The
Ephesians
(NIV)
By
Syd Cleveland
(©
1990, 1995, 2000, 2005 and Revised
Use of The
Information about purchasing this commentary in
electronic form is available at
www.christiancommunitychurch.us/clevelandcommentary/
Please click your mouse on the appropriate chapter
below. To return to the chapter menu
from anywhere
within this book, press the CTRL and HOME keys on your
keyboard at the same time.
You may search this Commentary by pressing the CTRL and
F keys together and following the prompts.
NOTICE!
Permission to use The
When quoting, please include the following credit line:
“Quoted from The
PAUL = Letters written in New Testament times often followed a
specific format, just as they do in our modern time. First, the letter began by identifying the
writer, in this case, Paul. Second, the
letter indicated who the recipients were.
And third, the letter contained a greeting or salutation which was a
prayer or blessing upon the recipients.
AN APOSTLE = The Greek has "apostolos" (Strongs #G652)
meaning "one who is sent or commissioned, i.e. an ambassador, witness, or
messenger." By definition, an
"apostle" is never greater than the one who sends him (John
In a general
sense, the term "apostle" was applied to all who witnessed for Christ
(Romans 16:7; 2 Corinthians
OF JESUS CHRIST = The Greek literally says: “Christ
Jesus.” The Greek
“Christos” (Strongs #G5547) means “anointed” and is the
translation of the Hebrew word which was applied to those who had been anointed
with holy oil as High Priests (see Leviticus 4:5, 16). As used in the New Testament,
“Christos” means “the anointed one, the Messiah.” The Greek “Iesous” (Strongs
#G2424) means “Savior” (see Matthew 1:1, 16, 21). The Hebrew equivalent is
“Joshua.”
“In the
Gospels, our Savior is designated by the name of Christ alone in nearly 300
passages; by the name of Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus less than 100 times, and
by the name Lord Jesus Christ less than 50 times. Prior to His resurrection, He was designates
as Jesus Christ, after His resurrection, He is often referred to as Christ
Jesus (see
Acts 19:4; Rom. 8:1, 2, 39; 1 Cor. 1:2, 30; Gal. 3:26, 28;
Eph. 2:6, 7, 10, 13; Phil. 3:3, 8, 12, 14; Col. 1:4, 28; 1 Tim. 1:12, 14,
15; 2 Tim. 1:1, 2, 13; 1 Pet. 5:10, 14).” – The Complete
WordStudy Bible, Zodhiates, AMG
Jesus Christ is the One who commissioned, authorized,
and sent His apostles. The centrality of
Christ in the church is seen in the statement that the apostles are "of
Christ" and the "saints" are "in Christ." Jesus Christ is the Foundation and Savior of
His church as well as it's central Focus.
All fellowship and ministry within the church revolves around, and
depends upon, our relationship with Him.
BY THE WILL OF GOD = "If Paul was an apostle (one who was
"commissioned and sent") by
the will of God, what he wrote must be accepted as communication from God"
-- NIV Application Commentary, by Klyne Snodgrass, p. 37. Paul was an apostle because God willed it.
THE SAINTS = The Greek is "hagios" (Strongs #G40) which
literally means "holy, set apart, sanctified, consecrated,
saint." "It's fundamental idea
is separation, consecration, devotion to the service of Deity, sharing in God's
purity and abstaining from earth's defilement" -- The Complete WordStudy
Bible Dictionary, Zodhiates, AMG. This
is Paul's usual description for Christians, perhaps because the very term is a
continual reminder that we are "in the world, but not of the world"
(John
IN
THE FAITHFUL = This can refer to believers who are "full of
faith," or believers who have proven to be "faithful" under
adverse circumstances. It is more likely
Paul means the Ephesians are "full of faith" (see John
Eph 1:2
GRACE AND PEACE = The Greek “charis” (Strongs #G5485)
means “to rejoice.” Grace is
a kindness or favor given without expectation of receiving anything in
return. Thus grace causes the recipient
to rejoice, gives pleasure, and results in thanksgiving. The Greek “eirene” (Strongs #G1515)
means “peace, tranquility, harmony, health, prosperity, good of every
kind.” It is the absence of
confusion. The Hebrew equivalent is
“shalom” (Strongs #H7965).
The “peace” a Christian receives from God “transcends
all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) because it is present even in times
of distress and upheaval.
"God our Father" and the "Lord Jesus
Christ" are the source of "grace and peace." Paul is focusing on God's activity through
Christ and its results in the lives of believers.
GOD OUR FATHER = The Greek “pater” (Strongs #G3962)
means “father.” This is the
same word Jesus taught in the Lord’s prayer: “our Father
(“pater”) in heaven” (Matthew 6:9). The proper Christian perspective of God is to
know Him as "our Father" because we are God’s children (Romans
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST = Paul is not demeaning Christ by referring
to Him as "Lord" instead of "God." In the Old Testament, "Lord" was
routinely used to refer to the God of Israel, and thus proclaims Christ's Deity
while maintaining His unique and separate identity as taught in the Trinity.
Eph 1:3
PRAISE BE TO ... GOD = Paul's emphasis here is two-fold: (1)
describing who God is; (2) encouraging us to respond to God's greatness with
worshipful praise. Here
"praise" is to be given to God in response to the "grace and
peace" that comes to us "from God" (Ephesians 1:2).
THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST = Jehovah's Witnesses
make much of this phrase in an attempt to denigrate Christ into a lesser
god. However it is important to realize
that, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul is describing Christ's
relationship to the Father from the perspective of the Incarnation -- not from
the perspective of eternity past (see Acts 13:33; Luke 1:35). However, even from the perspective of the
Incarnation Jesus' listeners knew He claimed equality with God (John
IN HEAVENLY REALMS = This is not a reference to some blessing we
will receive in the future in heaven.
Instead Paul tells us "God ... has blessed us in the heavenly
realms," thus the blessing is already ours. "In other words, 'heavenly realms' does
not refer to a physical location but to a spiritual reality: God's world, in
which believers (already) have a share. ... The spiritual blessings given to
Christians are enjoyed in the present life, for they derive from what God has
done (for us) in Christ in the heavenlies" --The NIV Application
Commentary, Klyne Snodgrass, p. 47.
EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING = This phrase does not mean God's
blessings are only "heavenly," nor that they are only "spiritual
gifts" such as those listed in 1 Corinthians 12:3-11, 28. Rather "every spiritual blessing"
refers to every blessing the Holy Spirit brings to God's people (those who are
"in Christ"). Even the Holy
Spirit Himself is a blessing that comes from Christ (John
IN CHRIST = Christ is the place where Christians live. He is the source of all God's blessings, both
present and future. Because we are
"in Christ," we have salvation, redemption, and eternal life. Being "in Christ" means that His
death is our death, His resurrection is our resurrection, and His victorious life is our victorious life. This oneness "is achieved by a double
identification via the Incarnation and faith.
