Eph 4:17-32

Chapters 1-3 are the doctrinal foundation; chapters 4-6 are the practical application

• Used chapters 2-3 and a section in 5 to support a workshop on getting into the word more deeply

Last week 4:1-16

• Extensive section on "unity" -- next best section is found in Jesus' prayer in John 17
  • Related to the key in Chapter 2 of Gentile and Jew now united in the church, same family, and same citizenship
  • Seven elements of unity: 1) one body; 2) one Spirit; 3) one hope; 4) one Lord; 5) one faith; 6) one baptism; and 7) one God and Father of all

• While each believer has received grace, we have receive different gifts
  • In context, the purpose of the gifts is to promote unity
  • Result of the proper exercise of gifts is unity, knowledge, and maturity
  • Then indirectly, stability in their faith, and maintaining love in their speech and conduct

Eph 4:17-19 (NIV) So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

Interesting comment. Gentiles and Jews are now part of one body, but they must not live as Gentiles do. How does Paul characterize Gentiles, in general?

• Notice that emphasis is on the intellectual aspect of the faith

1. Their thinking is futile -- from a Greek word meaning empty or worthless
2. Their understanding is darkened -- lack of purpose leads to a darkened understanding of life
• Darkened means that you can't see clearly
• Cause and effect are reinterpreted from your worldview
• Instead of God, life is naturally random and without meaning. Purposelessness leads to a philosophy of purposelessness
3. Their hearts are hardened

• They are separated from the life of God -- meaning? They can't understand life from God's perspective, which is truth, because they deny absolute truth
• by ignorance -- meaning? They don't understand
• caused by hardened hearts -- meaning? Hardening usually refers to the effect of sin in a person's life
• Matt 13:15 For this people's heart has become calloused; // they hardly hear with their ears, // and they have closed their eyes. // Otherwise they might see with their eyes, // hear with their ears, // understand with their hearts // and turn, and I would heal them.'
• Ezek 12:2 "Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people.
• Rom 1:24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.

SUMMARIZE:

• Think -- we need God's word so that we have the proper foundation
• Understand -- understand life from God's eternal perspective and not from our earthly point of view
• See -- things differently and react accordingly
• Avoid -- we avoid our former effort to be happy

Eph 4:20-24 (NIV) You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Paul reminds the Ephesians that they didn't come to know Christ that way. First, what is "that way?"

• Living a life of sensuality; indulging in impurity; lusting for more

But, that is the way they lived before Christ. So, what does he mean by "come to know Christ?"

• He is referring not to salvation, but rather to their initial growing in their relationship to Christ
• Or their early sanctification
  • Many people show a huge transformation in lifestyle when they first come to Christ
  • Sometimes, years later, they fall back into old sins and habits, for a variety of reasons
    • Laziness
    • Lack of fellowship
    • Temptation
    • Stop growing and getting into the word

Paul reminds them of the early teaching, after they came to faith. What was that teaching?

• In regard to their former life (i.e., as opposed to …)
• Put off old self -- meaning to disassociate from particular habits and possibly relationships
• Recognize that deceitful desires (our flesh) will corrupt us -- I have a new enemy and that enemy is me
• We need to be made new in the attitude of our minds
  • Rom 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.

• We need to put on new habits, add new things -- such as?
  • Daily putting to death sins (as God reveals)
  • Daily bible reading
  • Daily prayer
  • Regular fellowship
  • Service to others
  • Sharing our faith

Eph 4:25-28 (NIV) Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

A new mind and a new attitude are the first priority. But they should leave to new behavior. If the behavior is lacking, the problem is not in the doing but in the being

• We need to be renewing our mind (consistently in the word)
• We need to be taking simple steps of obedience (consistently applying the word)

Then we should see change. What are the changes that Paul expects?

• Put off falsehood and speaking truthfully -- not lying, not shading the truth
  • One exception to this would be if your words might hurt the other. If the words hurt because of some sin you are addressing, the hurt should not be in how you addressed it, but rather in the action
  • If the words hurt because of how or what you expressed, possibly something unnecessary, then I would say that violates the greater command, "to love your neighbor as yourself"

• Don't hold on to anger. There are times when anger is necessary. There are times when anger is a normal human reaction, but …
  • What happens when you are always angry about the same thing?
    • Bitterness
    • Evil thoughts toward the other
    • Gossip

• Don't steal, but work. Do useful work with your hands, and share with others
  • What is stealing? Taking something that is not yours
  • Stealing can also be getting something that you don't deserve. This can also be the definition of Grace. What is the difference?
    • Did I make an effort to provide for my self?
    • Was my laziness the cause for my need?
  • Sometimes we do more harm than good when we rescue people from their sin. We essentially cut short God's work in their lives

Eph 4:29-32 (NIV) Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Some more examples of a transformed life include what?

