Ephesians 2:4-5

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

-Ephesians 2:4-5

A long time ago, I remember hearing a pastor talk about boiling down the gospel.  He went on to say that the gospel in four words is, "Jesus in my place" and the gospel in two words is "substitutionary atonement".  Now, after doing a quick google search, there are different people who have come up with different answers or possibilities for this.  Another one that I've come across was: "but God".  I think that this attempt to boil down the gospel to two words comes from Paul's words here in Ephesians 2.  Verses one to three are directed to his readers about their condition or situation before being saved.  This comes to an immediate halt at the words "but God".  There is a path we walk or a course we follow in our state apart from God.  It is only when God steps in that we can have a hope in the midst of our dark state described in verses one to three.

So what did God do?  "but God... made us alive together with Christ".  We were dead, but he made us alive with Christ.  God is the one who raised Jesus from the dead and he is also the one who makes us alive.

Why did God do what he did?  He did what he did "because of the great love with which he loved us".  In Romans we read of this as well.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

-Romans 5:6-8

It was love that caused the God of all creation to step in and save us from our deadness.  It wasn't because of obligation or boredom, but because of love.  It is because of God that we know the greatest love there is.  We read in 1 John, "we love because he first loved us".  He saved me.  He saved me because of his love for me.  What more do you need?  I was dead but now I am alive.  All praise be to God.

Ephesians 2:1-3

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

-Ephesians 2:1-3

I particularly like Ephesians 2.  I long time ago, I memorized verses one to 10.  It talks about what we once were and God's saving grace.  What's really cool is that if you look carefully, you can find a chiastic structure in it.  Actually, probably in a few places in Ephesians.  In any case, I really like it and I'm glad to have gotten to it.

Here at the beginning, Paul is still addressing his reader who are followers of Jesus.  In particular, he is talking about them before they were saved "and you were dead in the trespasses and sins".  This is what they once were and what they were before was dead in trespasses and sins.  This is the state of people who are not saved by grace and the previous state of all who have been saved by grace.

Being dead in trespasses and sins is what believers used to walk in, "in which you once walked".  Doing such a thing does not make one alone.  Instead, those who are dead in trespasses and sins are ones who are "following the course of this world".  The world and all its inhabitants are on a path, all drawn towards the same conclusion.  It is only by saving grace that we are taken off that path that everyone is on.

Who is everyone following then?  All dead in trespasses and sins, but they're not all just following the "course of this world".  Though going along with everyone else, they are ultimately "following the prince of the power of the air".  Translation: everyone's ultimately following the devil.  He is further described as "the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience".  Y'know what's really interesting?  Maybe this is a little bit off topic, but I am reminded of a sermon illustration I heard a long time ago when I was younger.  The sermon was about the wide and narrow gates.  What's interesting is that both gates are labeled "heaven".  In truth, the wide gate leads to destruction, but most people on that path believe otherwise.  You can probably see it when you notice people with the attitude that they're going to heaven.  Why do they say that they're going to heaven?  They might reply "I'm a good person".  Unfortunately, this is not the case because we know that the state of the unbeliever is "dead in the trespasses and sins".  For a more concrete example I like Romans, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God".  This is a little off topic, but in any case, the true reality is that the world is ultimately following the devil, though they may be deceived into thinking otherwise.

Following the devil is how we all used to be, "among whom we all once lived".  In some ways, we learn of something else we were truly following, "the passions of our flesh".  I am reminded of the words of James (and we're going through it at church right now).

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

James 1:14-15

Desire leads to sin and sin leads to death.  This makes me think of Yoda in the star wars movie.  Following the devil and being in such a state also means that we're being lead by "the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind".  Paul in Romans talks about this by calling it the flesh, living either by the flesh or by the spirit.

So, we once were "dead in trespasses and sins", following the rest of the world.  Though, ultimately, we were following the devil.  What we really were doing was following "the passions of our flesh", just going along with our bodily desires.  How does Paul end this little section (v1-3)?  "and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind".  Y'know, I never really stopped to understand what this part meant.  "By our very nature we were subject to God's anger" (NLT).  I had thought it was meaning more along the lines of "we were full of anger".  No, I was wrong.  What it means is that by nature we were to be the under God's anger.  Acting such a way and doing such things are what directs God's wrath toward you.  It's not like you're just pissing off some parent by being annoying.  Instead, we are breaking God's laws and are rightfully owed due punishment.  We are not alone, this is the case for all, "like the rest of mankind".  This doesn't excuse us, allowing us to say in our defense "but everyone else is doing it".  No, we truly were in a desperate situation with no hope in ourselves apart from God.

