Ephesians

1:15-23

Some sentence! Suggest reading it several times to start to appreciate its scope and significance.

1:19-20

We discussed how, for much of our lives, we seem to be apathetic to such amazing, life-changing truth. 1:19 tells us of the ‘immeasurable greatness’ of God’s power ‘toward us’ (ESV and others) but could equally be translated ‘to us’ or ‘for us’ (as in NIV). If we pass over this verse quickly and without careful consideration, we’re missing something of ‘immeasurable’ worth. The Greek word here is the one from which English derives the word 'hyperbole', indicating something that today we might say is 'way over' or 'way past' anything measurable.

3:1-13

This passage helped us to realise that the revealing of the mystery of the gospel (3:3) is of cosmic significance. 3:10 is especially important, saying (remarkably) that the revealing of God’s plan, hidden for ages was then disclosed through the church, to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This is done through a demonstration of God’s wisdom in uniting the global church, in all its diversity, in Christ. This follows Paul's declaration in 3:6 that the Gentiles are fellow heirs (with believing Jews) of the Gospel.

Further to this, it's worth nothing that in Colossians 2:15 Paul confirms that the death and resurrection of Christ disarmed these rulers and authorities and put them to shame by triumphing over them. Then 1 Corinthians 2:8 tells us, in another passage about the revelation of God’s wisdom in history, that the rulers of this age did not understand God’s plan until after the resurrection of Jesus …for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory. So the victory of Jesus at the Cross, and his exaltation to the right hand of God (see Eph 1:20-22) after the resurrection and ascension, was the occasion of the defeat and disarming of the rulers of this age that Paul declares in Colossians 2.

For more on the ‘rulers and authorities’ Paul is referring to here (which covers quite a bit of our discussion in the group) I've linked here an excellent Bible Project video of just over 6 minutes called The Divine Council.

3:14-19

We couldn’t find much to say that could do justice to Paul’s prayer here, as it stands out as one of the most glorious and memorable prayers in all scripture. Praying that his hearers might know the unknowable love of God is to aim as high in prayer as possible.

3:20-21

In chapter 1, we learnt of the ‘immeasurable greatness’ of God’s power for us who believe, and 3:20 repeats the message in case we need a reminder. The potential of the power of God in us exceeds all imagination, and (we read) it is at work within us! Which of us doesn't need to realise this power at work in us more than we do already?

5:3-21

This passage makes a sharp contrast between two radically different ways of life, no doubt reflecting the prevailing culture of first century Ephesus. Our culture and society is of course very different, but it is still worth asking whether our lives as disciples of Jesus are as different as they should be from the norms of the society around us.

6:5-9

We agreed that working to please people (6:6) is usually unrewarding, but work in service to the Lord, as this passage says, leads to rewards from the Lord. We also noted how Paul's counsel to the Ephesians in their historical and cultural context was radical and disruptive of the class system, which had masters and slaves at opposite poles. Paul warns the masters, however, about their treatment of slaves and says that God - ...both their Master and yours is in heaven, and [that] there is no partiality with him (6:9).

We also noted that is it often claimed that the Bible condones slavery, which results not so much from reading the Bible, but from not reading it properly. This page of the Bible Project website is helpful on this subject, as is the associated podcast, which is an interview with the author of a book called How (Not) to Read the Bible.
 

6:10-20

We couldn’t pass this key passage on spiritual warfare without considering how our lives are usually not at all like those of soldiers in warfare. Encouragement then, for us to consider what it means - given that we read in verse 12 that our warfare is not against flesh and blood - for us to wear the armour and use the sword and shield, so that we can withstand in the evil day (13).