Ephesians 4:7–16

⁷ But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” ⁹ (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) ¹¹ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, ¹³ till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; ¹⁴ that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, ¹⁵ but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Commentary

Vs. 7-8 ⁷ But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”

The mention of grace here is not God's grace given us at salvation, but rather of Christ Himself having conquered death by His Resurrection from dead and then by His ascension back to God the Father in heaven, He now reigns as the triumphing Victor over sin, Satan, and death. And so in celebration of that fact and that new reality that Christ now brings us to life and unites us with Himself the moment we believe in Him, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior also bestows upon each one of us who believe in Him Spiritual gift/s. Now it is the Holy Spirit Himself who does this and who decides what Spirit gift/s each individual believer will receive (1 Cor 12:11).

Vs. 9-10 ⁹ (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

And so the Apostle Paul in quoting Psalm 68:18 in verse eight now mentions that because in order for the Lord Jesus Christ to ascend to victory back with God the Father in heaven, He had to first descend to the earth. His doing so was to first preach the Gospel in even the lowest regions of the earth before fulfilling the Gospel by His own death on the cross. Now from this we can gather that there is no place in heaven or on earth where we too should not also preach the Gospel, though discernment and discretion must also be with us when we do, so as to hopefully effect a positive outcome for those who hear it, when they hear it. 

Vs. 11-12  ¹¹ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 

Having Fulfilled the Word and thus the Will of God by suffering Crucifixion death for us all, Jesus when He rose from the dead and then later ascended back to God the Father in heaven, then sent His Holy Spirit to indwell us all who believe in Him, and thus too establish His church (i.e. body of believers) here on earth. Now in doing so He not only gave Spirit gifts to individual believers, as the previous verses states, but He also chooses individual believers to be His gifts to the church itself. And so He gives (by first Spirit equipping) some of us to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers etc., "for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." vs. 12

Now though there at times maybe some overlap between these Spirit offices as they are sometimes referred too as, each serves a primary function in the church, and thus we are given Spirit gifts specific to Christ's calling and function that we are to serve in for the churches service and edification. Which as the Apostle states entails equipping the saints ( that is each and every believer) for the work of ministry. Thus preachers preach, teachers teach, leaders lead etc. all with the great, grand goal of equipping all the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. For that is foundational to having both a productive church, as well as an edified one, because no church will never be fully productive and completely edified as long as there are those whose Spirit gifts and talents are being left out of Christ's service. For within each and every believer that Christ has chosen, equipped and called there is a deep burning desire to fulfill that purpose He has placed on their persons and lives. And so those whom Christ has equipped with the leadership gifts, and which He has placed in such roles in the local church, all need to exercise their Spirit gifts in such a way so that they themselves are not only fulfilling their own ministry call, but they are also training and enabling and encouraging all others to fulfill their own "ministry" call, by being all they can be as Christians both inside the church and out. Which begins with being sure they are well instructed in the faith so that they can not only fully live out the faith, but also bring forth much fruit by it in their own lives as well (Titus 3:8, 14). For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry is the means by which the whole church becomes edified, because all are involved, and all are being instructed and all are being blessed by the Spirit given gifts and talents that Christ has given us all for that purpose, to be a blessing to each other and to all. Therefore wherever believers are being salt and light in this world, so a good testimony to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Gospel is being given. 

Vs. 13 "till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;"

Equipping of the saints for the work of ministry (through the ongoing preaching and teaching of the Word of God) has a grand purpose, and that is bring us all to a unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, "to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." Thus the preaching and teaching and expounding of the Scriptures must continue on as the central activity in the church until the Lord returns. For they are the basis of our sanctification and ongoing Spiritual growth (John 17:17; 1 Cor 14:20; Heb. 5:12-14; 1 Peter 2:2). And so our pursuit of the knowledge of the Son of God (which is the basis of our sanctification for it is Christ whom we are to be conformed too) has to be rooted in the Scriptures, which Christ has given us all for the churches instruction and edification and comfort and hope which began in the O.T. Scriptures (see Rom 15:4) but in regards to the church, all of it's directives (outside of the moral precepts and such that we find in the Old, as well as in the New) are given us in New Testament. Now this I say not to lesson the importance of the Old Covenant Scriptures in any believers life; since they are very rewarding and edifying when one spends time with them; but only so as to keep anyone from putting themselves, or anyone else back under the Law, (and thus binding themselves to some or even all of the regulations found in it which were specifically given for Israel in their covenant relationship with God). For we are ministers of the New Covenant, not the Old (2 Cor 3:5-6, 7-9). Therefore exercising Spirit gifts these are be done for the unity and growth of us all in the faith, through the right expounding of the Scriptures. 

Vs. 14 "that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting" 

The only defense that any individual believer or congregation has against the lies of this world and the father of them (John 8:44) is the Word of God (2 Cor 10:3-6). That said, the Apostle Paul's emphasis here is not on the world and the lies within it, rather his concern for us all who believe in Christ is our growing in our knowledge of God and Christ so as not to be taken in in by the false teachings and doctrines which are perpetually being propagated by false teachers and false brethren in every generation who only make schisms and divisions amongst us (consider 1 Cor 11:19; 2 Cor 11:3-4, 12-15; Gal 1:8-9), or try to make "disciples" after themselves (Acts 20:28-32). The burden then is on each and every one of us to know God and know Christ His Son through His Word, and not "know" Him through mans (Heb 13:9). For again that is why Christ gave some of us to the church to be His apostles, prophets, teachers and evangelists for the instruction and edification of us all in the faith, through His Word. That said, we must also be discerning with all that is it out there in Christendom, because not all that is out there is of Christ or His own. And so it is only by Holy Spirit discernment through the Holy Scriptures that we ourselves can know truth for ourselves (1 John 2:27). For as the apostle Paul makes clear here and elsewhere in the N.T. there are many who would subvert or pervert the faith for either their own gain (2 Cor 1:21-22; 1 Tim. 1:6-5-10; Titus 1:10-16; 2 Peter 2:1-3) or for their own agendas (Acts 15:1-2; Gal 4:17; Jude 3-4). 

Vs. 15 "but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ"

The Apostle Paul's Word to us now is one of the great exhortations given us all in the N.T. For all edification, both personal and corporate, begins with us all "speaking the truth in love" to each other. For one can "speak" the truth without love, and just end up sounding like a clanging bell or crashing cymbal, as the Proverbs warns; "There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health." Prov. 12:18 And so when we speak the truth to each other it must always be governed by love, because the truth can hurt, and sometimes it needs to "hurt" (consider Prov. 27:6), but only so as to open ones eyes to the truth, and not do careless damage to another person's psyche or soul. And so with that all said, the primary point of our speaking the truth in love to each other is for the growth of us all into Him who is the Head of us all, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Vs. 16 "—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."