• Helpful speech -- meaning, speech that builds others up
  • Unwholesome comes from the Greek word "sapros" meaning rotten, worthless (literally or morally)
  • Eph 4:29 (AMP) Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it.

• Not grieving the Holy Spirit
  • In context, it would seem that our speech is what grieves the Holy Spirit. In the verses that follow, rebellion, stubbornness, and resistance are discussed
  • Ps 78:40 How often they rebelled against him in the desert and grieved him in the wasteland!
  • Isa 63:10 Yet they rebelled // and grieved his Holy Spirit. // So he turned and became their enemy // and he himself fought against them.
  • Mark 3:5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.
  • Acts 7:51 "You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!
  • What is God telling me to do, and what am I resisting, rebelling, or being stubborn about?

• Finally 6 things to avoid and 3 to add
  • Get rid of bitterness -- when we let life's past outcomes negatively influence today
  • Get rid of rage and anger -- uncontrolled emotional responses to not getting what we want in life. Yes, anger happens, but this is "over the top"
  • Get rid of brawling and slander -- taking someone on with the purpose of hurting or getting even for some hurt in the past
  • Get rid of every form of malice -- evil thoughts toward others to hurt them
  • Add kindness -- soft answers, pleasant personality
  • Add compassion -- seeing life and pain from the other person's perspective
  • Add forgiveness -- forgiving others as God constantly forgives us. No limits. No regrets

Class Notes, Eph 3:14-21

Eph 3:14-16 (NIV)  For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

• This is Paul's second prayer, the first being 1:15-23.  How is this one different than the first?
• Wiersbe: In the first, the emphasis is on enlightenment, and the second, the emphasis is on enablement.  More of an emphasis on being as opposed to knowing
• My thought: the first focused on our position and our status, i.e., what we have in Christ.  The second focuses on experiencing, growing, and being

• Paul says "for this reason," what is the reason?
• Verse 1 also says "for this reason," but then discusses the mystery and his part in it.  So, the reason, must go back still to chapter two
• The reason is summed up in 2:19, 20
• Gentiles are not foreigners and aliens but fellow citizens with God's people
• Gentiles are members of God's family
• This new relationship, called the church, is built upon new testament teaching with Jesus as the cornerstone (OT law is nailed to the cross, abolished (but brought to fulfillment, terminus by Jesus)
• The church, composed of Gentiles and Jews, is a new temple
• Individually, we are also temples of God
• This reason causes Paul to talk about his special part as a messenger of this mystery
• This reason causes Paul to fall to his knees in prayer

• Some verses on kneeling.  There is no required way to pray, but I think at times, it is good to break out of our habits.  Here are some verses to consider
• Ps 95:6 Come, let us bow down in worship, // let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
• Luke 22:41 He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,
• Acts 7:60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.
• Acts 9:40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.
• Acts 20:36 When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.
• Acts 21:5 But when our time was up, we left and continued on our way. All the disciples and their wives and children accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray.

• What does it mean to you, the phrase, "the whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name"
• Goes back to chapter 2: citizens of one nation; members of one family
• We do care for our names and how we represent it, and how others represent it
• Do we really think about the fact, that we have a new last name?
• Do we live as if we are representing God's family?
• Do we realize that the last name includes those in heaven?  I wondered if that referred to angels

• One other thing from this passage.  How is Paul's prayer different from the typical public prayer you might hear?
• It is focused on spiritual things and not material things
• It is not about changing our circumstance but about us growing in Christ

• How would you explain this first prayer or put in your words?
• Eph 3:16 (NLT) I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
• (mine) God, who has unlimited resources, would give me power through the Holy Spirit, which already resides within me
• A couple of implications come out of this verse
• One, just having the HS, doesn't mean you have power
• Two, power to live the Christian life does come from the HS
• Three, we need to pray for power, but I think we also need to feed the spiritual soul
• Eph 5:18-20 (NIV) Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Col 3:16-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
• Do you see the similarity in these two verses?  The difference is that one says to be filled with the Spirit, and the other says to let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.  I think that the way we fill ourselves with the spirit is to dig deep into the word of God

