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Introduction
Introduction
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:
through acts 19 sets the stage for this book.
Ephesus, the first church addressed in the book of Revelation.
May have been lead by Timothy and then the Apostle John.
Written by the Apostle Paul while in captivity in Rome, probably between 60 and 66 A.D
New Testament manuscripts date back to about 150 A.D, but none (of course) are originals.
(see commentary)
OUTLINE
I. The Calling of the Church (chaps. )
A. Prologue ()
B. Praise for God’s planned spiritual blessings ()
1. The provision of spiritual blessings ()
2. The basis of spiritual blessings ()
C. Prayer for wisdom and revelation ()
1. Commendation ()
2. Supplication ()
D. New position individually ()
1. The old condition: dead to God ()
2. The new position: alive in God ()
E. New position corporately ()
1. Statement of the union ()
2. Explanation of the union ()
3. Consequence of the union ()
F. Parenthetical expansion of the mystery ()
1. The introduction ()
2. The mystery ()
3. The ministry ()
4. The injunction ()
G. Prayer for strengthened love ()
1. The approach to prayer ()
2. The appeal in prayer ()
3. The ascription of praise ()
II. The Conduct of the Church (chaps. )
A. Walking in unity ()
1. The basis of unity ()
2. The preservation of unity ()
B. Walking in holiness ()
1. Presentation of the old man ()
2. Presentation of the new man ()
C. Walking in love ()
1. The positive: to love others ()
2. The negative: to abstain from evil ()
D. Walking in light ()
1. Not becoming involved with evildoers ()
2. Not becoming involved with evildoers’ works ()
3. Conclusion: enlightenment of Christ ()
E. Walking in wisdom ()
1. Admonition ()
2. Application ()
F. Standing in warfare ()
1. Putting on the armor ()
2. Standing with the armor ()
3. Receiving the final pieces of armor ()
G. Conclusion ()
1. Information ()
2. Salutation ()
3. Benediction ()
Harold W. Hoehner, “Ephesians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 614–615.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.
Please note that verse 3-6 are done by God before time, and 7-14 are centered in time.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
Through the cross, every spiritual blessing has been given to us, but most of us don't actually believe that we have every spiritual blessing. The scripture reads: "in heavenly places in Christ"! What this means is that these blessings are ours but must be recieved by faith (Without faith it is impossible to please Him ()). If these things were given to us in the natural after salvation then how would we build our faith? Everything in the kingdom of God is through faith, and only through faith can we operate in the kingdom on this earth.
(Also see , 5, , )
just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love
Why are we holy and blameless before Him: because Jesus paid the full price for our redemption! Not because of any good work or anything we have done except accept the Word of the cross.
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
Redemption is also called "Justification", why, because we are no longer guilty under the law. Sanctification is the change brought about in us to bring us into conformity to His will.
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
Grace: Strong's Definition 2a of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
James Strong, Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2001).
also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,
Strong's definition 2 in the NT of God decreeing from eternity
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.
This is actually talking about the salvation experience. Note that it does not say you are saved, but that you are sealed, marked, set apart with the Holy Spirit who lives in you! Now you walk the walk and at death or rapture you will actually receive salvation.
(See , , )
(Salvation is actually eternal life with God.)
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
Notice 17: "a spirit of wisdom" and "of revelation in the knowledge of Him"
18: "Heart enlightened"; "So that you will know"
and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might
God's power can overcome all obstacles but one, our free will, and because of that we must surrender to Him.
( )
which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
Why here does Paul say "in the heavenly places"? Because Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father and we are IN HIM. says with every spiritual blessing..in Christ. Again we have these things, they are ours in the spirit but we need to appropriate them through faith into our current environment.
And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
" He put all things in subjection under His feet", since this is true, and continuing, we are his body then all things are truly under our feet, meaning that we have authority over all physical things.
