Bible Study – Ephesians Chapter One - The Mystery Of His Will

 

God has a different economy in mind for the Christian.  Many times the natural man only thinks about the here and now aspects of this life on earth, robbing himself of the eternal riches and blessings God has for His people.  God has purposed that all spiritual blessings in heavenly places from the foundation of the world.  The person with a transformed mind is truly one that sets his affection on things above not on things on earth.

Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians, after he had heard from Epaphras concerning false teaching that had the potential to destroy the walk of the Christians living there.  Paul’s antidote for the poison of false doctrine was a good dose of “Who Christ is”.  Part of this doctrine pictures Christ as head of creation and of the Church.  After writing this letter, Paul then wrote to the Ephesians with the logical outcome of this doctrine: If Christ is the head of the Church, and then His people are members of His Body, therefore Christians have the spiritual wealth of an intimate relationship with Christ, as well as with one another.  Because of this wealth, the Church is called to walk worthy of His calling.  Look at some of the wealth spelled out in almost every verse in the first chapter of Ephesians:

 

We are in Christ Jesus

1:1

We are blessed in Christ

1:3

We are chosen in Him

1:4

We are adopted by Christ

1:5

We are accepted in the Beloved

1:6

We are redeemed in Christ

1:7

He revealed the mystery of His will to us

1:9

All things gathered in one in the fullness of time

1:10

We have an inheritance in Christ

1:11

We have now the down payment of that inheritance

1:12-13

We have faith in Christ

1:15

We have the wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him

1:17

We have the hope of His calling and the riches of His inheritance

1:18

We have power in Christ

1:19-23

 

FOCUS

Who Is The Church

The Walk Of The Church

REFERENCE

1:1-2

1:2-23

2:1-22

3:1-21

4:1

5:1-21

5:22-33

6:1-24

DIVISION

Salutation

The Church’s Standing With God

The Church’s Access To God

The Fellowship Of The Mystery

Walk Worthy Of The Calling

Walk In Love As Children Of Light

The Mystery Of Christ And The Church

The Walk For The War

TEMPLE

METAPHOR

The Foyer

King’s Audience Chamber

King’s Throne Room

The Wardrobe Room

Psalm And Worship Room

The Armory

TOPIC

Revelation

Lifestyle

PURPOSE

The Purpose Of God

The Purpose Of The Church

INTENSION

To reveal the Mystery of the Church with each member, called by God, and walking worthy of the calling.

LOATION

ROME – AD 60-61

 


I. Salutation - Ephesians 1:1-3

 

Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 1:2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: {places: or, things}

 

A. The Letter Is From Paul

1. An Apostle

652 apostolov apostolos ap-os’-tol-os - “special messenger” or “one sent with a message"

2.  By the will of God

B. The Letter Is To the saints

40 agiov hagios hag’-ee-os - "set apart ones"

C. At Ephesis – Gentile Town

D. And to the faithful in Christ Jesus - 4103 pistov pistos pis-tos’ - "those that have faith in God's Word, in relationship with Christ"

E. Grace be unto you

1. From God Our Father

2. From the Lord Jesus Christ

F. Blessed be the God - The word [eulogetos] rendered "blessed" from where we get our word eulogize . It means, "to praise." "Praised be the God,"

 

II. The Church's Standing In Christ - Ephesians 3:4-14

 

Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Ephesians 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

Ephesians 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: {heaven: Gr. the heavens}

Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Ephesians 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.


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,

Ephesians 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

 

A. He Has Blessed Us with all spiritual blessings - Ephesians 1:4

 

1. Who hath blessed us - The "blessed" [eulogeo] is  from the same root. as above, "to praise," or to "speak" good things of one; then to "speak" good things to, or give blessings.

 

2. All spiritual blessings

4152 pneumatikov pneumatikos pnyoo-mat-ik-os’ - "spirit or wind"

"All," means, "every possible blessing for time and eternity, which the Spirit has to bestow" (not "spiritual," as the term is now used, as opposed to bodily).

