Easter - Raised to Walk
Zach Terry
Ephesians 1:15-2:10
CONTEXT: Paul wrote this letter sometime between 60 and 62, from prison in Rome. Now some of Paul's letters were very contextually specific. 1 Corinthians for example deals with issues that were very specific to the Christians in the Corinthian context. Philemon was written as a personal letter to deal with one specific situation.
But other letters, like this one, was probably expected to circulate throughout all of the churches. We believe this for a couple of reasons...
1. The phrase, "who are at Ephesus" is not in many early manuscripts. Since Ephesus was the first and greatest city in Asia Minor, this letter has always been associated with that church. But it was likely copied and forwarded to the other churches of the region.
2. Also, unlike many of Paul's letters, there is no mention of a local situation or individual believer. Very few greetings in this letter.
So, it is likely that Paul knew this would be circulated to many churches, even to us here today. So his approach is very ACADEMIC. He is going to define and codify the faith.
The first readers had heard the story of Christ, they were moved to believe it. But frankly, they didn't really understand it.
While ignorance can be bliss it can also be very dangerous, especially in eternal matters. Paul is going to educate them, deliver them from their ignorance.
Notice how he begins in 1:15
TEXT: Ephesians 1:15-23(ESV)
15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
So Paul is overjoyed, he is praising and thanking God that these people have had an experience with God and have responded positively to the story of Christ. But Paul is also asking God to do something for them... what does Paul pray?
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you
the Sp ...
Zach Terry
Ephesians 1:15-2:10
CONTEXT: Paul wrote this letter sometime between 60 and 62, from prison in Rome. Now some of Paul's letters were very contextually specific. 1 Corinthians for example deals with issues that were very specific to the Christians in the Corinthian context. Philemon was written as a personal letter to deal with one specific situation.
But other letters, like this one, was probably expected to circulate throughout all of the churches. We believe this for a couple of reasons...
1. The phrase, "who are at Ephesus" is not in many early manuscripts. Since Ephesus was the first and greatest city in Asia Minor, this letter has always been associated with that church. But it was likely copied and forwarded to the other churches of the region.
2. Also, unlike many of Paul's letters, there is no mention of a local situation or individual believer. Very few greetings in this letter.
So, it is likely that Paul knew this would be circulated to many churches, even to us here today. So his approach is very ACADEMIC. He is going to define and codify the faith.
The first readers had heard the story of Christ, they were moved to believe it. But frankly, they didn't really understand it.
While ignorance can be bliss it can also be very dangerous, especially in eternal matters. Paul is going to educate them, deliver them from their ignorance.
Notice how he begins in 1:15
TEXT: Ephesians 1:15-23(ESV)
15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
So Paul is overjoyed, he is praising and thanking God that these people have had an experience with God and have responded positively to the story of Christ. But Paul is also asking God to do something for them... what does Paul pray?
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you
the Sp ...
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