The crown jewel of St. Paul’s writing!

The divinest composition of man!

The most authoratative and grandest expression of the Christian faith!

These are some of the ways that theologians and pastors like C.H. Dodd, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and John Calvin used to describe the book of Ephesians. There are at least three major themes in this opening portion of Ephesians: 1) Chosen or predestined, 2) Spiritual blessings in Christ, and 3) Praise to the glory of God.

The idea of chosen or predestined is seen in verses 4, 5, and 11. Traditionally, the emphasis of being chosen or predestined has been interpreted from an individual perspective. What we mean by that is I have (or you have) been chosen and predestined to be saved. But perhaps a better way to understand this concept is that God has chosen and predestined the Church (collective) to be the means by which He will bring all things together under Christ (v10). The emphasis here is on corporate election. You and I (or anyone for that matter) become part of God’s chosen when we are united with Christ (make a profession of faith to follow Christ). This view doesn’t minimize the love of God by any means but rather, it elevates the importance of the Church (which Paul will expound on in the 2nd half of Ephesians).

It was a great weekend together! On Friday night, we had the opportunity to hear about Steve and Jennifer’s ministry in Sierre Leone. Then, like one of those drones that can soar up high to give a breathtaking view of the landscape, on Sunday, we had the opportunity to take a ‘bird’s eye view’ of the entire book of Ephesians. As Thomas recited it in its entirety, we listened; much like the original audience would have listened to Paul’s letter read at their worship gatherings. Hopefully, we now have a better sense of the themes, the flow, and the overall coherence, and logic of the letter. What I appreciated about Thomas’ presentation (apart from being amazed at his ability to memorize it) was the tone, the inflection, the pauses that brought out Paul’s heart and passion that you just cannot pick up as readily if you simply read it with our eyes. There is something very special about listening to Scriptures read to you. We need to do both; read and listen, but in our day and age, we need to be more intentional in hearing the Word of God read to us. What struck you this past Sunday as you heard the book of Ephesians presented?

We’ve come to the end of the book of Genesis. It is a grand conclusion to the story of Joseph, Jacob, and the brothers.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

(Gen 50:20)

It is also a fitting summation of the whole book of Genesis and this truth carries us into the stories of the rest of the Old Testament and New Testament. But the one who embodied this in the fullest way, is of course, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus suffered the harmful and evil intentions of humanity on the cross, but God turned it into good, the saving of many lives, for those who put their faith and trust in Him.