( )
New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Eph 1:22.
which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
The church is the body of Christ, so would the body of Christ clothed in His blood, go through any part of the tribulation; the first half being the wrath of the Lamb (The Lord Jesus himself). The mental picture I get is Christ beating His own body for forgiven sin!
in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
These verses (2 & 3) lists three different things that we fight in spiritual warfare:
Course of this world (World system)
Prince of the power of the air (Satan)
Lust of our flesh (desires of the flesh and of the mind")
in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
Sons of disobedience" refers to us before we were saved, but in the next verse we see "children of wrath" both referring to the unsaved, and then we talk about the wrath of God poured out on the unbelieving. Do you see a connection here? I do. See (Also see "Satan" page 44-45)
and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
We are seated with Him and In Him, however we are told to "Keep seeking the things above, where Christ is".
so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
What are the ages to come, more general what are the ages spoken of in general?
The Adamic Age. Gen.1-8-From the creation to the flood.
The Noachian Age, Gen.9-11-From the flood to the call of Abraham.
The Abrahamic Age, Gen.12-Ex.19-From the call of Abraham to the giving of the law.
The Mosaic Age, Ex.20-1 Sam.31-From the giving of the Law to the reign of David.
The Davidic Age.2 Sam.1-2 Kings 25-From David's ascension to the throne to the restoration.
The Ezraitic Age. Ezra-Mal.-From the restoration to the birth of Christ.
The Christian Age. Matt-Rev.-From the birth to the second coming of Christ.
Millennial
Eternity
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
We can discipline our flesh and control our minds but if done without the help of God (the Holy Spirit) we can only become a good person (what we call a good person). With God working through His Word and us cooperating with Him (in faith) we can become like Him.
We become like Him, through His working in us by His Spirit, not through the flesh. The flesh profits nothing (John 6:63).
Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands—
Notice here that Paul remarks about the mark of circumcision being in the flesh! The significance of that is explained above in verse 8 "by faith"!
remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
As a gentile there was only one path to God and that was to become a Jew, (Jewish proselyte)
But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Christ, as the lamb of God, became the blood sacrifice for our sins, paying for all sin for all time.
Note: Blood of Christ is found 4 times in NT. , , , Pet 1:19.
For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
Both groups here means both Jews and Gentiles.
The dividing wall is the law! (see )
( )
by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,
The two: Jew and gentile,into one new man; i.e Body of Christ.
and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
"Through the cross" The cross is the instrument that was used to make the sacrifice. It is an identification point for the sacrifice of Christ. The sacrifice was His suffering and death, thereby becoming the means.
for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
One Spirit means the Spirit of Jesus in that we are the body of Christ and we are washed by His blood. It is His work that cleanses us and we even say "When God sees us He sees Jesus" () . Of course, it is also true of the Holy Spirit.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,
Saints here is the Greek word "Hagios" which is translated "saints", or "holy", "believer", "elect". The same Greek word is used in 2:21 and translated "holy".
that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief.
This mystery is the mystery of the church, which is sustained by faith, and is in fact the body of Christ: salvation through the blood of Jesus!
Paul speaks here of a letter that he had sent to them previously; this letter has been lost.
which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
This information was hidden in the Old Testament to be revealed at the proper time!
Notice that it is revealed "in the Spirit"!
to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,
Notice in this verse that it is the Gentiles that have been brought in, not the Jews. We (the Gentiles) are fellow heirs. This should put an end to the apostate teaching that the church replaces the Jews...no, not if we are fellow heirs!
The devil didn't know
The devil didn't know
so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.
These rulers and authorities are none other than the satanic realm, and they did not have a clue as to what was happening when they killed the Lord of Glory.
We, as the saints are obviously to rub the devil's nose in it (so to speak). Are we ready to do that? We have the authority, if we have the faith!
People choose direction from options that they see as available to them. After the rapture, the wisdom of God will be difficult to access, causing man to choose earthly solutions to spiritual problems. (We already see that happening with those who reject Jesus. ( , ))
This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,
This eternal purpose is the redemption of mankind. Jesus paid the price for all sin, unfortunately ,not all will accept His completed work, in fact most will not.
Confident access
Confident access
in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.
We can be confident that we have access to the Father through faith in Jesus.
Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.
This is perhaps why Paul says "not to lose heart at my tribulations", because, even when Satan had him stoned, he got back up to preach the good news of Jesus!