In the Incarnation Christ identifies with us (He put on
"flesh" and became a human), and by faith we identify with Him (we
accept Him as Savior and Lord and live in Him)" -- The NIV Application
Commentary, Klyne Snodgrass, p. 57.
Being "in
Christ" means that our lives are molded by Christ's character through
fellowship with Him. There is no closer
union for a Christian than to be "in Christ" and have Him transform
our every thought and action.
Eph 1:4
HE CHOSE US IN HIM BEFORE THE CREATION OF THE WORLD = Paul is writing
to the Christians in
TO BE HOLY AND BLAMELESS IN HIS SIGHT = God made a decision before
the creation of the world that every saved person would be 'in Him' (i.e. 'in
Christ'), and thus would be 'holy and blameless' in God's sight. God did not arbitrarily predestine some to be
saved and some to be lost. Instead, God predetermined
that our choice to be saved would result in our living holy lives and being
'blameless in His sight.' God also
predetermined that our choice to be lost would result in eternal separation
from God and complete destruction (Matthew
IN LOVE = All of God's activity towards the saved (as well as the
lost) is motivated by love.
NOTE: this commentary continues in the next verse (Ephesians
1:5). Also see notes on Romans 8:29-30
and Ephesians 1:11.
Eph 1:5
NOTE: This is a continuation of the commentary in the previous
verse (Ephesians 1:4).
HE PREDESTINED US = The Greek "prooridzo" (Strongs
#G4309) means "to limit in advance."
God predestined (i.e. "set certain boundaries and limits
beforehand") that everyone who chooses to be saved through Jesus Christ
will "be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ." The conditions of adoption/salvation were predetermined,
not the people. God's
"predestining" of the conditions of salvation was not done in an
arbitrary or capricious manner; it was done "in love" (Ephesians
1:4).
TO BE ADOPTED AS HIS SONS = Our adoption is the guarantee that we
will receive the inheritance God has provided for us. As God's "sons" we cannot be
disinherited.
THROUGH JESUS CHRIST = Our adoption revolves around Jesus
Christ. By choosing Him as our Savior
and Lord, we enter God's kingdom as "sons." Because Jesus died on the cross our sins are
washed away and we are "holy and blameless" in God's sight. Christ's resurrection is our resurrection and
Christ's victorious life is our victorious life. Therefore Christ's elevation to preeminence
is also our elevation (Philippians 2:9; Matthew
IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS PLEASURE AND WILL = All of the conditions and benefits of
salvation, from it's initial conception on through it's final completion, is
according to what God has willed and finds pleasurable, and it is all done
"in love" (Ephesians 1:4).
Eph 1:6
TO THE PRAISE = Knowledge of what God has done for us inspires our
praises to Him.
HIS GLORIOUS GRACE = God's grace is the primary reason Christians
praise and worship Him. Recognizing
God's grace enables us to throw out any negative self-images, racial
prejudices, and any views that life is meaningless because: we have been
purchased by Christ and He doesn't buy junk!
In the same breath we must also throw out any arrogance or pride because
our value comes from God: it is His free grace that makes us valuable.
IN THE ONE HE LOVES = In Christ God works to adopt us (Ephesians
1:5); redeem us and forgive us (Ephesians 1:7); and make known to us the
mystery of His will (Ephesians 1:9).
Apart from Christ none of this is possible; in Christ it is all inevitable.
Eph 1:7
IN HIM = This refers back to the previous verse: "In the One
He (God) loves" (Jesus Christ). See
Ephesians 1:3 for the ramifications of being "in Christ."
WE HAVE = "Every spiritual blessing" (Ephesians 1:3) is
ours as long as we continue to remain "in Christ."
REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD = Here Paul indicates Christ's death
on the cross accomplished two things: redemption (see Hebrews
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RICHES OF GOD'S GRACE = Both redemption and
forgiveness are the result of God's grace (which we accept by faith), and thus
are unmerited gifts from God.
Eph 1:8
THAT = Refers back to the "redemption" and
"forgiveness of sins" mentioned in the previous verse.
HE LAVISHED ON US = The Greek word "perisseuo" (Strongs
#G4052) meaning "to make excessively abundant, to exceed the measure, to
overflow, to lavish." God's
gracious act of redemption and forgiveness far exceeds all our needs. But that act is not an accident, for it
occurred "with all (God's) wisdom and understanding."
WITH ALL WISDOM = Greek "sophia" (Strongs #G4678) meaning
here "divine knowledge."
AND UNDERSTANDING = Greek "phronesis" (Strongs #G5428)
meaning "prudence, understanding."
Eph 1:9
THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL = The Greek “musterion”
(Strongs #G3466) comes from a root word meaning to “shut the
mouth.” Here,
“mystery” means “a secret, or mystery.” God has a will, but His will is only a
“mystery” to non-Christians, God’s will has been made known
to Christians through His Word. One
aspect of God's will that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will
be saved" (Romans
HIS GOOD PLEASURE = Greek "eudokian" (Strongs #G2107)
meaning "good intent, gracious purpose, good favor." It is God's "good pleasure" to make
known to us the "mystery of His will."
WHICH HE PURPOSED IN CHRIST = The Greek "protithemai"
(Strongs #G4388) means "to propose, set forth, purpose, design
beforehand" (see note on Romans
WHICH HE PURPOSED IN CHRIST = Christ is the central fact and figure
in God's will. Nothing of God's will
is accomplished without the active
participation of Jesus Christ. The next
verse (Ephesians
Eph 1:10
WHEN THE TIMES = Greek "kairos" (Strongs #G2540) meaning
"a season, a period of opportunity."
This is not to be confused with the Greek "chronos" which
means "time as counted by the clock, a succession of hours, minutes,
seconds." Thus a period of
opportunity is graciously given to all, during which all may choose to be saved
or lost. Once that opportunity is past,
then God carries out His predetermined plan of bringing "all things ...
under one head."
WILL HAVE REACHED THEIR FULFILLMENT = Greek "playroma"
(Strongs #G4138) meaning "to make full, fill, fill up, fullness."
TO BRING ALL THINGS IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH TOGETHER UNDER ONE HEAD,
EVEN CHRIST = Notice it is not God's will that some be saved and some be lost
against their own free will. God's will
is that Christ be head over all (Philippians 2:9-11). Those who choose to rebel against God by
refusing to come under Christ’s lordship are excluded from His presence
and thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:9-10).
Eph 1:11
IN HIM WE WERE ALSO CHOSEN = The Greek “” (Strongs #G)
God's purpose not only involves Jesus Christ, but also those who have made the
decision to be "in Him" (i.e. freely chosen to be a Christian). It is only as we are "in Him" that
we come under God's choice to save us.
For example, God's choice to save us is explained in Ephesians 1:12 as
being on the basis of the Christian having "hoped" in Christ, and in
Ephesians 1:13 as having "believed" the Gospel. Thus God's choice of salvation for the
Christian is the result of the Christian's free choice to be saved by being
"in Christ."
