Coachlight Bible Study - Ephesians Chapters 2-3
Revelation & Realization of the Mystery of the Church
In Chapter one of Ephesians Paul explains that The Holy Spirit has given gifts to the people who believe that God can do what He said He would do. These gifts are given in amounts that are immeasurable - more than the Christian needs now and to come.
Paul demonstrates the working of the Godhead by telling us that the believer is chosen by the Father, Redeemed by the Son, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. The revelation of the mystery hidden from understanding in ages past, is from the Father's will (pleasure), the work of Christ the Redeemer, and is manifested today by the sealing of the Holy Spirit, which is the earnest (installment or down payment) of our inheritance. God's purpose in revealing this revelation is that at the dispensation of the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness to us through Christ.(2:7)
Paul, in chapter two, Paul reminds them of how they had been dead in sin but made alive together with Christ, and are raised and made to sit together with Christ in the heavenly places. While this involves faith, it did not involve any works whereby one could boast. The end result is that they have been created in Christ to walk in good works, as God planned beforehand (1-10).
Paul also wants the Gentiles to realize how far they have come, because of Christ - Once strangers from the promises made to Israel, they can now draw near through the blood of Jesus. By His death on the cross, Jesus abolished the law of commandments which separated Jews and Gentiles, and has reconciled them both to God because they both have access to the Father by one Spirit. The Gentiles, who were foreigners, now can be fellow-heirs of the promises.
In chapter three, Paul reminds his readers of God's grace that has been shown him regarding the revelation of the "mystery". By reading what he had written earlier, they would understand how the "mystery" pertained to Gentiles becoming fellow heirs in Christ, and Paul felt privileged to preach among the Gentiles what for ages had been hidden.
The first chapter had already given the three “whats” of the understanding being opened in Paul’s prayer for revelation: (1) What is the the hope of His calling? (2) What are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints? (3) What is the exceeding greatness of His power? The chapter also contains Paul's second prayer for realization the Ephesians. This provides the four “that’s” of prayer.
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FOCUS |
Who Is The Church |
The Walk Of The Church |
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REFERENCE |
1:1-2 |
1:2-23 |
2:1-22 |
3:1-21 |
4:1 |
5:1-21 |
5:22-33 |
6:1-24 |
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DIVISION |
Salutation |
The Church’s Standing With God |
The Church’s Access To God |
The Fellowship Of The Mystery |
Walk Worthy Of The Calling |
Walk In Love As Children Of Light |
The Mystery Of Christ And The Church |
The Walk For The War |
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TEMPLE METAPHOR |
The Foyer |
King’s Audience Chamber |
King’s Throne Room |
The Wardrobe Room |
Psalm And Worship Room |
The Armory |
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TOPIC |
Revelation |
Lifestyle |
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PURPOSE |
The Purpose Of God |
The Purpose Of The Church |
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INTENSION |
To reveal the Mystery of the Church with each membercalled by God, and walking worthy of the calling. |
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I. Raised And Seated On The Throne - Ephesians 2:1-10
Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. {desires: Gr. wills}
Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) {by…: or, by whose grace}
Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. {ordained: or, prepared}
A. Old Condition - Dead To God - Ephesians 2:1-3
1. Dead in trespasses and sins (1)
2. Walking according to the course of the world and the devil (2)
3. Fulfilling the desires of the flesh and mind, by nature the children of wrath (3)
B. New Condition - Alive To God Ephesians 2:4-10
1. God made us alive together with Christ (4-5)
a. By virtue of His mercy and great love
b. Even when dead in trespasses
c. By His grace we have been saved
2. God raised us with Christ (6-7)
a. Made to sit with Him in heavenly places
b. That in ages to come God might show the exceeding riches of His grace
3. Saved by grace through faith (8-9)
a. Not of ourselves, it is the gift of God
b. Not of works, lest any man should boast
4. We are thus God's workmanship (10)
a. Created in Christ Jesus for good works
b. Created to walk in good works which God prepared beforehand
II. Reconciliation Of Jews And Gentiles – Ephesians 2:11-22
Ephesians 2:11 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;
Ephesians 2:12 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:
Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Ephesians 2:15 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;
Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: {thereby: or, in himself}
Ephesians 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Ephesians 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Ephesians 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
