TheMacArthurNEWTESTAMENTCOMMENTARY

EPHESIANS

MOODYPRESSCHICAGO

©1986byTHEMOODYBIBLEINSTITUTE

OFCHICAGOAll rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any formwithout permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of briefquotationsembodiedincriticalarticlesorreviews.Unlessnotedotherwise,allScripturequotationsinthisbookarefromTheNewAmericanStandardBible,©1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,and1977byTheLockmanFoundation,andareusedbypermission.

LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData

MacArthur,JohnF.Ephesians.

(TheMacArthurNewTestamentcommentary)

1.Bible.N.T.Ephesians—Commentaries.I.Title.II.Series:MacArthur,JohnF.MacArthurNewTestamentcommentary.BS2695.3.M271986227′.507786-5336ISBN0-8024-2358-2

192018

PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica

Contents

PrefaceIntroduction1.TheSalutation2.TheBodyFormedinEternityPast3.RedemptionThroughHisBlood4.DivineInheritanceGuaranteed5.OurResourcesinChrist6.ComingAliveinChrist7.TheUnityoftheBody8.TheMysteryRevealed9.TheFullnessofGod10.TheLowlyWalk11.TheGiftsofChristtoHisChurch12.BuildingtheBodyofChrist13.OffwiththeOld,OnwiththeNew14.PrinciplesofNewLife15.WalkinginLove16.LivinginLight17.WalkinginWisdom18.DoNotGetDrunkwithWine19.BeFilledwiththeSpirit—part120.BeFilledwiththeSpiritpart—221.TheNecessaryFoundation

22.TheRoleandPrioritiesoftheWife23.TheRoleandPrioritiesoftheHusband24.TheResponsibilitiesofChildrenandParents25.Spirit-FilledLaborRelations26.TheBeliever’sWarfare27.TheBeliever’sArmor—part128.TheBeliever’sArmor—part229.PrayingatAllTimesBibliographyIndexofGreekWordsIndexofHebrew/AramaicWordsIndexofScriptureIndexofSubjects

PrefaceIt continues tobe a rewardingdivine communion forme topreachexpositionallythroughtheNewTestament.MygoalisalwaystohavedeepfellowshipwiththeLordintheunderstandingofHisWord,andoutofthatexperiencetoexplaintoHispeoplewhatapassagemeans.InthewordsofNehemiah8:8,Istrive“togivethesense”ofitsotheymaytrulyhearGodspeakand,insodoing,mayrespondtoHim. Obviously, God’s people need to understandHim,which demandsknowingHisWordoftruth(2Tim.2:15)andallowingthatWordtodwell in us richly (Col. 3:16). The dominant thrust ofmyministry,therefore,istohelpmakeGod’slivingWordalivetoHispeople.Itisarefreshingadventure. This New Testament commentary series reflects this objective ofexplainingandapplyingScripture.Somecommentariesareprimarilylinguistic, others are mostly theological, and some are mainlyhomiletical.Thisoneisbasicallyexplanatory,orexpository.Itisnotlinguistically technical, but deals with linguistics when this seemshelpful toproper interpretation. It isnot theologicallyexpansive,butfocusesonthemajordoctrinesineachtextandonhowtheyrelatetothe whole of Scripture. It is not primarily homiletical, though eachunitofthoughtisgenerallytreatedasonechapter,withaclearoutlineand logical flow of thought.Most truths are illustrated and appliedwith other Scripture. After establishing the context of a passage, Ihavetriedtofollowcloselythewriter’sdevelopmentandreasoning. My prayer is that each readerwill fully understandwhat theHolySpirit issayingthroughthispartofHisWord,so thatHisrevelationmaylodgeinthemindsofbelieversandbringgreaterobedienceandfaithfulness—tothegloryofourgreatGod.

IntroductionSeveral years ago the Los Angeles Times reported the story of anelderly man and wife who were found dead in their apartment.Autopsiesrevealedthatbothhaddiedofseveremalnutrition,althoughinvestigatorsfoundatotalof$40,000storedinpaperbagsinacloset. For many years Hetty Green was called America’s greatest miser.Whenshediedin1916,sheleftanestatevaluedat$100million,anespeciallyvast fortune for thatday.But shewas somiserly that sheate cold oatmeal in order to save the expense of heating thewater.Whenhersonhadasevereleginjury,shetooksolongtryingtofindafree clinic to treat him that his leg had to be amputated because ofadvancedinfection.Ithasbeensaidthatshehastenedherowndeathbybringingonafitofapoplexywhilearguingthemeritsofskimmilkbecauseitwascheaperthanwholemilk. ThebookofEphesiansiswrittentoChristianswhomightbepronetotreattheirspiritualresourcesmuchlikethatmiserlycoupleandHettyGreentreatedtheirfinancialresources.Suchbelieversareindangerofsuffering from spiritual malnutrition, because they do not takeadvantage of the great storehouse of spiritual nourishment andresourcesthatisattheirdisposal. Ephesians has been given such titles as the believer’s bank, theChristian’s checkbook, and the treasure house of the Bible. Thisbeautiful letter tellsChristiansof theirgreat riches, inheritances,andfullnesses in JesusChrist and inHis church. It tells themwhat theypossessandhowtheycanclaimandenjoytheirpossessions. During thegreatdepressionof the1930s,manybankswouldallowtheircustomerstowithdrawnomorethan10percentoftheiraccountsduringagivenperiodoftime,becausethebanksdidnothaveenough

reservestocoveralldeposits. ButGod’sheavenlybankhasnosuchlimitationsorrestrictions.NoChristian, therefore, has reason to be spiritually deprived,undernourished,or impoverished. Infact,hehasnoreasonnot tobecompletelyhealthyandimmeasurablyrichin the thingsofGod.TheLord’s heavenly resources are more than adequate to cover all ourpast debts, all our present liabilities, and all our future needs—andstill not reduce the heavenly assets. That is the marvel of God’sgraciousprovisionforHischildren. InthisepistlePaulspeaksof“therichesofHis[God’s]grace”(1:7),“the unfathomable riches of Christ” (3:8), and “the riches of Hisglory”(3:16).Hecallsthebelieverto“attaintotheunityofthefaith,and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to themeasureofthestaturewhichbelongstothefulnessofChrist”(4:13),to “be filled with the Spirit” (5:18), and to “be filled up to all thefulnessofGod”(3:19). Inthisbookthewordriches isusedfivetimes;grace twelvetimes;glory eight times; fulness, filled up, or fills six times; and the keyphrase in Christ (or in Him) fifteen times. Christ is the source, thesphere, and the guarantee of every spiritual blessing and of allspiritualriches,andthosewhoareinHimhaveaccesstoallthatHeisandhas. In our union with Jesus Christ, God makes us “fellow heirs withChrist”(Rom.8:17)andtobeof“onespiritwithHim”(1Cor.6:17).Whenweare“inChrist,”Heisnotashamedtocallusbrothers(Heb.2:11) and will share with us all that He possesses, “an inheritancewhichisimperishableandundefiledandwillnotfadeaway,reservedinheaven”forus(1Pet.1:4). Our riches are based on Christ’s grace (1:2, 6-7; 2:7), His peace(1:2),Hiswill (1:5),Hiskind intention (1:9),Hispurpose (1:9,11),His glory (1:12, 14), His calling (1:18), His inheritance (1:18), Hispower (1:19), His love (2:4), His workmanship (2:10), His Spirit

(3:16),His gifts (4:11),His sacrifice (5:2), His strength (6:10), andHisarmor(6:11,13).

