Ephesians 1

Ephesians 1:1-23

Teacher’ s Notes for Chapter ONE 1. By what does Paul say he is an apostle of Christ? BY THE WILL OF GOD (verse 1) 2. In your own words explain what that means to you. THINK ABOUT ; It’s not unusual for an ambassador to be sent out by other men. a. Our government has ambassadors in almost every nation on earth who are given authority to speak on behalf of the ones who sent them out. b. We send missionaries out into the field to preach the gospel to the world. They are our ambassadors to represent us as well as Christ. The way they conduct themselves will have a reflection upon those who sent them out, whether for good or for bad. c. There were other evangelists in New Testament times who went out and preached the gospel message, PHILIP was one such man who went to Samaria (Acts 8:5-12). He had a great amount of authority in that he was able to command even the unclean spirits to leave people (verse 7). He had the authority to baptize men and women in the name of Jesus Christ (verse 12). But he did not have as much authority as did the apostles of Christ who were set apart “ by the will of God.” So this statement “By the will of God,” to me indicates a higher degree of authority. d. Paul spoke of the authority of the apostles in 2 Corinthians 10:7-11 in comparing himself to the false teachers at Corinth. Apostolic authority was far above that of ordinary men. Or, if you will, of other gospel preachers of that day. 3. To whom is this letter addressed? To the saints who are at Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus. 4. What indication do we have that this letter was to be circulated to all congregations? It isn’t ad-dressed to those who are at Ephesus only, but also “ the faithful in Christ Jesus” . 5. What ideas does the phrase “ the faithful in Christ Jesus” embrace? In the Gospel Advocate Commentary on Ephesians, page 16, David Lipscomb says “ It may well be another descriptive term for the saints at Ephesus.” a. Would it not include all Christians everywhere? All of the faithful. i. We do know that it was the rule rather than the exception to send copies of these writings to other congregations (Colossians 4:16; Acts 15:23). ii. In our English language we have a word, which is defined as, “ to speak praise or thanksgiving;” the word is “ .” In Ephesians 1:3-23 we have such a doxology as the apostle Paul praises the three members of the godhead. iii. Verses 3-6, God the Father is to be praised. 6. From verses 3-6 give two things for which God the Father is to be praised. (1.) Because He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ (verse 3b). (2.) He is to be praised because of His predestination in Christ (verses 4-6). a. These need to be examined a little closer. i. Looking at verse three, what is the nature of the blessings mentioned? They are . ii. Where are these spiritual blessings to be found? In Christ . YES! But what is mentioned just before “ in Christ?” IN THE PLACES. iii. Where would that be? THE CHURCH! 1. Men may tell us to join the church of your choice, as if God had blessed us with a choice, but, the truth be known, God has never given mankind a choice as to a number of places in which He would bless them. 2. In Old Testament times if you were not a Jew, also called Hebrews or Israelite, you were “ aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12). At that time ALL OF GOD’S WERE IN THE NATION! Thus the nation of Israel would rep-resent “ the heavenly place” from the time God chose Abraham and his descendants as His chosen people. 3. Today, when a person obeys the gospel by repenting and being baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38-41), the Lord adds that person to the church (Acts 2:47), and he is placed “ into Christ” (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27). Therefore, today the heavenly place wherein one may be found “ In Christ” and receive “ Every Spiritual blessing” is the church which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). 4. You will find no spiritual blessing in any other organization. b. Next, the predestination should be examined in light of the text and context: Four great truths concerning God’s predestination are mentioned in verses 4-6. i. First, look at the time of this choosing: “ Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world” (verse 4a). ii. Next notice the reason for His choosing us: “ That we should be holy and without blemish be-fore him in love” (verse 4b). iii. Thirdly, it is important that we see the method of this crossing: “ Having foreordained us unto as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of His will” (verse 5). 1. Look closely at the word “ .” God has only one “ SON” (John 3:16). That is Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, He has chosen the avenue of adoption to bring those who will obey God’ s “ ONLY SON’ into His spiritual family, the church. (Ephesians 3:14-15) iv. Next, look at the results of God’s predestination of those who obey Christ: “ To the praise and glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved” (verse 6). c. The kind of predestination spoken of here is not like that which some religious organizations teach. They teach that we have no choice in the matter. This predestination spoken of by Paul doesn’t take away our free-will to choose. We decide for ourselves whether to obey unto salvation or live worldly lives to the destruction of the soul. 7. From verses 7-11 give the reason Jesus is to be praised. Jesus is to be praised because of the wonderful blessings He has procured for us. 8. List five blessings which Jesus has provided for us. a. He provides the blessing of a priceless redemption (verse 7a). “ In whom we have our redemption through His blood.” b. The blessing of His gracious forgiveness (verse7b), “ The forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” c. The blessing of a marvelous wisdom and prudence (verse 8) “ Which He made to abound toward s in all wisdom and prudence.” d. The blessing of Divine revelation (verses 9-10),“ Having made know to us the mystery of His will” (verse 9a.) Notice the nature of the revelation is given (verse9b) “ according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself.” Then in verse 10 the goal of the revelation is stated: “ that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times HE MIGHT GATHER IN ONE ALL THINGS IN CHRIST, both which are in heaven and which are on the earth-in Him.” e. The fifth blessing is that of a special heritage: (verse 11),“ In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.” In verse 12 the purpose and recipients of these blessings is given. 