Study on the book of Ephesians
By Rev. Kumam Suresh Singh
Fulfillment of the union of heaven and earth through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:9-10)
We may complain about the tragedies in our lives and blame God, but we should know that these are bound to happen in the earthly world and that a Christian life is not an easy life and we should continue to believe in Him and open our eyes to see all the blessings that He has given us. We should not be without hope as He has given hope to us.
Before we study Ephesians, we need to understand the background/history. There are two groups namely, the Gentiles and the Jews. Now, when both the groups believed in Christ and came under one Church, there is always conflict/discrimination between them. It is comparable to the discrimination between the blacks and whites in America. When the Gentiles were born again, the Jews are still in doubt and asked them for the following three religious observances:
- Jewish dietary laws
- Circumcision
- Observe Sabbath
What Paul said about ‘My Gospel’ is the gospel without any laws. While Paul and Peter were at the Antioch church, there even was a distinction on the Holy Communion. If we need to understand more about this, we need to study Galatians. The plan of God is to rather unite Gentiles and Jews all over the world and not only that, to unite heaven and earth as one family.
Ephesians is a bird’s eye view of the plan of God. The plan is to unite Gentiles and Jews, heaven and earth and each and every family (whoever believes in Him are one big family, then the church as a family and finally, as a household family).
Ephesians was written by Paul while in prison. Though it is not clear whether this was directed to the church in Ephesia, but it is largely believed that this was addressed to the churches around Ephesia.
- Ephesians 1:3 – In this book, there are many instance of reference to God as Father (as many as 8 times in 6 chapters). So, we need to remember that we will be taking about family.
- Ephesians 1:5 – This verse refers to sons, so whoever believes in Christ are his children. So, in all these, family terminology is used. In Greek, verses from Ephesians 1:3-14 is one sentence and talks about the blessings of God.
- Ephesians 1:9-10 – Now, this reveals the plan of God. All creatures, heaven and earth to be united anew in Christ. If you read Genesis, heaven and earth was created as one and gradually bifurcated. The plan of God is too big that we cannot comprehend.
- Ephesians 2:1 – While it is not possible to unite heaven and earth though sinners, Chapter 2 talks on how to unite.
- Ephesians 2:1-3 – This verses talks about our condition.
- Ephesians 2:12 – No hope, no Christ, no God, no promise, no covenant. This is our condition.
- Ephesians 2:4 – But, God……Regardless of our condition, though the mercy of God, we rose again with Christ.
- Ephesians 2:6 – We are already accepted by God though the salvation of Christ, even before we are born. So, it is imperative that we understand union with Christ and about being born again.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 – This is a very popular verse amongst us. There are also many of us who are only interested in heaven and hell. What we should be worried more is before that phase.
- Ephesians 2:10 – We have to reach till this verse and not stuck on the verses 8 and 9. This verse talks about how to live a Christian life (created for good works).
- Ephesians 2:13-14 – Reconciliation of the two groups and unites as one.
- Ephesians 5:1-33 – This chapter stems from the lifestyles of the Gentiles as Paul said, “Do not walk in darkness, walk in the light”
Jews are scorn by the Gentiles as they have laws to abide to. (But whoever confesses his sins are warmly accepted by Jesus Christ). Gentiles called Jews as people without God while Jews claim that no one else knows more about God other than them. So, they looked down on one another. However, Paul rebuked both the groups in equal degree and wanted to make them understand the big plan of God (Ephesians 2:14).
We need to understand the background and political situation of that time in order to grasp the phrases and words used by Paul in the book of Ephesians. An example would be when Ceaser said that his father is god, he implies that he is the son of god. That’s where Paul said, “Jesus Christ, the son of God, in the likeness of Him”
Attempts have been made in history to unite countries as one, however, it is impossible. God have bigger plan and Christ is the first born among the dead and through Him, we are new creation.
Review of the chapters:
- Ephesians 1 – Goals and plan of God
- Ephesians 2 – Create a family God through the salvation and resurrection of Christ
- Ephesians 3 – Explanation of new humanity and to spread the unification through the churches
- Ephesians 4 – Behavior of the new humanity and guard the unity
- Ephesians 5 – Be filled with spirit
- Ephesians 6 – Christian family
On a conclusion note, we need to accept that whoever believes in Christ are God’s family, we need to safeguard the unity of the church and lastly, each and every family to be submissive to one another.