The Lord Jesus Christ is not only the Head of us all, and thus He is the one whom we are all to grow up into (that is become more and more like Him in our character and disposition) but He is the Source of all that is making for the growth and edification of the Body, His church. Which is critically important to remember because apart from Him and abiding in Him we can do nothing (see John 15:5). Now linked with this as the Apostle Paul makes clear here is our being joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, (that is every individual believer by contributing their gifts, talents, and time is helping to nit the whole together as one equipped and effective unit), all which "causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." And that is the great grand goal Christ has for us all in His Body, His church, that we all become active and contributing members of it via the gifts and talents He has given us all, for the growth of the Body, for the edifying of itself in love. To serve the Body of Christ then is to serve Christ Himself and just as Jesus has already promised He will reward each and every one of us according to our own labors (1 Cor 3:8; Col 3:23-24). Let us all then seek to serve the Lord by serving and caring for each other so that the Body maybe edified and healthily grow up into Him who is the Head of all things, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Ephesians 4:1–6

¹ I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, ² with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, ³ endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Commentary

Vs. 1 "I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called"

The Apostle Paul now addressing himself as the prisoner of the Lord, (also see 3:1), beseech's (i.e. exhort, encourage, NKJ margin) each and every one of us to walk worthy of the calling with which we are called. Now to walk worthy means living worthily, and not because of the Apostle Paul's imprisonment, rather because of the calling with which we are called. Now calling here is referring not just to salvation; though God first calls us to Himself through His Son Jesus Christ into His salvation (Rom 1:5-6; 1 Cor 1:9); calling here is the entirety of what we have and receive in belonging to Christ. For we have been called into a heavenly calling (Heb. 3:1) which is also referred to as a holy calling (2 Tim 1:9). And so we don't just receive salvation through the grace of God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and then go on living ungodly lives (consider 2 Tim 2:19). For God's calling us to Himself through Christ is calling us out of sin and death and into life, Christ's life. Who is dwelling in us, and is being manifested through us to the glory of God, when we walk worthy of this holy and heavenly calling, which itself will stir up opposition and persecution towards everyone who believes in and seeks to obey the Gospel of Christ. And so in this calling with which we are called there is both fullness of life and abundance of joys, but also trials, tribulations, and persecutions, which we all must patiently endure while we seek to faithfully follow Christ, who has called us and redeemed us for Himself. Therefore if you are being faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ and are obeying His calling for you, and yet have run into strong opposition to your doing so, don't be discouraged, be encouraged, for just as they persecuted the Lord Jesus Christ (and all the saints down through the centuries) so they will also persecute you, but with Christ you will overcome.

Vs. 2  "with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,"

The Apostle Paul now tells us the manner of person and life that Christ is seeking to find in us all. Three things he then gives us that should mark our persons and fellowship and thus our relationships with each other and all. First up is lowliness, we might better understand this as humility which is the opposite of being arrogant, haughty, or proud, which only breeds contempt and scorn for others on the one hand (consider Prov 21:24), while often exemplifying ones own fierceness, impatience, and wrath through it on the other (consider Isaiah 16:6), all which only leads them into greater sins, which will end in their own fall and ruin (Prov 16:18, 18:12; 21:4; 29:23). And so rather than being proud which is the state of the ungodly (Psalm 10:4; 123:4) who will have the wrath of God visited upon themselves (Psalm 18:27; 101:5; Prov. 15:25; 16:5; Isaiah 2:10-12; 10:33; 13:11; Jeremiah 50:31; Ezekiel 18:49-50; Zephaniah 3:11; also consider Job 40:7-14, vs 11), we ought to take the path of lowliness (consider Isaiah 66:2; James 4:6). For truly our Lord and Savior led the way by first taking the path of lowliness for us all when He took on human flesh and dwelt amongst us, and not as one lording His Authority and Privilege over us, though He is Lord of us all, rather Jesus came in form of a Servant to restore us all who believe in Him back to God (see Mark 10:42-45).

In Philippians 2:3 the Apostle Paul gives us an exhortation which captures the essence of what he is saying here, "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." The Apostle Peter likewise says that we should all be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5, also see Col 3:12). Now in commending us all to lowliness we should not think of this as being some sort of self imposed abasement (i.e. asceticism, see Col. 2:20-23). Rather true humility (and thus lowliness as it's outworking) begins within, when we have a right and sound perspective about ourselves and others in relation to God Himself. And thus we see ourselves and our own failings before we see and become critical or angry with others faults and failings. Thus lowliness is a state of mind by which God opens the door of our hearts to see not just the faults and failings of ourselves or others, but rather the uniqueness and great value He places on ourselves and others as all beloved by God, and thus all freely offered salvation from God through Christ.
Gentleness: Linked to lowliness is gentleness, because these two qualities are not only a perfect marriage, just like love and kindness are, but both represent and perfectly reflect the disposition of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in His dealings with us, and with all. And so if lowliness (humility) is the clear and unobstructed lens through which we are to see each other, then gentleness is how we are to reach out to each other, and handle each other (2 Cor 10:1; Gal. 6:1; 1 Tim 6:11).
Longsuffering: As much as lowliness and gentleness are wonderful traits that we all need to embrace and seek too exemplify in our own lives and relations, longsuffering (i.e. long suffering patience) is the mark of a mature and well grounded and balanced Christian (consider Ecc. 7:8). And so rather than being quick to wrath, which is the way of folly (Prov. 12:16), we need to follow the Scriptural counsel of the Apostle James who says, "let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20
Which leads us into: "bearing with one another in love" because neither you, nor I have attained, nor have we been perfected, yet (Phil 3:12-14). And so as we are all journeying homeward (and are at different stages in our faith and lives) we allow people to have their own personality quirks and nuances, likes and dislikes, and thus our love for them is not conditional on whether they are conformed to us, rather it is Christ whom we are all to follow. I like how the Believers Bible Commentary states it; "It means positive love to those who irritate, disturb, or embarrass."

Vs. 3 "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." 

