038. Outline of Ephesians 3:7-13. The Purpose Of Paul’s Ministry To The World-Wide Gentiles.

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Jim Holbeck

“We ALL (Jewish And Gentile Believers) Belong To God”

1).        GOD GAVE PAUL A MINISTRY TO PREACH GOD’S GRACE TO THE GENTILES.  Eph 3:7  Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.  (See Note 1 below)

2).        THE CONTENT OF THE MESSAGE.  (The unsearchable riches in Christ).  3:8  To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, (See Note 2 below)

3).        THE PURPOSE OF THE MESSAGE.

  • To make the mystery known to the Gentiles. 3:9  and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things,
  • To enable the church to make known the wisdom of God. 3:10  so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. (See Note 3 below)

4).        THIS PURPOSE HAS BEEN ACHIEVED IN WHAT CHRIST DID.  3:11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized “in Christ Jesus” our Lord,

5).        THE RESULT OF WHAT CHRIST DID.  Access. 3:12  “in whom” we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith “in him”. 13  So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. (See Note 4 below)

 NOTES:

  1. Paul uses strong language in verse 7 to show his readers that his ministry was given to him by God Himself. He was “made a “minister” of the gospel. He didn’t assume that role by his own authority. How? Through the “gift of God’s grace which was given to me”.  In this phrase there is an emphasis on God giving to Paul. His ministry is a “gift” where the word is the noun “dōrea” often has the connotation of being freely given. The gift comes from God’s grace “charis” referring to the fact that God chose and equipped Paul to do this ministry. (“Grace” can mean the privilege Paul received from God in being entrusted with this ministry. But grace can also mean equipping or being given strength to do something. So Paul was called to this ministry and equipped by God to fulfil it.) Even then Paul is not finished with the God-given nature of his ministry. Now he adds “which was given me by the working of his power” where “given” is “didōmi” the verb of “dōrea”. God equipped him by the working (energeia) of His power (dunamis) in Paul. Paul sees his call to ministry and his functioning as a minister all coming from the grace of God.  
  2. Because Paul saw everything about his ministry as coming from the grace of God he had a humble view of himself. To describe himself as “the very least of all the saints” was not just false humility on his part. He wrote in 1Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Such a verse shows he recognised that his call to ministry and what he accomplished in his ministry were derived from the grace of God Himself.  The content of his preaching was God’s “unsearchable riches”.  “Unsearchable” is (anexichniastos) which comes from (an) = not and (exichniastos) = to explore or trace out.  He meant that God’s riches are beyond any human search or exploration.
  3. Paul has an exalted view of the church as being the vehicle through which God’s “manifold wisdom” might be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.  This multi-coloured, multi-faceted, (polupoikilos) variegated, diverse wisdom of God had to be revealed.  The church was God’s chosen instrument to do so.
  4. “Access” (prosagōgē ) is found only in 3 verses in the New Testament. In addition to its use here it is also found in 2:18, “For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father”   and in Romans 5:2,   Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand … . Access into the grace of God or the presence of God has been made available through what Christ accomplished through His death and resurrection.  That’s why believers can come with boldness and confidence before a gracious God who has made it possible for people to approach Him in that way.

 QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

1).        In verse 8 Paul describes himself as “the very least of all the saints”. Do you think that is false modesty on his part or is he being genuine in what he says? Why do you think so?

2).        In verse 8 Paul uses the term the “unsearchable riches of Christ”. What do you think are some of the things that are included in those riches?

3).        In verse 12 Paul writes of Jesus, “in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him”.  What does he mean, and how does this truth help us in our everyday Christian living?

Blog No.038.     Jim Holbeck.  Posted on Monday 22nd August 2011

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037. OUTLINE OF EPHESIANS 3:1-6. The Purpose Of Paul’s Ministry To The Ephesians. “YOU Belong To God”

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Jim Holbeck

In the previous blog we looked at the outline of all of Chapter 3. Now we break it down into smaller “bites”.

1).           GOD CHOSE PAUL TO MINISTER THE MESSAGE OF GOD’S GRACE TO THE GENTILES. Verses 1-2

 3:1  For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles-2  assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you.   (Paul was a messenger of God’s grace to them.)

2).           GOD REVEALED THE “MYSTERY OF CHRIST” TO PAUL.  Verses 3-5.  (See Note 1 below)

i).            It Was Revealed To Paul.  3:3  how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 3:4  When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,

ii).          It Was Once Not Known.  3:5  which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations

iii).         It Has Been Revealed By The Spirit.  as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

3).           THE “MYSTERY”. THE  UNITY BETWEEN BELIEVERS FROM JEWISH AND GENTILE BACKGOUNDS. V6  

The Message of the “Mystery”. 3:6  This “mystery” is that the Gentiles are

i).            fellow heirs, (Believers from  the Jews and non-Jews share in the same inheritance “in Christ”) 

ii).          members of the same body.  (Not two or more groups of believers but one organism “in Christ”)

iii).         partakers of the promise “in Christ Jesus”. (All the promises of God find their fulfilment in Him.   2Cor 1:20  For all the promises of God find their Yes “in him”. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory).  It would appear that the primary meaning for the “promise” here, is the gift of the Holy Spirit. (See Note 2 below)

