out or grow dim – nor ever lose its value – on the
contrary one day He will demonstrate His grace in us.
. 7
in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his
grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
What are these riches?

They shine in what we will be in Christ
They are expressed now in “his kindness to us in Christ Jesus”
(3) Grace is never earned

never deserved
never substituted
never failing
It is ALL OF GOD so that no one can boast.
— 9 not by works, so that no-one can boast
Do we need such a reminder? Yes, emphatically – for we are prone to pride even in
this.
Ephesians
GREAT WORKMANSHIP 6, 7 and 10
. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly
realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the
incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
10
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.
There are two strands to this theme:
An expectation – or prospect of being celebrated in Christ vv 6 and 7
A present recognition of a past and perfect plan v10
seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
(a) A place beside Him! What a prospect! Sharing His glory – contributing to
His triumph.
(b) Evidence of God’s incomparable Grace
This is something we often miss because we are preoccupied with OUR BENEFITS in
Him.
He intends to exhibit us as evidence of HIS GREAT WORK OF GRACE
A living evidence of the kindness of God to us in Christ Jesus

7
in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his
grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
(c) GOD’S WORKMANSHIP
Ephesians
10
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.
The two great themes of PREDESTINATION and SANCTIFICATION meet in this

statement.
This is our end and chief joy – to do good works as He intended
This is the way His plan is worked out now.
Paul will make it clear elsewhere that we are designed to do good works – but that
those works are God working out His plan and purpose in us.
So then there is a PRESENT EXPECTATION and a FUTURE EXPECTATION
Today it is required of us that we do good works.
That we demonstrate in our daily lives the wonderful way in which we have been
transformed – so that in a world of sin and sinners we may be seen as evidence of
Gods plan to work for good.
And in the glorious future - IN THE AGES TO COME - we shall celebrate with
Him, and our lives will be a living example of the perfection of His grace.
We have a GREAT GOD - a GREAT SAVIOUR – risen, ascended, triumphant
He works GREAT WORKS in us
A great CHANGE
Great LOVE
Great GRACE
and Great WORKMANSHIP
Ephesians
Study No. 4
THROUGH THE CROSS
2
11 Therefore,remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and
called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (that
done in the body by the hands of men)— 12 remember that at that time you were
separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the
covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in
Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood
of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the
barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its
commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man
out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to
God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and
preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For
through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with
God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him
the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God
lives by his Spirit.
In our earlier studies we saw the way in which Paul focuses on the resurrection of
Christ – here the focus changes to the Cross.
The paragraphs as set out in the NIV provide three sections:
What you were… 11-13

But now … through the cross 14-18
What you are … 19-22
Paul’s main point is made in v13:
13 Butnow in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near
through the blood of Christ.
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Ephesians
If you like verse 13 is his text – and the text is expounded in those three
paragraphs. It is not a popular message in these days – speaking as it does of the
work of Christ in terms of “the blood of Christ.”
Paul, who is writing mainly to Gentile Christians focuses first on what they were;
then on what Christ did and finally what they are becoming.
1. WHAT YOU WERE vv 11-13
The keyword is “LOST”
Paul lived in a world of clearly marked categories: slave or free; Jew or Gentile etc.
The idea of an egalitarian society was foreign to him.
Paul had first hand experience of the JEW-GENTILE issue. The fact that Jews were
in a minority was not a problem – if you were a Gentile, then your were LOST.
Once again our so called tolerant society is becoming polarised along similar lines.
Paul’s first description of the unbeliever’s state is in terms of JEW and GENTILE –
for which he uses the word “uncircumcised” – and those familiar with the OT
narrative of David and Goliath will know the contemptuous way in which that word is
used. (1Samuel 17 v 36)
He goes on:
SEPARATE from The Messiah
EXCLUDED from citizenship in Israel
FOREIGNERS to the covenants of the promise
These are words full of alienation and outsider – what he later describes as “FAR
AWAY” in v13.
But, just in case we miss the point, he presses his argument home with:
WITHOUT HOPE
WITHOUT GOD in the world….. TRULY LOST!
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Ephesians
2. BUT NOW … THROUGH THE CROSS vv13-18
The Work of Christ is described in a set of powerful phrases:
(a) There can be no reconciliation without suffering and sacrifice
(i) Through the blood of Christ

(ii) through the cross
(b) It is not so much the PROCESS of the Redeemer as the PERSON of the
REDEEMER
These verses (13-18) are full of Christ
He himself… his flesh … his purpose … He came … preached peace…
(c) The TRINITY is at work
18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Notice then how Paul variously describes this wonderful work:
(d) Making peace
He Himself is our peace v14