If we remember that lowliness, gentleness, longsuffering patience and bearing with each other in love is how we are to conduct ourselves towards each other (vs. 2), then bearing (that is continually strive, work hard at) keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace becomes far more important than propagating ones own views and opinions about non-essential things. Now there is a unity that we who believe In Christ all have, it's inherent to us by indwelling Presence of Christ in us through the Holy Spirit, and so in Christ's Body there is no divisions or denominations, for we are all one people united with God through Christ who is the Head of the Body, that is His church and that's the Spiritual reality whose everlasting bonds cannot be altered, nor broken, by anyone or anything (Rom 8:31-39). That said there is the natural realm in which we currently reside with this hidden treasure of Christ inside us. And so that is the realm in which Satan and his emissaries seek to sow their discord, disruptions and disharmony amongst believers in every generation so as to try to undermine the furtherance of the Gospel of Christ, as well as interfere with the peaceful and fruitful fellowship and relationships with each other that we who believe In Christ all long for with each other. Thus we have the exhortation here to endeavor, (to continually strive) to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, because that our the front line of defense against Satan's schemes. And so it is we only have external divisions in Christendom when there is either heresy; that is false brethren break away from the true faith and seek to establish there own interpretations of it, and thus they pervert and distort it to their own ruin (2 Peter 3:14-16; 1 John 2:18-19; 2 John 9-11 etc.); or more often than not believers (whether in this generation or previous generations) have let their own opinions about non-essential things take a place in the local church, or in the faith, that such insignificant things they have no business taking, and thus we end up with needless divisions and denominations in the visible church through the doctrines, commandments, and traditions of men.
And so rather then holding fast to these as if ones salvation was linked to them, we all ought to hold onto the simplicity that is Christ, rather than them, and thus let us all endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, rather than the traditions, doctrines and commandments of men.

Vs. 4-6 ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Notice the theme of one, beginning with one body of believers of which everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ belongs too. There are then no exceptions if you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ then you are a member of His Body, His Spirit inside us then giving the undeniable witness to this fact (Rom 8:16). One Spirit, the Holy Spirit of God who has regenerated us and is renewing us as new creations in Christ (2 Cor 5:17; Titus 3:4-7), for He has already brought us into everlasting life with Christ and each other, and sealed us all for eternity the moment we believed (2 Cor 1:21-22; Eph 1:13-14; 4:30). As well it is by the same Spirit of God that we are Spiritual equipped and enabled to serve Christ and each other with various Spirit given gifts (1 Cor 12:4-11). One hope and one calling, there is only One Gospel by which we who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ have all received remission of all our sins and everlasting life the moment we believed. Anyone who preaches another Jesus, or another Gospel, is accursed by God (2 Cor 11:3-4, 13-15; Gal. 1:6-9; 2 John 9-11).
One Lord who is above all, over all, and is the Head of us all who believe in Him (1 Cor. 11:3; Col. 1:18). And so the Lord in the O.T. Scriptures is the same Lord in the New Testament Scriptures.
One faith, that does not change; just as the Lord Himself does not change (Heb. 1:12; 13:8). And so it there is just one faith that we are all commanded to believe, obey, and follow (John 3:35-36; 2 Cor 10:5-6; Acts 17:30-31; Rom. 1:5; Rom. 16:25-26), whose commands, decrees and directives are clearly given to us all in the N.T. Scriptures that also reveal to us all God's eternal salvation is offered to one and to all through God's grace by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person (Eph 2:8-9). And so there is just one faith that we must all believe, obey, and proclaim, which again is given to us all in the New Testament Scriptures, and thus the New Covenant is how we are too minister the Gospel, for we are bound to God through Christ by it (2 Cor 3:5-6, 9; Heb. 8:13, 9:14-15; 12:24).
One baptism, not the mode or means of water baptism, but the baptism of the Spirit of the God who Baptizes us into Christ's Body, and unites us with Christ in His Death, Burial and Resurrection Life (Rom 6) so that not only have been been freed from the clutches of sin and death which found it's strength in the law (Rom 7:4-6; 1 Cor 15:56), but we have been brought into an entirely new sphere, the church, the fullness of Christ's Body who fills and all (Eph 1:23).
One God and Father of all (1 Cor 8:6), who is above all, and through all, and in you all. There is then just One God and Father of us all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 8:15; 1 Cor 8:6). Who is above all, that is God our Father is above every principality and power and dominion and might, (whether in the visible or invisible realms) not only in this age, but also in the age to come. Now just as He is above all things, since He created all things, and even creates all things (Isiah 45:7) so He is made known to all things through all things which He has created or creates. In this God is working through us all who believe in His Son, just as He is in us all who believe in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. For we are individually the Temple of the Lord who now dwells in our mortal bodies (1 Cor 3:16; 6:16). Thus the Oneness of fellowship with God our Father that was broken when Adam and Eve sinned has been restored to us all who believe in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ (John 17:20-26). For Jesus Christ was Crucified for all our sins and three days later He rose from the dead for our justification, and thus Jesus suffered and died and was raised to life from the dead for our eternal redemption. Now if you have not yet received the Lord Jesus Christ for yourselves please do so now. By faith in the Lord Jesus' Person you can have remission of all your sins and everlasting life as well, all it takes is repentance and faith. Now repentance always begins with a change of mind (i.e. heart), for that is what begins ones turning away from ones own wayward ways and turning back too God just as the prodigal Son did (please read Luke 15:11-32). For God Himself is longsuffering and merciful towards us all and is not willing that any of us should perish but rather that we all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). The choice then is ours to turn away from our own wayward ways by which we have deceived ourselves into thinking we will be alright while we are openly and knowingly living hostile towards the Will and the Word of God by following our own sinful hearts wills and desires, which if we continue to pursue and justify in this world will only end up in our own eternal destruction and ruin (Matt. 18:7-9). And so rather than running headstrong against God, let us all who have eyes to see, and sense enough to believe, turn back too God while we can (Isaiah 55:6-7). For God is fully willing and totally able to not only forgive us of all our sins and transgressions, but He will also heal us and restore us to Himself, and life itself, through Christ Jesus Himself when we repent and believe in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ through His Gospel. Therefore if you want to begin a new life, cleansed and freed from all that once held you into sins bondage then please turn to God and by faith receive the Lord Jesus Christ for yourselves without any sort of reservations, or asking Him to meet any sort preconditions, and instead just open your heart to God through the Lord Jesus Christ by praying something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I believe in You and I want to receive You as my Lord and Savior, for You are the Lord and Savior and Redeemer of everyone who believes in You, who trusts only You Crucified for our sins and Risen from the dead for our justification. Therefore I now invite You into my heart and life to be my Lord and Savior for all eternity, because I want Life with You and from You and so I commit my whole person and life to You because I believe in You Lord Jesus Christ, therefore I now receive You as my Lord and Savior In Jesus' Name, amen.

Scripture Quotations 
The New King James Version. (1982). (2 Th 1:3–12). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Additional Resources Consulted
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1933). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

Ephesians 3:14-21

¹⁴ For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, ¹⁶ that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, ¹⁷ that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—¹⁹ to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. ²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Commentary 
Vs. 14-15 ¹⁴ For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

Because of all that God the Father has accomplished, and is accomplishing for us all through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul bows his knees to Him, meaning Paul in all reverence and thankfulness gives homage to God, for all who God is, has done, and is doing. Notice too that it is only our Lord Jesus Christ from whom the whole family and earth is named, "for there is no other Name given under heaven amongst men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 As well notice how Paul calls all believers everywhere, whether in heaven or on earth, a family, just as the Apostle Paul refers to us all here on earth as, "the household of faith" (Gal 6:10).

