Ephesians 1
- Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
The word trusted is not in the text. It is put there by the translators because the word trusted is in the previous verse.
Ephesians 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. The word only appears once in the whole Bible and is defined "to hope".[1]
Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
We later see that Paul is talking to the Ephesians who use to "walked according to the course of this world" and the princes whose spirit was manifested in the "children of disobedience".[2]
The word world is the word for government of the world that had gone in the wrong way.
We also have seen Ephesians 2:3 that they had lusted after things that they wanted for themselves and were the children of wrath by nature. [3] We can assume they had turned away from that course and way. They may not do it perfectly but they admit that the way of force to satisfy our desires is against Christ and we are not going that way anymore.
This is where mercy comes and where grace is needed. Even though we have repented we are seeking to live without those benefits or exercising authority and force over our neighbor.
We need the grace of Christ to do this and in Ephesians 2:10 we credit Christ working good works in us so that we are walking in his ways and t=not the ways of the world. [4]
Once we understand that Paul too called the people to repentance and the people he was giving this pep talk to were seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness.
To do this they had to organize from the bottom up without exercising authority or neglecting the daily ministration. They needed men to lead them in service, caring for the needs that the government once covered with their forced contributions.
We see these men mentioned in Ephesians 4:11 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:"
The minister who says we need to love one another and care for one another in that love is not the one who is deceiving you as mentioned in Ephesians 4:14 "That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"
It is the one who calls you to be slothful by saying you are saved without works of righteousness. Ones faith would lead them to love one another while the devil would say you do not have to do anything and surely you will be saved and not die.
It is clear he is telling us in Ephesians 4:15 manifest the truth in love, Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
And then he gives a long list of things not to do [5] Then what you should be doing[6]
And then back the don'ts [7]
The even go so far to say in Ephesians 5:11 to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works and to reprove [them].[8] No where are they saying you can go against these directives of the apostles and still be saved. Then why in 2 Timothy 3:5 are we warned about those "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
The Modern Christians are drawn to a false gospel where there is no need of real repentance.
Footnotes
- ↑ 4276 ~προελπίζω~ proelpizo from 4253 and 1679; TDNT-2:534,229; v AV-first trust 1; 1 1) to hope before
- ↑ Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
- ↑ Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
- ↑ Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
- ↑ Ephesians 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
- ↑ 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. 1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
- ↑ Ephesians 5:3 ¶ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
- ↑ Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them].