On Tuesday will be reading through Ephesians 3:14-21. These verses are Paul’s concluding prayer to the first half of his letter.
Structure of Ephesians:
Ephesians has two halves. The first half (Chapters 1-3) is a vertical structure whereby Paul extols the great riches of God in Christ through the Spirit in reconciling all people to himself. The second half of the letter (Chapters 4-6) has a horizontal structure wherein Paul reminds his audience of the values and virtues of the Church which govern how members of the church relate to one another and the world. The reading this week is Paul’s concluding prayer for the Church ending with a doxology. In this concluding prayer, Paul gives us a review of the first half of his letter. The praise and adoration with which Paul begins his letter is brought to a conclusion here.
The Father:
As you read through the concluding prayer, notice its Trinitarian structure. Paul first invokes the name of the Father – not only because of the work of creation but also because of the work of redemption. Specifically, the Father (Gk: Patera) names all families (Gk: patria) in heaven and on earth. vv. 14-15.
Think back to the Old Testament and the importance of naming. Names are given in the Bible to create and establish authority and to indicate a new beginning or direction in a person’s life. In our study of Genesis 1, we discussed that something cannot truly exist until it has been named, and not having a name is the same as simply not existing. And, as we discussed in Genesis 2 with Adam, name-giving also shows the power that the name-giver has over the name-receiver. To name means that the Father creates and the Father has authority. See, Isa. 40:26.
Naming also shows a change in status. For example, in Genesis 17:1-21, God renames Abram to Abraham and Sarai and Sarah (exalted father/mother to father/mother of multitudes) because God’s covenant with them changed. Likewise, in Genesis 32:28, God renames Jacob to Israel because “he has wrestled with God and with men, and has prevailed.” God’s salvation brings about a new name. Isa. 62:2.
The Spirit:
The Spirit is the source of life. As we have looked at before, spirit and breath are the same word. In the Hebrew Scriptures, it is the breath/spirit that gives life. Job says “The spirit of God has made me/and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Job 33:4. The Psalmist tells us that the spirit creates and gives life to all things. Ps. 104:30. It is also the spirit who brings the dead back to life. Ezek. 37:9. Paul writes that the Spirit “strengthens with might . . . in the inner person.” v.16. It is at the very center of a person’s being where Paul understands the Spirit doing her strengthing and renovating work. The Father gives the name and Spirit does the work.
In Christian theology, this work of the Spirit is called sanctification. Sanctification is “the process of becoming holy through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit . . . by means of which we grow into the fullness of the redeemed life.” Sanctification is a process that begins at baptism but is a process that continues throughout the life of an individual believer. We are already saved by grace through faith, be we are (hopefully) being continually sanctified by the Holy Spirit through this same faith.
The Son:
The goal of the work of the Spirit is so that “Christ might dwell through faith in your hearts.” v.17. The Greek word “to dwell” (katoikeo) means “to settle down as a permanent resident.” Christ’s dwelling in our hearts is not a temporary phenomenon that changes, but it is a permanent, eternal condition. Christ will never leave us.
Dinner is at 6. The menu is chicken cordon bleu. Discussion about 6:45. Compline at 8. Hope to see you here.
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24