Vs. 16 "that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man," 

The Apostle Paul in bowing His knees to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ also makes prayer to Him on our behalf. Now Paul's prayer is that God the Father would according to the riches of His glory, strengthen us all through His Spirit in our inner man, (that is our inner person which is being is being renewed day by day, 2 Cor 4:16, so that we are being conformed to the image of Christ), so that our relationship with Christ and love for Him will not only grow, but our persons renewal and transformation will become even more effective as we open our hearts and lives to Him, and He Himself finds within ourselves a welcomed dwelling place. For the Apostle Paul wants us all to be not only encouraged and strengthened in our faith and lives, but He also prays that we are enabled by the Holy Spirit to be and do all that we as Christians should be and do.

Vs. 17 ¹⁷ that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 

At the heart of this is Christ, dwelling in our hearts through faith, that we being rooted and grounded in love (1 Cor 13), will not only grow in our love for Him, and for all, but we will also become all that He intends for us to be. For our having faith In Christ and being rooted and grounded in love is critical to experiencing all that truly is Christian.

Vs. 18-19 ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—¹⁹ to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

The Apostle Paul wants every believer everywhere to not only be rooted and grounded in love, but also to comprehend with all the saints, what is the width and depth and height, (and thus the boundlessness) of the love of Christ for us which passes all knowledge, so that we may be filled with all the fullness of God. For there can be no greater experience then to have and experience the love of God not only now, but also for all eternity. I pray then that we all, by the grace and mercies of God, both grow individually, as well as collectively in our understanding and experience of it.

Vs. 20-21 ²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. 

The Apostle Paul now in full confidence of God our Father's abilities to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us; now encourages us all to be likewise confident in Him. For having confidence in God is the beginning to being used by God for His purposes in the church. For that is the ongoing reality and testimony of countless saints in every generation who likewise had their faith and confidence in God through Christ, who then enabled them to go on to do many mighty works and deeds by which He was glorified and the church edified. 
And so to Him who alone is all wise and and all powerful "be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." 

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Additional Resources Consulted
MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.

Ephesians 3:8-13

⁸ To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, ⁹ and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; ¹⁰ to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, ¹¹ according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹² in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. ¹³ Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

Commentary

Vs. 8 "To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ," 

Now the Apostle Paul as a servant of Christ and steward of the mysteries of God (see 1 Cor 4:1), having declared the mighty gifting and working of God's Power by His Spirit through him as Christ's bond servant minister (vs.7), now humbly acknowledges that this critical ministry service and responsibility that has been entrusted to him was not based upon whom he was, or what he had done, or even what he had accomplished. Rather Paul in describing himself here as the least of all the saints (because of what he had done in persecuting the church before he came to Christ, see 1 Cor 15:9), has absolutely no sense of entitlement about himself; which itself is often a prerequisite for being chosen by God for His leadership service, and even remaining in His leadership service (consider 1 Sam 9:21, 15:17-23). And so Paul fully understands that this grace that God gave him to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ among us Gentiles, but is for all the saints both Gentiles and Jews (see Col 1:26-27) was not given to him because he had "earned it" or "deserved it". Rather God who knows each individuals heart saw in him the potential for doing a whole lot of good in him and through him which others did not, or would not see (1 Tim 1:12; 1 Samuel 16:7). And so it is God choose the Apostle Paul, who again saw himself as the least of all the saints, to preach among us Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, which is Christ in you the hope of glory (see Colossians 1:27). For it is in Christ that we have wisdom and knowledge and righteousness and redemption and sanctification and even power from God (Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 1:30; Col 2:3), as well as full and equal access to God through Christ (Eph. 2:18). And so it is that God first choose, then enabled by His Holy Spirit our brother and friend the Apostle Paul, to bring forth the unsearchable riches of Christ to every believing Gentile in every generation. Riches which we cannot fully comprehend down here, but we will all know and fully experience up there in heaven (1 Cor 2:9). And so for now we enjoy and celebrate the riches of Christ which God has given us in this new life and liberty and freedom that the Lord Jesus Christ purchased by His own blood for us all. For He has not only saved us from the wrath to come (Rom 5:9; 1 Thess. 1:10), but it is Jesus our Lord and Savior who now indwells everyone of us who believe in Him. For has made our persons His temple and home (1 Cor 3:16). And so it is that Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior has liberated us to be and enjoy all we can be in this new life that He has given us. For the riches of Christ means that we have not only been redeemed from all our sins and transgressions, but through Christ we have been qualified to be partakers of the inheritance with the saints in the light (Col 1:12). And so it is we have not only been delivered from the sin, Satan, and death and their having dominion over us (Rom 6:14; 1 Cor 15:55; Col 1:13), but we have been transferred into the Kingdom of the Son of God's love (Col 1:13-14). And so we shine forth light because just as Christ saved us from the same so He is changing us by the ongoing sanctification by His Holy Spirit by which we are being transformed from one glory to another (2 Cor 3:18). And so the Lord Jesus Christ Himself not only is transforming us but He also maintains our unbroken fellowship and relationship with God Himself through His ever watchful intercession for ourselves (2 John 2:1; Heb 4:14-16; Heb. 7:25). And so no matter what our circumstances or lot in this life, we all have, and we can all enjoy the unbroken fellowship of the Lord Jesus Christ in our persons, hearts, and lives; (who again first bought us back from sin and death by His own death on the Cross, then having cleansed us of all our sins and transgressions by His shed blood, Jesus having Risen from the dead, ascended back to God the Father in heaven who then sent His Holy Spirit to bring us to life, and unite us all with Christ, so that nothing would ever separate us from the love of God again, Rom 8:28-39). And so it is by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ we have not only remission of all our sins and everlasting life, but we have ongoing and unrestricted access into God's grace by which we now stand (Rom 5:1-2). Therefore the riches of Christ abound to us down here, through our restored fellowship with God, and thus we have His life, His grace, His peace, His love, His hope and His calling, all which He fills us all with and which He gives us all through Christ along with all of the fruits of His Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) so that He not only enriches our lives down here (way beyond anything we could have ever done or imagined for ourselves), but He is also enabling us and upholding us by His Power while Christ is preparing for us an everlasting home with Himself up there in heaven. And so it is we have the unsearchable riches of Christ abounding to us through God's grace down here, (and that is absolutely self evident to anyone who believes and receives the Lord Jesus Christ for themselves), while yet we still have all the riches of Christ through His own inheritance with God awaiting for us all up there, which again we will all share in with the saints in the light, and which will be unbroken and uninterrupted by time or circumstance as we enjoy them all forever with Christ in heaven (1 Cor 2:9), and so the unsearchable riches of Christ that we now have and enjoy here are only a foretaste of the everlasting riches and joy that we will have there forever. 

Vs. 9 "and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;" 

The Apostle Paul not only preached the unsearchable riches of Christ; but God also gave Paul grace so that Paul could make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery; that is all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ not only become partakers of God's Promises given us In Christ, but we also become One Redeemed people In Christ. And so it is no matter what our cultures, no matter what our heritage, no matter what our backgrounds, and no matter what our present state, we who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are now a people called out and separated for God's Name (Acts 15:14; 1 Peter 2:9-10). Which as the Apostle Paul says here, "from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ." And so it is from the beginning when God created all things through Jesus Christ, He had already determined to create for Himself His own special people who would belong to Himself through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, yet this mystery was not revealed to us until the church age. And so what took place in the garden of Eden, and what took place at the tower of Babel, and what is taking place today in our world, does not, and will not change that. For God who created all things though Jesus Christ is working out His eternal plans and desires for us all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Vs. 10 "to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places," 

The fellowship of the mystery, like the unsearchable wisdom of God has it's origins in the manifold (multifaceted) wisdom of God, which God Himself has chosen to be made known through the church to all angelic beings. For these observed creation, they observed Satan's rebellion, they observed humanities fall from life and peace with God and into death, degradation and separation from God beginning in the garden. And so it is through the church, of which the Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the Body; God is making known His manifold wisdom to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places" in restoring all who believe in Jesus Christ to Himself, and then conforming us to Himself through His Scriptural Word given to us all there, by which He is also preparing us for an eternity with Himself as Christ's bride. And so it is that the church is the means by which God's manifold wisdom is being made known to them. For it is there in Christ's Body that God's redeemed people are united under Him, and ascribe to the Lord all praise, glory, power, and honor, through us who were once alienated and enemies of God yet we have now been reconciled to God through the Life, Death, Resurrection from the dead, and ascension back to heaven of God's only begotten Son the Lord Jesus Christ who having vanquished sin, Satan and death forever, now Reigns waiting till all His enemies are made His footstool (Psalm 110:1; Heb. 1:13; 10:12-13). 

Vs. 11 "according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord," 

Satan's Rebellion, the fall of humanity, the ongoing degradation and fallout from sin and all of its destructive effects on us all, and all of creation, God knew that all things would take place long before they ever took place. For none of those things have anything to do with God, those things are all born out of Satan and humanities rebellion against God. Therefore God's eternal purpose to glorify and honor His Son, and give Him a Kingdom that would have no end, and redeem a people for Himself out of all that rebellion and degradation God determined to do in eternity, and has now accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. 

Vs. 12 "in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him."

Therefore because of what God has done for us all who believe in His Son the Lord Jesus In Christ we can now approach God with all boldness and access with confidence through faith in His Son (see Heb 4:14-16). 

Vs. 13 "Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory."

In concluding his encouraging the saints, the Apostle Paul wants all the saints (that is every believer who knew of his affairs) not to be discouraged by what they saw the Apostle Paul enduring for them. Because Paul himself understood that God had appointed such things for him (Acts 9:15-16; 20:23-24), and that through his enduring such things, the Lord was going to build his church, and establish His people in the faith (Philippians 1:21-26). And so we have much of the N.T. given us through the patient endurance of the Apostle Paul who faithfully followed Christ and who is now reaping an eternity of joy and fellowship with Christ and God and all of God's redeemed people because when God called him he said, yes Lord here I am send me, how about you and me? 

Scripture Quotations

The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Additional Resources Consulted
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1928). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Ephesians 3:1–7

¹ For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—² if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, ³ how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, ⁴ by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), ⁵ which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: ⁶ that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, ⁷ of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

Commentary

Vs. 1 "For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—"

"For this reason" is referring to what the Apostle Paul previously stated about the reconciling of Jews and Gentiles to God and each other through Christ into one Body of believers (Eph 2:11-22). Now that the Apostle Paul calls himself "the prisoner of Christ Jesus for us Gentiles" was not for crimes or wrongdoing, rather the Apostle Paul was frequently and unjustly incarcerated for his faith in and confession of Jesus Christ as Lord. Therefore Paul as an Apostle to us Gentiles very often endured such things in the service of our faith. Now this should not surprise anyone because our Lord and Savior was both arrested and then sentenced to crucifixion death by the same authorities, whom Paul describes elsewhere as the rulers of this age (see 1 Cor. 2:6-9). And so whenever and wherever the Gospel is faithfully preached and followed, there is always the potential for our coming under the wrath and unjust treatment/punishment by those of this world (consider John 15:18-25). That said, the Apostle Paul never rebelled against any ruling authorities (whether these were Jews or Gentiles), nor did he ever encourage anyone to do anything other than to submit themselves to them, (and to pray for them, 1 Tim 2:1-7), just as all the Apostles had done (Rom 13:1; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-17; 3:13-17). For our trust is in God, whose Sovereignty and Power is over and above all rulers and authorities (Prov 21:1; Acts 3:18; 4:23-31, vs. 28 etc.). And so though God does not always sanction or approve of every thing done by them, yet He very often works out His Will for us all through them. Therefore the Apostle Paul could joyfully see his imprisonment; not that being imprisoned is joyful; in light of his faith in and obedience towards the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through which God was God fulfilling His Word to him, by bringing him into such circumstances so that Paul could be His witness of the Lord Jesus Christ's Life, Death, Resurrection to all Jews, Gentiles and ruling authorities everywhere (consider Acts 9:15-16; 20:17-24, vs. 22-24; 22:1-21; 23:11 etc.). And so Paul's declaration here is that he is Christ Jesus' prisoner for us Gentiles who believe and will believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Tim 2:8-13). 

Vs. 2 "if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you," 

The Apostle Paul by way of a question reminds us his readers of the dispensation (stewardship NKJ margin) of the grace of God which was given to him by God for us all, specifically for us Gentiles. For it was God who chose the Apostle Paul not only to be Christ's witness, but also to be His apostle to us Gentiles for the dispensation of the grace of God through the Lord Jesus Christ's Gospel. 

Vs. 3-4 "how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, ⁴ by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 

Now this mystery of Christ God entrusted to the Apostle Paul by way of revelation, that is God by His Holy Spirit revealed to Paul His plans to unite believing Jews and Gentiles as One In Christ (see vs. 6). And so by stating as much the Apostle Paul is preparing us to receive this glorious revelation for ourselves as well. 

Vs. 5 "which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:"

Previously this mystery of Christ was not made known to the sons of men, that is in the O.T. Scriptures though God foretells of Christ, and the reconciling of the Gentiles to God through Him, it wasn't until the church age, that God revealed by His Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets His plans to make believing Gentiles equal and full heirs with every and all believing Jews.  

Vs. 6 "that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel," 

In Christ then all believing Gentiles are fellow and equal heirs with believing Jews. And so not only is the middle wall of separation that created such hostility and alienation between the two groups been done away with; but in Christ's Body there are no "second class" citizens. That is the Jews who once held an exclusive place in their relationship with God, thus no longer do. For it is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that every believing Gentile is now a fellow heir of the same body (that is Christ's Body of believers) and partakers of God's promise (of remission of sins and everlasting life) through the Gospel to one and to all who repent and believe in Him (Mark 1:15). 