Strengthened
Strengthened
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
Paul prays that the Father would grant us, to be strengthened with power, through His Holy Spirit, in the inner man.
(See , )
Could this also be an indication that we have in our spirit man every spiritual blessing (including healing)?
How many dimensions
How many dimensions
may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
Paul gives here four measurements using four different Greek words: width, length, height, and depth (the distance from the surface to actually a change is material, like the surface of the ocean to the point where the water stops.) We normally think of four dimensions: 1) width, 2) height, (3 length and the fourth is time. However, it is now believed that there are twelve dimensions discovered by Nachmanides (Jewish Rabbi). Today scientists (at least some) believe that that is true.
Why is this important; because we are locked into a four dimensional world but Jesus after His resurrection walked through walls etc. without difficulty, indicating that perhaps heaven is right here with us and just in dimensions we can't access.
Far more abundantly
Far more abundantly
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
We are not capable of comprehending all that God can and wants to do in our behalf, we just do not have the mental ability.
"Power that works within us" This power of God works only by faith, and without faith it is unable to work through you! (Faith comes through hearing the Word (:17 ))
New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Eph 3:20.
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
How do we "walk in a manner worthy of the calling"?
• Renewing of the mind ( )
• Reading the Word
• Meditating on the Word
• Studying the Word
• memorizing the Word
• faith ( )
• prayer
• praying in the Holy Spirit ()
• Considering your flesh dead ( )
• Fruit of the Spirit ()
• Do not let sin reign ()
This is worthless if done in the flesh, it must be done in the Spirit!
There are both gifts and callings, such as profit, pastor, evangelist and teacher, then there are tasks within the body that we might call body ministry, such things as cleaning the church or church grounds or feeding the sick. We are to walk in a manner that supports our calling, cheerfully doing what we are called to do, even when it is inconvenient!
(See )
(7/28/14)
Measure of Christ's gift
Measure of Christ's gift
But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
2 cor 5 17
Christ's gift to us is our new birth (salvation) and that gift is perfect and all encompassing and complete (lacking in nothing), so grace (God's unmerited favor) is given to us as completely as Jesus' work in redemption is complete.
(Also see )
Led captivity captive
Led captivity captive
Therefore it says,
“When He ascended on high,
He led captive a host of captives,
And He gave gifts to men.”
When Jesus died on the cross, a place in Hades called Abraham's bosom was full of Old Testament saints. They were actually held captive by Satan. (They could not go to heaven as they were not officially redeemed.) Jesus, the Messiah, led those souls, that were captives of Satan, as His captives, to heaven! I.e. He took them away from their captor Satan and they became His.
8/7/14
Fill all things
Fill all things
He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)
He sat down at the right hand of God (the Father) and rules over all things.
(See )
8/7/14
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
"Chosen or appointed laborers"; Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.
(7/31/14)
for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
These all have the same goal or mission; the equipping of the saints I.e. the building up of the body of Christ.
(7/31/14)
until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
33 Read verses 1-16 in Wuest and the Amplified!
8/7/14
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
In order to protect ourselves from various false and deceitful doctrines we must validate everything through the Word of God, led by the Holy Spirit (in faith). This actually requires us to study the Word in detail; i.e. become knowledgeable.
from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
The body of Christ is made up of those who have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior. Each person has a function within the body. Believers, who are not functioning within the body according to the plan of God, are like disease in a human body. Crippling arthritis in the hands can cause a person not to be able to hold things in their hands. The same can be true for the spiritual body (the body of Christ). Believers, who are not walking in the Lord, but doing their own thing, etc. impede, and obstruct the functioning of the body. Their lack of spiritual awareness can prevent the moving of the Holy Spirit. Their impact is on the body not just on themselves.
(6/16/14)
So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
That we, the saints, no longer walk as the unsaved and as we previously walked, in the futility of our minds (the unrenewed mind being unable to comprehend spiritual concepts), our understanding darkened because of the ignorance that is in us, because of a hard hart!
(See AMP)
"in the futility of their mind": Futility means "incapable of producing any useful result; pointless."