HAVING BEEN PREDESTINED = Please see the commentaries on Romans
Eph 1:12
WE, WHO WERE THE FIRST TO HOPE IN CHRIST = Paul and the Apostles
were "first" in the sense they became Christians before Ephesians
did. Subsequently, the Ephesian
Christians also put their "hope in Christ." Each chose freely to become a Christian, and
thus became eligible for God's plan to bring them into conformity with His
will: that they be "holy and blameless in His sight" (Ephesians 1:4),
and be "adopted as (God's) sons" (Ephesians 1:5).
Eph 1:13
YOU ALSO WERE INCLUDED IN CHRIST WHEN YOU ... BELIEVED = Being
"in Christ" is the result of choosing to hear and believe the Gospel
(Ephesians
HAVING BELIEVED = Everything depends upon our free choice to
believe. The result is that our
"inheritance" is guaranteed (Ephesians
A SEAL, THE PROMISED HOLY SPIRIT = A distinct statement that God's
"seal," is the Holy Spirit, not the Sabbath. The Holy Spirit plays three roles in the
sealing of God's people: (1) the Holy Spirit is the "deposit" or
"firstfruits" of what is to come (2 Corinthians 1:21, 22); (2) the Holy Spirit is the seal (Ephesians
1:13); (3) the Holy Spirit is God's
Agent to do the work of sealing (Ephesians 4:30). "Seals were used in the ancient world in
ways similar to today. Cargo was sealed
before shipping or letters were sealed to guarantee the validity of the contents. A seal conveyed authenticity and
ownership. In this case, the Spirit is
the seal given to believers to verify that they belong to God. The Spirit is called 'the promised' Holy
Spirit because of texts like Ezekiel 36:26-27 and Joel
Contrary to the
Jehovah Witnesses' belief that the Holy Spirit is just an "active
force" like electricity, "the idea of 'spirit' excludes not only the
idea of material substance, but also that of inanimate substance. It implies that God (or in this case, the
Holy Spirit) is alive." -- Lectures in Systematic Theology, by Henry C.
Thiessen, Eerdmans, p. 76.
Eph 1:14
INHERITANCE = See commentary on 1 Peter 1:4.
UNTIL THE REDEMPTION = A reference to Revelation 7:2-4; 9:1-4.
Eph 1:17
LORD JESUS CHRIST ... FATHER ... SPIRIT = These are the three
members of the Trinity. The three
members of the Trinity are mentioned in Isaiah 42:1; Matthew 3:16; Matthew
28:19; Luke 1:35; Luke 10:21; John 3:5;
Acts 7:55; Acts 10:38; Romans 1:4; Romans 15:16, 30; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 1
Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:17;
Philippians 3:3; Hebrews 10:29; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 4:2.
Eph 1:20
RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD = "Him" refers to Christ's
entire person. Not just His
"soul" was raised. Not just
His "body" was raised, but He was raised from the dead (see note on 1
Corinthians
SEATED = See note on 2 Thessalonians 2:4.
SEATED HIM AT HIS RIGHT HAND IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS = Christ
predicted he would enter heaven after His resurrection and be seated at the
right hand of God (Luke 22:69). His
"soul" did not transmigrate to heaven at death. Paul tells us that Christ had already been
seated at God's right hand by the time he wrote this text in 60 A.D. Seventh-day Adventists are wrong when they
teach that Jesus did not enter the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary
and sit down at God's right hand until October 22, 1844 (see Acts 2:32-33;
Colossians 3:1; 1 Peter 3:22 and Hebrews 1:3; 8:1; 9:12; 10:12; 12:2).
Eph 2:2
IN WHICH YOU USED TO LIVE = There are three categories of
temptation which lead us into sin: (1) "the ways of this world" are
the external temptations we face. The
"world" is a physical, organized system led by Satan. It is where his values, strategies, personnel
and purposes operate in the media, politics, crime, worldly educational
institutions, false religion, and so on.
The "world" is where we live and where he seeks to enforce his
rule. (2) "The ruler of the kingdom
of the air, the spirit ... at work in those who are disobedient." This is Satan, the Devil. He is a spiritual being, thus his
attacks are from the spirit world --
outside and beyond the world of man. He
has nearly unlimited resources to carry out his designs. This spiritual warfare against believers is
as real as any physical battlefield. (3)
"The cravings of our sinful nature (Ephesians 2:3)." Our "sinful nature" (or
"flesh") is an internal part of us.
It is our individual internal evil desires, evil attitudes, evil
cravings. These three categories
comprise every temptation Satan brings against us.
THE SPIRIT WHO IS NOW AT WORK IN THOSE WHO ARE DISOBEDIENT = This
is the "spirit" of Satan, the "antichrist." He is the counterfeit to the Holy Spirit.
Eph 2:3
BY NATURE = The Greek “phusis” (Strongs #G5449) means
“natural condition, natural disposition.” Not that we inherited a nature that merits
God's wrath; rather we created a nature that is the object of God's wrath
because we chose to gratify the cravings and follow the desires and thoughts of
our sinful nature and thus disobey God (Ephesians 2:1-2).
OBJECTS OF WRATH = Specifically this is God's wrath (see Romans
Eph 2:4
HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US = See Romans
Eph 2:5
(GOD) MADE US ALIVE ... EVEN WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN TRANSGRESSIONS =
Paul stresses the central fact that God's grace (Ephesians 2:8) saved us. This is not God's arbitrary decision that we would be saved
against our will. Rather it is God's
grace in action in response to our choice to accept Christ (see commentary on
Ephesians 1:5, 11).
Eph 2:6
GOD RAISED US UP WITH CHRIST = There are several concepts involved
in this phrase: (1) Because God raises Christ we know God is able to raise us
from physical and spiritual death. (2)
Because of Christ's death on the cross, we have salvation. Our salvation comes from our choice to accept
Jesus as our Savior and Lord, just as Jesus chose to accept God as His Savior
and Lord. Thus both Christ's
resurrection and our resurrection resulted from the choice to conform to God's
will.
Eph 2:8
BY GRACE = The Greek "charis" (Strongs #G5485) means
"joyful kindness, God's unearned unmerited favor, a favor done with no
strings attached, grace." God's
grace not only forgives the repentant sinner, but it also brings joy and
thankfulness to him.
YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED = Here we have God's assurance of
salvation. The Greek
"sesomenoi"(Strongs #G4982) is a perfect passive participle in the
nominative case, plural, literally translated: "you are having been
saved" or "you have been saved" according to the NIV. The action of "saving" has been
completed, but here the emphasis is on its present effect through
sanctification (Ephesians
AND THIS NOT FROM YOURSELVES = Refers back to being saved "by
grace ... through faith." Even
saving "faith" is not ours, for "it is the gift of God"
(see 1 Corinthians1:30-31). God's grace
gives us the gift of faith, thus "works" have nothing to do with the
initial gift of salvation (see Ephesians 2:9 and compare with Matthew
Eph 2:9
NOT BY WORKS = Refers back to, and contrasts with, the previous
verse and the statement that we "have been saved through faith." Salvation is the result of faith given to us
by God's grace. Thus, because "works"
are excluded from salvation, "no one can boast." However, Paul is not excluding "works"
from a Christian life (see Ephesians
SO THAT NO ONE CAN BOAST = If salvation was the result of what a
person did, then one would have the right to "boast." But salvation and "works" are two
separate things, thus no matter how good one's works, they still are not
sufficient to earn salvation (see Matthew
Eph 2:10
WE ARE GOD'S WORKMANSHIP =
The Greek “poiema” (Strongs #G4161) means “something
that is made, something that results from a craftsman’s work.” God created us, redeemed us, and sanctifies
us. As Christians we are to bring glory
to God as His "workmanship."