THEMYSTERYOFTHECHURCH

Also because we are in Christ, we are in His Body, the church.Ephesiansfocusesonthebasicdoctrineofthechurch—whatitisandhow believers function within it. This truth about the church wasrevealedtoPaulbyGodasamystery(3:3).AsPaulexplains,“Whenyou read you can understandmy insight into themystery ofChrist,whichinothergenerationswasnotmadeknowntothesonsofmen,asit has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in theSpirit”(vv.4-5). Thismystery,whichhadbeenhiddenevenfromIsrael,God’schosenpeople, is “that theGentilesare fellowheirsand fellowmembersofthebody,andfellowpartakersofthepromiseinChristJesusthroughthegospel”(v.6).InChrist,JewandGentilealikewouldhenceforthbeoneinHisBody,thechurch. God’sdisclosureofHistruthmaybedividedintothreecategories.InthefirstcategoryarethetruthsHerevealstonoone,“thesecretthings[that]belongtotheLordourGod”(Deut.29:29).Hislimitlesstruthisfar beyond man’s finite mind to fathom or comprehend. In HiswisdomandsovereigntyGodhaschosennottodisclosecertaintruthstoanymanatanytime. In thesecondcategoryare those truthsGodhaschosentoreveal tospecial people throughout history. All men can know something ofGod’s nature, “because that which is known about God is evidentwithinthem;forGodmadeitevidenttothem.Forsincethecreationof the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divinenature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what hasbeenmade” (Rom.1:19-20).But thedeeper and fuller truths ofHisnatureandwillareunknownandincomprehensibletounbelievers. ThespecialpeopletowhomGodrevealsHiswillandplanarenotanelitegroupof seersorprophetsbut arebelievers.The revelationHe

hasgiventhroughHisprophetsandapostles is forallofHispeople,foreverypersonwhobelongstoHimbyfaith.“ThesecretoftheLordis for those who fear Him, and He will make them know Hiscovenant”(Ps.25:14).TheLord“isintimatewiththeupright”(Prov.3:32).“SurelytheLordGoddoesnothingunlessHerevealsHissecretcounseltoHisservantstheprophets”(Amos3:7).ThosewhoreceivedrevelationdirectlyfromtheLordmadeitknowntothepeople. InthethirdcategoryarethosetruthsthatGodkeptsecretforaperiodof time but finally disclosed to His people in the New Testament.HereGodgivesnewtruthforanewage,truthaboutwhicheventhegodliestofOldTestamentsaintswereunaware.Thesenewtruthsarethemysteries(mustēria),theonce-hiddenbutnowrevealedtruthsGodgivesinHisNewCovenant. That is the category of truth Paul reveals to such a great extent inEphesians—especially in the truth about the church of JesusChrist,which God eternally designed to include both Jew and Gentile.Knowledge of that mystery is one of the great riches that onlybelieversofthispresentagepossess. MatthewtoldusthatJesusdidnotspeaktothemultitudes“withoutaparable, so that what was spoken through the prophet might befulfilled,saying,‘IwillopenMymouthinparables;Iwillutterthingshidden since the foundation of the world’” (Matt. 13:34-35).WhenJesus’disciplesaskedwhyHespoke inparables,Heexplained,“Toyou it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom ofheaven,buttothemithasnotbeengranted”(Matt.13:11;cf.11:25).Paulechoesthesametruthin1Corinthians:“AnaturalmandoesnotacceptthethingsoftheSpiritofGod;fortheyarefoolishnesstohim,and he cannot understand them, because they are spirituallyappraised”(2:14).BelieversandunbelieverscanhearorreadthesametruthsfromGod’sWord,yetbeaffectedincompletelydifferentways.What is clear and meaningful to the believer is incomprehensiblenonsensetotheunbeliever.

The “mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” refer to the truthsrevealed in thepresent formofGod’s kingdom.TheOldTestamentspeaksmuchofGod’skingdomandofHis ruleover it.ThecomingMessiah was shown as a ruling Messiah, the great Anointed OnewhoseeternalreignwasprophesiedeveninthebookofGenesis.Ashe pronounced blessings on his sons, Jacob said to Judah, “ThesceptershallnotdepartfromJudah,northeruler’sstafffrombetweenhisfeet,untilShilohcomes,andtohimshallbetheobedienceofthepeoples”(Gen.49:10). Both John the Baptist and Jesus began their ministries byproclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdomof heaven is at hand” (Matt.3:2;4:17).JesuswasbornaKing,acknowledgedbythemagitobeaKing,fearedbyHerodasarivalKing,andevenquestionedbyPilateaboutHiskingship.JesusofferedHiskingdomtoIsraelifshewouldacceptHimasherKing.ButbecauseIsraelrejectedHim,sheforfeitedthe kingdom, and for Israel it was postponed. Because the Jewsdeclared,“Wedonotwant thisman to reignoverus” (Luke19:14),thatManwouldnot reignover them.Consequently,HehasdelayedestablishingHisearthlykingdomuntil Israel is savedandHecomesagaintoreignonearthforathousandyears(Rev.20:4). Meanwhile theKing is absent fromearth.Yet, fromheavenChristnowrulesHisearthlykingdom.WhereasHewillruletheentireworldexternallyduringtheMillennium,Henowrulesinternally,inthelivesofthosewhobelongtoHim.Thepresentformofthekingdomisthesphereofsalvationbygracethroughfaith.HeisKingoverthosewhohave confessed Him as sovereign Lord. The blessings that will beexternally dispensed during the Millennium are now internallydispensed tobelievers. JustasChristwillbeoutwardlyenthroned inJerusalem during theMillennium,He now is inwardly enthroned inthe hearts ofHis saints.As in the future kingdomHewill dispensegrace, soHedoes evennow to thosewho trust inHim.AsHe thenwillbringexternalpeacetothewholeworld,Henowbringsinternal

peace in the lives of believers. As He will then bestow joy andhappinessexternally,HenowinternallybestowsthoseblessingsuponHisownpeople. Of this interim, internal kingdom the Old Testament saints knewnothing. It is a parenthesis in the divine outworking of redemption,whichuntil theNewTestamentwasasecret.ThekingdomofwhichtheOldTestamentspeaks,andwhichwillbefullymanifested in theMillennium, now exists in a kind of a preliminary and partialfulfillment. As Peter explained in his Pentecost sermon, theremarkableeventsthathadjusttakenplaceinJerusalem(Acts2:1-13)were a preview of that which the prophet Joel prophesied of themillennialkingdom:‘“Anditshallbeinthelastdays,’Godsays,‘thatIwillpourforthofMySpirituponallmankind’”(v.17;cf.Joel2:28). Within the central mystery of the kingdom are other revealedmysteries (see Matt. 13:11). One is the mystery of the indwellingChrist, “themysterywhich has been hidden from the past ages andgenerations;buthasnowbeenmanifestedtoHissaints,towhomGodwilledtomakeknownwhatistherichesofthegloryofthismysteryamongtheGentiles,whichisChrist inyou, thehopeofglory”(Col.1:26-27).OthermysteriesarethatofGodinflesh,theincarnationoftheSonofGod,atruthnotfullyrevealedintheOldTestament(Col.2:2-3); themysteryof Israel’s unbelief and rejectionof theMessiah(Rom.11:25); themysteryof iniquity (2Thess.2:7); themysteryofBabylon—theterrible,vile,economicandreligioussystemoftheendtimes(Rev.17);themysteryoftheunityofbelievers(Eph.3:3-6);themystery of the church as Christ’s bride (Eph. 5:24-32); and themystery of the rapture (1 Cor. 15:51-52). The mystery age will becompletedwhenChristreturnsinglory(Rev.10:7).

