Here is my commentary on Ephesians . I am publishing these once or twice a week, but you can read all of the available articles at our web-site, http://www.new-life.org.au

Ephesians- Halftime

As we come to the half- way point on this journey through Ephesians, it is good to review what we have seen so far.

As in most of his letters, Paul start with the big picture issues such as the nature of salvation, Jesus, God, the church and so on. Only after talking about these issues does he move on to the practical issues such as relationships in the church, and how to relate to others in the light of what has gone before. In other words, we need good theology to establish good practice.

A few things stand out in the first half of Ephesians.

Firstly, God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. There is nothing that the Father would hold back from us. In fact, He can do more for us than we can ask or even imagine. We need to walk in the knowledge that He is a good Father.

Secondly, our relationship with God is His doing, not ours. We were chosen and predestined, and God sent His Son to be our Saviour. All we can do is believe and receive His gift.

Thirdly, God is building His church. In Christ, He has united Jews and Gentiles by providing the one means of salvation, that is, the cross of Christ. The church is the household of God, the temple of the Lord.

Fourth, the Good News of Jesus Christ is a new revelation. In the past, it was a mystery to be revealed. It was clear that we needed a remedy for sin, but nobody could imagine how it would come to pass. There were hints and unclear pictures given in the Old Testament, but after the death and resurrection of Jesus, it became obvious at last.

Finally, in his prayer at the end of chapter 3, the concept of the measureless love of God becomes the focus. We can be rooted and established in this love, and we can gain an appreciation for it. As we learn to receive this love, we can be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Here is my commentary on Ephesians 3:21. I am publishing these once or twice a week, but you can read all of the available articles at our web-site, http://www.new-life.org.au

Ephesians 3:21

“To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen”

This verse concludes the doxology started in v. 20 and the prayer that commenced in v. 14.

To him[God] be the glory and in the church and in Christ Jesus.

The Church [the ekklesia, or “the elect,” or “the called out ones”] exists to bring glory to God. It does this in a number of different ways.

Firstly, by its existence the church is a testimony to the redeeming grace of God. The fact that millions of people from all nations gather together to proclaim the salvation that came from the death and resurrection of Christ is, in itself, glorification or an honouring of the Lord through space and time .

We were lost in sin with no hope of redemption. Satan, the accuser, reckoned that his strategy of destroying the race that was designed to carry the image of God had triumphed. Then there was the cross and the resurrection of Jesus. The church is a visible sign of the victory of God over sin.

Secondly, the church glorifies God through it’s praise and worship. “Where two or three are gathered in my name there I am in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20) Weekly the church sings praises to God, it proclaims Christ as its Saviour and Lord, and it celebrates the sacraments of baptism and holy communion in joyful obedience to Christ.

Thirdly, the church glorifies God by preaching to unbelievers and encouraging them to follow Christ. The kingdom of God, that is the church, is constantly growing as christians share the Good News with all people .

Paul links the glory of God in the church with Christ Jesus. This suggests that the glory of God being displayed in the church is similar in nature to that displayed in Christ. We glorify God in the same kind of way that Jesus did.

This should not surprised us as the church is the Body of Christ. The church is the present visible representation of Jesus Christ in the world and therefore glorifies God in the same way that Jesus did.

The peak of Jesus’ glorification was his crucifixion. It was his obedience even to death on the cross that glorified both Father and Son. When christians are prepared to lay down their lives for the sake of the gospel, they are glorifying the Father in the same way that Jesus did .

Paul asks that God be glorified in the church for all generations, for ever and ever.

The gospel is not about history. The effect of the Cross, while historical, extends through the generations.

God promised to Israel that He would bless those who are righteous to a thousand generations. We have a promise from God that He will bless all generations into the future.

The generations are to glorify God in the church. As long as the church is faithful in its witness, there will be people who will bring glory to God. Our work for God now is not limited to the present, but it will continue through the generations – not just the next one or two generations, but all generations.

To emphasise the point, Paul repeats it with the words, “ for ever and ever.” The church is not just a short-term endeavour. It is not just limited to the life of the Earth. It will continue to eternity. We will share in fellowship and worship together for ever.

So the church, “ the called out ones,“ lives now to glorify God and will continue that task for ever and ever. Now we do this Imperfectly, but we shall see Him face to face and we will then give perfect praise to God.

Key points in this verse

• God wants the church to glorify his name now and for ever
• We are the Body of Christ and continue His mission of bringing glory to the Father