He came and preached peace to both parties v17
(e) Breaking down barriers
Barriers due to sin hostility

Barriers due to “class”
Barriers between man and God
(f) Abolishing a law which found us guilty
15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations.
Once again it is the cross that is in view: “in His flesh..”
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Ephesians
(g) Creating a new man
His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,
Paul seems to have two areas of the work of Christ in mind:
REDEMPTIVE dealing with sin

&
RESTORATIVE dealing with distinction
This emphasis lays the foundation for the teaching about CHURCH UNITY later.
With that in mind he changes the metaphor in his third paragraph:
3. BUILT TOGETHER vv 19-22
19 Consequently,
you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with
God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him
the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God
lives by his Spirit.
See how his phrases make the transition:
v 19 fellow citizens … members of God’s household … >> BUILDING
Once again there are three parts:
A people
A building
A temple
A permanent expression of what Christ has achieved (once for all) in His work on the
Cross.
(a) No longer foreigners! 19
fellow-citizens - the broader picture

members of God’s household the intimate family snapshot
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Ephesians
(b) Built on the ONE foundation
20 built
on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as
the chief cornerstone.
historically and by Divine plan and destiny
apostles … prophets …. Christ the chief cornerstone
Fulfilling the OT expectations and the NT Gospel
(c) HELD TOGETHER IN CHRIST
21 In
him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple
in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in
which God lives by his Spirit.
He beautifully blends the pictures of building and temple

habitation for the Spirit
inorganic and organic

stone and spirit
So Paul moves from what we were to what we are and what we will be.
And all of it in Christ who suffered on the cross.
---------------
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Ephesians
Study No. 5
PAUL THE PREACHER

Paul the Preacher to the Gentiles
3
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
2
Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to
me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already
written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the
mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now
been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that
through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body,
and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
7
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the
working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was
given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to
everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God,
who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom
of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11
according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him
and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you,
therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
INTRODUCTION
When we began this series of studies I commented on the very long sentences that
Paul uses – and how difficult they are to read in public, even in translation. (Verses
2-7 and 8-12 form single sentences in the Greek.) This chapter (which is the last of
three doctrinal chapters in the book) demonstrates a similar difficulty.
Paul begins by introducing a prayer in verse 1 – but the prayer doesn’t appear until
verse 14! What we have for our present study is pretty much a parenthesis. Before
he shares his prayer for these people he will go on a detour in which he will describe
the way God involved him in His plan and gave him a particular ministry
This “parenthesis” provides us with an insight into what he regarded as his ministry
to them – and therefore an insight into the nature of the Christian Ministry.
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Ephesians
I am sure you will agree that that makes the passage before us particularly relevant
as we consider the nature of the Christian ministry.
STRUCTURE
I like to know where I am going in an exposition – and for that reason I tend to be
somewhat tied to a structure. I know it isn’t the only way to preach or to teach –
but it is my preferred method. I offer you the following division of the passage:
ℵ The subject of his preaching verses 2 - 6
ℵ The method of his preaching verses 7 - 11
ℵ The outcome of his preaching verses 12 and 13
But first of all look again at the opening words – which, we might argue, more
properly belong to the next section.
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
We are reminded of Paul’s situation as he writes. More than likely chained to a

Roman soldier, and dictating his letter in the presence of such a gaoler and such
evident difficulty.
At once Paul asserts his view of this difficulty – he is not the prisoner of the Romans
but the prisoner of Christ Jesus. (A phrase repeated twice in Philemon – another
letter written at the same period.) “Christ Jesus’ man imprisoned (that is what is
meant by prisoner of Christ Jesus, not that Jesus is the jailer!)1
He often describes himself as the SLAVE of Jesus – but here it is prisoner. He has
done so in many other letters – but here his introductory title is “apostle” and his
reference is to imprisonment.
We notice too the link with the Gentiles: “For the sake of you Gentiles” – Paul’s
imprisonment arouse directly from his specific ministry to the gentiles of which these
1
Carson, D. (1997, c1994). New Bible Commentary : 21st century edition (electronic ed. of the 4th ed.) (Eph 3:14). Downers Grove: InterVarsity.
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Ephesians
verses will have much to say. Because of that particular ministry Paul was accused
by the Jews and imprisoned by Rome.
“For this reason…” takes us forward to the prayer. It also reminds us of the verses
just before that spoke so eloquently of the Gentiles being included into the temple
and the building and the community and family of the Church.
Paul is saying “I’m here in prison – but that is part of God’s plan – His way of using
me for you Gentiles. Let me tell you a little about it…”
And so he does, and in the passage before us presents us with this threefold
description of his ministry:
THE SUBJECT OF HIS PREACHING verses 2-6