Vs. 7 "of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power."

Therefore the Apostle Paul according to the gift of the grace of God became a minister not of the Old Covenant, that gave the Jews an exclusive place and privileges with God, but of the New Covenant, that every believing Jew and Gentile is now under (see 2 Cor 3:1:18, vs. 5-6, 9-11 etc.). And so the Apostle Paul became Christ's minister by Christ both equipping and enabling Him by His Spirit for this service of His Good News through His Gospel for one and for all who again repent and believe in Him through it. For this mystery only remains a mystery until one turns from seeking salvation through Moses and the law and rather in faith turns to the Lord Jesus Christ through His Gospel (2 Cor 3:14). Therefore seek God and His Righteousness through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ so that you might have remission of all your sins and everlasting life by faith in Him. For truly the grace of God is available to you, but you have to avail yourself of it by repenting and believing in the Gospel. Now to repent means to have a change of mind about yourself, and quite likely even God Himself. And so repentance means acknowledging our own lost and sinful state, and thus our own alienation from God, it means then we must see ourselves in the light of His Holiness and Righteousness and Goodness and Truth and confess to Him that we have in no way upheld or can we live according to it, and thus we can in no way save ourselves by obedience to Moses and law, or anything else that we try to do (Rom 4:4-5). Repentance then disarms us of every and all pretense about ourselves and brings us to place of seeing our need for Christ Jesus who became for us from God His Holiness and Righteousness and Justice and Truth so that He could save us from the just wrath and judgment of God against all our sins and transgressions the moment we believe in Him (John 3:16). Therefore if you see your need for salvation from sin and death, and do believe, then by all means receive the Lord Jesus Christ here and now and confess Him as Lord so that you will have remission of all your sins and everlasting life (Rom 10:9-10, 13). Now this you can do this by praying a simple prayer of faith, you can use your own words, or you can pray the prayer given here. Whatever expresses your heart and desire to be reconciled to God through Christ's Crucifixion death and resurrection from dead for you that pray, and the God of peace will come to you and dwell in you the moment you receive His Son (Rev. 3:20). Therefore pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I know that I am a sinner and I can in no way save myself or even change myself. And I believe you came and You alone lived a Holy and Righteous life, then you suffered by the Will of God Crucifixion death to atone for all my sins so that you could not only impute Your Righteousness to me and to everyone who believes in You, but you did so, so that you can now freely justify us all who believe in You. Therefore I believe in You Lord Jesus Christ and I'm trusting You alone to both save me and give me new and everlasting life, therefore I now invite You into my heart and life to be my Lord and Savior, in Your Name Lord Jesus, amen. 

Scripture Quotations

The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Ephesians 2:19-22

¹⁹ Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, ²⁰ having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, ²¹ in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, ²² in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Commentary

Vs. 19 "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,"

If any believing Gentile as any doubts about their equal and full status with every and all believing Jews, the Apostle Paul now lays that to rest. Saying of us all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ that we are all, "fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." The work then of Christ on the cross is so complete and finial and compelling in the eyes of God that even the very worst of sinners (or the worst enemies of God) can now have full and equal citizenship with all of the saints of God by repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person. Now this title, "the saints" basically means, "the holy ones," that is everyone whom God Himself has sanctified by Himself for Himself through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ (see 1 Cor 1:2). Every believer then regardless of culture or background is a fellow citizen with all the saints, who down through the ages have put their trust in God. No one then who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ is a strangers or foreigner to God (a stigma often attached to Gentiles under the Old Covenant), but are now fully known too and by God, and thus we are all "fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." There is then no hierarchy of believers in the eyes of God, with Jews first, Gentiles second, and varying degrees of sinners next (see Luke 15:11-32 to understand). For In Christ all are made into a new creation (2 Cor 5:17), and thus all are fully and equally apart of the household of God, and thus all fully and equally share in all of it's privileges and responsibilities. 

Vs. 20 "having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,"

And so this household of God, as the Apostle Paul describes us all, has a foundation, just like every house or building has a foundation. Now our foundation is not Moses and the Law, (as was the case with the nation of Israel), rather it is the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone (1 Cor 3:11). For it is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself whose Person and Work which was foretold in the Old Testament Scriptures, and has been brought to fruition and life and manifested and declared to us all in the New, who is the Chief Cornerstone upon which every piece in God's building is now being built upon (see Isaiah 28:16; Rom. 9:33; 1 Peter 2:4-10, vs. 7-8, also see Psalm 118:22; Matthew 21:33-46, vs. 42-44). And so Christ came first to establish the building, (the household of God, the church, through the Gospel), then came His Apostles and prophets equipped by His Spirit to minister His Word to us His saints (this begins in the Book of Acts). And so as each and every believing individual enters into God's household or church through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person they become a pivotal member or part in all that God is building for all eternity. 

Vs. 21 "in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,"

With the foundation laid, God our Father, the Master Craftsman just as any builder does first selects and then places each one of us in His building, just as He pleases. And so the whole building being fitted together by the skillful hands of God grows into a holy temple in the Lord. Thus this building of which we who believe in Christ are all an intrical and necessary part of (see 1 Cor 12:12-31, vs. 18-26), is first and foremost a holy temple in the Lord (see 1 Cor 3:16-17). Thus we as individual believers or a collectively body of believers we must always be, pursue, and stand for those morals and values that Word of God says are holy, and make for holiness. For the Lord is holy, so then must His people be. Therefore our first and only loyalty rests not with the societies and cultures values that we dwell in, rather with Jesus Christ the Lord and His will clearly revealed for us all through His Word (see 1 Cor 6:14-7:1). For societies and cultures and their morals and values are never rooted in God and His Will, but rather are only rooted in what pleases themselves, and thus they always change (and not necessarily for the better), but the Word of the Lord endures forever.
Second this building which God Himself is building is not a static structure, rather it is growing, growing because God Himself is always adding new people who believe In the Lord Jesus Christ to it; that is God by His Holy Spirit baptizes each and every believer into Christ making them apart of His Body of believers, and thus apart of His building, which again He is building. As well it is growing because the believers within it are themselves growing more and more into Christ likeness as the Word of God sanctifies us (as we follow it) and the Spirit of God transforms us (as we are led by Him). And so again this building that God is building (like our own faith and lives) is not a static structure that reaches completion or "perfection" in this age or life (see Phil 3:12-16), but we are all growing by the grace and Will of God, for the glory of God into one building, and we will all continue to grow until God finishes the work, when Christ returns for us all.

Vs. 22 "in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit."