9. What is the purpose of these blessings? The purpose of the blessing is that we “ should be to the hope of His glory.”a. A. The recipients of the blessing are “ we who first trusted in Christ..” This would be none other than Christians!! i. These blessings are not for those who do not trust in God’s only begotten Son, and has not obeyed His teachings found in the New Testament and taught by His church (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9). ii. Paul then turns our attention to the Holy Spirit. 10. From verses 13-14 give the reasons the Holy Spirit is to be praised. He is the member of the godhead who inspired the writers of the Scriptures with God’s “ word of truth” which we have heard (cf. 2 Peter 1:21). a. Also, notice that part of verse 13 which speaks of our “ hearing the word of truth,” and compare it with Romans 10:17. God the Spirit is to be praised, if for no other reason, because He has given us this word. b. BUT, THERE IS ANOTHER REASON! He is the Seal of God’s promise. “ …you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.. who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession.” (verse 13b-14). The King James version calls Him “ the earnest of our inheritance.” 11. What is the meaning of “ the earnest (or guarantee) of our inheritance?” It is God’ s seal that we have been accepted by Him. a. Most adults Have purchased items by placing what is called “ earnest money” up front. This “ earnest money” is your promise that you will fulfill the contract. You do this when you make a down payment on a car or your home. i. The Holy Spirit is God’s promissory note indicating to us that He will fulfill His promise to give us our inheritance in heaven. 12. Who are those who are “ sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise?” They are people who have obeyed the gospel. Having “ heard the word of truth” (verse 13a) and “ having believed” (verse 13b), they were “ sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (verse 13c), when they were “ baptized for the remission of sins, and (received) the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). 13. What had Paul heard concerning the saints at Ephesus? He had heard of their faith in the Lord Jesus and of their love for all the saints (verse 15). 14. What two miraculous gifts did Paul ask God to bestow upon the Christians at Ephesus? The spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. (verse 17) Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, paying particular notice to verse 8 where these two “ gifts” are mentioned. 15. How do we gain wisdom and knowledge today? Through study. a. 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV: “ Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 1 Timothy 4:13, “ Till I come, give attention to reading…” What do you suppose Paul wanted Timothy to read? i. One should also look at Hebrews 5:14 : “ But solid food (strong meat KJV) belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” ii. But Paul seems to be praying that the Ephesian Christians receive those two miraculous gifts in order that they might be able to instruct the early church in God’s word perfectly. iii. Since these gifts were administered only by the laying on of the apostles hands (Acts 6:6; Acts 8:17-18), Paul apparently expected either himself or one of the other apostles to visit them. iv. Food for thought: Tradition says that the apostle John spent the last years of his life at Ephesus. 16. What two things would take place when they received these gifts. The eyes of their understanding would be enlightened and they would know the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe (verse 18-19). 17. Over what had God the Father placed His Son Jesus. (Verse 21) Over all things! The key is “and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” 18. What is the age that is to come? The spiritual age of eternity. The new heaven and new earth mentioned by Peter in 2 Peter 3:10-12. The inheritance of which the Holy Spirit is our guarantee (Ephesians 1:14). a. Jesus spoke of the Father placing Him in this position in Matthew 28:18 : when He stated, “ All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” b. The spiritual realm (heaven) and physical (earth) are under His authority. 19. What is the relationship of the church to Christ? He is the head of the church which is His body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all” (verses 22-23). 20. Find three other passages in the New Testament which have reference to the Headship of Christ. a. Colossians 1:18-19 : “ And He is the head of the body, the church, Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. … For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell.” Notice how similar the wording is to Ephesians 1:22-23. b. Matthew 28:18 : “ All authority has been given to Me, both in heaven and on earth.” This implies headship over all things. c. Hebrews 2:7 b: “…You have crowned Him with glory and honor, and set Him over the works of Your hand.” “ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1), the works of His hand over which He has given headship authority to His Son Jesus. d. Matthew 16:8, “ upon this rock I will build My church,” The same church over which God has made Him head (Ephesians 1:22-23).