2
Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to
me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have
already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my
insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other
generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and
prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together
with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in
Christ Jesus.
There is obviously a distinction here between preaching in general and the

particular ministry of the apostle. He wants us to know that God gave him a unique
ministry. “A mystery made known to me by revelation..” (3) Paul wants his readers to
understand that what had been denied to all others – even the Old Testament – has
been given to him. This unique ministry – or mystery – is “…that through the gospel
the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and
sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”
This was Paul’s distinctive ministry.
Of course, in the broadest sense it was to preach Christ. It was the gospel. But it
was specifically for the Gentiles. And it is easy for us who take possession of Paul
and his writings; to regard him as “one of us” – but he was a Hebrew of the Hebrews.
For Paul the message demanded a specific vision, a specific revelation – a mystery
shared by God with His chosen apostle.
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So you will notice as Paul explains this to his readers that he shares with us these
strands of the gospel truth that motivated everything he did.
MYSTERY
We use this word in such a different context nowadays that it deserves a closer look.
Back in Chapter 1 v 9 Paul has used the word:
9
And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good
pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will
have reached their fulfilment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together
under one head, even Christ.
He now uses it four times in our passage 3, 4 6 and 9.
It is something that can only be known by revelation. In that sense Jesus spoke to
His disciples in Luke 8 v 10 (and Matthew and Mark)
10
And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but
to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not
understand.
It is something hidden from those who do not know the work of the Holy Spirit in
their lives. It is not like a modern mystery simply waiting to be unravelled or
explained.
So here Paul uses it like this:
the mystery made known to me by revelation 3

my insight into the mystery of Christ, 4
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with
Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ
Jesus. 6
The ordinary sense of the word is something hidden from general view – the NT
sense is truth revealed by God Himself.
As in Col 2 v 26:
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26
the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now
disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the
Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
ADMINISTRATION (NIV) STEWARDSHIP (AV)
v 2 the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
The word is that from which we derive ECONOMY – at a personal level a

stewardship committed, on a wider scale a system for organising wealth.
Paul sees his ministry as an “administration of God’s grace” by which God gave him
an insight into the mystery so that he might share it.
“Given to me FOR you”
There is nothing ad hoc about Ministry – it has a divine origin, a divine subject and a
God ordained audience.
Those who are called to it know the mystery – are aware of the solemn stewardship
of it, and recognise that it is for the Lord’s people.
Of course it bestows privilege – as it did to the prophets of old – but with that
privilege, and our recognition of the office goes a solemn ECONOMY – both an
individual stewardship and a collective administration.
Verse 6 shows us the three-fold strand of his ministry:

6
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel,
members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
The mystery is about the Gentiles who are:
1. heirs together with Israel

2. members together of one body
3. sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus
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THE METHOD OF HIS PREACHING VV 7 — 11

7
working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this
grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9
and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past
was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through
the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and
authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he
accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
You will notice in this paragraph two very unusual words:
v 8 “unsearchable” ἀνεξιχνίαστος
v10 “manifold” πολυποίκιλος
The thought of our riches in Christ Jesus is one the hallmark phrases of the letter –
but Paul here uses a most unusual word “unsearchable” which ties in perfectly with
the phrases he will use in his prayer presently.
The word is only found here and in Romans and in Job (in the Septuagint) :
ROMANS 11
33
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counsellor?”
35
“Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?”
36
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory for ever! Amen.
Job 5 v 9 and 9 v 10 9
He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,
miracles that cannot be counted.
The thought is of trying to “track out the confines of a lake and finding it is in fact no
lake at all but an arm of the immeasurable ocean” (Jowett)
Today we would probably want to use the expanse of space as a better analogy.
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The second unusual word is “manifold” v10 πολυποίκιλος
The word is found only here – but is used elsewhere to describe the varied colours of
an individual flower or a bed of flowers – or the intricate beauty of an embroidered
pattern.
(It suggests to me (being that way inclined) the many different coloured pixels of
which an image is composed on a digital screen.)
In this paragraph Paul describes the way he preaches:

7
working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this
grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9
and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past
was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through
the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and
authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he
accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
ℵ Dependent 7
ℵ Privileged 8
ℵ Professional 8,9,10,11 preach…make plain …make known through the
Church
DEPENDENT v7
7
working of his power.
Paul makes it plain that in the same way that his subject is by divine inspiration his
life as a preacher depends entirely on God’s grace and His power.
He describes himself as a “servant of this gospel” – he is entirely given over to it.
In the next verse he enlarges on this:
PRIVILEGED v8
. 8 Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to
preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
Page 8 of 10
Ephesians
True preaching has to begin with humility – as the prophet speaks not his own words
but the word of the Lord – so the preacher begins with a totally realistic view of his
own status.
This is the balance between humility and honour – a real sense of privilege : I am
nothing but the message is everything.
Here too is the thought of an utterly bottomless, unlimited range of material from
which to speak.
PROFESSIONAL vv 8-11
to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to
everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in
God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the
manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the
heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ
Jesus our Lord.
Notice the phrases Paul uses to describe his technique:
ℵ to preach …
ℵ to make plain …
ℵ through the church…made known
ℵ Evangelize εὐαγγελίζω
ℵ Illuminate φωτίζω
Both elements are needed – the evangelising and the making plain. Once the
gospel is preached there must be growth in discipleship so Paul’s ministry includes
both strands.
You can see that the second strand does not stay in the shallows – but pushes out
into the deeper water of that which was kept hidden by the Creator.
In the third strand Paul shows us that the ministry extends through the whole church:
Page 9 of 10
Ephesians
10
His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should
be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to
his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
If the word is to reach rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms then it is a work
of God in His Church - by its worship, witness and its salting influence.
There is little point in preaching unless the Gospel is declared, the saints
enlightened, and the world reached by the Church as a whole.
Finally we see in the closing phrases of our passage:
THE OUTCOME OF HIS PREACHING VV 12,13

12
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and
confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings
for you, which are your glory.
We noticed in v 11 that the ministry affects the spiritual beings – but it’s effect upon
the Body of Christ is a community of the Lord’s people
ℵ who approach God with freedom and confidence
ℵ who are not discouraged by what happens – in particular to their apostle Paul
because the Lord who planned the revealing of His mystery and equipped Paul to
minister it has their GLORY in mind.
© David A Green BD www.davidagreen.com Feb 2003
Page 10 of 10

Ephesians Studies 1to5

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Ephesians Studies 1to5

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Bristol Road Baptist Church

Life in the Body of Christ

A 1: 1-14 IN CHRIST The Plan and the Process

B 1: 15-23 EMPOWERED Prayer, Power and Purpose

C 2: 1-10 A GREAT LIFE Great … change, love, grace and prospects

D 2: 11-22 THROUGH THE CROSS Were ….+…. Are

That will do for a beginning.

So it could just as easily be entitled “To the Church at Bristol Road…”

in the heavenly realms

He was not frustrated in His purpose for the Universe

This plan is further elaborated for us in these key words:

I may not understand it – indeed I don’t – but it is gloriously true.

It may seem incredibly presumptuous

TWO essential components make it REAL :

o The One in whom I am chosen – My Lord Jesus Christ

It is wonderful – but not too difficult to say: “I belong to Jesus”

Then he moves on and amazes us with that controversial, conquering word

PREDESTINED v 4b,5 and 6

In love 5 hea predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in

But it is in a FAMILY SETTING

As our Lord did so do we acknowledge: “Your will be done!”

7 Inhim we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in

redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins

redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins

I am not yet like my Lord – but I will be!

I cannot bring it out by my effort or my deserving – but it is gloriously real in CHRIST.

So I am not surprised by the last part of that PLAN:-

CHOSEN – PREDESTINED – REDEEMED – REVEALED

He made known to us….

We are SHOWN what He is doing

Once again the wonder of the plan is centred in CHRIST

The wonder shared

The future glory shown

What a view of God’s design!

chosen, predestined, redeemed, revealed

Now Paul turns to the similar wonders of our response:

THE PROCESS in vv 13 and 14 The Process

Heard, believed, marked and owned:-

You also were included in Christ…

We heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation.

And after hearing comes:

I responded to the Gospel – as you did.

There’s no doubt about it!

And what happened next?

As the Message renders it:

Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the

a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Whatever the world may throw at me, however I may be challenged by

Against any background of uncertainty I am encouraged to see the Church – local

He will not ultimately allow His plan to be thwarted

In a passage which reminds us of the Early Church’s emphasis on the resurrection

We may summarise these in the following way:

o Faith mixed with love v15

First of all take a look at the verses before us.

FAITH MIXED WITH LOVE v 15

These are the hallmarks of the believer:

Paul has already told us where that FAITH began

(See also 2 v 8; 3 v 12, 14; 4 v 12; 6 v 15)

How do you recognise this faith in yourself?

It shows itself in the work of the Spirit, a relationship with Christ.

How do you recognise it in others?

Possibly by words of witness and arguably by works of righteousness – but here in