And so we who believe are all being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. For God does not dwell in temples and churches and such made by human hands (Acts 7:48-50), but He does dwell in His redeemed people whom He is building together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. And so the emphasis here is on our being built together as One redeemed people In Christ for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Now you can experience the life of Christ and the outworking of the Spirit of God as an individual believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. For God's Spirit indwells you the moment you believe in Christ (Eph. 1:13-14), and He doesn't stop indwelling you when your not in fellowship with other brethren (2 Cor 1:21-22). However where brethren are divided there is not the same effective power and outworking and perceivable Presence of God's Holy Spirit as there is when we are united and working together as One (consider Eph 4:30-31). For In Christ we are all being built up and together as a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5). And that is something that you simply cannot fully do or experience apart from having regular and ongoing fellowship with your brethren. Therefore as much as depends upon you seek and worship and serve God in healthy Christian fellowship, so that you may experience the fullness of life and riches of Christ and His ministry by His Spirit too and through His redeemed people the church, of which every believing Jew and Gentiles fully belongs.

Scripture Quotation 
The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Ephesians 2:14-18

¹⁴ For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, ¹⁵ having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. ¹⁷ And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Commentary

Vs. 14  "For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation"

The Lord Jesus Christ is our peace with God. For He alone has fulfilled every righteous requirement of the Law, and He has become for us all God's Atoning Sacrifice for all our sins and transgressions. And so it is that by faith in Christ, and Christ alone, we have peace with God (Acts 4:12; Rom 5:1). Now the Lord Jesus Christ did'nt just pave the way for our reconciliation too God. But more to the Apostle Paul's second point, through Christ God has broken down the middle wall of separation that once separated Jews and Gentiles. Now this middle wall of separation is not a literal wall or barrier per-say, rather this is a metaphor for all that the Law did in separating Jews from Gentiles.

Vs. 15 "having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace"

The Lord Jesus Christ by His own Crucifixion death not only fulfilled every righteous required of the Law for our redemption from sin and death, having paid the penalty for all our sins and transgressions, but He has also abolished in His flesh the enmity, "that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances." That is every ordinance found in the Law that the Jews hold and observe that makes them a distinct people, Christ has abolished as incumbent upon anyone who believes in Him. And so it is the Lord Jesus Christ has done away with the Old Covenant itself as a governing entity for the Body of Christ (Heb 8:13). There is then no Sabbath observance for the Body of Christ, just as there is no circumcision requirement, nor are their food restrictions or requirements for any of us who believe in Him to observe (see Rom 14; Gal 5:1-5). Now believers who are of a Jewish background may continue to observe those things (as was the case in the early church while the Temple was still erected and sacrifices there were still being made), but in no way then (or now) are they to bring those things into the Body of Christ as required of themselves, or anyone else (Acts 21:18-25). Only during the Millennial Reign of Christ when God deals with Israel as a Nation again are there specific ordinances that are to be observed (Zechariah 14:16-19). For again it is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself who has abolished through His flesh the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that He could create in Himself (not Moses and the Law) one new man from the two, thus making peace. Observance of the Law then by any of us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ is simply not a part of the equation when it comes to either our eternal salvation (which is by grace) or our discipleship which is in Christ (Rom 3:19-28, 4:4-5; 6:14, 7:4-6; Eph. 2:8-9 etc.). Which is why the Book of Hebrews was given us by God's Spirit, so that Jewish believers who were still clinging to the Old Covenant (consider Luke 5:39) might be made to see that In Christ all that was the Old Covenant, or even the Levitical priesthood, has found its fulfillment In Christ and thus has been superseded by the more excellent and eternal Ministry of Christ Himself, which is ministered to us through His Apostles and prophets in the New Testament.

For again it is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself who has abolished through His flesh the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that He could create in Himself (and no one else) one new man (i.e. body of believers) who believe in Him. Thus not Moses and the law which governed the Jews (see Acts 15), or Marry and Jesus (the Catholic Apostasy), and all their doctrines and commandments of men that governs them, but Jesus Christ the Lord, who is the Head of the Body, the church, being made up of believing Gentiles and Jews in every generation who trust in God by faith in His person alone (Acts 4:12). For it is the Gospel of grace that the church of Christ declares. 

Vs. 16 "and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity."

Now the Lord Jesus Christ didn't just abolish the enmity between Jews and Gentiles (vs. 15), by His own death on the Cross, (by which everyone who believes in Him has an equal and full standing with God) but He has put the enmity to death (vs. 16). Now this He did so He could reconcile both believing Jews and Gentiles to God in one body through His own death on the cross. Anyone then who would want to turn the church, (i.e. Christ's body, the one body of believers that is made up of every believing Jew and Gentile, who now stand united and equal in the sight of God through Christ alone (see Gal 3:26-29) into an extension of the nation of Israel, or back under the law, would only be running headstrong against the Lord (Rom 6:14; 7:1-5). For the Law of commandments contained in ordinances that once created such hostility and alienation between Jews and Gentiles has been by the Will of God put away (Heb. 8:13). For it is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ alone who has reconciled both believing Jews and Gentiles, through the Cross, back to God, in one body. Thus not a Jewish church, and a Gentile church, but one church, Christ's church. And so no local assembly of believers should ever consider or conduct itself as being an assembly just for "Jews" or an assembly just for "Gentiles", for in Christ these distinctions are done away with forever (1 Peter 2:4-10).  

Vs. 17-18  ¹⁷ And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Having put to death the enmity, through His own Crucifixion death; and thus having fulfilled all that God required through the Law for our justification; the Lord Jesus thus having paved the way for our reconciliation with God by grace through faith in His Person, after His Resurrection from the dead, came and preached peace to those who were far off (i.e. the Gentiles), and those who were near (the Jews). For the Lord Jesus Christ having conquered sin and death, by His own Crucifixion death and Resurrection has satisfied the justice of God for us all, and so He came and preached peace to us all. For it is God's Righteousness clearly seen and manifested in the Life, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ by which one and all can now have a just and justified standing in the sight of God, by putting their faith in His Person (Rom 3:19-26). There is then no more alienation from God for anyone (whether Gentiles or Jew) who repents and believes in the Gospel! From the worst of sinners, to the most ardent and zealous religious person, who ultimately had to face their own sinfulness and fleshly weaknesses exposed through the Law, the Lord Jesus Christ has come and preached peace to everyone of us through Himself, since we have all failed to please God (Rom 3:23). Understand then peace with God begins and ends with your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person, and not what you have done, or not done (Eph. 2:8-9). And so it is since the Lord Jesus Christ came and preached peace with God to all Gentiles and all Jews by faith in His Person, through His Word, given us all through His Spirit. The Jews then have nothing on the Gentiles, since In Christ we both have an equal and unrestricted access by one Spirit to the Father (vs. 18). Now this access to God the Father again comes to us all through Jesus Christ the Lord by His Holy Spirit, who not only fully indwells each one of us, but He also helps us all in our own weaknesses, not only making our prayers effective when we seek God by faith, but He also makes prayers for us on our behalf during the same when we don't know what to pray (Rom 8:26-27). And so there is no hierarchy of believers in the sight of God,  because through Christ we who believe in Him all have equal access by one Spirit (that is God's Holy Spirit) to the Father. No one then who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ need go too, or through another person to come to God. For we all have equal access by one Spirit to God our Father. Therefore let us all seek God and His face while we can (Isaiah 55:6-7).