THECHURCHASCHRIST’SBODY

Therichdoctrineof thechurchasChrist’sBodyisametaphor thatshowsthechurchnotasanorganizationbutasalivingorganismmadeup ofmany interrelated andmutually dependent parts. Christ is theheadofthatBody,andtheHolySpiritis,asitwere,itslifeblood. TheNewTestamentusesmanymetaphorsforthechurchthattheOldTestamentusesofIsrael.Theyarebothcalledabride,orwife(Hos.1:2; cf. Jer. 3:20; Rev. 21:2), a family household (Ps. 107:41; Jer.31:1;Eph.2);aflock(Isa.40:11;cf.Ps.23;Luke12:32;Acts20:28-29),andavineyardorvinebranches(Isa.5:1-7;John15:5).But theOldTestamentneverspeaksofIsraelasGod’sbody.Thatisadistinctand formerly unrevealed figure for God’s people in the NewCovenant.Christ’schurchisHispresentreincarnatedBodyonearth. It is only this outward incarnation of Christ that the world sees.Consequently,thechurchshouldbejustaswholeandfullstaturedasJesus was when He ministered on earth. Members of the Body ofChrist are inextricably united in their Lord, and when one membermalfunctions, the whole Body is weakened. When its membersdisobey the Head, the Body limps and stumbles. Yet when itsmembers faithfully respond to the Head, the church manifests theLord’sbeauty,power,andglory. TheBodyfunctionsthroughtheuseofspiritualgiftsandthroughtheresponsibilitiesoffellowshipandmutualministry.Whenthechurchisfaithful, Christ comes to full stature in His present earthly Body.When the church is not faithful, the world’s view of Christ isdistorted,thechurchisweakened,andtheLordisdishonored.

THEAUTHOR

Paul,whose original namewasSaul,was of the tribe ofBenjaminand probably was named after Israel’s first king and her mostprominentBenjamite.Saulwaswelleducatedinwhattodayarecalledthehumanities,buthismostextensivetrainingwasinrabbinicstudiesunder the famous Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). He became an outstandingrabbiinhisownrightandwasamemberoftheSanhedrin,therulingJewishcouncilatJerusalem.Healsobecameprobablythemostardentanti-ChristianleaderinJudaism(Acts22:4-5).Hepassionatelyhatedthe followers of JesusChrist andwas on hisway to arrest some ofthem in Damascus when the Lord miraculously and dramaticallystoppedhiminhistracksandbroughthimtoHimself(Acts9:1-8). After spending three years in the desert ofNabataeanArabia, PauljointlypastoredachurchinAntiochofSyriawithBarnabas,Simeon,Lucius, and Manaen (Acts 13:1). During this earlier ministry SaulcametobeknownasPaul(Acts13:9).Thenewmantookonanewname. FromAntioch theHoly Spirit sent him outwithBarnabas tobegin thegreatestmissionaryenterprise in thehistoryof thechurch.At that point Paul began his work as God’s unique apostle to theGentiles(Acts9:15;Rom.11:13).

DATEANDDESTINATIONOFTHEEPISTLE

Sometimebetween60and62,Paulwrote this letter fromprison inRome (see3:1) to thebelieverswhomhehadpastored.Because thephrase who are at Ephesus is not in many early manuscripts, andbecausethereisnomentionofalocalsituationorindividualbeliever,many scholars think this letter was an encyclical, intended to becirculated amongall the churches inAsiaMinor (including those inSmyrna,Pergamos,Thyatira,andSardis,aswellasEphesus).Itmaybe that the letter was sent first to Ephesus and therefore becameespeciallyassociatedwiththatchurch. ThefirstthreechaptersofEphesiansemphasizedoctrine,andthelastthree chapters emphasize behavior.The first half is theological, andthesecondhalfispractical.

TheSalutation

1

Paul,anapostleofChristJesusbythewillofGod,tothesaintswhoareatEphesus,andwhoarefaithfulinChristJesus:GracetoyouandpeacefromGodourFatherandtheLordJesusChrist.(1:1-2)Inhissalutation,Paulpresentsthedualsourceofhisapostolicauthority,adualdescription of believers, a dual blessing for believers, and the dual source ofthoseblessings.

THEDUALSOURCEOFAUTHORITY

Paul,anapostleofChristJesusbythewillofGod,(1:1a)Paulwrotewiththeauthorityofanapostle.Apostolosmeans“sentone”andintheNewTestamentisusedasanofficialtitleofthemenGoduniquelychosetobethefoundationlayersofthechurchandthereceivers,teachers,andwritersofHis final revelation—theNewTestament.The apostolic dutieswere to preachthe gospel (1 Cor. 1:17), teach and pray (Acts 6:4), work miracles (2 Cor.12:12),buildupotherleadersofthechurch(Acts14:23),andwritetheWordofGod(Eph.1:1;etc.). BesidestheoriginaltwelveandMatthias(Acts1:26),whoreplacedJudas,Paulwastheonlyotherapostle,“asitwere…oneuntimelyborn”(1Cor.15:8).Yethewasnotinferiortotheotherapostles,havingmetalltherequirementsforthatoffice(1Cor.9:1). Paul’s credentialswere not his academic training or his rabbinical leadershipbuthisbeinganapostleofChristJesusbythewillofGod.PauldidnotteachandwritebyhisownauthoritybutbythedualyettotallyunifiedauthorityoftheSon (ChristJesus)andof theFather (God). Instating that truthPaulwasnotboastingof personalmerit or elevatinghimself aboveother believers.Hewellrememberedthathehadbeenablasphemer,aviolentpersecutorofthechurch,and an unworthy and ignorant unbeliever; and he still considered himself theforemostofsinners(1Tim.1:13,15).LikeeveryChristian,hewasfirstofall“abond-servant of Christ Jesus” his Lord (Rom. 1:1). By mentioning hisapostleship, Paul simply established his undeserved but divinely-bestowedauthoritytospeakinGod’sbehalf—whichhestatesatthebeginningofeachofhisepistlesexceptPhilippiansand1and2Thessalonians.

THEDUALDESIGNATIONOFBELIEVERS

tothesaintswhoareatEphesus,andwhoarefaithfulinChristJesus:(1:1b)FromGod’s side believers are thosewhomHe hasmade holy, which is themeaningofsaints.Fromman’ssidebelieversarethosewhoarefaithful,thosewhohavetrustedinChristJesusastheirLordandSavior. EveryChristianisasaint,becauseeveryChristianhasbeensetapartandmadeholy through the perfect righteousness of Christ that has been placed to hisaccount(Rom.3:21-22;1Cor.1:30;Phil.3:9;etc.).Whenapersonactsinfaithto receive Christ, God acts in grace to give that person Christ’s ownrighteousness.ItisChrist’sperfectrighteousness—notaperson’sowncharacteror accomplishments, nomatter howgreat theymay seem inmen’s eyes—thatestablisheseverybelieverasoneofGod’ssaintsthroughsavingfaith.

THEDUALBLESSINGSOFBELIEVERS

Gracetoyouandpeace(1:2a)This was a common greeting among Christians in the early church. Charis(grace)isGod’sgreatkindnesstowardthosewhoareundeservingofHisfavorbutwho have placed their faith inHis Son, JesusChrist. To greet aChristianbrother or sister in thisway ismuchmore than awish for their generalwell-being.It isalsoanacknowledgmentofthedivinegraceinwhichwestandandwhich has made us mutual members of Christ’s Body and of God’s divinefamily. Graceisthefountainofwhichpeace(eirēnē)isthestream.BecausewehavegracefromGodwehavepeacewithGodandthepeaceo/God,“whichsurpassesall comprehension” (Phil. 4:7). Peace is the equivalent of theHebrew shālôm,which,initshighestconnotation,signifiesspiritualprosperityandcompleteness.