If we fail to bear fruit, or fail to display His powerful working in our
lives, then we are rejecting His work in our lives.
"Our English
word 'poem' comes from the Greek word translated 'workmanship.' You are God's handcrafted work of art. You are not an assembly-line product, mass
produced without thought. You are a
custom-designed, one-of-a kind, original masterpiece." -- The
Purpose-Driven Life, Rick Warren, Zondervan, p. 235.
CREATED IN CHRIST = We are "in Christ" when we hear and
believe the Gospel (Ephesians
TO DO GOOD WORKS = Christians have been created to do
"good" works, not to do bad works.
Jesus compared Christian "works" to the fruit of a good tree
(Matthew
WHICH GOD PREPARED IN ADVANCE FOR US TO DO = Greek literally says:
"which God fore-ordained ("proetoimazo") that in them we should
walk." "Proetoimazo"
(Strongs #G4282) literally means "to make ready beforehand." It appears only twice in the New Testament
(Romans
Eph 2:12
REMEMBER THAT AT THAT TIME = This is a repetition of what Paul
started to say in Ephesians
EXCLUDED FROM CITIZENSHIP IN ISRAEL = Paul is not speaking about literal
citizenship in literal
Eph 2:13
IN CHRIST = We are "in Christ" when we hear and believe
the Gospel (Ephesians
BROUGHT NEAR THROUGH THE BLOOD OF CHRIST = Christ was given the
ministry of reconciliation. Through His
death He bridged the gulf sin created between us and God.
Eph 2:14
THE TWO ONE = Refers back to Ephesians
THE BARRIER, THE DIVIDING WALL OF HOSTILITY = The Old Covenant
regulations separated Jews from Gentiles and created hostility. This same separation was created within the
"Christ is both
peace and peacemaker. He actually brought about the reconciliation of Jew and
Gentile when he died on the cross. There he made both into one (cf. vv. 15-16).
Paul thinks of two parts being united as one whole. Then he personalizes it and
speaks of "two" men being recreated as "one new man."
Christ has thus removed "the hostility" that existed between these
deeply divided groups. The battlement created by hatred has been broken down
forever.
"This
hostility Paul describes as a "barrier" (GK G5850), a word that means
simply a "fence" or "railing." It recalls the common
rabbinic idea of the law as a fence dividing the Jews by their observance of it
from all other races and thus arousing hostility. There may be a further
allusion to Ps 80:12, where the word also occurs. The breaking down of the
protecting wall that surrounded Israel the vine prepares the way for God's
strong man (Ps 80:17).
"The second
word describing hostility is "dividing wall" (GK G3546); it is a much
rarer word and literally means a "middle wall." Josephus used this
term (as well as the previous one) to refer to the balustrade in the
"The barrier
between Jews and Gentiles was overthrown when Christ effectively disposed of
the old law with its meticulously defined sanctions enshrined in its
innumerable decrees. Paul does accept that in itself the law is right and good,
but he insists that the unregenerate are incapable of complying with its legal
demands (Ro
"It was in
his crucified flesh that our Lord accomplished the annulment of the law (cf. v.
17), so that he might "create in himself" the new humanity of which
he as the second Adam is the Head. The Christian is no hybrid but a new
creation (v. 10)." -- NIVBC, Zondervan on Ephesians
Eph 2:15
ABOLISHING IN HIS FLESH = At the crucifixion (Ephesians
THE LAW WITH ITS COMMANDMENTS AND REGULATIONS = This is a clear
reference to the Old Covenant contained in the Ten Commandments and all the
"laws of Moses." This was the
"barrier, the dividing wall of hostility" referred to in Ephesians 2:14
(see commentary). Christ fulfilled these
laws and abolished them through His death.
Thus every person, Jew or Gentile, is brought close to God through the
merits of His grace. God's Old Covenant
laws were fulfilled by Christ (Matthew
HIS PURPOSE = Here we are told Christ had a specific purpose for
"destroying the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility."
WAS TO CREATE IN HIMSELF = All of God's purposes begin and end by
our being "in" Christ (Ephesians
ONE NEW MAN OUT OF THE TWO = The "two men" Paul writes
about are: (1) "foreigners"/"Gentiles" (Ephesians
Eph 2:16
IN THIS ONE BODY = Through Christ both Jews and Gentiles are
incorporated into the body of the saved, the Church. The "foundation" of this "one
body" is not the law, but "the apostles and prophets, with Christ
Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone" (Ephesians
RECONCILE BOTH OF THEM = Ephesians
PUT TO DEATH THEIR HOSTILITY = The hostility between Jew and
Gentile created by the Old Covenant is "put to death" through
Christ's establishment of the New Covenant on the cross (see note on Ephesians
Eph 3:3
THE MYSTERY = Paul explains that this mystery "is that through
the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with
MADE KNOWN TO ME BY REVELATION = The Greek
“apokalupsis” (Strongs #G602) means “uncovering, revealing,
disclosure.” Here Paul reiterates
that Jesus Himself personally taught him through direct revelation (Galatians
1:11-12; Galatians 1:15-20).
ALREADY WRITTEN BRIEFLY = See Galatians
Eph 3:6
GENTILES ARE HEIRS TOGETHER WITH ISRAEL = Not that the Gentiles
must become Jews or follow Jewish customs (Galatians
Eph 3:10
THROUGH THE CHURCH = Not through the Jewish nation, or any specific
group of people other than saved Christians.
In the Old Testament God had repeatedly warned Israel to remain faithful
to Him so they could continue as His chosen people (Deuteronomy 10:12-13;
Deuteronomy 28:1-2; Deuteronomy 28:15, 20-22, 25, 36, 37, 41, 45, 49, 62-65,
68; Deuteronomy 29:18-27; Jeremiah 9:25-26; Ezekiel 18:30-32). This is the same message John the Baptist was
preaching prior to Christ's baptism (see note on Matthew 3:9). Jesus had previously pointed out that John's
ministry was to call those in Judaism to repentance, thus patching the
"old garment" (Matthew
There was no doubt
in the disciples' minds that Christ had taken the kingdom of God away from the
nation of Israel, for immediately after the Lord's resurrection they asked Him,
"Are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts
1:6).
This is in full
harmony with the OT Scriptures which warned
Eph 3:11
PURPOSE = The Greek "prothesis" (Strongs #G4286) means
"purpose, plan, will, design."
See note on Romans 8:28.
WHICH HE ACCOMPLISHED IN CHRIST = See Ephesians 1:9-10.