How Did The Gentiles Come To Belong To Christ? They responded in faith to the gospel message.  Paul adds, “through the gospel”.   Paul had already declared that in Ephesians 1:13. (See Note 3 below)

 NOTES:

  1. “Mystery” is from the Greek word, mustērion.  In New Testament use it means an “open” secret. It can be known only by revelation. It is open only to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.  God had revealed it to Paul. Now God had commissioned him to reveal it to the Gentiles.
  2. Paul’s argument in Galatians 3 leading up to Gal 3:14, seems to indicate that the promise given to Abraham (the blessing of Abraham) was fulfilled in the gift of the Holy Spirit being given to all of God’s people, Gal 3:14  in order that “in Christ Jesus” the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

As Peter explained on the Day of Pentecost about the outpouring of the Spirit,  Acts 2:33  Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. …… Act 2:36  Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”   His listeners were convicted by this and asked what they had to do. He replied, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”  His hearers could receive the promise, the gift of the Spirit by believing his message about Christ, leading to their repentance and baptism into the faith Peter was preaching.

3.       Ephesians 1:13 “ ‘In him’ you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed “in him”, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.”

 QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

1).           What do you think Paul meant by being a steward of God’s grace to the Ephesians?

2).           If the “mystery of Christ” can only be known by revelation, what does that mean for our attempts to share the gospel message with other people?

2).          In verse 6 Paul says that the Gentiles are “fellow heirs”.  Of what are they heirs, do you think? Does that apply to us as believers today?

3).           Do you find it hard to recognise that believers in other churches or in other countries belong to the same body of Christ? How might we work for a greater recognition of our unity in Christ?

Blog No.037.   Jim Holbeck.  Posted on Monday 22nd August 2011

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036. Outline Of Ephesians Chapter 3. Paul’s God-given Ministry To The Ephesians

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Jim Holbeck

The whole of the chapter could be summarised in this way:-

A).          3:1-6.     The Purpose Of Paul’s Ministry To The Ephesians. To reveal  the “mystery” to them.  They belong to God.

B).          3:7-13. The Purpose Of Paul’s Ministry To The Ephesians. To show that Jew and Gentile believers together belong to God.  (They are “fellow heirs; members of the same body; and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”)

C).          3:14-19a. Paul’s Prayer For The Ephesian Believers. He prays for them to be “strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, (17)  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith–that you, being rooted and grounded in love, (18)  may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,  (19)  and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge …”

D).          3:19b.    The Ultimate Purpose Of The Prayer. He prays, “…. that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

E).           3:20-21. The Doxology. To the One who is able to do “far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us”.

We will look at these sections in blogs that follow.

Blog No.036.  Posted by Jim Holbeck.  Monday 22nd August 2011

 

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035. Outline Of Ephesians Chapter 2

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Jim Holbeck

In Ephesians chapter 2 we see God’s grace in action towards the Gentiles.

In Section (A) from verses 1 to 3 Paul gives the description of their life before they became committed to Christ. In Section (B) from verses 4 to 10 he shows the difference in their new status as a result of their being united “with” Jesus in His death, resurrection , ascension and session at the right hand of God.  The theme in these verses  is “WITH” Christ.

Paul then uses repetition as he had already done in chapter 1. He goes back to their pre-Christian life which he describes in Section (C) verses 11 and 12. Then Section (D) follows in which Paul gives the contrast with their new life “in Christ”. The theme here is “IN” Christ.

GOD’S GRACE IN ACTION.  The “Apart From Christ” people, and the “Now In Christ” people

A). WHAT THE GENTILES WERE.  PART 1.  “Dead”.  Eph 2:1-3                        B).  WHAT THEY ARE NOW IN CHRIST . “With Him’”.  Eph 2:4-10.
They were “dead IN SIN” before they came to Christ. Eph 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2  in which you once walked, THEIR ENEMIES. (Compare the vows made in Baptismal and Confirmation services stressing the need to renounce the world, the flesh and the devil). 

  • THE WORLD.  following the course of this world,
  • THE DEVIL.  following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience–
  • THE FLESH. Eph 2:3  among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind,

THE RESULT OF SUCH LIVING. and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

a).    They Were “Made Alive With Christ” By God’s Mercy, Love And Grace When They Came To Christ. GRACE. Eph 2:4  But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, Eph 2:5  even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved—

b).    They Were “Raised And Seated With Christ”.  To Reveal His Grace.  

Eph 2:6  and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, (in the place of honour, acceptance and authority)

Eph 2:7  so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

c).     They Were Saved By Him By Grace Through Faith, Not By Works.  Eph 2:8  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, Eph 2:9  not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

d).    They Were Re-Made By Him.  God’s Continuing Work Of Grace

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship (Greek poiēma, masterpiece)  created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

C).  WHAT THE GENTILES WERE. PART 2. “Far Away”.  2:11-12 D).      WHAT THEY ARE NOW IN CHRIST.  “In Him”.  “Near”.  2:13-end
Eph 2:11  Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands– 12  remember that you were at that time

  • Didn’t belong to Christ. separated from Christ,
  • Didn’t belong to the people of God. alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and
  • Didn’t have a covenant relationship with God. strangers to the covenants of promise,
  • Didn’t have any hope.  having no hope and
  • Didn’t belong to God. without God in the world.