THEDUALSOURCEOFBLESSING

fromGodourFatherandtheLordJesusChrist.(1:2b)Thedualsourceofblessingis thesameasthedualsourceofauthority—Godour Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Those are not separate and distinctsources but two manifestations of the same Source, as indicated by theconnectivekai(and),whichcanindicateequivalence,andhereindicatesthattheLordJesusChristisdeityjustlikeGodourFather. Paul’smessage throughout this epistle is that believersmight understand andexperiencemorefullyallof theblessingsgrantedbytheirheavenlyFatherandHisSonandtheirSavior,JesusChrist.

TheBodyFormedinEternityPast

2

BlessedbetheGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist,whohasblesseduswith every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as HechoseusinHimbeforethefoundationoftheworld,thatweshouldbeholyand blameless beforeHim. In loveHe predestined us to adoption as sonsthroughJesusChristtoHimself,accordingtothekindintentionofHiswill,tothepraiseofthegloryofHisgrace.(l:3-6a)In the Greek, verses 3-14 comprise one sentence and encompass the past,present,andfutureofGod’seternalpurposeforthechurch.ItisPaul’soutlineofGod’smasterplanforsalvation.In3-6aweareshownthepastaspect,election;in6b-llweareshownthepresentaspect,redemption;andin12-14weareshownthe future aspect, inheritance.Within God’smaster plan of salvation is everybeliever who has or will ever trust in God and be saved. As it is sometimesexpressed, history is simply the outworking of “His story,”which has alreadybeenplannedandprewrittenineternity. Thispassagecanalsobedividedintothreesections,eachofwhichfocusesonadifferentPersonof theTrinity.Verses3-6a center on theFather, verses6b-12centerontheSon,andverses13-14centerontheHolySpirit.Paul takesus totheverythroneroomoftheGodheadtoshowthegreatnessandthevastnessoftheblessingsandtreasuresthatbelongtothosewhoareinJesusChrist. Peopletodayaregreatlyconcernedaboutidentity,lifepurpose,self-worth,andself-acceptance. Consequently there is a plethora of books, articles, seminars,and schemes that attempt to fulfill those longings. But because God and HisWordarenotconsideredinmostsuchattempts,theonlysourceforfindingthetruth is eliminated, and men inevitably are led back to themselves for theanswers.Inspiteofmanyvariationsandsometimescomplexformulas, theendresultistotellmentheyarereallyallrightafterallandthatwhatidentity,worth,andmeaningtheyfindinlifetheymustfindinandforthemselves. Wearetoldtothinkofourselvesfirstandareshownhowtogetontopbyusingandmanipulatingothers,by intimidatingbeforebeing intimidated.Weare toldhow to be successful and how to be number one. We are counseled to findmeaningintheheritageofourfamilyandethnicroots,withtheexpectationthat

finding outwherewe came fromwill help explainwherewe are and perhapswhereweareheaded.Butsuchapproachesgiveonlyapsychologicalglossthathelps cover, but does not help remove, the underlying problemofmeaning inlife. Others setabout trying toestablish theirworthbyworks righteousness, someevenbecomingheavily involved inchurchworkandotherChristianactivities.Theylookforpraiseandcommendation,andbeforelongtheyareentrappedinthesamekindofhypocriticalreligiousgamesthatcharacterizedthescribesandPharisees of Jesus’ day. As their self-satisfaction grows their spiritual livesshrivel,becausesucheffortfeedsthefleshandcripplesthesoul. But every human effort at self-improvement or self-satisfaction—no matterwhatitsreligiouscoveringmaybe—issubjecttothelawofdiminishingreturns.Genuine and lasting satisfaction is never achieved, and increased achievementonlybringsincreaseddesire.Moreimportantly,theguiltandfearthatcausethedissatisfaction are suppressed but not alleviated. The longer such superficialgames are played, the deeper become the depression, anxiety, and feelings ofguilt. The onlyway a person can achieve a true sense of self-worth,meaning, andsignificance is to have a right relationship to his Creator. A person withoutChristhasnospiritualvalue,nostandingbeforeGod,nopurposeormeaningintheworld.Heislike“chaffwhichthewinddrivesaway”(Ps.1:4). AChristian,however,isachildofGodandajointheirwithJesusChrist.IfhehasnocomprehensionofthoseblessingsheneedstounderstandthepositionhealreadyhasinhisSavior.TogivesuchChristianstherightunderstandingoftheirpositionandpossessionsisthefoundationalthrustofPaul’sEphesianletter. IfwebelongtoChrist,Paulsays,wecanbesurethatGodputournamedownaspartofHischurchevenbefore theworldbegan.Outofgraceand indivinesovereignty,HechoseeachoneofustobelongtoHim.Itwasnotbecausewewere more worthy than anyone else or more deserving or meritorious—butsimplybecauseGodwilledtochooseus. Thoughthisisanincomprehensibletruthtofinitethinking,itisoneofthemostrepeated in Scripture. The record of God’s redemptive history is that of Hisreachingdownanddrawing toHimself thosewhomHehaschosen tosave. IntheseopeningversesofEphesiansPaulgivesusaglimpseofeternitypast.HeletsuseavesdropasGodplannedtosaveus—notonlylongbeforewewerebornbutlongbeforetheearthwasborn.

THEASPECTSOFBLESSING

BlessedbetheGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist,whohasblesseduswitheveryspiritualblessingintheheavenlyplacesinChrist,(1:3)Paulherepresentssixaspectsofthedivineblessingheisabouttounfold:theblessed One, God; the Blesser, also God; the blessed ones, believers; theblessings,allthingsspiritual;theblessinglocation,theheavenlyplaces;andtheblessingAgent,JesusChrist.THEBLESSEDONE----GOD

Suchgracious truth is introducedappropriatelybypraise to theOnewhohasmade such provision: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord JesusChrist. From eulogeō (blessed) we get eulogy, a message of praise andcommendation,thedeclarationofaperson’sgoodness.BecausenooneistrulygoodbutGod(Matt.19:17),oursupremeeulogy,oursupremepraise,isforHimalone. Goodness isGod’snature.God theFather notonlydoesgood things,He isgood inawayand toadegree thatnohumanbeingexceptHisown incarnateSon,ourLordJesusChrist,canbe.ConsequentlyfromGenesistoRevelation,godlymen, recognizing the surpassing and humanly unattainable goodness ofGod, have proclaimed blessing uponHim.Melchizedek declared, “Blessed beGodMostHigh”(Gen.14:20).Inthelastdays,“everycreatedthingwhichisinheaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things inthem”willbe“heardsaying,‘ToHimwhositsonthethrone,andtotheLamb,beblessingandhonorandgloryanddominionforeverandever’”(Rev.5:13). NothingismoreappropriateforGod’speoplethantoblessHimforHisgreatgoodness.Inallthings—whetherpain,struggle,trials,frustration,opposition,oradversity—wearetopraiseGod,becauseHeisgoodinthemidstof itall.ForthatwepraiseandblessHim.THEBLESSER----GOD

Consistent with His perfection and praiseworthiness, the One who is to besupremely blessed for His goodness is Himself the supreme Blesser whobestowsgoodness. It isHewhohasblesseduswitheveryspiritualblessing.