Ephesians 1:22-23

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

We just read about the authority of Jesus and how high it is.  Jesus is so high that he is "above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come".  Now we read "And he put all things under his feet".  I wonder, if we have just been told of how high and above all else Jesus has been placed, why would it be necessary to tell us that all things are put under his feet?  If Jesus is so high, isn't it assumed or implied that all things are under his feet?  Maybe so, maybe no?  Actually, maybe it is necessary to point out and my thoughts that it is unnecessary or already implied are without merit.  In any case, God put all things under his feet.  There is nothing that it not under his authority.  I don't suppose that "all things" leaves anything out, since that's what it means.  I guess you could try to argue exceptions if you really wanted to.

Jesus is also "head over all things to the church".  Once again, I feel as if this is obvious and doesn't need to be said, but my feelings are probably wrong.  It probably is important to point out Jesus' appointment to being the head over all things to the church.  Though, perhaps I'm misreading this verse as well.  "to the church" (ESV), "in the church" (AMP) and "for the benefit of the church" (NLT).  Perhaps what this verse is saying is not that he is being appointed to be the head of the church (though that doesn't mean it's not true), but that he is being appointed to be the head of all things for the purpose of benefiting the church.  At least, that's the way NLT leans.

So what's next?  "which is his body".  The church is his body.  Who's body?  I'm going to say Jesus.  I guess I don't necessarily see it here in these verses, but thinking of 1 Corinthians 12 (and probably other passages of scripture?  I don't know...) seems to line up with that thought anyways.  In any case, Jesus is head over all things to the benefit of the church, which is his body.

Now, what is meant by this last part of the verse?  "the fullness of him who fills all in all" (ESV), "who fills all things everywhere with himself" (NLT), "the fullness of Him who fills and completes all things in all [believers]" (AMP).  I don't quite get it, but it's certainly saying some important things about Jesus.  He is the one who "fills and completes all things in all [believers]".  If we backtrack a bit, we read about Paul's prayer for his readers, "having the eyes of your hearts enlightened".  The purpose of this is that his reader will know "the hope to which he has called you", to know "the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints" and to know "the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe".  With regards to this power, it is the same power "that he worked in Christ".  This power "raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places".  He is placed "above all rule and authority and power and dominion" and all things are put under his feet.  This same Jesus that has been raised and seated on high is the one "who fills all in all".  He is the focal point and he is the one who completes all things.  I am reminded of his words "it is finished".  Jesus is the one who completes all things, so it kinda makes sense that with him "it is finished".  Y'know, there's something I missed and it took some help to find this.  It says "the fullness of him who fills all in all".  The object of that statement is the church, his body.  So, the church is the fullness of him who fills all in all.  Him who fills all in all is obviously Jesus.  It's interesting to think of the church as the fullness of Jesus.  As I read, a how can a king be a king without a kingdom?  The church is the fullness of Jesus, who is the one who fills and completes all things.  It's kinda interesting for something to be the fullness of the one who fills all things.

Also, quick shoutout to someone who's been posting on our blog.  I never thought anyone would really pay attention, but that's cool.

Ephesians 1:19-21

and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

-Ephesians 1:19-21

Earlier, we read Paul's request for them, "having the eyes of your hearts enlightened".  For this request, there are three purposes that Paul lays out.  The third purpose is found here in verse 19, "and (that you may know) what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe".  This sounds fairly simple.  Paul wants them to know God's power toward us (believers).

AMP helps put some descriptors on this power here in verse 19, "the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His [active, spiritual] power is in us who believe".  How are we to know the greatness of his power that Paul tells us is "immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing"?  God certainly is powerful and to know his power is probably beyond our comprehension.  However, to somewhat understand it or understand a little bit of it is somewhat doable I suppose.

