Tonight we are finally beginning our discussion of Ephesians. Please read Paul’s brief salutation and opening blessing of praise found in Ephesians 1:1-14.
We/You: (vv.12-13)
In verses 12 and 13, Paul moves from a first-person perspective to a second-person perspective in addressing his audience. “We who first hope in Christ . . . In him you also, who have heard . . .” In other parts of this letter, and particularly chapter 3, Paul uses this we/you dichotomy to differentiate between Jewish and Gentile Christians. This difference between Jew and Gentile and its erasure in the church of Christ is one of the main themes of this letter and all of Paul’s preaching.
God initially made the promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through him. Gen. 12:3b. In Paul’s understanding, the Jews were elected and redeemed by God to hold onto and carry this promise into the world until the right time for God’s plan in Christ Jesus to come to fruition. See, Rom. 4, Gal. 3:15-30. The coming of the Christ was/is the hope of the Jewish people. And Jesus primarily came to the Jews – his apostles and most of his audiences were Jewish. This is Paul’s “we.”
But, Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles, is clear that the promise of Abraham was for the benefit of all people, not just we Jews but also you Gentiles. Paul’s great example from Romans 11 is that the descendants of Abraham (the Jews) are the tree upon which the other nations have been grafted through Christ. Rom. 11:17. This is Paul’s “you.”
Our: (v.14)
In verse 14, the “we/you” becomes an “our.” The promise to Abraham is “our inheritance.” As Paul writes in Galatians, all who are in Christ are heirs to the promise. Gal.3:29. The inheritance of blessing and grace that was promised to Abraham and passed down through his lineal blood descendants (See, Matt. 1) now belongs to all those who are in Christ. Rom. 4:14. Within this verse we see the first glimpse of Paul’s message that in Christ all are made one.
Dinner is at 6. The menu is chicken mole. Discussion about 6:45. Compline at 8. Hope to see you here!
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. Gal. 4:28-29