Eph 3:17
CHRIST MAY DWELL = The Greek word "katoikiow" (Strongs
#2730) literally means "with the house" and thus means to
"dwell, live within." Here
Paul is praying that Christians will be so Spirit-filled that Christ will be
"completely at home" in their hearts.
Prior to this Christ was already present in their lives (Romans 8:9-10),
but now He should be completely "at home" in their hearts.
IN YOUR HEARTS = Not the literal "heart," but the entire
inner being.
Eph 4:4
ONE BODY = In the context of the previous verses, i.e.: Ephesians
3:21, where Paul is speaking about the church, and Ephesians 4:1, where Paul
speaks about the "calling" to be a Christian, the "body"
refers to the Christian Church. The issue Paul addresses is the "keep(ing)
the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3). His point is: because there is one united
Christian Church, its members should not be fragmented by divisions.
ONE SPIRIT ... ONE HOPE = Paul's reiteration of "oneness"
is to counter the spirit of factions and divisions. See notes on Ephesians 4:5-6.
Those who do not
understand the workings of the Trinity point to this text as a proof that the
Holy Spirit is not a Person. They reason
that because there is "one Spirit," and because Romans 8:9 refers to the
Holy Spirit as "the Spirit of Christ" and "the Spirit of
God," the Holy Spirit must therefore emanate, or proceed, from the Father
and the Son as radio waves and thus cannot be a real Person.
Their reasoning
overlooks the issue Paul was addressing: unity within the Church. Thus this text is lifted from context in
order to piece together a non-Christian doctrine. While we agree there is indeed only one Holy
Spirit, this text in no way suggests that Spirit is an inanimate force, nor
does it in any way deny the Personhood of the Holy Spirit as the third member
of the Trinity.
Eph 4:5
ONE LORD = This reference to Jesus Christ does not diminish His
divinity, for even the Father is called "Lord" (Genesis
Eph 4:7
AS CHRIST APPORTIONED IT = The "grace" comes from Jesus Christ.
This "grace" is not salvation, but certain spiritual
"gifts" which empower leaders in the local churches (see Ephesians
4:8).
Eph 4:8
IT SAYS = This quotation is from the Messianic prophecy found in
Psalm 68:17-18, but Paul has modified it slightly to fit his purpose (see
below).
WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH = A reference to Christ's ascension to
heaven on
HE LED CAPTIVES IN HIS TRAIN = The text is quoted from Psalm 68:18
where the Hebrew “shawbah” (Strongs 7617) means “captivity
captive.” The Greek does not have
“in His train.” Instead the Greek,
like the Hebrew, literally says: “He led captive captivity.” This word picture is taken from the custom of
victorious Roman generals parading through the city with a long line of
captives following them (like a bride’s “train”). These are the "firstfruits" of
Revelation 14:3-5; the "captives" of Ephesians 4:8; those who arose
from the grave at Christ's resurrection: Matthew 27:51-53. Also see 2 Corinthians 2:14-15.
“It
is a phrase used in the Old Testament to signify a conquest over enemies,
especially over such as formerly had led others captive; see Judges 5:12.
Captivity is here put for captives, and signifies all our spiritual enemies,
who brought us into captivity before. He conquered those who had conquered us;
such as sin, the devil, and death. Indeed, he triumphed over these on the
cross; but the triumph was completed at his ascension, when he became Lord
over all, and had the keys of death and Hades put into his hands.”
– Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible
AND GAVE GIFTS TO MEN = The original quotation from Psalms 68:18
has "you received gifts from men."
The gifts Paul is referring to here are delineated in Ephesians 4:11-12
as the spiritual gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and
teachers. After Christ's ascension, He
gave these gifts of leadership to carry on the work of His church on earth (see
Ephesians
Eph 4:9
DESCENDED TO THE LOWER = The Greek "katoteros" (Strongs
#G2737) means "below, inferior, Hades." See notes on 1 Peter 3:19.
This is a
difficult text. Both the womb (Psalm
139:15) and the grave (Psalm 63:9) are called “the depths (lower) of the
earth.” There is nothing here to
conclusively prohibit Christ’s descent into Hades, nor is there anything
here to conclusively commend it. The
careful Bible student will take other texts on the nature of Hades into
consideration before choosing an personal interpretation.
"Some think
the passage refers to Jesus' burial.
Many take 'katoteros' to be Hades. ... Others hold that Jesus' coming on
earth, the incarnation, is meant." -- A Greek-English Lexicon of the New
Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich, p. 426
"The implied
Descent may well be more than the incarnation, the descent to Hades is the real
parallel to His being lifted up 'higher than all the heavens' (Ephesians
"The apostle,
commenting on the quotation, mentions that the Lord Jesus had to descend first
before He could ascend. Some take this
to be a reference to the death of Christ and His so-called descent into
Hades. It seems more likely, however,
that it is simply referring to His coming down from heaven. He descended into the lower parts which
consist of the earth (genitive of apposition, cf. John
"Interpretation
of these verses has been made difficult by the church tradition that has
understood them of a descent into Hades.
At issue is how one should understand the genitive 'of the earth' (in
the literal translation, 'He descended into the lower regions of the
earth.' That is, is it a partitive
genitive or a genitive of apposition?).
Does this mean 'the regions under the earth,' or 'the lower regions,
that is, the earth.' If the former, then
a descent to Hades is the intent; if the latter, three views are possible: (1)
Christ's incarnation, (2) Christ's descent in the Spirit at Pentecost, (3)
Christ's descent to the church alluded to in Ephesians 2:17." -- The NIV
Application Commentary on Ephesians, by Klyne Snodgrass, Zondervan, p. 201
“If the
‘anabas’ is the Ascension of Christ, then the ‘katabas’
would be the Descent (Incarnation) to earth and ‘tes ges’ would be
the genitive of apposition. What follows
in Ephesians
“To
the lowest state of humiliation. This seems to be the fair meaning of the
words. Heaven stands opposed to earth. One is above; the other is beneath. From
the one Christ descended to the other; and he came not only to the earth, but
he stooped to the most humble condition of humanity here; see Philippians
2:6-8; compare notes on Isaiah 44:23. Some have understood this of the grave;
others of the region of departed spirits; but these interpretations do not seem
to be necessary. It is the ‘earth itself’ that stands in contrast
with the heavens; and the idea is, that the Redeemer descended from his lofty
eminence in heaven, and became a man of humble rank and condition; compare
Psalm 139:15.” – Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
“This the Papists understand of his
decent into a place they call Limbus Patrum, which they make to be contiguous
to hell; and where they say the patriarchs were detained till Christ's coming;
and that he went thither to deliver them out of it; and that these are the
captivity he led captive; all which is fictitious and fabulous: for certain it
is, that the place where Abraham was with Lazarus in his bosom was not near to
hell, but afar off, and that there was a great gulf between them, Luke 16:23
and the spirits or souls of the patriarchs returned to God that gave them, when
separated from their bodies, as the souls of men do now, Ecclesiastes 12:7 nor
did Christ enter any such feigned place at his death, but went to paradise,
where the penitent thief was that day with him; nor were the patriarchs, but
the principalities and powers Christ spoiled, the captivity he led captive and
triumphed over: some interpret this of Christ's descent into hell, which must
be understood not locally, but of his enduring the wrath of God for sin, which
was equivalent to the torments of hell, and of his being in the state of the
dead; but it may rather design the whole of his humiliation, as his descent
from heaven and incarnation in the virgin's womb, where his human nature was
curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth; and his humbling himself
and becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, when he was made
sin and a curse for his people, and bore all the punishment due to their
transgressions; and his being in Hades, in the state of the dead, in the grave,
in the heart of the earth, as Jonah in the whale's belly: reference seems to be
had to Psalm 139:15 where "the lower parts of the earth", is
interpreted by the Targum on the place of כריסא
דאמא, ‘his mother's womb’; and so it is by
Jarchi, Aben Ezra, Kimchi, and Ben Melec. The Alexandrian copy and the Ethiopic
version leave out the word "first" in this clause.” –
John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
“He descended
to the earth in His Incarnation. He
descended into the earth in His burial.” – Matthew Henry’s
Commentary on the Whole Bible
“The under world. The
reference is to Christ's descent into Hades. Some give the words a comparative
force, deeper than the earth.” –
Vincent’s Word Studies
Eph 4:11
IT WAS HE = A reference to Jesus Christ (see notes on Ephesians
4:7).