 

 a).  Brought them near to Himself. Eph 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. b).  United Jewish and Gentile believers in Him in peace. Eph 2:14  For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

c).  Set them free from the law. Eph 2:15  by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances,

d).  Created a new humanity of Jewish and Gentile believers thus bringing peace.  that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,

e).  Reconciled us (Jewish  and Gentile believers) both to God.  Eph 2:16  and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

f).  Brought the message of peace to us. Eph 2:17  And he came and preached peace to you who were far off (Gentiles) and peace to those who were near (Jews).

g).  Enabled them both to have direct access to Him. Eph 2:18  For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

h).  Enabled all believers to share one citizenship, belong to one separated (to God) people;  one household;  one temple built on Christ and the apostles;  a temple where God dwells by His Spirit.  Eph 2:19  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20  built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21  in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22  In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION : –

1).       What do you think Paul means by people following the world, the flesh and the devil in verses 1 to 3?  Have these verses any meaning for us personally today?

2).       In verse 6 Paul describes believers as being raised with Christ and seated with Him in the heavenlies. What assurances can we get from that description of ourselves as believers?

3).       Verse 10 tells us that God has good works for us to do. What would stop us from knowing and doing those good works He has for us to do?

4).       There is a lot of hostility in today’s world. What does verse 16 suggest as a way of overcoming the hostility?

5).       From verse 18. What preparation do we need to make to come before God?      

 

 

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034. OUTLINE OF EPHESIANS 1:15-23

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Jim Holbeck

PRAYING FOR OURSELVES AND FOR OTHERS.  (In these verses we can learn HOW to pray; WHAT to pray; WHY we can pray with confidence).

A).       HOW PAUL PRAYED

1.)     With Thanksgiving.  Ephesians 1:15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints. (“Saints = hoi hagioi- the separated ones, believers).  “Love” is agapē, used for God’s love for us and of His love shed abroad through us Romans 5:5.

2).    Regularly And Consistently.  Ephesians 1:16  I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.   (Compare 1Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing). It means a habitual attitude of lifting people to God in believing prayer. 

B).       WHAT WE CAN PRAY FOR OURSELVES AND OTHERS

1).   For People To Come Into A Deeper And More Intimate Knowledge Of God . Ephesians 1:17  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation so that you may know him better). (There is only one thing better than knowing God. That is, knowing Him better! )

2).   For People To Have Their Spiritual Understanding Deepened.  Ephesians 1:18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, (phōtizō = to reveal, illuminate, make known) Spiritual enlightenment.

3).   For People To Know These 3 Vital Aspects Of The Christian Life.  …that you may know

i). what is the hope to which he has called you.  (The certainty about the future knowing that God will fulfil all His promises. Salvation. Acceptance for ever. His Second coming. Eternal glory with Him).

ii). what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. (In His unsearchable riches in Christ.)

iii). what is the immeasurable (huperballon)  greatness (megethes) of his power (dunamis) toward us who believe.  (“Huperballon” also found only in the following, in [ 2Corinthians 3:10  surpassing glory], [2Corinthians 9:14  surpassing grace], [Ephesians 2:7  surpassing riches],  [Ephesians 3:19  love of Christ surpasses knowledge]. Unlike “hyperbole” in English which comes from this word, there is no exaggeration.   His power cannot be measured, nor surpassed, nor ever exaggerated.)

C).  WHY WE CAN PRAY WITH CONFIDENCE FOR OURSELVES AND OTHERS

God Is And Always Will Be All-Powerful.   according to the working (energeia) of his great (kratos) might (ischuos). Paul uses 3 of the great New Testament power words in this one verse.

His power was and is seen in the following:-

i).         In The Resurrection Of Jesus. Eph 1:20  that he worked (energeo) in Christ when he raised (egeiro)him from the dead. (Jesus is Victor over sin, sickness, death and over the powers of darkness.)

ii).        In Seating Jesus In The Heavenlies. and seated (kathizo)him at his right hand in the heavenly places, (In the place of honour, acceptance and authority). (Believers are there with Him too, Eph 2:6)

iii).       In Establishing Him As Lord Of Everything In This Universe.  Eph 1:21  far above all rule (arche) and authority (exousia)  and power (dunamis) and dominion (kuriotētos), and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. (Paul’s point is that no matter what type of power one could imagine, God’s power is so much greater). He IS LORD and MASTER.

iv).       In Putting Everything Under His Ultimate Control.  Eph 1:22  And he put (hupotasso) all things under his feet.  (Conquering kings often placed their feet on the necks of their enemies to show publicly their victory over them.) Jesus has ultimate control over every power in the universe.