“Everygoodthingbestowedandeveryperfectgift,”Jamesremindsus,“isfromabove, coming down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17). Paul assures us“thatGodcausesallthingstoworktogetherforgoodtothosewholoveGod,tothose who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). God blessesbecauseHeisthesourceofallblessing,ofeverygoodthing.GoodnesscanonlycomefromGodbecausethereisnosourceofgoodnessoutsideofGod.THEBLESSEDONES----BELIEVERS

The us whom God has blessed refers to believers, “the saints… in ChristJesus”Pauladdressesinverse1.InHiswonderfulgrace,marvelousprovidence,andsovereignplanGodhaschosentoblessus.Godhaseternallyordainedthat“thosewhoareoffaithareblessed”(Gal.3:9). When we bless God we speak good of Him. When God blesses us, Hecommunicatesgoodtous.WeblessHimwithwords;Heblessesuswithdeeds.Allwe can do is to speakwell ofHimbecause in ourselveswe have nothinggoodtogive,andinHimselfHelacksnogoodness.ButwhenHeblessesusthesituation is reversed. He cannot bless us for our goodness, because we havenone.Rather,Heblessesuswithgoodness.OurheavenlyFatherlavishesuswitheverygoodness,everygoodgift,everyblessing.That isHisnature,andthat isourneed.THEBLESSINGS—EVERYTHINGSPIRITUAL

Our heavenly Father blesses us with every spiritual blessing. In the NewTestamentpneumatikos(spiritual)isalwaysusedinrelationtotheworkoftheHolySpirit.Thereforeitdoesnothererefertoimmaterialblessingsasopposedtomaterialonesbuttothedivineoriginoftheblessings—whethertheyhelpusinourspirits,ourminds,ourbodies,ourdailyliving,orhoweverelse.Spiritualreferstothesource,nottheextent,ofblessing. ManyChristianscontinuallyaskGodforwhatHehasalreadygiven.TheyprayforHim togive themmore love, although they shouldknow that “the loveofGod has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who wasgiventous”(Rom.5:5).Theyprayforpeace,althoughJesussaid,“PeaceIleavewithyou;Mypeace Igive toyou” (John14:27).Theypray forhappinessandjoy,althoughJesussaid,“ThesethingsIhavespokentoyou,thatMyjoymaybein you, and that your joymay bemade full” (John 15:11). They askGod forstrength,althoughHisWordtellsthemthatthey“candoallthingsthroughHim

whostrengthens”them(Phil.4:13). God’s “divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life andgodliness, throughthetrueknowledgeofHimwhocalledusbyHisowngloryand excellence” (2 Pet. 1:3). It is not that Godwill give us but that He hasalreadygivenus“everythingpertaining to lifeandgodliness.”Hehasblessedusalreadywitheveryspiritualblessing.Wearecomplete“inHim”(Col.2:10). Our resources in God are not simply promised; they are possessed. EveryChristianhaswhatPaulcalls“theprovisionoftheSpiritofJesusChrist”(Phil.1:19).GodcannotgiveusmorethanHehasalreadygivenusinHisSon.Thereis nothing more to receive. The believer’s need, therefore, is not to receivesomethingmorebuttodosomethingmorewithwhathehas. OurheavenlypositionandpossessionaresocertainandsecurethatPaulspeaksofGod’shavingalready“raisedusupwithHim,andseateduswithHimintheheavenlyplaces,inChristJesus”(Eph.2:6).THELOCATIONOFBLESSING----THEHEAVENLYPLACES

Theseabundant,unlimitedblessingsfromGodareintheheavenlyplaces.Morethan heaven itself is included. The heavenly places (cf. 1:20; 2:6; 3:10)encompasstheentiresupernaturalrealmofGod,Hiscompletedomain,thefullextentofHisdivineoperation. Christians have a paradoxical, two-level existence—adual citizenship.Whilewe remain on earth we are citizens of earth. But in Christ our primary andinfinitelymoreimportantcitizenshipisinheaven(Phil.3:20).ChristisourLordandKing,andwearecitizensofHisrealm,theheavenlyplaces.Thatiswhyweare to pursue “things above,whereChrist is, seated at the right handofGod”(Col.3:1). Because we are members of God’s dominion, unlike the “sons of this age”(Luke 16:8),we are able to understand the supernatural things ofGod, thingswhich the “natural man does not accept” and “cannot understand… becausetheyarespirituallyappraised”(1Cor.2:14). WhenanAmericancitizentravelstoanothercountry,heiseverybitasmuchanAmericancitizenaswhenheisintheUnitedStates.WhetherheisinAfrica,theNearEast,Europe,Antarctica,oranywhereelseoutsidehishomeland,heisstillcompletelyanAmericancitizen,withalltherightsandprivilegesthatsuchcitizenshipholds. As citizens of God’s heavenly dominion, Christians hold all the rights and

privilegesthatcitizenshipgrants,evenwhiletheyarelivinginthe“foreign”andsometimeshostilelandofearth.Ourtruelifeisinthesupernatural,theheavenlyplaces.OurFather is there, ourSavior is there, our family and lovedones arethere,ournameisthere,andoureternaldwellingplaceandthronearethere. But we are presently trapped in the tension between the earthly and theheavenly. Paul reflected that tensionwhen he said, “We are afflicted in everyway, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but notforsaken;struckdown,butnotdestroyed…assorrowfulyetalwaysrejoicing,aspooryetmakingmanyrich,ashavingnothingyetpossessingallthings”(2Cor.4:8-9;6:10). ThekeytolivingasaheavenlycitizenwhilelivinginanunheavenlysituationiswalkingbytheSpirit.“WalkbytheSpirit,”Paulsays,“andyouwillnotcarryoutthedesireoftheflesh”(Gal.5:16).WhenwewalkinHispowerHeproducesHis fruit in us: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, self-control” (vv. 22-23). We receive our heavenly blessings bylivinginthepowerofGod’sHolySpirit.THEBLESSINGAGENT—JESUSCHRIST

Christianspossesseveryspiritualblessingintheheavenlyplacesbecausetheyare in Christ.When we trust in Him as Lord and Savior, we are placed in amarvelousunionwith JesusChrist. “Theonewho joinshimself to theLord isonespiritwithHim”(1Cor.6:17).OurunityasChristiansismorethansimplythatofcommonagreement;itistheunityofacommonnessoflife,thecommoneternallifeofGodthatpulsesthroughthesoulofeverybeliever(cf.Rom.15:5-7). AllthattheLordhas,thoseinChristhave.“TheSpiritHimselfbearswitnesswithourspirit thatwearechildrenofGod,and ifchildren,heirsalso,heirsofGodandfellowheirswithChrist”(Rom.8:16-17).Christ’srichesareourriches,Hisresourcesareourresources,Hisrighteousnessisourrighteousness,andHispower is our power. His position is our position: where He is, we are. Hisprivilege isourprivilege:whatHeisweare.Hispossession isourpossession:whatHehas,wehave.Hispracticeisourpractice:whatHedoes,wedo. WearethosethingsandhavethosethingsanddothosethingsbythegraceofGod,whichneverfailstoworkHiswillinthosewhotrustHim(1Cor.15:10).

THEELEMENTSOFTHEETERNALFORMINGOFTHEBODY

just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that weshould be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us toadoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kindintentionofHiswill,tothepraiseofthegloryofHisgrace.(l:4-6a)TheseversesrevealthepastpartofGod’seternalplaninformingthechurch,the Body of Jesus Christ. His plan is shown in seven elements: the method,election; theobject, theelect; the time,eternitypast; thepurpose,holiness; themotive,love;theresult,sonship;andthegoal,glory.THEMETHOD—ELECTION

