Ephesians 3:11-13To: Ephesians Main MenuTo: Grace Notes Home Page Ephesians 3:11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. ---------- In these verses is one of the Bible's great statements of the Plan of God for every person. We are part of an eternal, comprehensive program which God is accomplishing by means of Jesus Christ. 1. The Lord wants every individual to accept Christ as Savior. The body of Christ (the church) is a university. Christians are the professors (pun intended). Angels are the students. The curriculum is the "wisdom of God." ---------- "According to the eternal purpose" - (prothesin ton aionon), "the purpose of all the ages." This verse continues the statement of verses 9 and 10. It brings missionary activity into the perspective of the overall plan of God. This phrase is used to emphasize the long-term historical overview, the far-reaching plan of God that involves both men and angels. And is is very encouraging for Christians to realize that the Plan of God is so comprehensive. And God's program is centered in the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke 2:13,14 "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the havenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." READ Luke 15:3-10, Joy in heaven over one sinner that repents! The elect angels rejoice with every convert. It is far more important to win the one lost sinner than to win a theological argument with 99 self-righteous people who are negative to the Word of God. Elect angels are in constant battle with demon forces; so they rejoice with every battle won, on earth or in heaven. READ Daniel 10:10-14. Compare "prince of Persia" with "Michael, one of the chief princes...". This is God's historical perspective. We see in years, or at best, centuries. God the Father has an eternal outlook, an eternal plan. Passages like this give a sense of direction, a focus. When Christians first begins learning Bible truth, they often have a very self-centered approach. "How does this doctrine affect ME?" The doctrines of union with Christ, inheritance (Oh, goody!), redemption, edification, are absorbed with the attention focused inwardly. This is not wrong; a person must be informed and stabilized before any ministry can begin. However, edification causes the vision to widen considerably as a Christian grows. The purpose of Christian growth is to enlarge the vision so that it includes others, so that the larger picture is seen, so that the overall plan of God is recognized, as well as one's place in that plan. Homework: read the book of Ephesians as though you were the missionary, as though you were the one responsible not only for evangelism and edification but also for being part of the church's witness to angels. This passage gives us insight into affairs beyond our own noses. It is a passage of production, of outreach, of evangelism, of an eternal viewpoint. ---------- "which he purposed" - (poiew), "which He made, constructed, created, prepared, executed" In this context, (poiew) carries more meaning that the word "purposed". To "purpose" is to have a will to do something. This word refers to actually accomplishing something. God the Father has actually carried out, and He is now accomplishing, His plan. ---------- "in Christ Jesus our Lord" Jesus Christ is the seat and power of the whole Plan. He is the Victor in the spiritual warfare. And recall, we are seated with Him in heavenly places; that is, we have a position in Christ which is the position of ultimate victory. Eph. 2:5,6. READ Rev. 5:9,10; 12:7-12 Ephesians 3:12In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. ---------- "In whom" - in the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything that happens in the Plan of God and in the Christian life occurs "in Christ". It is vital to understand the principles of Union with Christ thoroughly. Topic: Union with Christ ---------- "we have" - present indicative of (echw), "we continually have", "we possess", "we have power over (something)". This word was used in Greek as "to grip", as in a wrestler's hold. ---------- "boldness" - (parreisia). In Greek this is (para) + (reisis). (reisis) is "speech". Hence, "freedom of speech". Acts 4:13 "Now when they saw the boldness (parreisia) of Peter and John ..." The boldness of Peter and John was in their speech. READ John 7:10-13,26 referring to making open speech. Acts 2:29, "Men and brethren, let me freely speak (parreisia) unto you of the patriarch David." The knowledge of God's plan, plus the power of Christ, gives people the courage to speak out, "boldness". It is one thing to have knowledge of doctrine, of theology. But it is major progress in a Christian's life when that edification produces the willingness and courage to witness for Christ. ---------- "and access" - (prosagwgei), "admission into someone's presence" This expression refers to someone who is an "insider", someone who knows the mysteries, someone who is a "member" or "initiate". We Christians are permanently in the Plan of God, therefore we have "access". ---------- "with confidence" - (pepoitheisis). This word comes from the perfect past participle of (peithw), "to persuade, to convince." It refers to the past process of being completely persuaded with the result that one has confidence, conviction, trust. 2 Cor 1:12-15 "For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly toward you. "For we write none other things unto you, that what you read or acknowledge; and I trust you shall acknowledge even to the end; "As also you have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as you also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus. "And in this confidence (pepoitheisis) I was minded to come unto you before, that you might have a second benefit;" Note that here Paul views the Corinthians as in the permanent Plan of God, "ours in the day of the Lord Jesus," and has confidence based on knowledge of God's eternal plan and a vision of the invisible day of the Lord. ---------- "by the faith of Him" - literally, "through faith in Him" Faith is the means of access into Grace. Union with Christ depends upon a person's faith in Jesus Christ and His substitutionary atonement on the Cross. It is this confidence which allows Paul to encourage the Ephesians (in verse 13) not to "faint" at the trials he is going through, because he is enduring them with supreme confidence. Ephesians 3:13There was no need for the Ephesians to be upset at what Paul was going through (his imprisonment). He had a powerful source of strength. "wherefore" - "for this reason", "on this account" Paul keeps us thinking about the source of courage and boldness and our nearness to God ("access"). He explains how he is strengthened, and he passes this confidence along to his readers. Confidence breeds confidence. A leader can draw attention to the big picture and, especially when times are tough, give his subordinates confidence in the outcome. ---------- "I desire" - present middle indicative of (aitew), "I request", "I ask", even "I demand" Paul does not flail people with his authority, but he does expect volitional action! ---------- "that ye faint not" - from (egkakew), "to lose spirit; to be faint-hearted or fearful; to be despondent". There is always every reason to be encouraged in the Christian life. o We have eternal life. So this passage says, "Get your mind up out of your soul's center; stop being introspective; look up! See what God is doing! See how you fit in to His plan!" READ Rev. 2:1-3 READ especially 2 Cor. 4:1-18 READ Gal. 6:7-10; Isa. 40:29-31; 41:10-13 Topic: DEPRESSION ---------- "at my tribulations for you" The Ephesians Christians may have had an extra burden because Paul had been arrested the second time in Ephesus, and he was transported from there to his second imprisonment. ---------- "which is your glory" Paul himself rejoiced in his trials, so he wanted to give the Ephesians a perspective on suffering. The better they understood this, the less they would give way to weakness and discouragement ... hence, the greater would be their reputation (testimony) as unto the Lord. Topic: SUFFERING ******************** Summary of passage: Ephesians 3:11 According to the purpose of all ages which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, Ephesians 3:12 In whom we possess the boldness to speak out and perfect confidence through faith in Him. End of Lesson 18Warren Doud [ Grace Notes ] 1705 Aggie Lane, Austin, Texas 78757 Phone: 512-458-8923 E-Mail: wdoud@bga.com |
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