v).        In Giving Him To The Church As Lord. and gave him as head over all things to the church.  (He is the head of His body the church as part of having authority over everything in the universe).

vi).       In Making It Possible For His People To Be Filled With His Fulness. Eph 1:23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Fulness = plērōma. ( Other verses using this same word, which speak of the fulness associated with God, are John1:16  And from his fulness we have all received, grace upon grace. Ephesians 1:23  which is his body, the fulness of him who fills all in all.  Ephesians 3:19  and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God. Ephesians 4:13  until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, Colossians 1:19  For in him all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell, Colossians  2:9  For in Christ all the fulness of the Deity lives in bodily form,

(The verb plēroō  to fill is used in Ephesians 5:18  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit). It is also used in Colossians 2:10  and in Christ you have been brought to fulness (literally, have been filled in Him.)  The question to be answered is whether we can receive more of Him or whether we can offer Him more of us to be filled with His presence.)

 SOME SUGGESTED QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

1).      From verse 16. How can we improve our prayer lives to make them more like St Paul’s?

2).      From verse 17.  What is the difference between knowing more about Jesus and knowing Him more deeply? How can we allow the facts about Jesus in His word to bring about a deeper personal trust and confidence in Him?

3).      From verse 18. What is the difference in the way we use the word “hope” in these sentences? “I have the hope of being with God in heaven”.  AND  “I hope the weather is fine tomorrow?”  Why is it important to know the difference?

4).      From verses 19-22. Some Christians have had a discomfort about the use of the word “power” in such terms as “Power Evangelism” and “Power Healing”. Should they be ill at ease about these terms? If not, why not?

5).      From verse 23 and from Ephesians 5:18  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. If God wants to fill us with His fullness, what is our part in that process?

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033. Outline of Ephesians Chapter 1:1-14

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Jim Holbeck

(These outlines were prepared for teaching groups and are suitable for Group Bible Studies and personal Bible Study. They are offered in the hope that they can help busy people get the “over-all message” of blocks of scripture. They are attempts to “rightly divide the word of truth”. There are Notes on individual verses below, and some suggested Questions for consideration.)

EPHESIANS CHAPTER 1:1-14.     WHO WE ARE (AND WHAT WE HAVE) IN CHRIST

WHO WE ARE.  Saints and faithful in Christ.  Eph 1:1  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:  2  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  

WHAT WE HAVE IN CHRIST.  Every spiritual blessing in Him.

  • Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Note:- A specific Christian description of God)
  • who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,  Note:- In verse 3, we have the same word used in three different ways.  (“Blessed be” = adjective, “eulogētos”).  (“Blessed us” = verb, “eulogeō” which can mean to praise).  (“Blessing” = a noun, “eulogia”.)  Our praise to God comes from recognising that He has blessed us in Christ with His blessings.
  • Verses 3 to 14 are one long sentence in the NT Greek. The passage enumerates the blessings God had bestowed on us.  The blessings are from the Father, through the Son and imparted by the Holy Spirit).
  • Note how the section has 3 recurring themes under A, B, and C.

(A).  CHOSEN BY THE FATHER

Eph 1:4  even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

(A).  CHOSEN BY THE FATHER

Eph 1:11  In him we were also chosen,

(A).  CHOSEN BY THE FATHER

Eph 1:13  And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation.

(B).  PREDESTINED TO BELONG

Eph 1:5  he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

 

 (B).  PREDESTINED TO BELONG Eph 1:11  …  having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,) (B).  PREDESTINED TO BELONG Eph 1:13  … When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit

(C).   FOR WHAT PURPOSE?

Praise!  Eph 1:6  to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

Eph 1:7  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

Eph 1:8  which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight

Eph 1:9  making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ

Eph 1:10  as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

(C).   FOR WHAT PURPOSE?

Praise!  Eph 1:12  so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

(C).   FOR WHAT PURPOSE?

Praise!  Eph 1:14  who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory. 

NOTES:-

1:1.“Saints”. More in Ephesians than any other book.  From “holy”.  Means “The separated ones”.1:4. The significance of our identity in Christ. When did it happen?  Why? 1:4.“Blameless’ also in 5:27, of the church.1:5.“Predestined” = proorizō.  Pro = before. Horizō= determine.  Only in Ac 4:28, Rom 8:29,30, Eph 1:5, 11.•              To “sonship”, by adoption.  (All believers are children of God by being born of the Spirit, Jn 1:12-13. All are adopted into full “sonship” by God.)•              “According to the purpose of His will.”  God’s will is not negotiable, nor questionable.  Eudokia = good pleasure, eg., Php 2:13  for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 1:6. Rich meaning of verse. “Grace” = charis. “Blessed” = charitoo from charis. (Graced with grace.) 1:7. Some of the many blessings “In Christ”.  Redemption.  Forgiveness. Grace.  1:9, Understanding of His mysterious will (an open secret in Christ). 1:10,“Union” with Christ and with one another in Him, “anakephalaioō “= to bring under one head. (Also only in Rom 13:9, summing up the latter half of the 10 Commandments.)1:12. “to the praise…”.  Same words as in verse 14.1:13. We believe. God seals. “Sealed” (also in 4:30 “for the day of redemption”.)Signifies ownership and permanence.1:14. “Deposit” = pledge,  2 Cor 1:22, 5:5.  In Modern Greek is an engagement ring.  