 

3. In heavenly places-Phrase used four times in Ephesians, and no where else.

 

Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places  might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places

 

Why Would “Heavenly Places” Be Used So Many Times?

a. We are introduced into heavenly places

 

Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

 

b. These Changes made by Christ

 

Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. {having…: or, making}

Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places

 

c. Our citizenship is in heaven

 

Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: {conversation…: or, we live or conduct ourselves as citizens of heaven, or, for obtaining heaven}


d. Our treasures are in heaven

Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

 

e. Our affections need to be in heaven

 

Colossians 3:1 ¶ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Colossians 3:2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. {affection: or, mind}

 

f. Our hope is in heaven

 

Colossians 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; {glorious…: Gr. the appearance of the glory of the great God, and of our Saviour Jesus Christ}

 

g. Our inheritance is in heaven

 

1 Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, {for you: or, for us}

 

B. He Has Chosen Us - Ephesians 1:4

1. 1586 eklegomai eklegomai ek-leg’-om-ahee - "to choose" or “set aside”

2. 2602 katabolh katabole kat-ab-ol-ay’ - "Beginning or laying a foundation"

3. 2889 kosmov kosmos kos’-mos - "world or universe"

4. Before He created the world God choose men to live unblemished - like the unspotted lamb

5. Before Him - In His presence

6. Adam was perfect before sin, and communicated blamelessly with God daily

C. Has Predestinated Us - Ephesians 1:5

1.4309 proorizw proorizo pro-or-id’-zo - "determine before to foreordain, appoint beforehand"

2. That we would be adopted, By Christ, according to His will

3. Effected by Christ

D. He Has Made Us Accepted - Ephesians 1:6

1. We are made acceptable - 5487 caritow charitoo khar-ee-to’-o - "given favor"

2. We are made acceptable Because of Christ

2. To the praise of His glory - doxa - "splendour or brightness"

3. Of His grace - 5485 cariv charis khar’-ece - "favour or  thanks"

E. He Has Redeemed Us - Ephesians 1:7

1. In Christ we have redemption - 629 apolutrwsiv apolutrosis ap-ol-oo’-tro-sis - "a ransom paid to purchase a slave or set someone free"

2. Through His blood - Payment made at the cross

3. It is the forgiveness of sins


4. Because of His rich grace

I Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

F. He Has Abounded To Us - Ephesians 1:8

1. Has abounded - 4052 perisseuw perisseuo per-is-syoo’-o - “to be furnished beyond what one needs"

2. Wisdom  -4678 sofia sophia sof-ee’-ah - “insight; discernment; divine viewpoint”

3. Prudence - 5428 fronhsiv phronesis fron’-ay-sis from 5426; n f

AV-wisdom 1, prudence 1; 2

1) understanding

2) knowledge and holy love of the will of God

 

G. He Has Made Known The Mystery His Will To Us - Ephesians 1:9-10

1. Mystery -  3466 musthrion musterion moos-tay’-ree-on - "revealed what was not known in the past" - not something mysterious

2. Pleasure It is God's pleasure to reveal what was hidden – (Thelema)

3. Dispensation - 3622 oikonomia oikonomia oy-kon-om-ee’-ah  -“economy or administration”

4. Fulness of times - 4138 plhrwma pleroma play’-ro-mah + 2540 kairov kairos kahee-ros’ - "a succession of events, ages, eras"

5. Gather together - 346 anakefalaiomai anakephalaiomai an-ak-ef-al-ah’-ee-om-ahee - “to bring together several things under one head”

(It was used in Greek rhetoric for summing up a speech at the end, showing the relation of each part to the complete argument.)

6. Both which are in heaven and in earth in Him.

a. Everything depends on Jesus Christ. He is the focal point of God’s plan.

b. Christ must be first in life, otherwise a person is outside of the plan of God, and only misery will follow

7. The mystery is explained further on in Ephesians:

 

Ephesians3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Ephesians 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

 

8. This is why the Christian dispensation was not revealed in Daniel's 70 weeks

 

H. He Gave Us An Inheritance - Ephesians 1:11-12

1. 2820 klhrow kleroo klay-ro-o -  “to be appointed by lot” - “lot”, used two ways since the time of Homer: (1) “a lot which is drawn, or cast”, and (2) “a lot of land; an allotment”.

