The Epistle to the Ephesians

1. Eph 3:14,15 – “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,” For what reason? Does this relate more to Eph 3:1 or to 3:13? Remember, the Jew and Gentile are now one in Christ (Eph 2:19-22)! But perhaps more logically to what immediately precedes the verse? I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, What should we make of this posture of Paul in prayer? More typically prayer was while standing. Mark 11:25 - “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. Luke 18:11 - The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. When knees, more humbled and/or fervent? The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 3:14-17, God the Father and the Riches of His Glory 1 June 17, 2018 Bob Eckel

2. Luke 22:41 – And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, - in Gethsemane Acts 7:60 - Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 9:40 - But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. But in no way are we told when and how to pray! 2 Thess 1:11 - Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, What do you think about the manner in which Paul addresses the throne? to, unto, before – face to face of our Lord Jesus Christ omitted in some translations. from whom (the) whole family in heaven and earth is named, What family? Is this positional truth for the church (McCalley, Clarke, Gill) or does it relate to all families for all times (Wuest, Constable)? Col 1:20 - and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 3:14-17, God the Father and the Riches of His Glory 2 June 17, 2018 Bob Eckel

3. Rom 9:25,26 - As He says also in Hosea: “I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved.”And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, ‘Youarenot My people,’There they shall be called sons of the living God.” Eph 3:16 – “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,” How do you interpret that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, would grant is aorist active subjunctive – why? Is He depending on us here, and if so what is our responsibility? I thought our life In Christ was to bring Him the glory? Is this a two-way street? And to be strengthened is the antithesis to losing heart (Eph 3:13). and with might through His Spirit in the inner man The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 3:14-17, God the Father and the Riches of His Glory 3 June 17, 2018 Bob Eckel

4. What does this look like or how does this happen in our day-to-day experiences? Phil 4:19 - And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Col 1:11 - Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 2 Cor 4:16 - Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. Clarke - ‘The outward man is strengthened by food but the inner man by spiritual and heavenly influences’. How’s your inner man doing? Eph 3:17 – “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,” Doesn’t Christ already dwell in our hearts? Here may dwell is aorist active infinitive – to be interpreted to believe. Followed by through faith. Dwell – set up home in. The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 3:14-17, God the Father and the Riches of His Glory 4 June 17, 2018 Bob Eckel

5. Col 1:19 - For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, The process of being saved. 1 Cor 1:18 - For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. And what is the purpose here? For us to be rooted and grounded in love (agape). Perfect passive participles - by our faith! These verbs are a result of being strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Can you distinguish between being rooted and grounded? Together - the depth of our foundation in Christ? And this establishes our path! Col 2:6,7 - As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Matt 7:24,25 Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 3:14-17, God the Father and the Riches of His Glory 5 June 17, 2018 Bob Eckel