Eph 3:17-19 (NIV) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

• The reason we need the Holy Spirit's strength is what, and what does that mean to a believer who already has the HS as a deposit and guarantee of their salvation (Eph 1:13,14)?
• Greek word for dwell, katoikeo, means to house permanently, to reside.
• I think there is a difference between Christ, in your house, and Christ living in your house.  While Christ's presence is permanent, we can treat him as a guest, or as the owner of the house
• MYCH: Letting him clean up each room; giving him access to our secret places; giving him the title (Lordship)

• Now, Paul uses a double metaphor, an agriculture and architectural word (rooted and grounded -- Clarke).  Why the two terms and how does it give meaning to thought?
• Rooted in love: our source of nourishment for our souls in the love of God for us
• Grounded in love: our foundation of our Christian life is built upon the love of God for us

• And so with this foundation in love, Paul prays for power to grasp the depth of God's love for us
• The architectural metaphor continues with the description (breadth, height, …).  An immediate reference may have been the huge temple to Diana (?) at Ephesus.  Paul is saying that God's love for us exceeds the largest structure we can imagine
• The love is not understood how?  Not through knowledge, but through experience and revelation from God
• Slight contradiction, but it actually makes sense.  Paul is asking that we might the know the what can't be known, understand what cannot be understood

• Why does Paul so desire for us to understand the love of God for us?
• It would affect our lives
• It would make us thankful
• …

• Christianity is not a Religion, it is a Relationship.  And it is only truly understood as a relationship.  As long as we view it as a lifestyle (things to do/not to do), or a belief system (what to believe), we miss out on the reality of what it truly is -- it is a personal relationship with the God of the universe.  All else is idols and false teaching

Eph 3:20-21 (NIV) Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

• The doxology here is also a summary.  What is Paul's finishing points?
• God is exceedingly powerful
• God is able to do beyond what we ask
• God is able to do beyond what we imagine
• God's immeasurable power is within us
• God is working within us
• God is to be glorified

Eph 3:1-13, Stewardship & Mysteries

Ephesians 3:1–2 (ESV) — 1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of 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,


• Incidentally, this is another long sentence that runs from verse 2 through verse 13
• For what reason?
• The reason seems to be to tell Gentiles, who believe, that they are fellow citizens and fellow members of God's household
• To tell them (the church) of their glorious future
• What is unusual about Paul's description of his status?
• Paul is a prisoner of Jesus, not of the Romans
• Paul is a prisoner, not because of some legal trespass, but for the sake (good) of the Gentiles
• Greek word for administration is oikonomia.  It is translated administration or dispensation.  It specifically means a "religious" economy
• Paul calls his ministry, the dispensation of God's grace.  This is one of the key verses for Dispensational theology.  Those who hold to dispensational theology argue that there are seven dispensations.  Each dispensation God administers his economy, his rule, his authority, and his program in a different way.  Salvation is always by faith in God.  And salvation is always by grace accomplished through Christ' work on the cross
1. The dispensation of innocence or freedom (Adam & Eve)
2. The dispensation of conscience or self-determination (up to the flood)
3. The dispensation of civil government (Noah up to Abraham)
4. The dispensation of promise or patriarchal rule (Patriarchs)
5. The dispensation of law (Israel)
6. The dispensation of grace (Church)
7. The dispensation of kingdom or millennium (Rule of Christ)
• Each dispensation is characterized by some chief spokesman, man's responsibility, man's test, man's failure, man's judgment, and God's display of grace
• "God's principles do not change, but His methods of dealing with mankind do change over the course of history." (Wiersbe)
• So when Paul says, "surely you have heard," we recognize two things
• One, since he did know them, after a previous work was started, he must be referring to his work afterwards -- which confirms his calling
• Two, there is something specific to which he is referring.  It seems to be more than just a ministry and so does seem to support the contention of dispensationalists


Ephesians 3:3–6 (ESV) — 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.


