Ephesians

PSacramento

Ephesians is a letter in the NT, typically supposed to have ben authour by Paul to the Ephesians but not only the Authorship is debated but so is the target audience, the Ephesians part not being noted in the earliest available scriptures.

Dated at around 8-100 AD and supposedly during Paul's captivity, it does gives us some insight into (perhaps) 2nd generation Chrisianity and Paul's effect on them.

Chapter 1 has some passages of note:

Grace is given freely (we are blessed with it) by Jesus ( called Beloved or The One he, God, loved) -1:6

In Jesus we have redemption, forgiveness of Sins according to God's Grace - 1:7

God's plan is to bring everything ( heaven and earth) together under Jesus, God has an (unknown to Us) Timeline for that. - 1:10

We have been chosen ( are heirs), predestined according to God - 1:11 and, being the first to have hope in Christ, might be for the praise of Hid Glory - 1:12.

1:13 -"AND YOU were also included when you heard the Word of Truth, the gospel and having believed, were marked by the Holy Spirit with a SEAL". The mention of the SEAL is brought up again in EPH 4:30 in rgeards to the Day of Redemption.

Paul states here that ALL ( YOU in plural) who here the word, the Gospel and Believe , will have the SEAL of the HS- perhaps a cluse to Revelation ??

In verses 19-23 Paul repeates on of his more sommon messages:

How Jesus died and by the power of GOD was ressurected from the dead, seated at the right hand in Heaven, above ALL authority, rule and power and dominion and every title that may be given in THIS AGE AND THE AGE TO COME.

God placed all things under his feet and appointed him Head over everything for the Chrurch(assembly) that is his Body.

In the above Paul adds "in this age and the age to come", making it clear that, now and forever, Jesus is lord and saviour of ALL.

PSacramento

In Cahpter 2 Paul reminds us that we are ALL sinners, but because of God's great love of US, he made us alive in Christ and seats us with Him in Heaven. It is by this grace we saved, this gift from God, not by works (their principles or results), so that no one has grounds for boasting.

This is a much crucial passage, Luther, it can be argued, set about the Reformation based on this view ( amongst others), this salvation based on faith doctrine is not unique to Paul, but Paul does make it clear that, OUR SALVATION is based on our Faith in Jesus ( and the Grace of God through Jesus) and not on works that lead one to boast, BUT, in chapter 10 Paul makes it clear that we were created to do the good works of God.

There is no contridiction, Faith preceedes Works and workd carry merit ONLY because that are NOT needed for salvation and thus, not done out o desire for recompense, but out of love, for our salvation is based on our faith.

PSacramento

Chapter 3 makes it clear that, while in the Old Covenant, only the Jews had "access" to God, in the New Covenant, ALL through Jesus Christ can approach God with freedom and confidence.

Jesus is the New Covenant and with is word and his Gospel, all those the believe in Jesus are Heirs and shre together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Paul reminds the readers that he is the least of the apostles ( a common theme) and how he kneels before the Father for whom the whole family of heaven and earth is named.

By whole family Paul is referring to all those who believe in God and Jesus, the believers, who are named after them. We are all God's children and God is our father, we are God's family.

PSacramento

Chapter 4 has some interesting comments by the writer:

There is one body and One spirit, One Lord, One faith, One baptizim, One God and One Father of All.

A verse that can be trinitarian or anti0trinitarian, take your pick, ;)

Paul makes it clear that EACH of US has been given a measure of Grace according to Jesus's Gift ( But to each one of you was given the Grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ).

Paul goes on the say how Jesus gave some to be apostles, some prophests, some teachers and so forth, so that they may prepare people so that the body of HCirst may be built up ( growth of the church).

Paul warns not to have a hardened hearts like some gentiles and to not be liek infanys, easliy manipulted and decived by crafty men.

He warns about those that give themselves to sensuality and lust ( lucky bastards) and tells the reader to not be in sin, even if angry, to not let the sun go down on anger ( never go to bed angry ), no stealing and lead an honest life ( he repeats the work for your own wages view as he usually does), no gossip, no bitterness, no rage and anger, no fighting or slander, he trells them to be kind and compassionate.

Watkins

Yup, Ephesians is mandatory reading for those on the way out. It helps overturn the WT 2-class, 2-tier Christianity doctrines. At least it really helped me.

watkins

thomas15

PSacramento wrote:

Dated at around 8-100 AD and supposedly during Paul's captivity, it does gives us some insight into (perhaps) 2nd generation Chrisianity and Paul's effect on them.

I assume that you mean 80-100 AD? (possible mistake on the cut and paste wiki B. Ehrman). Like Darwin, this is his theory by the way. Not to digress, but just because someone disagrees with the Bible, doesn't automatically mean the only other possible option is Darwin, would you agree?

Back to the quote above, there is literally a ton of reasonable scholarship and research that would say differently. Of course freedom of religion and thought allow for this opinion but for the sake of discussion where are you coming up with this information?

Respectfully yours,

Tom