Ephesians 4:17

Ephesians 4:17 says, This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,  Paul told the Christians at Ephesus, those who were Gentiles, that they were no longer to walk as other Gentiles.  Those who were not followers of Christ walked in the vanity of their minds.  I believe that Paul was saying that those who were not Christians followed after empty ideas.  Verse eighteen adds, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:  I do not believe that Paul was saying that those who didn't believe in Christ failed to do so because God had darkened their understanding, but that their own refusal to believe in Christ was a result of their own will.  When someone refuses to accept Christ as Savior and Lord, then they are alienated from God because of their own blindness to the truth.  Verse nineteen continues, Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.  Paul tells us that those who refuse to believe in the gospel of Christ are given over to the desires of the flesh.  Paul said this leads to a life ruled by the desires of the flesh.  Verse twenty declares, But ye have not so learned Christ;  Paul tells us that if we are living by the desires of the flesh that this is nothing that we have been taught by or learned from Christ.  If we are truly following Christ, then we cannot be ruled by the desires of the flesh.  We are held to a higher standard.  Verse twenty-one adds, If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:  If we have not heard of and accepted and been taught by Christ, then we will be ruled by the desires of the flesh.  Paul said that truth exists in Jesus.  I believe that truth is that there is no other way to salvation but to accept the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross for our sins.  When we do this, the Holy Spirit will lead us to a greater understanding of how to live by faith.  Verse twenty-two continues, That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  We are no longer to speak as we did before we were saved.  Now, everything that we say should come from the love of God for everyone.  We cannot just condemn the non-believers, but must speak the truth of the gospel to them, both with our words and our actions.  Verse twenty-three says, And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  If we are following Christ, we need to have a new spirit in all our thoughts.  We are to be directed by the Holy Spirit in our thoughts and actions.  Verse twenty-four adds, And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.  We can no longer live ruled by the desires of the flesh, but we have become a new person in Christ.

Ephesians 4:8

Ephesians 4:8 says, Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.  Paul said when Christ ascended that he led captivity captive.  What had held people captive before was sin.  The law of God could not free those in Paul's day and cannot free us from that captivity today because we cannot live up to the requirements of the law.  Christ removed that captivity to sin and everlasting separation from God when He rose again.  Verse nine adds, (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?  Paul said Christ Who ascended was the same Christ Who descended into the lower parts of the earth, or the grave.  Through His death, Christ took on all the sins of people for all time, but the true victory came with His resurrection.  Verse ten continues, He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)  The Christ of the ascension is the same Christ as the One of the crucifixion and burial.  By His death, burial and resurrection, Christ defeated sin and spiritual death for all time.  At the same time, Christ gave to those who are His followers spiritual gifts necessary to accomplish His work until He returns.  Verse eleven states, And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  Whatever our calling might be today, it is a gift from God, and we are empowered by God to fulfill that calling.  Verse twelve adds, For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  Paul tells us why we are given these spiritual gifts, and it is not for self-glory.  We are given our gift or gifts for the perfecting of the saints, those who accept Christ as Savior and Lord, and for the edifying or growing in knowledge of living by faith. Verse thirteen continues, Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  Paul continues to speak of growing in the unity of faith and the knowledge of Christ.  As we grow in unity of faith, we prove the measure of the fullness of Christ in our lives.  If we are continually in conflict with other Christians, whether it is between two believers in particular or two congregations in general, we are not exhibiting much growth in Christ.  Verse fourteen says, That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  Paul tells us that when we grow in the knowledge of Christ that we are no more like children who are easily swayed in their beliefs by those who are good at manipulating others.  There seems to be a tendency in the church today to follow the examples of the larger churches, especially if they have a popular preacher.  We need to instead ensure that we are following the leadership of the Holy Spirit when we worship God.  Verse fifteen adds, But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  Paul said that when someone is a follower of Christ that that person should speak the truth in love, not only to other believers but to everyone we meet.  When we do this, we will begin to grow in our spiritual lives, under the authority of Christ as the head of the church. Verse sixteen concludes, From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.  Paul was speaking of unity in Christ and our growing in faith in these verses, and he said that when we put Christ first that love for others and unity in Christ would be the natural outcome.  We as followers of Christ must always put the will of God first, as individual Christians and as a group of believers.  When we do, we will grow in our knowledge of what it means to be a follower of Christ in the world today.

Ephesians 4:1

Ephesians 4:1 states, I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,  Paul declares himself to be a prisoner of Christ.  Those in power may have believed that they had Paul imprisoned, but Paul said he was simply a prisoner of the Lord.  We likewise need to be held prisoner to the will of God that we might walk worthy of the vocation to which God calls us.  The underlying calling of any Christian is to live for the glory of God and to share the good news of salvation through Christ.  As I have said before, as followers of Christ we cannot divide the world into the sacred and the secular.  Whether gathered together in worship or out in the world during the week, our lives are to be a constant witness for and worship of God.  Verse two adds, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;  We are not called to live in the riches of the world and by showing off our superiority to others, especially fellow Christians.  We are to live humbly in our faith and be guided by a love of others.  This ability comes only by accepting Christ through faith and living under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse three continues, Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  Paul tells us that we are to endeavor, or to work, to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  Since Paul says we are to endeavor to do this, I believe that means that it might not always be easy to accomplish.  Sometimes it may be very difficult to live at peace with our fellow Christians, but we should try hard to make sure that it is never because of our attitude.  This does not mean that we are always to just claim that it is not our fault, but that we are indeed living under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and reaching out to others in love for them.  Verse four declares, There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  Paul stated this point many times.  There may be many local fellowships of believers, but we are all a part of the same fellowship of Christ.  We should feel just at home in one true fellowship of believers as we do in any other, as long as they and we are really worshipping God under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse five adds, One Lord, one faith, one baptism,  Paul was writing to those who were facing the question of whether the Jewish and the Gentile Christians were equal.  He declared that there was but one faith, one Lord, and one baptism.  We today must proclaim the same truth.  The way we worship may vary, but the One we worship never can.  Verse six continues, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  In Paul's day, and even today, the Jewish people felt that they alone had a relationship with the heavenly Father.  Paul said that all who came to the Father through the sacrifice of the Son really had that relationship.  The nature of where we are born or what family we are born into can never bring salvation to nor exclude a person from salvation.  We should be united since we are all God's children if we accept Christ through faith.  Verse seven concludes, But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.  We are given salvation by the grace of God.  This is a gift that cannot be earned.

Ephesians 3:13

Ephesians 3:13 says, Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.  Paul was still referring to the power and glory of Christ when he asked that his fellow believers not faint at his tribulations.  We today may see devout Christians suffering and begin to question why we should ever serve God.  Paul said that instead of causing his fellow believers to faint in their faith that they should know that his tribulations were for their glory.  Verse fourteen adds, For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,  Paul said that since his tribulations were for the glory of others, that they might know the truth of the gospel, he bowed to the Father and unto our Lord Jesus Christ.  If we are suffering tribulation today because of our faith, we need to simply bow to God.  We also need to acknowledge that we are not alone.  Christ is not just my Savior and Lord, but as Paul said He is our Savior and Lord.  Verse fifteen continues, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,  Paul tells us that there is only one name by which we become a part of the family of God, and that is Jesus Christ.  He also tells us that we are all part of the same family, whether in heaven or still here on earth.  Verse sixteen states, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;  We can be assured that our inner man, or our spiritual nature is strengthened by the Holy Spirit.  We no longer have to rely on our own strength and understanding, but we have the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide us.  Though some situations in life may not be clearly right or wrong, if we rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will always know what is truly right.  Though at times we may feel our strength falter, if we rely on the strength of the Holy Spirit we will never be defeated.  Verse seventeen adds, That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,  Paul says that when Christ lives in us by faith in Him that we will be rooted and grounded in love.  When we live under the love of God, we will always do what is best, not for our own advantage, but for the glory of God and the welfare of others as well.  Verse eighteen continues, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;  Paul is still speaking of the love of God shown to us through Christ.  We need to remember daily the completeness of God's love. Verse nineteen says, And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.  Paul said that the love of Christ passes all knowledge.  We cannot fully understand the love that Christ willing showed the world by His death, burial, and resurrection in our place.  Yet, when we accept Christ as Savior and Lord, we should be filled with the goodness of God.  Verse twenty adds, Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,  The Him that Paul was referring to is God, and not any person in the world.  God, through Christ's sacrifice and through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is able to do so much more than we ask or even think.  Verse twenty-one continues, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.  Paul told the Christians at Ephesus and all that come after them that we should live to bring glory to Christ.  This will continue to be our purpose as long as the world stands.

Ephesians 3:1

Ephesians 3:1 says, For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, Paul considered himself a prisoner of Christ and not of the powers of the world.  He was a prisoner of Christ because of his commitment to preach salvation to the Gentiles.  When accusations were made against Paul, they all centered on the fact that he was preaching salvation to all equally, and this made the religious leaders angry at him.  We must be prisoners to our faith in Christ no matter what the powers of the world may do to us.  Verse two adds, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:  Paul said that God had given him the dispensation of grace.  What Paul was preaching was not something that he himself had decided was the truth, but was the truth given to him by God.  When we proclaim the gospel today, we must make sure that it is what God Himself declared as the truth of the gospel, which is that Christ died to restore any who believes in Him to God.  Verse three continues, How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,  Verse four concludes, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)  Paul said in these two verses that he had already written about how he came to know about the mystery of salvation through Christ.  It really is a mystery why God would choose such a way to salvation, until we come to acknowledge the truth of that mystery.  Salvation comes through faith in Christ alone, and until we meet Him personally through faith salvation will always remain a mystery.  Verse five states, Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;  Paul said that the truth of salvation was hidden in times past but was now revealed to God's apostles and prophets by the Spirit.  Why God chose to wait until this time to fulfill the law through Christ is not something we need to understand, but we can only accept by faith that the time was right, just as the time of the return of Christ will be.  Verse six adds, That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Paul tells us that the Jews and the Gentiles will be fellow heirs through the salvation of Christ.  We today are all fellow heirs of Christ with all other Christians.  Countries or denominations do not separate us, but we are all a part of the same body of Christ.  Verse seven continues, Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.  Paul said that he was a minister of Christ through the grace and power of Christ.  Whatever our calling today, we are called through the grace of God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out that calling.  Paul did not claim to be anything of his own abilities and strength, but always gave the glory to God.  Verse eight declares, Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;  Again, Paul states his own unworthiness to be called a saint but proclaims his calling to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.  We can never truly understand the riches that are ours through Christ in this world, nor will we ever deserve them.  This should prevent us from feeling superior to any other Christian, but as Paul we should feel that we are the least worthy.  We should always be humble in our service to Christ.  Verse nine adds, And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:  Paul wanted everyone to understand that salvation had always been and always would be through Christ.  This was God's plan from the beginning.  Salvation would come through Christ Who created all things.  Paul called this a fellowship of the mystery, and we still cannot really understand all aspects of the nature of the Trinity, but we can accept it by faith. Verse ten continues, To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,  Paul said that through Christ we can begin to understand the manifold wisdom of God.  Verse eleven states, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:  God's purpose, salvation for every person who would believe, was always to be made possible through Christ.  It is not that God had one plan, the law of God, which failed so He had to devise another plan, salvation through Christ.  The law of God was never meant to bring salvation, since it was based on man's abilities and not God's grace.  Verse twelve adds, In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.  Paul tells us that our faith in Christ should give us boldness and confidence in the world today.  Even when imprisoned, Paul was still bold in his proclamation of Christ as Savior and Lord of his life.