A. The Gentile's condition - Without Christ - Ephesians 2:11-12
1. Aliens from the commonwealth of Israel
2. Strangers from the covenants of promise
3. Having no hope and without God in the world
B. The Gentile's condition - Through Christ - Ephesians 2:13-18
1. Made near by the blood of Christ (13)
2. Can now be "one body" with the Jews, because...
a. Jesus has made Jew and Gentile both one, breaking down the wall of division between them (14)
b. Jesus abolished in His flesh the law of commandments contained in ordinances that had separated them (15)
c. Jesus now reconciles them both to God in one body through the cross (16)
d. Jesus preached peace to those afar off and those near (17)
3. Can now have access by one Spirit to the Father (18)
C. The Gentile's condition - In Christ - Ephesians 2:19-22
1. They are now "fellow citizens with the saints" (19)
2. They are now "members of the household of God" (19)
3. They are now part of "a holy temple in the Lord" (20-22)
a. Built on the foundation
1. Of the apostles and prophets
2. Christ is the Cornerstone
b. Joined together and growing as a holy temple, a habitation of God in the Spirit
III. The Revelation Of The Mystery - Ephesians 3:1-13
Ephesians 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
Ephesians 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
Ephesians 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, {afore…: or, a little before}
Ephesians 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge<4907> in the mystery of Christ)
Ephesians 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed<601> unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Ephesians 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Ephesians 3:7 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.<1411>
Ephesians 3:8 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;
Ephesians 3:9 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:
Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Ephesians 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
Ephesians 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Ephesians 3:13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
A. A Mystery now revealed That Was Hidden From Understanding(1-7)
1. Paul talks of God's grace (1-2)
a. A measure of grace given to him
b. Given for the benefit of his readers
2. That by revelation God revealed - the mystery (3-4)
a. Concerning which he wrote previously
b. Paul’s Knowledge<4907> of the mystery – (Our word synthesis)
4907 sunesiv sunesis soon’-es-is - from 4920; 1119; n f
understanding 6, knowledge 1; 7
1) a running together, a flowing together with
2) knowledge
2a) understanding
2b) the understanding, i.e the mind so far forth as it understands
3. A mystery once hidden to understanding, but now revealed (5)
a. In other ages it was not made known to men
b. But has now been revealed<601>
1 By the Spirit
2 To God's holy apostles and prophets
601 apokaluptw apokalupto - from 575 and 2572; v: reveal 26; 26
1) to uncover, lay open what has been veiled or covered up
1a) disclose, make bare
2) to make known, make manifest, disclose what before was unknown
4. The mystery involved the Gentiles (6)
a. That they should be fellow heirs
b. That they should be partakers of God's promise through the
Gospel
5. Paul's role as a minister of this mystery was a gift from God (7)
a. A gift of God's grace
b. A gift given to him by the effective working of God's dynamite power<1411>
1411 dunamiv dunamis doo’-nam-is - from 1410; n f - power 77, mighty work 11, strength 7, miracle 7, might 4, virtue 3, mighty 2, misc 9; 120
1) strength power, ability
1a) inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth
1b) power for performing miracles
1c) moral power and excellence of soul
1d) the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
1e) power and resources arising from numbers
1f) power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts
B. Paul Is A Minister Of The Mystery - Ephesians 3:8-13
1. To preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ (8)
a. Even though he was "less than the least of all the saints"
b. Yet this grace was given to him
2. To make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery (9-13)
a. Which from the beginning was hidden in God who created all things
b. But with the intention of now making God's wisdom known
1. Made known by the church
2. Made known to principalities and powers in heavenly places
c. According to God's eternal purpose which He fulfilled in Christ Jesus
1) In whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him
2) For which Paul does not want them to lose heart over his tribulations in their behalf, which was for their glory
IV. Paul's Second Prayer – For Realization (14-21)
Ephesians 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 3:15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
Ephesians 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might<1411> by his Spirit in the inner man;
Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Ephesians 3:18 May be able to comprehend<2638> with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
Ephesians 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth<5235> knowledge,<1108> that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power<1411> that worketh in us,
Ephesians 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
A. The Beginning (14-15)
1. Paul bows his knees and prays (14a)
2. He addresses the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (14b-15)
B. The Prayer (16-19)
1. That they would be strengthened by the Spirit of God (16-17)
a. According to the riches of His glory
b. With might<1411> through His Spirit in the inner man
c. So Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith
2. That they might comprehend<2638> the love of Christ (18-19a)
2638 katalambanw katalambano kat-al-am-ban’-o - from 2596 and 2983;v
take 3, apprehend 3, comprehend 2, come upon 1, attain 1, find 1, overtake 1, obtain 1; 15
1) to lay hold of
1a) to lay hold of so as to make one’s own, to obtain, attain to, to make one’s own, to take into one’s self, appropriate
1b) to seize upon, take possession of
a. Being rooted and grounded in love
b. To know the love of Christ, that passes<5235> knowledge<1108>
5235 uperballw huperballo hoop-er-bal’-lo - from 5228 and 906; v
exceed 3, excel 1, pass 1; 5
1) to surpass in throwing, to throw over or beyond any thing
2) to transcend, surpass, exceed, excel
3) excelling, exceeding
1108 gnwsiv gnosis gno’-sis - from 1097; n f
knowledge 28, science 1; 29
1) knowledge signifies in general intelligence, understanding
1a) the general knowledge of Christian religion
1b) the deeper more perfect and enlarged knowledge of this religion, such as belongs to the more advanced
1c) esp. of things lawful and unlawful for Christians
1d) moral wisdom, such as is seen in right living
3. That they might be filled with all the fullness of God (19b)
4. Glory to God, for what He is able to do! (20)
a. Able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think
b. According to the power that works in us
5. Glory to God in the church (21)
a. By Christ Jesus
b. Throughout all ages, world without end
C. The Four “That’s” Of Paul’s Second Prayer for Realization
1. “That” they should be strengthened by His Spirit
2. “That” they might have Christ dwelling in their hearts
3. “That” they might make their own the breadth, length, depth, and height of the love of Christ
4. “That” they might be filled with the fullness of God
Application: Our Prayer Today Needs To Be The Same
It needs to be our prayer today that the "eyes of our understanding" be opened to the realization of the mystery that had been hidden to past dispensations. The mystery now revealed, is that the Gentile can be fellow-heirs to the Covenant God made with Abraham, and his seed.
I. God Initiates the Covenant
A. The Lord said to Abraham
Genesis 12:1 ¶ Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
Genesis 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
B. When Abraham demonstrated that he heard and departed from Haran at the age of seventy-five, the Lord appeared to him:
Genesis 12:7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.
C. After the separation of Abraham and Lot, the Lord came again to Abraham:
Genesis 13:4 ¶ And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
Genesis 13:15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
Genesis 13:16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
Genesis 13:17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
Genesis 13:18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD. {plain: Heb. plains}
D. After Abraham rescued Lot, in what I like to call WWI and tithed to Melchesidek, and refused reward from the king of Sodom
Genesis 15:1 ¶ After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
Genesis 15:2 ¶ And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
Genesis 15:3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
Genesis 15:4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
Genesis 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
II. Abraham's Actions To The Promise
A. Abraham believed God
Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
B. What did Abraham believe that gave him righteousness? - he believed God about the promise
C. Abraham and Sarah put together a carnal plan for children, and Ishmael was born of Hagar
III. God makes the covenant between Abraham and Himself:
Genesis 17:1 ¶ And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
Genesis 17:2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
Genesis 17:3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
Genesis 17:4 ¶ As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
Genesis 17:5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. {Abraham: that is, Father of a great multitude}
Genesis 17:6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
Genesis 17:7 ¶ And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
Genesis 17:8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
Genesis 17:9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.
Genesis 17:10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
IV. God Reveals More An Extension Covenant To King David
II Samuel 7:12-16 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
IV. God Reveals The Mystery In The New Testament
Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Galatians 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
V. We Need The Eyes of Our Understanding Opened to Realization & Revelation – 4 “That’s”
A. “That” we should be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man
B. “That” we might have Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith – rooted and grounded in love
C. “That” we might comprehend with all saints: what is the breath, length, depth, and height of the love of Christ.
D. “That” we might be filled with the fullness of God
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Relationships of The Eternal Covenants of God with Israel |
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Basic Covenant with Abraham |
The Extension Covenants |
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Promise of A National Land – (Land) Genesis 12:1; 13:14-15 & 17 |
Palestinian Covenant – gave Israel assurance of final, permanent restoration to the land forever Deuteronomy 30:3-5; Ezekiel 20:33-37, 42-44 |
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Promise of Redemption – National and Universal – (Blessing) Genesis 12:3; 22:18 & 3:16 |
New Covenant – Israel’s Spiritual Blessing and Redemption forever Jeremiah 31:31-40; Hebrews 8:6-13 |
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Promise of Numerous Descendants – A Great Nation – (Seed) Genesis 12:3; 13:16;17:2-6 |
Davidic Covenant – Dynasty, Nation, Throne forever II Samuel 7:11, 13, 16; Jeremiah 33:20 & 21; 31:35-37 |