APOSTLES = The Greek term "apostolos" (Strongs #G652) is a
naval term referring to a ship which is commissioned and sent out. It means “an ambassador, one who is
commissioned by another.” Here
Paul states the gift of "apostle" is given to one Jesus Christ has
commissioned to proclaim the Gospel.
PROPHETS = This gift is in a different category from that of the
Bible prophets who wrote Scripture. The
Bible prophets wrote down the very words of God (2 Timothy
Eph 4:12
TO PREPARE GOD'S PEOPLE FOR WORKS OF SERVICE = The apostles,
prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers in the local church are
commissioned by Christ "to prepare God's people for works of
service." The purpose of the these
gifts of spiritual leadership is to prepare others to serve.
Eph 4:13
BECOME MATURE = This is also known as sanctification (being
"made holy"). See Hebrews
10:12-14; 1 John 5:5.
Eph 4:14
BLOWN ... BY EVERY WIND = See John
Eph 4:22
TO PUT OFF YOUR OLD SELF = The Greek word here is
"apothesthai" (Strongs #G659) and is a second aorist, middle,
infinitive meaning the action is punctiliar (a one time event in the past).
"To be holy
is to be morally blameless. It is to be
separated from sin and, therefore, consecrated to God. The word signifies 'separation to God, and
the conduct befitting those so separated.' ... To live a holy life, then, is to
live a life in conformity to the moral precepts of the Bible and in contrast to
the sinful ways of the world. It is to
live a life characterized by '[putting] off your old self, which is being
corrupted by its deceitful desires ... and [putting] on the new self, created
to be like God in true righteousness and holiness' (Ephesians 4:22, 24)."
-- Victory Over Temptation, Wilkinson, (Jerry Bridges), page 43.
Eph 4:23
TO BE MADE NEW = The Greek is "ananeousthai" (Strongs
#G365) which is a present passive infinitive which indicates the action is
linear (goes on continuously). This is
known as sanctification: a process which goes on to the end of one's life.
Eph 4:24
TO PUT ON THE NEW SELF = The Greek is "endusasthai"
(Strongs #G1746) which is first aorist middle infinitive meaning the action is
punctiliar and thus occurs once in the past, present, or future. See note on Ephesians 4:22.
CREATED TO BE LIKE GOD = The Greek is "ktisthenta"
(Strongs #G2936) which is a first aorist passive participle in the accusative singular
masculine case. That means the action is
punctiliar and thus occurs once in the past, present, or future. Specifically this culminates in our
glorification at Christ's second coming (1 Corinthians 15:51-55; 1
Thessalonians 4:14-18).
Eph 4:26
DO NOT LET THE SUN GO DOWN = It is important to put a
"fire" out when it is still small, waiting only makes the job more
difficult as the "fire" grows and becomes more fierce. Another aspect deals with guilt. When sin has been committed, it is important
to immediately repent and seek forgiveness -- waiting only increases the guilt
and its numerous side-effects.
Eph 4:27
GIVE THE DEVIL A FOOTHOLD = The Greek “topos” (Strongs
#G5117) means “place, space, room.”
"The word 'foothold' literally means a 'place.' Paul is saying that we may allow the devil a
place in our lives if we fail to speak the truth in love and manage our
emotions. Anger which turns to
bitterness and unforgiveness is an open invitation to demonic control (2
Corinthians
Eph 4:29
UNWHOLESOME TALK = The Greek "sapros" (Strongs #G4550)
means "putrid, decayed, rotten."
THEIR NEEDS = The Greek "chreia" (Strongs #G5532) means
"what is necessary, a debt, what one owes or lacks, what is needful."
Eph 4:30
DO NOT GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT = Only a Personal Being can
experience grief. Contrary to the Jehovah
Witnesses' belief that the Holy Spirit is just an "active force" like
electricity, "the idea of 'spirit' excludes not only the idea of material
substance, but also that of inanimate substance. It implies that God (or in this case, the
Holy Spirit) is alive." -- Lectures in Systematic Theology, by Henry C.
Thiessen, Eerdmans, p. 76.
WITH WHOM YOU WERE SEALED = The Holy Spirit plays three roles in
the sealing of God's people: (1) the Holy Spirit is the "deposit" or
"firstfruits" of what is to come (2 Corinthians 1:21, 22); (2) the Holy Spirit is the seal (Ephesians
1:13); (3) the Holy Spirit is God's
Agent to do the work of sealing (Ephesians 4:30). "Seals were used in the ancient world in
ways similar to today. Cargo was sealed
before shipping or letters were sealed to guarantee the validity of the
contents. A seal conveyed authenticity
and ownership. In this case, the Spirit
is the seal given to believers to verify that they belong to God" -- The
NIV Application Commentary, by Klyne Snodgrass, p. 54.
FOR THE DAY OF REDEMPTION = Refers back to Ephesians
Eph 4:31
GET RID = This means to "put off" these evils (Ephesians
Eph 4:32
BE = A command to "put on" these good things (Ephesians
4:22-24).
KIND = The Greek word "chrestos" (Strongs #G5543) here
means "good-natured, gentle, kind."
COMPASSIONATE = The Greek word "eusplagchnos" (Strongs
#G2155) here means "tender-hearted, compassionate."
Eph 5:2
A LIFE OF LOVE = The Greek word "agapao" (Strongs #G25)
means "agapay" love, "self-sacrificing principled love,"
thus the phrase, he "gave Himself up for us."
A FRAGRANT OFFERING AND SACRIFICE TO GOD = Christ's death on the
cross was a sacrifice to God, not a ransom payment to Satan. Also see 1 Timothy 2:5-6.