• Now we come to one of the best definitions of the word mystery, and a very specific and plain description of one mystery.  What is a mystery?
• Something revealed now that has not been fully revealed to prior generations
• Revealed to the apostles and prophets (notice the order of the words again)
• As discussed last week, these prophets are not OT prophets
• Last week, we argued on the basis of the order of the words, and that the foundation of the church is built upon the NT (NOT THE OT LAW)
• This week, it is even more clear that the word prophets does not refer to the OT
• Now, the fact that Gentiles would become believers is not a mystery.  What is the mystery?
1. Through the gospel (not the law)
2. Gentiles are fellow heirs
3. Gentiles and Jews are members of one body (the church is also a mystery)
4. Gentiles and Jews share together the promise in Jesus Christ
• Dispensation position is that the mystery is the church.  It is represents a hiatus in God's dealing with Israel on earth.  It is a completely new entity, not revealed in the OT
• Most covenant theologians and amillennialists see the church as God's progressive unfolding of his kingdom program on earth.  Some call the church the new Israel.  They also say the church was revealed in the OT, not by that name, but as a future stage in the earthly kingdom of God (in this way they interpret OT promises to Israel and David, as to the church, and not to Israel)
• Some argue that Christ already rules in David's stead, and in the future he will rule on earth
• He has already hinted at this mystery in 1:9 (all things under one head).  Though this mystery (1:9) seems more expansive.  There are other mysteries
• Mystery of the Kingdom
1. The Parable of the Sower
2. The Parable of the Seed Growing of Itself
3. The Parable of the Tares
4. The Parable of the Mustard Seed
5. The Parable of the Leaven
6. The Parable of the Treasure
7. The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
8. The Parable of the Net
9. The Parable of the Householder
• Church Mysteries
• Seven stars and seven candles
• Rev 1:20 (NIV) The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
• Body of Christ
• Eph 3:1-12 Jews and Gentiles together
• Indwelling Holy Spirit
• Colossians 1:26–27 (ESV) — 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
• Bride of Christ
• Ephesians 5:31–32 (ESV) — 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
• Translation
• 1 Cor 15:51-52 (NIV) Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
• Israel's hardening
• Rom 11:25-26a (NIV) I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved,
• "Satanic Mysteries"
• Babylon
• Rev 17:5-6 This title was written on her forehead: // MYSTERY // BABYLON THE GREAT // THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES // AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.// 6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.
• Lawlessness
• 2 Thessalonians 2:7–8 (ESV) — 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.
• Defeat of Satan
• Rev 10:7 (NIV) But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."


Ephesians 3:7–9 (ESV) — 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. 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, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,


• The Greek word for servant is diakonos, or deacon or minister.  Emphasizes service
• Outside of the savior, Paul is the key figure in the establishment of the church on earth in all history.  And yet how does Paul see himself?
• Paul's Roman name, Paulus, is Latin for "little" or "small."  We have already noted that by another story where he is mistaken for Hermes
• He is not referring to his size here but his worthiness
• It is a very unusual expression, "a comparative of the superlative" (Martin, Thayer)
• Common term in poetry but regarded as faulty in prose.  Constable translates it literally, "the leaster"
• NT:1647 elachistoteros, less than the least, lower than the lowest (Thayer)
• Put in your words, what is Paul saying in verses 7-9
• "I have no idea why God chose me.  I am so undeserving.  There are far greater men than me.  They are more spiritual, more godly, more everything.  I did so much that was wrong.  But for some reason, grace, God used me as his instrument of change to carry the message of this mystery to a new generation of people"


Ephesians 3:10–13 (ESV) — 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. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 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.


• The church is a mixture of groups that don't normally fit together.  The world has struggled with diversity, but the church, the true church, has from the beginning exemplified diversity
• "The church as a multi-racial, multi-cultural community is like a beautiful tapestry. Its members come from a wide range of colourful backgrounds. No other human community resembles it. Its diversity and harmony are unique." (Stott)
• What are God's purposes?
• The church is an example to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms
• The Jews' rejection of their Messiah resulted in the postponement (from the human viewpoint) of the messianic (Davidic) kingdom and the beginning of the church. (Constable, 2010)
• Why might the Ephesians be discouraged?
• The key person for their faith was arrested
• Possibly persecution was increasing
• Possibly there was a hostile reaction to the message of the gospel as it expanded
• APPLICATION: It is easy to see history today and become discouraged.  But God's purposes will not be thwarted.  From a human perspective, and even a Christian human perspective, we really can't tell what God is doing.  But we do have a promise and a future hope that is based on God's word!