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:-

1).       How can meditating and acting on the words of Ephesians 1:3 to 5 help change our attitudes when we are feeling rejected, neglected, or alone? 

2).       What help can verses 6 and 7 give us when we are feeling unclean, guilty or out of fellowship with God? 

3).       Why do we find it difficult sometimes to praise God when God has shown us He wants us to praise Him (verses 6, 12, 14)?   How can we change to become more and more a people of praise?

4).       Do we have an assurance of our salvation? If not, how might the promise in verse 13 help us to have a greater assurance?

5).       How would we answer (from this passage) someone who said to us, “If there is a God then it seems that He has lost control of the world. What do you think?”         

(Further Outlines on Ephesians can be found by clicking on these these links for Eph 1:15-23, Eph 2, Eph 3 summary, Eph 3:1-6, Eph 3:7-13, Eph 3:14-21. )

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032. Suggestions for Searching Through Holbeck Blogs

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Jim Holbeck

Friends recently asked us whether it was possible to find things more easily in the articles. So a search has brought some results. You may find the suggestions useful in searching through the blogs. We have put these in the order in which they appear going down on the right hand side of the articles.

SEARCH.    Using the Search Box at the top on the right hand side of the articles enables you to find names or Bible verses.  For example if you are trying to find where I wrote about Corrie Ten Boom in one of the articles you can type “Corrie” or “Boom”  into the Search box and click on SEARCH to take you to the relevant article.

If you want to find references to the book of Isaiah, you just type “Isaiah” into the search box, click on it and it will take you to all the articles in which Isaiah the person, or scripture references in the book of Isaiah are mentioned.  The same applies to the other books of the Bible. To get quickly to an article you want, for example article number 003,  simply type 003 into the Search Box and click on SEARCH. To find a Hebrew word such as “salach” just type that into the Search Box and click on SEARCH. And so on.

CALENDAR.  This is another new item on the blog page.  It is on the right hand side of the articles below “Recent Posts”.  It shows the current month and below that you can go back to previous months.  Some dates are high-lighted and when you put the cursor over those dates, it shows the number and name of the articles or blogs posted on that date.  If you click on any of those high-lighted dates, it will take you to those articles or blogs.

INDEX.  (Under “Categories”).   I have included an Index on the right hand side of the page under “Categories”, which gives the Number of the Blog, its Title and the Date posted on the internet. The higher the Number, the more recent is the article or blog.  So the first article is numbered 001.  When the Index page is opened fully it is possible to click on the number of the blog you want and it will open up to that blog.

LINKS. I will be endeavouring to provide a link in some of the articles (will be in blue printing) where you can click on it to find more information in a previous article.  For example clicking on this link  will take you to the article on the late John Stott.

I hope these suggestions may be helpful.

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031. John Stott. A Mightily Used But Humble Servant of God

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Jim Holbeck

I heard the words that came from Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few”.  I was listening to a tape of a talk given in Australia by someone named John Stott. It was over 50 years ago. As this man John Stott went on to explain the passage, my life was forever changed. I realised that I was one of those people who was walking on the wide easy road. I suddenly knew that I had to enter by the narrow gate through Jesus that led to life. John Stott was perhaps the most influential person in my conversion some weeks later. From that point I began to listen to the tape of any talk he had given. I read the booklets he had produced.  I felt, “This is reality”. In future years I was to meet him personally on a number of occasions and again I felt “This man is real.” Time only confirmed that conviction. Only God knows how many people have entered into full-time Christian ministry as a result of reading his writings and hearing him open the Word of God at conferences and church services.  

Tributes to him have poured in from all over the world following his death. I add my tribute to that enormous list. Just a couple of little remembrances. I remember John meeting a young teenager during a conference in Australia. He asked John a few questions about the Christian life and later John promised to write to him to encourage him.  He did and the correspondence continued for the next decade or more that I had contact with that lad. I wondered how many International speakers would notice a young teenager at a large conference. How many would take time to speak with a youngster when there were dozens of other “more important” people who wanted to spend time with this famous speaker?  

I used his book, “Your Confirmation” with hundreds of young and older people as I prepared them for Confirmation. I have used his wonderful, well-balanced  commentaries in Bible Studies over the years and for checking on his thoughts on passages for preaching. But one concept has always stuck in my mind among those many treasures. He spoke well over 40 years ago to a group of Christian nurses in Australia. I later heard the tape.  He used the expression “bibline blood”.  I had never heard of a word, “bibline”. The point he made was that we need to feed upon the word of God and to absorb it, so that we have “bibline blood”.  He stressed that God’s word must become part of our life-blood.  It was probably that concept that has influenced my study of the Bible over the years. His encouragement was to soak oneself in the Scriptures so that its truths became personally real to us, and manifest in our everyday living.

For his major contribution to the Christian cause in this world I am profoundly grateful. For these lesser known manifestations of his Christian love and concern I am also deeply grateful. He was “the genuine article” and thousands upon thousands of us around the globe praise God for what He has done through his life and ministry.

Blog No.031.  Jim Holbeck. Posted on Monday 8th August 2011

 

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030. FORGIVENESS. Abundant Pardon. Isaiah 55:6-7

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Jim Holbeck

William stood before me shaking like a leaf. His face was white. His words came out in a torrent, “It’s all true isn’t it? What have I got to do to get right with God?” William was a well-known atheist whose views on life and religion were sought after by the local press. He was one of the most unloving and negative people I have ever met. During lunchtimes at work he would sometimes ask me questions about the Bible and about church life. One day he asked me if he could borrow a New Testament from me. He had later begun to read it during those lunchbreaks.

On this fateful day he read a passage in Hebrews that had these words,   Hebrews 6:4  For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5  and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6  and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. Having read the passage he asked me what I felt those words meant. I tried to explain them as best as I could as a brand-new believer myself.

 I went back to work when suddenly he rushed up to me saying the words above. It appeared that as he continued to read those words, the Spirit of God had convicted him of his rebellion against God over many years. He was desperate to find out what he had to do. It was the first time I had seen someone come directly under the deep conviction of the Holy Spirit as they were confronted with God’s truth. It made the words of John 16:8 come alive to me, “And when he (the Holy Spirit) comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me”.

 I told him I believed he needed to confess his sin and rebellion against God and ask for His forgiveness. He also needed to ask Jesus to come into his life, as I had done some months earlier. He did and that day marked the transition of an avid atheist into a “switched on” believer much to the surprise of his family, neighbours and the few friends he had. It was an amazing transformation as William began to go to church and to read his Bible. He wanted to discover more about this gracious God who had called him from spiritual darkness to Himself. He was later to become a lay preacher in his local church preaching those very truths he had once denied.

William initially found it hard to accept that God could forgive him of ALL his sins. He knew he had been rebelling strongly against the Lord and influencing other people, even members of his own family. He wondered how could God forgive him of all the things he had said against Him over many years. He had thought, “Surely there must be a limit to how far God is willing to forgive me.” 

 William came to understand as he continued to read the Bible that the God from whom he had asked forgiveness was a compassionate, forgiving God. He discovered this truth in verses such as those in Isaiah 55:6-7, “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; 7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. In God’s compassion He abundantly pardons. But God revealed through Isaiah that those who come to Him to receive His mercy and pardon, needed to be sincere in their desire to change. These verses indicate the human initiative required in turning back to God to receive forgiveness.

i).         People are to “seek the Lord”.  The Hebrew word for “seek” is “daras”. It means inquiring of someone such as the Lord in Exodus 18:15  And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God”.  Any seeking after God would bring a reward as in Psalm 34:10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. It can also mean searching for property or animals or a sincere searching into the law of God as in Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. God can be “found” by those actively seeking Him.

ii).        They are to “call upon Him”. The word here is “qara”. The meanings include call, invite, summon, invoke and other shades of meaning. To invoke God is the meaning in Genesis 4:26  …At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD. Humans have the privilege of calling upon God and the responsibility of taking advantage of the opportunity to do so.

iii).       They are to “forsake” their wickedness in action or thought.  “Forsake” in verse 7 is “azab” and means to abandon something. In this verse it meant abandoning their outward rebellious ways and also their inward sinful thoughts. Isaiah accused the people of God of forsaking their God Isaiah 1:4, 1:28, and His way Isaiah 65:11. However God, though He might chastise His people, would not forsake His people who walked in His way,  Isaiah 54:7  For a brief moment I deserted (“azab”) you, but with great compassion I will gather you. 8  In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD, your Redeemer.   These verses describe the character of God as compassionate as in the verses we are looking at in Isaiah 55:7. let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Before we look at God’s “compassion” we see the final response required from those who come to Him for the forgiveness arising from his compassion.

iv).       They are to “return” to Him. The word is “shub” which is used over a thousand times in the Old Testament with different shades of meaning. It is used in Jeremiah 4:1 to indicate God’s call to His people to return to Him,  If you return, O Israel, declares the LORD, to me you should return.  However He was willing to accept any nation that had incurred His anger if it turned from its evil, Jeremiah 18:8  and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. God required people to repent of their sin and to turn to Him. Only then could they experience the fullness of the pardon coming from the compassion of God.

GOD’S COMPASSION.  Isaiah 55:7. “ … let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him.”,

The word used for “have compassion” is from “racham” meaning to love deeply, have mercy, be tenderly affectionate.  God described Himself in Exodus 33:19 as being compassionate. To Moses He said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. The word is used of God’s compassion in restoring His people and in forgiving them. For example in Prov 28:13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy (compassion). And Micah 7:19  He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

 However those who kept on rejecting God and did not turn back  to Him, would not be the recipients of His compassion, eg.,  Isaiah 9:17 Therefore the Lord does not rejoice over their young men, and has no compassion on their fatherless and widows; for everyone is godless and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still. On the other hand those who sincerely longed to walk in God’s way could receive His mercy (compassion),  Isaiah 30:18  Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

 It is no surprise to read that Jesus, as One with His Father, was motivated by compassion in His ministry on earth. He had compassion on the crowds seeing them as being like sheep without a shepherd, Matthew 9:36.  He had compassion on the five thousand (Matthew 14:14) and on the four thousand (Matthew 15:32)  when he saw their needs. He taught the virtue of compassion in the parables He taught such as in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 1:33)and that of the prodigal son where the father has compassion on his long-lost son, (Luke 15:20).

GOD’S ABUNDANT PARDON.  Isaiah 55:7  “let him return to the LORD…  for he will abundantly pardon.

In Isaiah 55:7 the word for “pardon” in “abundantly pardon” is the word (salach) we looked at previously in articles 006 and 007 on this site. It speaks of freedom and forgiveness. “Abundantly” is “rabah” which stresses the magnitude of the pardon offered by God. It is a reminder to us of the amazing grace God has towards those who turn to Him for forgiveness. He doesn’t forgive them reluctantly or ungraciously or in any condescending way. Rather His compassion leads to abundant forgiveness so that there is abundant pardon available for all the sins of all the people.

This was the marvellous truth that William discovered. He had rebelled against God and perhaps had caused others to rebel too. But genuine repentance on his part led to the experience of abundant forgiveness from God.  He really was released from guilt. But he was also highly motivated to pray that those whom he had adversely affected in his life would also cease their rebellion and discover, as he had, the abundant pardon of a loving compassionate God.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: [Added in November 2017]

1]. Do you know any people like William in the story who once weren’t interested in God but who changed to become strong believers? If so, what changed them? Some Bible truth or the witness of a Christian believer or what? Could you share with the group?

2]. Many folk in our world say they “seek the Lord” but later say they haven’t found Him. What advice would you give such people if they came to you for help?

3]. If someone asked you what this verse meant, how would you try to help them understand? Isaiah 55:7 “let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts.” If they asked you how you managed to do it, what would you tell them?

4]. As you look at the verses quoted under the heading “God’s Compassion”, which one really stands out for you personally? Why is that so?

5]. God “abundantly pardons” sinners. Are there some things you think He will not pardon? What sorts of things do you think they might be?   How could people eventually know and experience God’s abundant forgiveness?

Blog No.030.   Jim Holbeck.   Posted on Monday 8th August 2011

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029. FORGIVENESS. Jesus The Anointed, the Messiah Died For Sinners. Isaiah 53:5-6.

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Jim Holbeck

 In a previous article we looked briefly at these verses in Isaiah 53:5-6. Now we will look a little more deeply at their richness. They portrayed what the promised Messiah would do when He came. Isa 53:5 “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” [NIV]

The  Following Things Would Happen To The Coming Messiah

1).           He would be “wounded” [or pierced] for the “transgressions” of the people

“Wounded” in the Hebrew Bible is “chalal”.  It is used of causing a wound in people as in Psalm 109:22 (my heart is wounded within me”.)  Ezekiel 28:9. It is also used of piercing something such as in Job 26:13, a serpent, and in Isaiah 51:9, a dragon. In Ezek 32:26 it is used of being slain by a sword. In other verses in Isaiah it is used of God seeing those opposed to Him as stained, defiled, profane or polluted, Isaiah 23:9, 43:28, 47:6. (It may be that some of that meaning is in mind here as the Messiah is to be defiled or polluted as he is made sin and slain on behalf of the people).

In the Greek Old Testament version, the Septuagint (abbreviated to LXX), the word is from “traumatizō” meaning to wound or to slay, and is used for people being injured (especially by sword or arrows). However most of the references go beyond wounding to being slain.  Overall it seems that the death of the Messiah is in mind here as He is made sin and slain on behalf of the people.

“For their transgressions” .  The word for “transgressions” is the Hebrew word “Pasha”. It means rebellion against fellow humans or against God. It can mean the act itself and the guilt and punishment arising from that action.  The word in the LXX is “anomia” meaning “lawlessness” in general or the sinful act or “transgression”.  It is failure to live according to the will of God. People sin against one another. People sin against God.  People need a Messiah figure to act as their redeemer to set them free from the penalty their sins deserve. God Himself was to provide such a Messiah. He would be wounded, indeed slain for the transgressions of the people.  Only in that way could forgiveness come to those who needed it.  The following phrases add more meaning to this concept.

2).           He would be “crushed” for their “iniquities” instead of them  

The Messiah would be crushed for human iniquities.  “Crushed” is “daka” meaning to bruise, beat down or to oppress. In Isaiah 53:10, Isaiah writes that it was God’s will to crush His Messiah, “Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him.” Why? Because He would be bearing the iniquities of the people.  The Greek Old Testament (LXX) has the word “malakizō“ for “crushed”.  Its main meaning is to be “sick” or “infirm” or “diseased” as we see in the other occurrences in the Old Testament.