Eph 5:3
NOT EVEN A HINT OF SEXUAL IMMORALITY = "Immorality is the
cumulative product of small mental indulgences and minuscule compromises, the
immediate consequences of which were, at the time, indiscernible." --
Victory Over Temptation, Bruce Wilkinson, (Randy Alcorn), page 225.
Eph 5:5
INHERITANCE IN THE KINGDOM = The list of sins Paul enumerates here
is only representative and not exhaustive.
In a companion texts Paul adds: sexual immorality, idolatry, adultery,
prostitution, homosexuality, thievery, greed, drunkenness, slander, and
swindlers (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10); obscenity, evil desire, anger, malice, and
lying (Colossians 3:5-9).
Eph 5:6
GOD'S WRATH = Scripture teaches us several things about God's
wrath:
1. God's wrath
falls upon those who reject His Son (John 3:36). Thus the saved have nothing to fear when the
seven last plagues fall (Romans 5:9).
2. A stubborn,
unrepentant heart merits God's wrath (Romans 2:5).
3. God's wrath
comes on those who are disobedient (Ephesians 5:6).
4. Rather than
seeking personal vengeance, Christians are to wait until God pours out His
wrath on their enemies (Romans 12:19).
5. God's wrath is
poured out through the seven last plagues (Revelation 15:1; 16:1).
Eph 5:11
EXPOSE THEM = When we bring sin into the light sin withers and
die. Sin needs secrecy and darkness in
order to grow (Ephesians 5:8).
Eph 5:14
SLEEPER ... DEAD = Death is compared to sleep.
Eph 5:15
UNWISE ... WISE = This is a continuation of the contrast Paul made
in Ephesians 5:8 ("darkness" vs. "light").
Eph 5:16
MAKING THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY = And "unwise"
person permits life's opportunities to slip away. When he comes to the end of his life he looks
back at all the wasted opportunities and mourns.
"Paul
counseled the Ephesians believers to 'redeem the time,' or as Weymouth renders
it, 'buy up the opportunities,' for time is opportunity. Note that time becomes ours by purchase -- it
has to be redeemed, bought. We exchange
it for certain occupations and activities, important or otherwise, and herein
lies the importance of a planned life.
When we say we don't have time, it may only be that we do not know how
to make use of the opportunity time affords us.
Time is a God-given stewardship for which we must render account, and
our use of it will determine the value of our contribution to our day and
generation." -- Victory Over Temptation, Wilkinson, (J Oswald Sanders),
page 135-136.
Eph 5:18
BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT = This text should be read in the context
of Ephesians 5:15-21. Being "filled
with the spirit" is part of "being very care how we live" (verse
15). It is living "not as unwise
but as wise," "making the most of every opportunity" (verse
16)," not being "foolish but understanding the Lord's will"
(verse 17), and "not getting drunk" (verse 18). Paul then went on to define being
"filled with the Spirit" as "speaking to one another with
psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, and making music to the Lord, giving thanks,
and submitting to one another" (Ephesians 5:19-21). He did not state that being "filled with
the Spirit" requires one to "speak
in tongues" (charismatic babbling).
Instead, being "filled with the Spirit" is an intensely
practical way of living life that makes one joyful, positive, and respectful.
"(You-all) do
not be drunk ("methusko") with wine, wherein is excess, but (you-all)
be filled ("playroo") with (the) Spirit." Both verbs, "methusko" and
"playroo" are present passive imperatives in the second person plural
(translated here with our southern vernacular as "you-all"). The present form indicates continuous action
(i.e. often referred to as "linear"), thus the action is to be
continually on-going (as opposed to a one-time event, often referred to as
"punctiliar"). The
passive form indicates the subject (in this case
"you-all") is acted upon -- this is vital to any
interpretation/application, for if this was in the middle case then
the subject ("you-all") would initiate the action. In other words, Paul is stating that in both
avoiding drunkenness and in being "filled" with the Spirit the
lifestyle does not initiate with us, but with God.
Eph 5:26
WASHING WITH WATER THROUGH THE WORD = Not foot-washing. See note on John 13:8.
Eph 5:29
FEEDS AND CARES FOR IT = A person who does not love, respect,
accept and take time to care for himself will not have the capacity to love and
care for someone else. When a person
"burns out" from caring for others he has nothing left to give
because he did not care for himself (see Mark 6:31).
Eph 5:32
PROFOUND MYSTERY = This mystery is "Christ and the
church."
Eph 6:10
BE STRONG IN THE LORD = "Progress in the Christian life is attained
through living in union with Christ through faith. This thought is expressed in a variety of
ways (see Colossians 2:6-7; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 6:10; Colossians 2:19;
Romans 13:14; Colossians 3:17)." -- Victory Over Temptation, Wilkinson,
(Neil Anderson), page 36.
Eph 6:11
PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD = See note on Ephesians 6:13.
"What is the
purpose of the armor? To prevent the
enemy's arrows from penetrating the body and injuring the soldier. If it is impossible for Satan's arrows to penetrate
us, there would be no need for us to put on the armor. The instructions regarding spiritual armor
suggest that it is possible for the enemy (Satan) to penetrate our lives and
gain a measure of control." -- The Bondage Breaker, Neil T. Anderson, page
176. Also see Luke 13:10-18; 22:31-34;
Ephesians 6:10-17; James 3:14-16; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 1
Peter 5:6-9; Acts 5:1-11.
"Since each
piece of God's armor is designed to protect you in specific ways in your
spiritual battles, you remain vulnerable t defeat if you put on some parts of
the armor and neglect to put on other parts.
Remember, God's armor is totally sufficient for you to resist the devil
and to stand firm against him, but it is your responsibility to put on the full
armor of God." -- Self-Confrontation, by John C. Broger, page 374.
OF GOD = This armor comes from God and is worn by God (Isaiah 11:5;
Isaiah 59:17).
Eph 6:12
RULERS ... AUTHORITIES ... POWERS OF THIS DARK WORLD = Paul has
stated that these are not human elements, for "our struggle is not against
flesh and blood." Therefore Satan
has divided up the world, organized his evil angels and put them in charge of
various territories on this earth.
SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS = In contrast to the
evil angels operating on earth, Paul also indicates Satan and his angels
operate in space (the second "heaven"). The book of Revelation opens
our eyes to what is going on behind the scenes as the forces of God battle the
forces of Satan.
Eph 6:13
PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD = See note on Ephesians 6:11.
Eph 6:14
BELT OF TRUTH = "Just as a belt held a Roman soldier's tunic
out of the way for ease of movement in battle, so should your use of biblical
truth allow you to move about feely in everyday life, unhindered and
unentangled by sin, ready to do spiritual battle." -- Self-Confrontation,
by John C. Broger, page 374.
BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS = "Just as a breastplate
protected a Roman soldier from receiving severe wounds in hand-to-hand combat,
your obedience to God's Word in all your deeds ("righteousness"
involves your thoughts, words, actions) will equip you to stand firm and not be
overcome by any of Satan's diabolical attacks or crafty schemes in your
everyday life." -- Self-Confrontation, by John C. Broger, page 375.