TheBiblespeaksofthreekindsofelection.OneisGod’stheocraticelectionofIsrael.“Youareaholypeople to theLordyourGod,”Moses toldIsrael in thedesertofSinai;“theLordyourGodhaschosenyoutobeapeopleforHisownpossessionoutofallthepeopleswhoareonthefaceoftheearth”(Deut.7:6). Thatelectionhadnobearingonpersonalsalvation.“TheyarenotallIsraelwhoaredescendedfromIsrael,”Paulexplains;“neitheraretheyallchildrenbecausetheyareAbraham’sdescendants”(Rom.9:6-7).RacialdescentfromAbrahamasfatheroftheHebrewpeopledidnotmeanspiritualdescentfromhimasfatherofthefaithful(Rom.4:11). Asecondkindofelectionisvocational.TheLordcalledoutthetribeofLevitobeHis priests, butLeviteswerenot therebyguaranteed salvation. Jesus calledtwelvementobeapostlesbutonlyelevenofthemtosalvation.AfterPaulcametoChristbecauseofGod’selectiontosalvation,GodthenchosehiminanotherwaytobeHisspecialapostletotheGentiles(Acts9:15;Rom.1:5). Thethirdkindofelectionissalvational,thekindofwhichPaulisspeakinginourpresenttext.“NoonecancometoMe,”Jesussaid,“unlesstheFatherwhosent Me draws him” (John 6:44). Helkuō (draws) carries the idea of anirresistibleforceandwasusedinancientGreekliteratureofadesperatelyhungrymanbeingdrawntofoodandofdemonicforcesbeingdrawntoanimalswhentheywerenotabletopossessmen. Salvage yards use giant electromagnets to lift and partially sort scrapmetal.When the magnet is turned on, a tremendous magnetic force draws all the

ferrous metals that are near it, but has no effect on other metals such asaluminumandbrass. Inasimilarway,God’selectivewillirresistiblydrawstoHimselfthosewhomHehaspredeterminedtoloveandforgive,whilehavingnoeffectonthosewhomHehasnot. From all eternity, before the foundation of the world, and thereforecompletelyapart fromanymeritordeserving thatanypersoncouldhave,GodchoseusinHim,“inChrist”(v.3).ByGod’ssovereignelection,thosewhoaresavedwereplacedineternalunionwithChristbeforecreationeventookplace. Althoughman’swillisnotfreeinthesensethatmanypeoplesuppose,hedoeshaveawill,awillthatScriptureclearlyrecognizes.ApartfromGod,man’swillis captive to sin. But he is nevertheless able to chooseGod becauseGod hasmade that choice possible. Jesus said that whoever believes in Him will notperish but have eternal life (John 3:16) and that “everyone who lives andbelievesinMeshallneverdie”(11:26).ThefrequentcommandstotheunsavedtorespondtotheLord(e.g.,Josh.24:15;Isa.55:1;Matt.3:1-2;4:17;11:28-30;John5:40;6:37;7:37-39;Rev.22:17)clearlyindicatetheresponsibilityofmantoexercisehisownwill. YettheBibleisjustasclearthatnopersonreceivesJesusChristasSaviorwhohasnotbeenchosenbyGod (cf.Rom.8:29;9:11;1Thess.1:3-4;1Pet.1:2).Jesusgivesboth truths inoneverse in thegospelofJohn:“All that theFathergivesMeshallcometoMe,andtheonewhocomestoMeIwillcertainlynotcastout”(John6:37). God’ssovereignelectionandman’sexerciseofresponsibilityinchoosingJesusChrist seem opposite and irreconcilable truths—and from our limited humanperspective theyareoppositeand irreconcilable.That iswhysomanyearnest,well-meaningChristians throughout the history of the church have flounderedtrying to reconcile them. Since the problem cannot be resolved by our finiteminds, the result isalways tocompromiseone truth in favorof theotheror toweakenbothbytryingtotakeapositionsomewherebetweenthem. We should let the antimony remain, believing both truths completely andleavingtheharmonizingofthemtoGod. Eklegō(chose)ishereintheaoristtenseandthemiddlevoice,indicatingGod’stotallyindependentchoice.BecausetheverbisreflexiveitsignifiesthatGodnotonly chose by Himself but for Himself. His primary purpose in electing thechurchwas thepraiseofHisownglory(vv.6,12,14).Believerswerechosenfor the Lord’s glory before they were chosen for their own good. The very

reasonforcallingoutbelieversintothechurchwasthat“themanifoldwisdomofGod might now be made known through the church to the rulers and theauthoritiesintheheavenlyplaces”(3:10). IsraelwasGod’select,His“chosenone”(Isa.45:4;cf.65:9,22).Butshewastold,“TheLorddidnotsetHis loveonyounorchooseyoubecauseyouweremoreinnumberthananyofthepeoples,foryouwerethefewestofallpeoples,butbecausetheLordlovedyou”(Deut.7:7-8).GodchosetheJewssimplyoutofHissovereignlove. God’sheavenlyangelsalsoareelect (1Tim.5:21),chosenbyHimtoglorifyHisnameandtobeHismessengers.ChristHimselfwaselect(1Pet.2:6,KJV),and theapostleswereelect (John15:16).By thesamesovereignplanandwillthe church is elect.God “has saved us, and called uswith a holy calling, notaccordingtoourworks,butaccordingtoHisownpurposeandgracewhichwasgrantedus inChrist Jesus fromalleternity” (2Tim.1:9). InActsweare told,“Andasmanyashadbeenappointedtoeternallifebelieved”(13:48). Paul said, “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of thosewho arechosen,thattheyalsomayobtainthesalvationwhichisinChristJesusandwithiteternalglory”(2Tim.2:10).Hisheart’sdesirewastoreachtheelect,theoneswhowerealreadychosen,inorderthattheymighttakeholdofthefaithalreadygrantedtheminGod’ssovereigndecree. PaulgavethanksforthechurchbecauseitwasGod’select.“Weshouldalwaysgive thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God haschosenyoufromthebeginningforsalvationthroughsanctificationbytheSpiritandfaithinthetruth”(2Thess.2:13). InhisbookEvangelismandtheSovereigntyofGod,J.I.Packerobserves:

All Christians believe in divine sovereignty, but some are notawarethattheydo,andmistakenlyimagineandinsistthattheyrejectit.Whatcausesthisoddstateofaffairs?Therootcauseisthesameasin most cases of error in the Church—the intruding of rationalisticspeculations, the passion for systematic consistency, a reluctance torecognizetheexistenceofmysteryandtoletGodbewiserthanmen,andaconsequentsubjectingofScriptureto thesupposeddemandsofhumanlogic.PeopleseetheBibleteachesman’sresponsibilityforhisactions; they do not see (man, indeed, cannot see) how this isconsistent with the sovereign Lordship of God over those actions.Theyarenotcontenttoletthetwotruthslivesidebyside,astheydoin theScriptures,but jump to theconclusion that, inorder touphold

thebiblicaltruthofhumanresponsibility,theyareboundtorejecttheequallybiblicalandequallytruedoctrineofdivinesovereignty,andtoexplain away the great number of texts that teach it. The desire toover-simplify theBiblebycuttingout themysteries isnatural toourperverseminds,anditisnotsurprisingthatevengodlymenshouldfallvictimtoit.Hencethispersistentandtroublesomedispute.Theironyofthesituation,however,isthatwhenweaskhowthetwosidespray,itbecomesapparentthatthosewhoprofesstodenyGod’ssovereigntyreallybelieve in it justasstronglyas thosewhoaffirmit. ([Chicago:Inter-Varsity,1961],pp.16-17)

Becausewecannotstandthetensionofmystery,paradox,orantinomy,weareinclined toadjustwhat theBible teaches so that itwill fitourownsystemsoforder and consistency. But that presumptuous approach is unfaithful toGod’sWord and leads to confused doctrine andweakened living. It should be notedthat other essential scriptural doctrines are also apparently paradoxical to ourlimited capacity. It is antinomous that Scripture itself is the work of humanauthors,yettheverywordsofGod;thatJesusChristisfullyGodandfullyman;that salvation is forever, yet saintsmust remain obedient and persevere to theend;thattheChristian’slifeislivedintotalcommitmentanddisciplineofself,yetisallofChrist.SuchinscrutabletruthsareanencouragementthatthemindofGod infinitely surpasses themind ofman and are a great proof of the divineauthorship of Scripture. Humans writing a Bible on their own would haveattemptedtoresolvesuchproblems. It is not that God’s sovereign election, or predestination, eliminates man’schoice in faith. Divine sovereignty and human response are integral andinseparable parts of salvation—though exactly how they operate together onlytheinfinitemindofGodknows. Nor is it,asmanybelieveandteach, thatGodsimply looks into thefuture toseewhichpeoplearegoingtobelieveandthenelectsthemtosalvation.Takenout of context, Romans 8:29 is often used to support that view.But verse 28makes it clear that thosewhomGod foresees and predestines to salvation arethosewhomHehasalready“calledaccordingtoHispurpose.”Anyteachingthatdiminishesthesovereign,electingloveofGodbygivingmorecredittomenalsodiminishesGod’sglory,thusstrikingablowattheverypurposeofsalvation. WeshouldbesatisfiedsimplytodeclarewithJohnChadwick,

IsoughttheLord,

AndafterwardsIknewHemovedmysoultoseekHim,Seekingme!ItwasnotthatIfound,OSaviourtrue;No,IwasfoundbyThee.