2. We have our inheritance because

a. God Foreordained It before the foundation of the world – (Verse 5)

b. Christ Paid For It – (7-12)

b. The Spirit Applied It (Sealed) (13-14) - 4972 sfragizw sphragizo sfrag-id’-zo -; v

AV-seal 22, set to (one’s) seal 1, stop 1, seal up 1, set a seal 1, vr seal 1; 27

1) to set a seal upon, mark with a seal, to seal

1a) for security: from Satan

1b) since things sealed up are concealed (as the contents of a letter), to hide, keep in silence, keep secret

1c) in order to mark a person or a thing


“Sealed” Is Derived From:

1. In the ancient world, the seal was a guarantee or a transaction, e.g., a signet impression on a ring.

2. Sealing was used to authenticate contracts, laws, invoices, military orders. The seal was also used in the ratification of treaties.

3. Seals were used to preserve tombs, libraries, treasuries. The seal was backed up by the force of the government in charge, (the seal on the tomb of Christ was guaranteed by the Roman troops.)

4. Seals indicate ownership; God owns the believer, having purchased him from the slave market of sin (1:7)

5. The believer is sealed and is guaranteed his inheritance

6. With the Holy Spirit of promise “by means of the Holy Spirit which was promised” and establishes us

 

II Corinthians 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;

II Corinthians 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Romans 8:17 ¶ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

Romans 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. {the…: or, every creature}

Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Romans 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

 

7. The earnest of our inheritance - 728 arrabwn arrhabon ar-hrab-ohn’ - installment; deposit; down payment”.

 

III.  Prayer For Revelation - Ephesians 1:15-23

 

Ephesians 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

Ephesians 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: {in…: or, for the acknowledgement}


Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Ephesians 1:19  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, {his mighty power: Gr. the might of his power}

Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Ephesians 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Ephesians 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

 

A. Paul prayed for the Ephesians always

1. After he heard of their faith in Christ

2. After he heard of their love of the saints

B. Paul gave thanks for the Ephesian Christians

C. The God of our Lord Jesus Christ - God the Father and God the Son

D. The Father of glory: (doxa), "glory" - The perfect character of God

E. May give unto you

1. The spirit of wisdom - pnuema sofia - refers to wisdom in the human spirit.

2. Revelation in the knowledge of Him - 602 apokaluqiv apokalupsis ap-ok-al’-oop-sis - refers to the inspired Word of God

a. Eyes of your understanding being enlightened- Metaphor 3788 oftalmov ophthalmos of-thal-mos’  + 1271 dianoia dianoia dee-an’-oy-ah - “the faculty of knowing ”

b. You may know what is the hope of His calling - "There is no uncertainty regarding the Plan of God for you"

c. And the riches of His glory of His inheritance of the saints

d. What is the exceeding greatness of His power to believers by His working His mighty power

e. What the exceeding greatness:

1.  huperballw, used as an adjective, “surpassing; unmeasureable” plus the noun

2. megethos, “magnitude”. So “what is the unmeasureable magnitude" of His power.

f. Four Synonyms in this verse for the power of God.

1. dunamis - "mighty or explosive power",

2. energeia - "put in motion or to raise", 

3. kratos  - "power of control, dominion, might ",

4. ischus - endowed power, the faculty of power.

g. Synonym definitions of the four words for power:

1. dunamis: inherent power, the omnipotence of God

2. energeia: the (action) power of God (excludes all human power)

3. kratos: power of control, dominion, might

4. ischus: endowed power, the faculty of power

e. He wrought in Christ: energew, “had been operational in Christ"

f. When He raised him: egeirw, “having raised him”

1. Set Him at His own right hand

2. In heavenly places

3. Far above all

a. principality - 746 arch arche ar-khay’ - "principal or first"


b. power - 1849 exousia exousia ex-oo-see’-ah - "out of the essence"

c. might - 1411 dunamiv dunamis doo’-nam-is - "power"

d. dominion - 2963 kuriothv kuriotes koo-ree-ot’-ace - "government"

e. Every name that is named

1. In this world

2. In the world to come

4. Put all things under His feet

5. He is the head of the church

a. His body

b. His fullness

F. This prayer for Revelation Gives the Three “Whats” of prayer.  Do you know the answers to these whats?

1. What is the hope of His calling?

2. What are the riches of of the glory of His inheritance in the saints?

3. What is the exceeding greatness of His power?