What were those sins or iniquities?  The word is “avon” with the meaning of evil, and the guilt and the punishment associated with it. It can stand for deliberate sin or failing to obey God.  The LXX has “hamartia” for iniquities, denoting a failure to fulfil the will of God, or acting in defiance of God’s will and His Laws.

Again we see the Messiah taking the place of the people in bearing not only their sins, but seemingly their punishment as well.

3).           He would bear the “chastisement” upon Himself for their sin, to bring them peace

 “Chastisement “ is “musar” which means discipline, chastening, correction, instruction and punishment. It seems that in many passages where this word is used, people refused God’s correction and thus needed His chastisement or punishment, for example, Proverbs 15:10 Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way; He who hates reproof will die. (NASB).  The LXX appears to have a softer description for “chastisement” with the use of “paideia”.  The word was used for the instruction of children but more generally implied correction for those of all ages.

Isaiah went on to describe the result of the Messiah being chastised for the sin of the people. They would receive peace with God as a result of the Messiah suffering on their behalf, “Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace”. Or in the NRSV, “Upon him was the punishment that made us whole”.

The Hebrew word used for “peace” is “shalom” which has the deeper meaning seen in the NRSV translation.  It can mean completeness, soundness, wholeness, safety, well-being.

The LXX uses “eirēnē” which is the usual word for “peace” in the Greek Old and New Testaments. It too has much of the same depth of meaning.  (In the New Testament we see it used for God as “the God of peace” in Philippians 4:9, who will be with His people. He gives His peace, “the peace of God”, to guard the hearts and minds of the people of God as they present their requests to Him in prayer, Philippians 4:6. Believers know “peace with God”, as they are justified by faith in Jesus Christ, Romans 5:1). All this Jesus made possible in His role as God’s Messiah.

4).           By His “stripes” sinners would be “healed”

“Stripes” is from “chaburah” and can also be translated as blow, bruise, scourging, striking, welts and wounds.  For example in the NASB version, “… by His scourging we are healed” , and in the NRSV, “… by his bruises we are healed”.  In the LXX it is an interesting word “mōlōps” deriving from “mōlos”, a battle, and ōps, an eye or face. It could refer to the welt or bruise from being struck in battle, or to the stripes made by whip lashes.

Peter saw how this Messianic prophecy was fulfilled by what Jesus did on the cross in His death for sinners. He wrote of Jesus in 1Peter 2:22-24, “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. Jesus as the Messiah didn’t die for His own sins for He had none.  Peter concluded, 2:24  He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed”.   “Wounds” here is the same word found in the Greek text of the LXX in Isaiah 53:5.

 “Healed”. What benefit did the Messiah bring to people by His suffering and death on their behalf? Isaiah 53:5 says, “and with his stripes we are healed”. What healing was Isaiah referring to?  The Hebrew word is “rapha”. It has a very rich tapestry of meanings in the Old Testament. It is translated in terms of healing, being made fertile, of being repaired.  God described Himself in Exodus 38:15, “I am the LORD, your healer” where “healer” is a derivative of “rapha”.

In the LXX the word here for “healed” is from “iaomai”.  Again this word has a rich background of meanings including physical and emotional healing, healing of the land and many other meanings. The same word is used in the Greek New Testament for many of those healings as well. It is interesting that in another Messianic passage in Isaiah 61:1 this word is used for the Messiah “healing” the broken hearted. The same word is used in some New Testament manuscripts for Luke 4:18, where Jesus described His ministry as a fulfilment of Isaiah 61:1.

It is amazing how much information about God’s amazing grace to humans is contained in these verses.  Even then we are not able to fully comprehend (or apprehend) the fullness of all God has made freely available to us in His Son Jesus. But at what a cost! The next time we read the words of these verses, I hope we will have a deeper understanding of their meaning, but more importantly a deeper appreciation for the God who sent His Son to die for sinners, and for the Son who wants to become, not only our friend, but also the Lord and Master of our lives.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER [Added November 2017]

1]. Do you think it was “fair” that Jesus [as the Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah] had to be wounded for our transgressions? If not, what other method do you think God could have used to deal with the sin of humankind?

2]. “Jesus was “crushed” on the cross so that we don’t have to feel crushed by sin!” What do you think that saying means? If someone tells you they feel crushed under the weight of their sin, how could you try to help them to get rid of their burden using these truths from Isaiah?

3]. How would you try to explain to an inquirer what these words mean, “the punishment that brought us peace was on Him?” What form did the punishment take and on whom? What sort of peace do you think Isaiah had in mind? Can we experience that peace today? If so, how?

4]. The phrase, “and by his wounds we are healed” seem to indicate that the Messiah’s death would lead to healing for those who trusted God.  What sorts of healing do you think Isaiah had in mind? How could that healing be received?

5]. These truths in Isaiah 53 [about the Messiah dying for the sins of the people] have been in existence for almost 2700 years. Do you think humans today can plead ignorance of the fact that Jesus fulfilled those prophecies 2000 years ago? How could we make those truths more well-known in today’s world?

Jim Holbeck.    Blog No.29.   Posted on Wednesday 3rd August 2011 

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