THEOBJECT----THEELECT

Theobjectofelectionisus,noteveryone,butonlythosewhomGodchose,thesaints and “faithful inChrist Jesus” (v. 1). ThosewhomGod elects are thosewhomHehasdeclaredholybefore the foundationof theworld andwhohaveidentifiedwithHisSonJesusChristbyfaith.BeingaChristian ishavingbeenchosenbyGodtobeHischildandto inheritall things throughandwithJesusChrist.THETIME----ETERNITYPAST

Godelectedusbefore the foundationof theworld.Before thecreation, theFall, thecovenants,or the law,weweresovereignlypredestinedbyGod tobeHis.Hedesignedthechurch,theBodyofHisSon,beforetheworldbegan. BecauseinGod’splanChristwascrucifiedforus“beforethefoundationoftheworld”(1Pet.1:20),weweredesignatedforsalvationbythatsameplanatthatsame time. Itwas then thatour inheritance inGod’skingdomwasdetermined(Matt.25:34).WebelongedtoGodbeforetimebegan,andwewillbeHisaftertime has long run its course. Our names as believers were “written from thefoundation of theworld in the book of life of the Lambwho has been slain”(Rev.13:8;cf.17:8).THEPURPOSE----HOLINESS

God chose us in order that we might be holy and blameless. Amōmos(blameless)literallymeanswithoutblemish,orspotless.Becausewearechosenin Him we are holy and blameless before Him. Because Jesus Christ gaveHimselfforusas“alambunblemishedandspotless”(1Pet.1:19),wehavebeengiven His own unblemished and spotless nature. The unworthy have beendeclared worthy, the unrighteous declared holy. It is Christ’s eternal and

foreordainedplan to“present toHimself thechurch inallherglory,havingnospotorwrinkleor any such thing;but that she shouldbeholy andblameless”(Eph.5:27). ObviouslyPaulistalkingaboutourpositionandnotourpractice.Weknowthatinourlivingwearefarfromtheholystandardandfarfrombeingblameless.Yet“in Him,” Paul said in another place, we “have been made complete” (Col.2:10). All that God is, we become in Jesus Christ. That is why salvation issecure.WehaveChrist’s perfect righteousness.Ourpractice can anddoes fallshort,butourpositioncanneverfallshort,because it isexactly thesameholyand blameless position before God that Christ has.We are as secure as ourSavior, because we are in Him, waiting for the full redemption and gloriousholinessthatawaitsusinHispresence. And because God declares us and leads us to be holy and blameless, weshouldstrivetolivelivesnowthatreflecttheholinessandblamelessnessthatareourdestiny.THEMOTIVE----LOVE

Godelects thosewhoaresavedbecauseofHis love.InloveHepredestinedus toadoptionas sons. Just asHe chose Israel tobeHis special peopleonlybecauseofHislove(Deut.7:8),soHealsochosethechurch,thefamilyoftheredeemed. Biblicalagapēloveisnotanemotionbutadispositionofthehearttoseekthewelfareandmeettheneedsofothers.“Greaterlovehasnoonethanthis,thatonelaydownhis life forhis friends,” Jesus said (John15:13).And that is exactlywhat JesusHimselfdidonbehalfof thoseGodhaschosen tobesaved. In theultimatedivineactof love,Goddeterminedbefore the foundationof theearththatHewouldgiveHisonlySontosaveus.“God,beingrichinmercy,becauseof His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in ourtransgressions,made us alive togetherwithChrist” (Eph. 2:4-5).He loved us,andwilleternallycontinue to loveus,accordingtothekindintentionofHiswill.THERESULT----SONSHIP

The result of God’s election is our adoption as sons. In Christ we becomesubjectsofHiskingdom,andbecauseHe isourLordweareHis servants.Heevencallsus friendsbecause,He says, “All things that Ihaveheard fromMy

FatherIhavemadeknowntoyou”(John15:15).ButinHisgreatloveHemakesusmore than citizens and servants, and evenmore than friends.Hemakes uschildren. God lovingly draws redeemed sinners into the intimacy of His ownfamily. WhenwebecomeChristianswebecomechildrenofGod. “Foryouhavenotreceivedaspiritofslaveryleadingtofear,”Paulsays,“butyouhavereceivedaspiritof adoptionas sonsbywhichwecryout, ‘Abba!Father!’” (Rom.8:15).Abba was anAramaicword of endearment somewhat equivalent toDaddy orPapa. To be saved is to have the very life of God in our souls, His own Spiritenliveningourspirits.Humanparentscanadoptchildrenandcometolovethemeverybitasmuchastheylovetheirnaturalchildren.Theycangiveanadoptedchild complete equality in the family life, resources, and inheritance. But nohumanparentcanimparthisowndistinctnaturetoanadoptedchild.YetthatiswhatGodmiraculouslydoestoeverypersonwhomHehaselectedandwhohastrusted inChrist.Hemakes them sons just likeHisdivineSon.ChristiansnotonlyhavealloftheSon’srichesandblessingsbutalloftheSon’snature.THEGOAL----GLORY

WhydidGoddoallofthatforus?WhydidHewantustobeHissons?WearesavedandmadesonstothepraiseofthegloryofHisgrace.Aboveallelse,HeelectsandsavesusforHisownglory.WhenJesussaid,“Donotbeafraid,littleflock,foryourFatherhaschosengladlytogiveyouthekingdom”(Luke12:32),Hewas affirming the delight ofGod in puttingHis glory on display.AsPaulfurtherexplained,“Godisatworkin[us]…forHisgoodpleasure”(Phil.2:13). TheapostlePaulintercededfortheThessalonians,praying“thatourGodmaycountyouworthyofyour calling… inorder that thenameofourLord Jesusmaybeglorifiedinyou,andyouinHim”(2Thess.1:11-12). EventhebeastsofthefieldwillglorifytheLord,Isaiahtellsus(43:20),andtheheavenstellof thegloryofGod(Ps.19:1).Theonlyrebelsintheuniversearefallen angels and fallen man. Everything else glorifies its Creator. The fallenangels have already been eternally removed from God’s presence, and thosefallenmenwhowillnotbesavedbyJesusChristwill join thoseangels in thateternalseparation. God chose and preordained the Body before the foundation of the world inorderthatnohumanbeingcouldboastortakegloryforhimself,butthatallthe

glorymightbeHis.SalvationisnotpartlyofGodandpartlyofman,butentirelyof God. To guarantee that, every provision and every detail of salvation wasaccomplished before any human being was ever born or before a planet wasformedonwhichhecouldbeborn. TheultimatereasonforeverythingthatexistsisthegloryofHisgrace.Thatiswhy, as God’s children, Christians should do everything they do—even suchmundanethingsaseatinganddrinking—tothegloryofGod(1Cor.10:31).

