“The enemy of our race, the devil, having fallen from heaven, wanders around these lower airs . . . and works illusions in those who are deceived and attempts to prevent them rising upwards . . . yet Christ came that he might overthrow the devil, purify the air, and open up for us the way to heaven.” Athanasius, “On the Incarnation,” Ch. IV.25
Ephesians 2:1-3, The Prince of the Air Read More »
Paul writes that the church is filled by this same Christ who is over all things. Christ gives the church community the same power and life that he has been given by God so that the church may experience this power as Paul will later describe in Chapter 2.
Ephesians 1:20-23, Christ’s Authority Read More »
All of these things – faith, love, wisdom, understanding, enlightenment, and hope – begin with the blessing of God the Father through Jesus Christ (v.3) according to his purpose and his will (v.11) to bring about God’s “glorious inheritance” (v.18) which is the church. This is our story.
Ephesians 1:15-19, The Prayer of Thanksgiving Read More »
The promise to Abraham that all nations will be blessed through him is “our inheritance.” As Paul writes in Galatians, all who are in Christ are heirs to that promise.
Ephesians 1:11-14, We, You, and Ours Read More »
The question is “How does God rescue his creation from sin and death?” Or rather “How is the victory of those forces arrayed against God obtained?” God’s plan (v.10) from the beginning of creation (v.4) is the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:3-10, God’s Plan Read More »
Paul’s opening is a panegyric (or a pep rally) for Jesus Christ so that his audience becomes enraptured with wonder, love, and praise for Christ and his works. Paul wants his audience and us to be excited about Jesus and his role in our salvation.
Ephesians 1:1-15, Major Themes Read More »
Ephesians is the reminder to its audience of (i) how Christ has reconciled all creation to himself and to God, (ii) how through Christ, all of humanity is reconciled to each other by and through the church, and (iii) how we in the church are to live a reconciled life.
Ephesians – Overview Read More »
Paul ends his discussion of monetary support with the teaching that it is God who ultimately supplies all of our needs. In other words, in these verses, Paul is saying “Thank you for the gift, but there is no reciprocity between us because we are both patronage clients of God above.”
Philippians 4:10-23, Giving and Receiving Read More »
Our concern should never be whether God is on our side, but whether we are on God’s side.
A Sermon on the Temple of David’s Son (2 Sam. 7:1-14a) Read More »
Paul is telling them (and us) that God’s peace stands on duty like a watchman calming the hearts of the faithful and protecting them from spiritual harm. Rejoicing not only leads to peace, but peace protects and allows for the rejoicing.
Philippians 4:2-9, “Again, I say Rejoice” Read More »