Mind is the Greek word "Nooce" (Strong’s 3563) and refers to the intellect, the mind, disposition or manner of thought.
All this says that the person's thinking is not in line with the Word, but rather in line with this world system. Resulting in darkening of understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them.
All of this results in callousness and turning the the senses in the sense of sensual reward or pleasure (sin).
The heart in Hebrew is frequently equated to the mind or the thinking process. So, the renewing of the mind is changing the heart of man.
EBD
that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
"Lay aside the old man" means that you stop (through the Holy Spirit) doing the things of the past; your old sinful life style. It means a change in those you associate with, a change in the way you talk, and walk, and think. This cannot be done in a vacuum, but must be done in faith and with the help and fellowship of believers. (Confess your sins to one another).
and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
"Spirit of your mind" is only found once in the NASB95, and other similar references do not seem to carry the same meaning. The phrase is used in NASB, AMP, ESV, LEB, Darby, Young's, Wuest, NKJV, and KJV.
Spirit here (pneuma) we believe refers to the rational spirit, which then would mean "attitude"
Example: Pastor desires a spirit of unity at the conference.
(Also see Rom 12:1-3)
and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
We have been given everything in the spiritual realm, (The work of our Lord is complete) what is left is for us to become active in moving in that realm. This is done by putting on the new man. The meaning of that statement is simply start walking in the truth of God's Word, in faith.
Note: New self is also found in and in as new man.)
Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
Laying aside falsehood most likely means "everything that fails to agree with God's Word". "Speak Truth" means to speak God's Word not natural truth that relates to this world.
and do not give the devil an opportunity.
Speaking "natural truth" or "man's wisdom" opens the door to the enemy because it is not God's Truth! (Be imitators of God and walk in Love)
See , )
(Verse 28-32 detail this!)
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
Our speech must be beyond reproach, never dropping down to a level that would cause crude or perverse, or sinful thoughts in another, but always elevating and blessing, and encouraging those who hear what we say.
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Do not rebel, make sure that what you do is in line with the Word, thereby NOT grieving the Holy Spirit. In other words sin grieves the Holy Spirit. Will God ever desert you? no, but it is possible for you to desert God.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
In order for us to be "imitators of God", we must know God well enough to imitate Him. We can only know God through His Word (Jesus our savior and Messiah). This then confirms that we can know Him through His Word, and of course that implies also that we would know Him well enough to know the will of God.
(7/23/14)
and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
In Context this verse clearly says that we should be ready to die for our brothers and sisters in the Lord. If we are willing to die for them, then we would also be willing to provide for them when they are in need.
But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
The body of Christ should be above accusation. There should be no way that the world should be able to bring any charge against us.
(See )
But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;
This verse speaks strongly against any sexual sin, even down to suggestive jokes.
For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them;
In verse 5 Paul warns about who will not qualify for entering the kingdom, Then he warns about being deceived, then in verse 7 he sys "therefore" tying these verses together. And 7 says not to be partakes with those mentioned in verse 5.
(6/14/14)
verse 6
"These things" obviously points back to verse 5.
"Because of these things the wrath of God" generally the wrath of God is considered to be the tribulation, and it comes upon the sons of disobedience.
(7/24/14)
Sons of Disobedience
Sons of Disobedience
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Phrase used three times in Paul's Epistles; , , . All seem to point to the final punishment of this group; the Tribulation. In Revelation they are referred to as the earth dwellers; people who will not be saved.
trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
This verse shows that by nature (sinful nature) we cannot know how to please the Lord. We must renew our minds with His Word to understand what pleases Him.
(See , Cor 4:4 , )
Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;
"Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds": We participate when we tacitly approve of things that are not in line with the Word. We do this when we bless those who are not walking in the Word.
Exhort those in the body who are not functioning according to the Word.
(See , )
15-17
15-17
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
Exhortation to be devoted to God not to the world or the things of the world. We have only one goal on this earth, to pass the test of trusting in Jesus for our eternal salvation. If we fail that test we loose everything.
( )
18-21
18-21
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
We are to be so filled with the Holy Spirit that the actions of the next verses become our nature.
that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.
