Ephesians 3-4
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Chapter 3
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you – The word “administration” (oikonomia; cf. v. 9) has the sense of stewardship or a trust to be dispensed. It could be translated dispensation.
3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly – The word mystery is the Greek word mysterion and means something that was previously hidden but now divinely revealed.
10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms – Cf. 1Peter 1:10-12; Luke 15:10; 1Corinthians 4: 9, 11:10.
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – “dwell” – katoikeō – “to settle down and feel at home, to house permanently.”
18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ – Four dimensions of Christ’ love:
How wide is His love? Wide enough to reach everyone! How long is his love? From eternity to eternity!
How high is his love? We are seated in the heavenly realms! How deep is his love? As deep to reach the worst sinner!
Chapter 4
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received – The word “live” peripateō means “to tread all around.” The word “worthy” (axiōs) means “equal weight”.
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love – In the Greek culture, humility was considered to be a vice; a weakness that was only for slaves.
4 There is one body and one Spirit – Cf. Psalm 119:63.
9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? – “Earthly regions?” Scholars are divided: (1) It refers to Christ’s incarnation, His “descent” to the earth. (2) It refers to Christ’s death and His burial in the grave.(3) It refers to Christ descending into Hades between His death and resurrection. (Cf. Matt 12:40; Acts 2:27-28; Luke 16:19-31; 1 Peter 3:18-22
“The early church Fathers said that, after announcing His triumph over demons in one part of Sheol (Hades), He then opened the doors of another part of Sheol (Hades) to release those godly captives. Like the victorious kings of old, He recaptured the captives and liberated them, and henceforth they would live in heaven as eternally free sons of God.” John MacArthur
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers –
Apostles – included the eleven men Jesus called (without Judas), plus others who are called apostles—such as Paul himself (Romans 1:1), Matthias (Acts 1:26), Barnabas (Acts 14:14), Jesus’ brother James (Galatians 1:19), Silas (1 Thessalonians 2:6), Andronicus and Junias (Romans 16:7). The qualifications for being an apostle were to have seen the risen Christ, to have been sent out by Jesus to preach the gospel, and to be building the foundation of the church. Paul also notes “signs, wonders, and miracles” as marks of a true apostle (2 Corinthians 12:12).
Prophets – These people, also laborers on the church’s “foundation” (2:20), had special gifts in ministering God’s messages to his people. At times they would foretell the future (Acts 11:28; 21:9, 11), but more often their job was to exhort, encourage, and strengthen God’s people; to forth tell God’s word (Acts 15:32; 1 Corinthians 14:29).
Evangelists – The traveling ministers, similar to the missionaries of today. They went to non-Christian people and proclaimed the gospel to them, often being the first to start a church in a particular area (Acts 21:8; 2 Timothy 4:5).
Pastors and teachers – Pastors and teachers are best understood as one office of leadership in the church and served in the local churches. Like shepherds, they tended God’s “flock,” handling the day-to-day affairs of their congregation—administering, counseling, guiding, feeding. As the apostolic era came to a close, the office of pastor-teacher emerged as the highest level of local church leadership.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption – In context, grieving the Holy Spirit is lying, stealing, anger, unwholesome talk, bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice etc.
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