Eph 6:15
YOUR FEET FITTED ... THE GOSPEL OF PEACE = "Just as a Roman
soldier's 'sandal-boot' was made to protect his feet from injury, to enable him
to take long marches over rough terrain, and to keep him from slipping, so should
you be equipped spiritually by the liberating message ("gospel") of
Jesus Christ. ... No matter what tribulations may arise, you can be at peace in
Christ Jesus since He has overcome the world (John 16:33). Knowing that Satan has already been defeated
through Christ Jesus, you can be confidently at peace when you face any
spiritual battle on the way to final victory (Romans 16:20)." --
Self-Confrontation, by John C. Broger, page 375.
Eph 6:16
SHIELD OF FAITH = "Just as a Roman soldier trusted in the
sufficiency of his large 'body-shield,' even while flaming arrows rained down
on him, so should you be confident of God's protective care and sufficiency
through Christ Jesus and God's Word in any situation of life. ... Roman
soldiers protected one another as a unit by enclosing themselves behind
overlapping shields when under severe attack.
Since Satan's attacks on the Body of Christ never cease, it is obvious
that members of the Body of Christ are to be linked with one another in their
common faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, which results in faithful and loving
obedience to God's Word (see Proverbs 24:6; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Ephesians
4:16; Hebrews 10:23-25)." -- Self-Confrontation, by John C. Broger, pages
375-376.
Eph 6:17
THE HELMET OF SALVATION = "Just as a Roman soldier's helmet
protected his head from crushing blows from the enemy, so should your reliance
on the completeness and certainty of your salvation protect you from thoughts
that would hinder you from becoming more like Jesus Christ." -- Self-Confrontation,
by John C. Broger, page 376.
THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT = The sword is an offensive weapon.
"Just as a
Roman soldier knew how to use his sword effectively in hand-to-hand combat, so
should you know how to use God's Word effectively to thwart temptations to sin
and other Satanic attacks that will inevitably come your way." --
Self-Confrontation, by John C. Broger, page 376.
WORD OF GOD = This phrase
("word of God") is used
throughout Scripture to mean:
(1) a prophecy or
directive from God to a prophet (1 Chronicles 17:3-4; Luke 3:2);
(2) the entire
cannon of Scripture (Proverbs 30:5; Matthew 15:6);
(3) the spoken
word/preaching (Acts 4:31; 6:2-4);
(4) the
"sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17);
(5) "Christ
in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:25-27);
(6) literally the
word from God (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
(7) In John 10:35,
"the word of God" is synonymous with "the Scripture."
(8) In Acts 6:7;
8:14, "the word of God" is synonymous with Christianity.
(9) In Revelation
19:13 "the Word of God" is a title for Jesus Christ.
"Just as the
Word of God gives you wisdom tat leads to salvation (2 Timothy 3:15), it also
continues to accomplish spiritual results after your spiritual new birth
(Hebrews 4:12), being very powerful (Jeremiah 23:29) and totally sufficient for
every situation in life (Psalm 19:7-11: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3-4). You are to handle it accurately (2 Timothy
2:15) by being a consistent and faithful doer of the Word, since this keeps you
from spiritual delusion and enables you to discern good and evil clearly (James
1:22-25); Hebrews 5:14). Your consistent
love for (obedience to) God's Word will give you great peace, and nothing can
cause you to stumble (Psalm 119:165; 2 Peter 1:2-10). The Word of God is more than adequate to
cause Satan to flee, but it must be specifically applied in order to be used
effectively to combat temptations (Psalm 119:11, 24, 41-42, 133; Matthew
4:1-11; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12)." -- Self-Confrontation,
John C. Broger, page 376.
Eph 6:18
PRAY IN THE SPIRIT = Many teach that this phrase refers to speaking
in tongues. Consider the following
commentaries:
"'Praying in
the Spirit' does not refer to speaking in tongues. Rather, it should be seen in connection with
other passages on the Spirit in Ephesians, especially 3:16 ('may strengthen you
... through His Spirit in your inner being') and 5:18 ('be filled with the
Spirit'). The Spirit communicates God to
us, and through him we receive all gifts and empowering from God." -- The
NIV Application Commentary on Ephesians, Klyne Snodgrass, Zondervan, page 344.
"Christians
are to pray continually 'in the Spirit' (i.e. in the power and sphere of the
Spirit; cf. Jude 20)." -- "The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Walvoord
& Zuck, Victor Books, page 644.
"True
Christian prayer is prayer 'in the Spirit.'
The Spirit is given as Helper, and not least for the task of prayer
(Romans 8:26ff); but as in the case of the other uses of the phrase in this
Epistle (2:18, 22; 5:18) 'in the Spirit' means more than by the Spirit's
help. The Spirit is the atmosphere of
the Christian's life, and as he lives in the Spirit grace will be given to
watch and power to continue in prayer." -- Tyndale New Testament
Commentaries, Ephesians, Francis Foulkes, page 178.
Also see Ephesians
2:18; 2:22; 5:18.
"Having put
on the full armor of God, be faithful to pray regularly and fervently. In order to do this you should have a regular
pattern and plan of prayer. In your
prayer life, ask for God's continued wisdom in judging yourself biblically in
all situations and rely on His leading and sovereignty in your daily
activities." -- Self-Confrontation, by John C. Broger, page 380.
PRAYERS AND REQUESTS = The emphasis here is on praying, it is not
on trying to distinguish various aspects of prayer. The point Paul is making here is to
"always keep on praying for all the saints."
© Sydney
Cleveland 1990, 2000, 2005. All rights
reserved world wide.
Sydney Cleveland,
172 Suncrest Drive, Greenwood, IN 46143
317 885-8122
Permission to use The Cleveland Bible Commentary in your personal
study is freely given, however this Commentary is not in the public
domain. The author retains all
copyrights © and ownership of this commentary, world wide. This means you cannot copy, revise, change,
republish, or distribute The Cleveland Bible Commentary in any way, including
electronically, except as provided here.
Nor may you use it in any manner other than for your own personal study,
except as stated here, without my written permission. You may quote from The Cleveland Bible
Commentary in materials used in your personal teaching at educational institutions,
including churches and Bible classes sponsored by your church, as long as the
quotation does not exceed twenty-five percent of the entire Cleveland Bible
Commentary verse notes on any single chapter.
For example, this means if I comment on twenty-four verses in Matthew
chapter 19, you may directly quote my comments on six verses of your choice in
Matthew 19 without requesting permission.
When quoting, please include the following credit line:
“Quoted from The Cleveland Bible Commentary, by Syd Cleveland, located
at: http://www.christiancommunitychurch.us/ClevelandCommentary/Index.html. Thank you for being considerate in this
matter.
YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME: Syd@ChristianCommunityChurch.us
Back to Cleveland
Commentary's Home Page
Copyright © 1990, 1995, 2001, 2005 Sydney
Cleveland