Eph 2:11-22

We come to Christ individually, but we are a part of a larger corporate calling

Eph 2:11-13 (NIV) Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

• The comparison between "uncircumcised" and "the circumcised" is really what? Jew and Gentile
• From an outsider looking in, what is Paul reminding the Gentile believers as compared to the Jewish people?
• Prior to the cross, great differences exit
• Key words: "without" and outside"

• There are five privileges discussed which Gentiles did not enjoy but Jewish believers partook
• Gentiles were separate from the Messiah (no national or corporate hope for a savior)
• Gentiles were excluded from citizenship in Israel. Individuals could, but not nations
• They had no direct part in the promises of God
• Gentiles had no corporate future
• Gentiles were separated from God

• Interesting point here theologically between covenant theology and dispensational theology
• Covenant theology stresses the continuity between the two groups
• Dispensational theology stresses the differences between the two groups

Eph 2:14-18 (NIV) For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

• An interesting discussion is, what barrier is Paul referring to?
• The courtyard of the temple separated Jew from Gentile. But the courtyard still existed (at least for a while after Christ' death)
• The curtain that separated the holy place from the holy of holies did not separate Jew and Gentile, but man from God. That curtain was figuratively destroyed at the cross
• In the past, God made a distinction between peoples in his dealing with mankind
• The Jews were supposed to live in such a way to carry his light to the world, but they failed
• Now, God is dealing with mankind in a different way (a new administration or dispensation)

• The Mosaic law created the separation between the two groups. The dietary restrictions and laws creating separation created animosity
• What happened to the Mosaic law? It is abolished. The Greek word means "rendered inoperative." I.e., it is no longer God's standard for regulating the life of his people
• Rom 10:4 (NIV) Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
• Heb 10:1-4 (NIV) The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming — not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, 4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
• Col 2:13-14 (NIV) 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
• 2 Cor 3:6-8 (NIV) He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant- — not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. // 7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?
• God's first purpose was to create one new man -- the church
• Believing Jews become Christians
• Believing Gentiles become Christians

• God's second purpose was to terminate the hostility between Jew and Gentile
• It's still exists today
• But for the most part, among the church, the hostility is gone
• In fact, the church is one of the few supporters Israel has

• Lastly, Jew and Gentile both share equally in one great privilege
• They both have equal access to God

Eph 2:19-22 (NIV) Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

• Prior to the cross, Gentiles were aliens (strangers, foreigners) in relation to believers of former ages
• Paul compares the church to a temple
• Jesus Christ is the cornerstone
• The apostles and the NT prophets (since prophets follow Jesus and the apostles) are the foundation
• Practical principle: the church is built on the NT scriptures (not the OT scriptures)
• Example and Principle of use of the OT
• Rom 15:1-4 (NIV) We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
• Teaching is to bear with the weak, and to seek our neighbors good. Christ did not try to please himself. An OT verse prophesied that fact. We can learn from the example of those in the OT on how to endure. We can be encourage by the things they dealt with in their life and relationship with God. But NT theology should come from the NT and not the OT. It can be bolstered by prophecy, but it must have its foundation in the NT
• Each believer is another brick in the building, called the church, which is to glorify God
• This is the church universal, as opposed to the local church
• But God also lives in each one of us, and each of us are building a temple with our lives to please and glorify God

• God's plan for believers included the building of a new entity after Jesus Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension (cf. Matt. 16:18). It was to be the church. The church is not just a continuation and modernization of Israel under a new name but a new creation (v. 15). In it Jewish and Gentile believers stand with equal rights and privileges before God. Membership in this new body is one of the great blessings of believers in the present age along with our individual blessings (vv. 1-10). Paul glorified God for that blessing in this section of Ephesians. (Constable)
• "I wonder if anything is more urgent today, for the honour of Christ and for the spread of the gospel, than that the church should be, and should be seen to be, what by God's purpose and Christ's achievement it already is— a single new humanity, a model of human community, a family of reconciled brothers and sisters who love their Father and love each other, the evident dwelling place of God by his Spirit. Only then will the world believe in Christ as Peacemaker. Only then will God receive the glory due to his name." (Stott)
• Diversity is a great ideal, but really it should be the church that shows true love and acceptance for diversity