Reading: Reviewing the book of Ephesians
Context: How do Paul’s prayers in chapters 1 and 3 relate to his practical instructions in chapters 4-6?
Paul’s prayers in chapters 1 and 3 take us through praising and adoring God the Father for the glorious work of the Son, Jesus Christ, who now, by His Holy Spirit, illuminates us to see Jesus and should continue to help us to grow in knowing how amazing He is and experience His love deeper and deeper. The prayers are about a relational God who relates and connects for the Creator’s glory. This is the basis for all of life. Life starts with relating to God and what He has done in Jesus Christ. And then that has implications for all horizontal relationships. All these relationships should reflect what’s been restored in Christ. So the instructions in the second half of the letter reinforce and work out the truths established in the first half.
What the prayers ask for. The two prayers are not vague blessings. In chapter 1, Paul asks that the Father would give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that the eyes of our hearts would be enlightened. He wants us to know the hope of our calling, the riches of our inheritance and the greatness of the power that raised Christ from the dead. In chapter 3, he asks that we be strengthened with power through the Spirit in the inner being, that Christ dwell in our hearts through faith, and that we be rooted and grounded in love. He wants us to grasp the width, length, height and depth of Christ’s love and to be filled with the fullness of God. Both prayers move from head to heart: knowing, then experiencing. They aim at a changed life, not just more information.
The hinge of the letter. Chapter 4 begins with “therefore”, and that one word joins the two halves. Paul urges us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling we have received. The calling is the one described in the prayers and in chapters 1–3, so the walk is never separate from the doctrine. This also follows the pattern of 2:8–10. We are saved by grace through faith, not by works, yet we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. Obedience is the fruit of grace and never the price of it.
The Spirit connects both halves. The Spirit who illuminates us in chapter 1 and strengthens us in chapter 3 is the same Spirit we are told not to grieve in 4:30 and to be filled with in 5:18. Paul never asks us to live out chapters 4–6 in our own strength. The power he prays for in the first half is the power he assumes in the second. The commands are possible because the prayers are being answered.
Restored relationships in practice. The word “reflect” matters here, because what Christ restored vertically now shows up horizontally. In chapter 2, Christ broke down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile and made one new humanity. In chapter 4, Paul asks us to keep that unity of the Spirit through humility, gentleness, patience and bearing with one another in love. Because we have put off the old self and put on the new, we speak truthfully, deal with anger, work honestly and build one another up with our words. Because Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, marriage is shaped by sacrificial love and respect. Because we have one Master in heaven, parents, children, workers and employers all have new ways to relate. Paul even ends with spiritual warfare and prayer (6:10–20), which brings us back to dependence on God.
Why this matters for discipleship. Without the first half, the second half becomes moral effort and religious rule-keeping. Without the second half, the first half can become admiration of God that never changes how we treat anyone. Paul keeps the two together. The more we know and experience the love of Christ, the more naturally that love overflows into our homes, churches, workplaces and speech. A good question to consider is: Where in my relationships am I still living as though Christ hasn’t restored anything? The way forward is to pray Paul’s prayers for ourselves first, and then to take the next practical step of obedience.
Next time:
WIWO – Ephesians – Episode Sixteen: Integration and Application – Content
Reading – Overview of Ephesians: Exploring the Major Themes
Thank God for the prayers that enable us to connect eternal purpose with present application. A wonderful way of expressing that thanks is to take God’s Word In so we can live His Word Out.
For His Name’s Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom
