Reflection on Pauls Letter to the Ephesians
CHAPTER ONE
For more than two years, the apostle Paul ministered to a budding congregation in the ancient metropolis of Ephesus. Originally a Greek stronghold and later under Roman rule, the city was a major center of spiritual learning. Here the temple of Artemis was built and later the library of Celsus. The Jewish population remained in the minority, and Paul desired to disciple the new body of believers, both Jews and Gentiles. In his letter, he emphasized the inclusion of all in the faith and the Holy Spirit’s power to overcome the tragedy of sin. He begins his dissertation with a wonderful greeting and profound poem.
In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
Ephesians 1:5-6 (ESV)
Speaking to this young church, Paul reiterates their common birthright as God’s chosen people, beyond the Abrahamic promise. He includes believing Gentiles in the family by emphasizing their recent adoption into fellowship through Jesus’ sacrifice and love. The distinction of God’s chosen was no longer restricted to Jewish genealogy, and the blessings of Abraham were superseded by the blood of Christ for all men. Today, in our contemporary society, many lay claim to the rights of faith. Similar to the Jews of antiquity, who considered themselves singularly better than their Gentile counterparts, many Christians of our day have yet to receive the adoption found through the resurrection of Jesus. In other words, many profess the creeds of Christianity either through church tradition or an emotionally charged conversion, but have not been brought up in sound discipleship by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Jewish people of Paul’s day claimed their status as God’s special favorite, but before Christ’s resurrection, they could not claim kinship with God Himself. This, among other things, is what Paul chiefly sought to impart through his correspondence with the Ephesian believers.
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV)
The apostle establishes his role among Christ’s first disciples and further commends the church in Ephesus as the second to receive the gospel. Here he speaks of the assurance given to those who have received the Holy Spirit, the subsequent inheritance endowed by Christ’s death. Through Jesus, we receive this divine inheritance, not by our own declaration or making. This is an important distinction. We understand that merely claiming fellowship with the Holy Spirit does not automatically grant us the right to forgiveness and communion with God. As Paul emphasized in Acts 5:32, this spiritual birthright is granted only to those who remain obedient to Christ.
And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.
Acts 5:32 (ESV)
The gift of the Holy Spirit, as Paul states, remains our guarantee of the inheritance yet to come. As with most inheritance endowments, there are clearly outlined stipulations. Paul uses his letter to the church in Ephesus as an opportunity to make this abundantly clear. His opening prayer establishes, first, who is really in charge and who determines our adoption into the family of Christ.
I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you,..
Ephesians 1:16-18 (ESV)
God the Father retains the final say on whether we are accepted into the family of believers. This is not claimed or demanded; He can not be forced or manipulated. Nor does a believer’s prayer or regular church attendance have anything to do with our union concerning the Spirit of wisdom. Rather, our guarantee of fellowship with Christ and subsequently, with the Father, is a gift of God. It seems ironic that too often many of us demand the inheritance of Gods chosen without the obedience that comes from faith (Romans 1:5). We say a prayer, claim a few choice verses, volunteer, give, and believe that we’re “sealed” and delivered. But it remains Jesus alone who intercedes for us to the Father, and the Holy Spirit who grants us communion with Christ. It remains necessary, therefore, that the gift of the Holy Spirit open the eyes of our hearts that we might receive the grace which grants us hope of salvation before we can claim anything in truth.
And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Ephesians 1:22-23 (ESV)
Through Christ’s death upon the cross, the Holy Spirit was made manifest to the first church. It remains true for us today. Christ’s cross makes the gift of the Spirit possible. Without Him, living and moving within us, we have no inheritance or right to claim kinship with Him. Everything that we do and say comes to nothing, no matter how noble, doctrinally correct, or sacrificial. The life of Jesus in us is made manifest by the Holy Spirit, which breathes His truth into our hearts and minds.
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
John 6:63 (ESV)
Everything has been placed “under his feet…” and it is this that we call upon when we pray. In examining the book of Ephesians, it’s important to note how Paul describes those sincerely within the faith and, further, how this faith manifests in the daily life of the devoted disciple.