Ephesians 2:11

Ephesians 2:11 says, Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;  Paul said that those Gentile Christians had not been considered a part of God's people before they came to God by faith in Christ.  They were looked down on by the Jews, who considered themselves to be God's only people based on things of the flesh, such as birth and circumcision.  Verse twelve adds, That at that time ye 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:  Paul reminded the Christians at Ephesus that as Gentiles they had been aliens from those who were identified as God's people.  They were strangers to the covenant of God and without God in their lives.  I don't believe that this means that all people who were not a part of the nation of Israel before the coming of Christ were lost forever, any more than being born physically into the nation of Israel meant that they were automatically saved.  Through Christ, all have hope.  Verse thirteen continues, But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.  Paul declares that those who had been far away from God, the Gentiles in particular, were made close to God through the blood of Christ.  This in no way depended on anything that they did other than accept salvation through Christ alone, and that has always been and always will be the only way to salvation.  Verse fourteen states, For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Christ allows us to find peace with God by breaking down the wall of partition that separates us from God.  We do not need anyone or anything else to give us access to God, the heavenly Father, except Christ.  As followers of Christ, we have total access to God.  Verse fifteen adds, Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;  Paul tells us that Christ, in His flesh or human nature abolished the enmity between God and man, which the commandments could not do.  Christ was a new Man, one that lived in total obedience to the law and thereby fulfilled the requirements of the law once and forever.  Verse sixteen continues, And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:  Paul said that by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross that the enmity between God and man was slain.  Through Christ alone can we have a right relationship with God.  Verse seventeen says, And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.  Jesus did indeed preach peace to the Jews and the Gentiles, and Paul had continued to do the same, as we must also.  Christ died for the sins of everyone, but it is up to each individual to accept that gift of salvation.  Verse eighteen adds, For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.  Through Christ we all have the same access to the Father under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse nineteen continues, Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  As fellow citizens in the kingdom of God, we do not need visas or green cards.  We are all equally citizens of God's kingdom.  Verse twenty states, And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  Paul said that the apostles and prophets had built the foundation of the church through preaching Christ as Savior and Lord, and Christ was and is the cornerstone of salvation.  If the cornerstone is not laid correctly, then what is built will be faulty.  If salvation through Christ is not the cornerstone of our faith, then whatever we build will ultimately fail. Verse twenty-one adds, In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:   Verse twenty-two continues, In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.  Paul was continuing to emphasize that all spiritual growth comes through the cornerstone of Christ.  We are all a part of God's church, but we can only be a part of that church, or body of believers, by faith in Christ alone.  The law or the nature of our physical birth, whether we are Jew or Gentile, can never save us.

Ephesians 2:1

Ephesians 2:1 says, And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;  Paul tells us that before we accepted Christ as our Savior and Lord that we were dead in our trespasses and sin.  No matter how good we may think we are, we will always be under the power of sin until we accept the salvation of Christ through faith.  When we accept Christ into our lives, we are made spiritually alive forever.  Verse two adds, Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience,  Paul said that before accepting Christ that we walked in the course of the world.  In other words, I believe Paul was reminding the believers at Ephesus that they were no better than any other sinner based on their own ability.  No one can claim a right relationship with God except through the sacrifice of Christ.  Verse three continues, Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.  Paul continued to remind the church at Ephesus that they had been no better than those who refused to accept Christ.  I hear someone say occasionally that as soon as they correct a few things in his or her life that they will accept the salvation that Christ offers, but we can never become good enough to be followers of Christ.  We can only come to Him as a sinner saved by grace.   When we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord we will no longer be ruled by the desires of the flesh but will be ruled by the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  When we are led by the lust of our flesh, we are children of wrath.  Verse four states, But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,  Paul said that God loved us because of Who He is and not because of who we are.  It is because of the richness of the mercy of God that we may be saved.  This mercy and love of God is extended to all people, but it is up to each individual to accept it.  Verse five adds, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)  There is no way to become good enough to be saved as already stated.  When we are spiritually dead, we are given everlasting life by faith in Christ.  Paul once more states that this is by God's grace and has nothing to do with who we are.  Verse six continues, And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  Paul tells us that we are raised up together.  There are no separations between Christians in heavenly places, nor should there be in the world today.  Some people who would separate Christians today based on earthly status are going to be surprised in heaven, I believe.  Those who may have been looked down on will be equal in heaven.  Verse seven declares, That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  This is a continuation of what was said in verse six.  We are united in Christ, and in the ages to come, or in heaven, we will see the richness of God's kindness toward us.  We may experience the richness of God's love here, but sin will always keep us from experiencing the total depth of His love.  Verse eight adds, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  This is the heart of the gospel.  The only way to be saved is by faith in Christ as our Savior and Lord, and even this faith comes from God.  Verse nine continues, Not of works, lest any man should boast.  Paul tells us that if salvation could come by works then we could boast about our own abilities.  Since we can never do this, we can only come to God through Christ as sinners saved by the grace of God.  Verse ten concludes, For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  We are God's creation.  We are created by Christ for good works, and we are redeemed by Christ in order to be able to do good works for God.  Though we are saved by faith, we are saved to do the good works of Christ for the glory of God.