Scripture Quotations

The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Ephesians 2:11-13

¹¹ Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—¹² that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Preamble

Having addressed how we, both believing Jews and Gentiles, have come into salvation, as well as for what purpose God has saved us, and brought us into a living relationship with Himself (vs. 1-10). The Apostle Paul now turns his focus to every believing Gentile, reminding us that it is only through Christ that we have now become equal participants of God's New Covenant and promises and thus full citizens in God's holy nation. Now Paul's doing so is to remind every believing Gentile that our salvation has a long history behind it, and a lot of that history stems out of God's dealings with Israel under the Old Covenant, which has now found it's fulfillment In Christ who has now opened the door of salvation to us all who believe in Him through the Gospel. And so Jews should not think that Gentiles need to live as Jews, nor should Gentiles think that God has cast off His covenant people for their current unbelief in this era that is Scripturally referred to as the times of the Gentiles (see Rom 11). And so in Christ all attitudes of "superiority" or "inferiority" by both believing Jews and Gentiles are to be put away (consider Gal. 3:26-29), for God has made us all one new people and nation In Christ, not returned us to Moses and the Law (2 Peter 2:4-10, vs. 9-10). 

Commentary

Vs. 11-12 ¹¹ Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—¹² that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 

The Apostle Paul in referring to us Gentiles here as "Gentiles in the flesh", is not only making a distinction of what we once were before we were born again by the Holy Spirit, but in using these types of Jewish connotations is reminding us that before we came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ we were once simply thought of by the Jews as "the Uncircumcision". That is because of the Uncircumcision of our flesh we were just considered by them an alienated people from God, who in their eyes had basically no interest in us. Now as the Gospel proves and the Scriptures clearly foretold they were wrong, something the early church came to understand as they preached the Gospel and it was God Himself who opened the door of salvation to all repentant and believing Gentiles (see Acts 10-11:18). And so the Apostle Paul use of these terms here is not a "deprecation" of our persons because we were once "Gentiles in the flesh". Indeed the Apostle Paul was called by God to be an Apostle to the Gentiles (Rom 11:13; Acts 9:15; 22:17-21; Gal 1:13-24; Eph. 3:8), for with Israel's largely rejecting the Word of life spoken to them, it was to the Gentiles that God commanded His salvation go out to the ends of the earth (Acts 13:44-48). And so we know that the Apostle Paul's love, life, passion and ministry was bound up in ministering the Gospel to the Gentiles (2 Cor 12:15). 

Now as we also know the Apostle Paul did not count circumcision as anything, since being In Christ means we who believe (whether Jew or Gentile) have a Circumcision which is to be completely distinguished from the "Circumcision of flesh", and that is the Circumcision of ones heart that God Himself performs by His Spirit within us when we repent and believe in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ through the Gospel (Rom 2:28-29). Therefore the Apostle Paul's use of this expression "the Uncircumcision" is his using a term that he clearly neither likes, nor endorses, (see Titus 1:10-11), but is only one that the Jews generally used as an indictment of all Gentiles, because of the Uncircumcision of our flesh. For Jews basically saw people in two classes, those Circumcised, and those Uncircumcised. Therefore these words being capitalized in the NKJ exemplifies the strong emphasis that Jews placed (and still place) on the Circumcision of the flesh made by human hands. Again to be distinguished from what God does to every believers heart, (see Deut 30:6 where God promises to circumcise the Jews hearts is given), because for them this is the defining act of whether or not one is in a covenant relationship with God. And so Paul is reminding us believing Gentiles by way of mentioning these things, circumcision made by hands, alienation from the common wealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of the promise etc. (vs. 12), that before we came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ we were completely estranged from God, from His covenants of promise, and from His nation. Now in stating these things about us Gentiles, it's not that the Jews are any less in need of salvation from God through Christ. It's just that we believing Gentiles did not have any promises of redemption spoken to us outside of those promises spoken by God through His prophets to the nation of Israel. And so we should not now think that God's salvation through Christ begins or ends with us. And so by mentioning these things in this way, the Apostle Paul does not want us Gentile believers to think too much of ourselves, since the Israelites through whom God's covenants and promises and salvation first came to us, largely go not reconciled to God because of their own unbelief. For though we are now redeemed by Christ's blood, sealed and sanctified by God's Spirit, and thus we are now not only fully reconciled to God, but we are now also full partakers of all of God's promises and covenant, for we are now counted by God Himself because our faith in His Son as His own redeemed covenant people (1 Peter 2:9-10); which again is not based on the circumcision of one's flesh, but only on ones faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (see Rom 4:9-12; Gal 3:5-9). And so it is when we were without Christ, we were "...aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and we were strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." We were then at that time completely separated from God, and all that God had done and promised down through History through His chosen people. And so before we came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ we had no hope. 

Vs. 13 "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" 

Therefore we who were once far off from God, have now been brought near to Him by the blood of Christ. (And not by circumcision of the flesh made by human hands). For it is the Lord Jesus Christ's Crucifixion death and His atoning blood for all our sins and transgressions which makes us all, both Jews and Gentiles, acceptable and redeemable to God. And so it is we who were once not a people, (coming from incredibly diverse and differing backgrounds and ethnicities), yet now are the people of God (1 Peter 2:9-10). A people which consists of all believing Jews and Gentiles, and thus a people who are united by One, are baptized into One, and under One, and that One is Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.

Now if you have not yet received the Lord Jesus Christ for yourself, by all means do so now, all which happens the moment you repent and believe in the Gospel. Now to repent means to have a change of mind about yourself, your sins, and quite possibility even God Himself. It is then to see yourself in the light of God's love and mercies for you (John 3:16), that God Himself through the Life, Death, Resurrection from the dead, and Ascension back to heaven of His Son Jesus has done for you what you could never do for yourself, so that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you shall be saved, "for whoever calls upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:9-10, 13). And so now is the time for your redemption from sin and death and eternal salvation the moment you believe and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Therefore if you believe, please receive the Lord Jesus Christ into your own heart and life by inviting Him in (Rev 3:20) and confessing to God that He is Lord, and then follow Him as your Lord and Savior. For apart from Him no finds life, or redemption, or satisfaction for themselves, but in Him all have new and abundant and everlasting life with and through Christ, therefore receive the Lord Jesus Christ today (John 1:12). 

Scripture Quotations

The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.