The church is without spot or wrinkle in the same way that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Now, we still sin, yet remain the righteousness of God, in the same way the Church, viewed in the natural is not without spot or wrinkle, but in the eyes of God it is without spot or wrinkle. However, just as we are to endeavor to walk without sin the church is also to work for that same goal.
(Please see also verses 5:29-30.)
(6/16/14)
So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself;
This verse excludes single sex relationships! You cannot be practising homosexuality and conform to what is said here.
(See 1 )
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.
Clearly this verse puts an end to any argument about homosexuality being approved of by God.
Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise),
This command is impossible to fulfill for children that are raised by homosexual parents.
Honor your father and mother
Honor your father and mother
so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.
Our behavior towards our parents is so serious that it gets special mention here. The implication is that your life will be shortened if you fail to treat your parents with proper respect and love.
Jesus, as He was dying on the cross, as the first born had family responsibility, and He placed His mother under the care of the Apostle John, not under the care of any of His natural brothers!
(6/16/14)
knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.
For sure this reward will be delivered at the judgement seat of Christ, There may also be at times some physical (blessing) reward. Such physical blessing may not be directly attributable to some specific action.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
"Be strong in the Lord": This is a command, not a suggestion! What does it mean to be "strong in the Lord"? It means to actually trust Him in everything; not just to say we trust Him!
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
"Be strong in the Lord"; The Lord is the Word and you cannot be strong in the Lord without the Word, but you also need to be surrendered (strength of His might) and to have the Spirit. So, you must know the Word and have understanding of the Word, and have a relationship with the Word.
(See , )
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
Verses 11-12 there are several phrases that are interesting:
The schemes of the devil
Not against flesh and blood
Against the rulers
Against the powers
Against the world forces of this darkness
Against the spiritual forces of wickedness
In heavenly places.
Now, what is interesting is that there is no mention of mind or body. We typically think of the flesh and the mind as being a big part of the issue (see ), and indeed it is. So why did Paul not mention it here?
Now, what is interesting is that there is no mention of mind or body. We typically think of the flesh and the mind as being a big part of the issue (see ), and indeed it is. So why did Paul not mention it here?
1. Because we are crucified with Christ () and have died to the law.
2. Because our minds are to be renewed by the Word of God.
3. Because Satan has the ability to speak directly to our mind placing thoughts in our mind that can lead to sin.
4. Because Satan has spent time training you in the ways of sin and knows you better than you know yourself.
Spiritual warfare is the fight between good and evil or between God and the devil. God has given us the tools to fight with and win over the devil. We actually have authority over him, but through faith, and so we must wag war in faith and through faith and stand firm.
How does Satan attack?
Faith
Doubt
Double mindedness
Fear (Satan tries to give us fear
Frustration
Falsehoods
Distorts the Word (twists what the Word says)
Misconstrue (Understanding)
Ignore parts of the Word (Disregard because we reason that it doesn't apply)
Promotes false doctrine
Attempts to convince us we already know the Word well enough!
(Also see , )
(Also see , )
How does Satan attack?
• Faith
• Doubt
• Double mindedness
• Fear (Satan tries to give us fear)
• Frustration
• Falsehoods
• Distorts the Word (twists what the Word says)
• Misconstrue (Understanding)
• Ignore parts of the Word (Disregard because we reason that it doesn't apply)
• Promotes false doctrine
• Attempts to convince us we already know the Word well enough!
(Also see , )
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace
(see ,
in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
"Taking up the shield of faith" (Put your faith into action!) to deal with satanic suggestions to your mind.
(See , , , )
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The Word of God is effective when it is used accurately and in faith.
()
(8/25/14)
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
"With all prayer and petition pray at all times": Could it be that we fail at spiritual warfare because we fail at prayer? If your mind is occupied with prayer how will the devil tempt you? Prayer certainly is a strong weapon. (See )
"In the Spirit" see .
But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you.
This is wisdom; Paul is setting up "the troops" so that when there is an attack against him, the troops are already marshaled for the battle.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
understand this better.