What's interesting is that for the next few verses, Paul will go on to talk about this power.  This power is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.  Paul doesn't really go into detail about this, but I think we can safely say that it's powerful.  There is not a single person who has the power to raise anyone from the dead the way God the Father raised Jesus from the dead.

This is the same power that seated Jesus at his right hand.  To put this position in perspective, we are told that where Jesus is seated is in the heavenly places.  The heavenly places are "far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come".  The power that Paul wants his readers to know is the same power that seated Jesus in the heavenly places.  This seat is not like any king or ruler that we know of.  It's not even like a great name.  Not only that, but for all of history, all rulers and authorities or names of great men and women cannot compare to Jesus being seated at the Father's right hand in the heavenly places.

That's not quite the end of this section, but maybe we'll leave it at that.  To know his power might be impossible to say the least, but to be granted understanding to a bit may be possible.  As I dwell and think about it, it reminds me how big God is and how small I am.  I am reminded of the words of John the Baptist, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).

Ephesians 1:18

having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

-Ephesians 1:18

Paul continues to pray for his readers.  Now, he requests for them "having the eyes of your hearts enlightened".  This is quite similar to the earlier request, but it is still somewhat separate.  What's interesting is that AMP notes this, "the eyes of your hearts [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit]".  So, I guess he's praying that "the very center and core of your being be may be flooded with light by the Holy Spirit".  Still, I am not entirely certain what this means.  Fortunately, Paul tells us three reasons or purposes for this, which helps us in understanding what he means.

The first reason for what Paul is praying for here in verse 18 is, "that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you".  To be flooded with light by the Holy Spirit is to or results in knowing the hope of his calling.  AMP describes the hope as "[the divine guarantee, the confident expectation]".  Paul is addressing believers and believers are ones who have been bought and have been "sealed with the promised Holy Spirit".  This hope is very much tied to the gospel and our trust in what God says.

The second reason for what Paul is praying for here in verse 18 is, "(that you may know) what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints".  I would almost think this is referring to an inheritance that we receive.  It isn't wrong to say that we receive an inheritance and things like that.  However, this is referring to "his glorious inheritance in the saints".  The riches that God inherits is the saints.  I am still unsure, but I think that's what Paul's referring to.  When flooded with light by the Holy Spirit, we will come to know this glorious inheritance of God.  God is in a sense receiving this inheritance and I'm assuming God wants it and delights in it.  Followers are valued and seeing God's delight in them is something we will come to know more fully.

Y'know, maybe I'll leave the third one for later, especially since it spirals off to more things.  In any case, we see this "knowing" that Paul desires we receive as a result of "having the eyes of your hearts enlightened".

Ephesians 1:16-17

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,

-Ephesians 1:16-17

Paul continues to give thanks for his readers.  He lifts them up in prayer.  So, what does he pray for them?  Paul prays for "the spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him".  Paul prays that they may know God more and better.  AMP puts it like this: "a spirit of wisdom and revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of him".  I recall reading a book about prayer and it was pointed out that in the midst of what the Christians at that time were going through (persecution, hardship, death, illness, etc), Paul didn't pray for a change in their circumstances but for them to know God more.  It was also pointed out that prayer for a change in circumstances isn't wrong, but it's interesting to note what Paul prayed for.  Perhaps it's something we lack or forget to pray for in the midst of all the things we lift up to God in prayer.

The other thing to note about this are the objects or persons involved in this verse.  Obviously, we know Paul is praying for his readers, but what about the other people?  Paul prays in request that God does what he is asking.  He doesn't just say "God", but he is refereed to as, "the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory".  God the father is specifically referred to as "the God of our Lord Jesus Christ".  Why isn't he just our God?  There is this connection and a reference to him being a father, "the father of glory".  I don't really know why, but I think an inkling comes from looking at the end of the verse in AMP: "into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son]".  Who is "him" in the end of this verse?  I think the "him" at the end is referring to Jesus.  And so, since the square brackets refer to knowing the Father through the Son, I think Paul is asking that they know Jesus more in order to know God the Father more.  This is perhaps why there is a reference at the beginning about the God of our Lord Jesus Christ.  In any case, let us desire and draw near to God, to know him more.