RedemptionThroughHisBlood

3

whichHefreelybestowedonusintheBeloved.InHimwehaveredemptionthroughHisblood,theforgivenessofourtrespasses,accordingtotherichesofHisgrace,whichHelavisheduponus.InallwisdomandinsightHemadeknowntousthemysteryofHiswill,accordingtoHiskindintentionwhichHepurposedinHimwithaviewtoanadministrationsuitabletothefulnessof the times, that is, the summingupof all things inChrist, things in theheavensandthingsupontheearth.(l:6b-10)Some years ago trading stamps were popular. For each dollar amountpurchased a given number of trading stamps was given as a bonus. Whensufficient stamps were saved up, they were taken to a redemption center andexchangedformerchandise. Redemption is one of the central themes of Scripture and of the book ofEphesians, but it carries much more than the idea simply of exchanging onethingforanotherofequalvalue.

THEMEANINGOFREDEMPTION

RedemptioncomesfromoneofsixtermstakenfromthefieldoflawandusedintheNewTestamentinrelationtosalvation.Dikaioōandrelatedtermsreferredto legal acquittal of a charge and areused theologically to speakof a sinner’sbeingvindicated,justified,anddeclaredrighteousbeforeGod(see,forexample,Rom.3:4;4:25;5:18;1Tim.3:16).Aphiēmibasicallymeanstosendawayandwasusedtoindicatethelegalrepaymentorcancellationofadebtorthegrantingofapardon.ItisusedinScripturetorefertoGod’sforgivenessofsin(seeMatt.9:2;Rom.4:7;Eph.1:7;4:32;etc.).Huiothesia referredtothelegalprocessofadopting a child and is used by Paul to represent the believer’s adoption intoGod’s family (seeRom.8:15;Gal.4:5;Eph.1:5).Katallassōmeant to legallyreconcile twodisputingparties incourtand in theNewTestament isusedofabeliever’sreconciliationwithGodthroughJesusChrist(Rom.5:10;2Cor.5:18-20). Two Greek legal terms are related to redemption. Agorazō, and the relatedexagorazō, refer to buying or purchasing. The source of the terms is agora,which means marketplace, and the root idea of the derived verbs and nounsreferredtobuyingandtradinginthemarketplace.IntheNewTestamenttheyareusedtodenotespiritualpurchaseorredemption(seeGal.3:13;Rev.5:9;14:3-4;etc.). Theothertermforredemption, lutroō(alongwithitsrelatedforms),meanttoreleasefromcaptivity.Itcarriedanevenstrongermeaningthanagorazōandisbehind the noun rendered here as redemption. Thiswordwas used to refer topaying a ransom in order to release a person frombondage, especially that ofslavery. DuringNewTestament times theRomanEmpire had asmany as sixmillionslaves, and the buying and selling of themwas amajor business. If a personwantedtofreealovedoneorfriendwhowasaslave,hewouldbuythatslaveforhimself and thengrant him freedom, testifying to thedeliveranceby awrittencertificate.Lutroōwasusedtodesignatethefreeingofaslaveinthatway. That is precisely the idea carried in the New Testament use of the term torepresentChrist’satoningsacrificeonthecross.HepaidtheredemptionpricetobuyforHimselffallenmankindandtosetthemfreefromtheirsin. EveryhumanbeingbornsincetheFallhascomeintotheworldenslavedtosin,under total bondage to a nature that is corrupt, evil, and separated from its

Creator.Nopersonisspirituallyfree.Nohumanbeingisfreeofsinorfreeofitsconsequences, the ultimate consequence, or penalty, forwhich is death (Rom.6:23).“Thesoulwhosinswilldie”(Ezek.18:4). Jesussaid,“Truly,truly,Isaytoyou,everyonewhocommitssinistheslaveofsin” (John 8:34), and Paul points out that every person has committed sin:“There isnonerighteous,notevenone”(Rom.3:10;cf.Ps.14:1). In thesamelettertheapostlesaysthatweareall“soldintobondagetosin”(7:14)andthat,infact,thewholeofcreationisenslavedtothecorruptionofsin(8:21). Sin isman’s captor and slave owner, and it demands a price for his release.Death is theprice thathad tobepaid forman’s redemption fromsin.Biblicalredemption therefore refers to the act ofGod bywhichHeHimself paid as aransomthepriceforsin. InRomansPaulspeaksofredemptionas“ourhavingbeenfreedfromsin”andbecome“slavesofrighteousness”(6:18).InGalatiansHedescribesredemptioninsayingthatJesusChrist“gaveHimselfforoursins,thatHemightdeliverusoutofthispresentevilage,accordingtothewillofourGodandFather”(1:3-4);that“ChristredeemedusfromthecurseoftheLaw,havingbecomeacurseforus” (3:13); and that “itwas for freedom thatChrist set us free; thereforekeepstanding firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” (5:1). InColossianstheapostlesaysthat“Hedeliveredusfromthedomainofdarkness,and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we haveredemption,theforgivenessofsins”(1:13-14). The writer of Hebrews explains redemption in these words: “Since then thechildrenshare infleshandblood,HeHimself[Christ] likewisealsopartookofthesame,thatthroughdeathHemightrenderpowerlesshimwhohadthepowerof death, that is, the devil; andmight deliver thosewho through fear of deathweresubjecttoslaveryalltheirlives”(2:14-15).

THEELEMENTSOFREDEMPTION

whichHefreelybestowedonusintheBeloved.InHimwehaveredemptionthroughHisblood,theforgivenessofourtrespasses,accordingtotherichesofHisgrace,whichHelavisheduponus.InallwisdomandinsightHemadeknowntousthemysteryofHiswill,accordingtoHiskindintentionwhichHepurposedinHimwithaviewtoanadministrationsuitabletothefulnessof the times, that is, the summingupof all things inChrist, things in theheavensandthingsupontheearth.(l:6b-10)In this passage Paul mentions five elements of the redemption God offersfallenmenthroughHisSon,JesusChrist:theRedeemer,theredeemed,andtheredemptionprice,results,andreason.THEREDEEMER

Grace (v. 6a) is the antecedent ofwhich. It isGod’sgrace (undeserved loveandgoodness)thatHefreelybestowedonusintheBeloved,andbecauseweare inHimwehave redemption. JesusChrist is ourRedeemer from sin, theBeloved(thewordindicatestheOnewhoisinthestateofbeinglovedbyGod)whoHimselfpaidthepriceforourreleasefromsinanddeath.Becausewenowbelong toChrist,by faithmadeonewithHimandplaced inHisBody,wearenowacceptabletoGod. From the beginning of Jesus’ ministry the Father declared Him to be “MybelovedSon”(Matt.3:17).AndbecausewehavebelievedinHim,“Hedeliveredus from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of Hisbeloved Son” (Col. 1:13). Because we are now in the Beloved, we, too, are“belovedofGod”(Rom.1:7). OnlyJesusChristhastheinherentrighttoallthegoodnessofGod.Butbecausewe are identifiedwithHim by faith, that goodness is now also our goodness.BecauseourSaviorandLordistheBelovedoftheFatherandpossessesallthegoodnessoftheFather,wearealsothebelovedoftheFatherandpossessallHisgoodness.Jesussaid,“HewhohasMycommandmentsandkeepsthem,heitiswholovesMe;andhewholovesMeshallbelovedbyMyFather”(John14:21). TheFathernow lovesusasHe lovesChristandwantsus tohaveeverythingthat Christ has. That is why Paul could say He “has blessed us with everyspiritualblessingintheheavenlyplacesinChrist”(Eph.1:3).EveryChristianis

God’sbelovedchildbecausetheLordJesusChristhasbecomeourRedeemer. The Old Testament concept of a kinsman-redeemer set forth threequalifications:hehad tobe related to theoneneeding redemption,able topaytheprice,andwillingtodoso.TheLordJesusperfectlymettheserequirements. Apoethasexpressedthemagnificentrealityofredemptioninthewords,

Near,soveryneartoGod,NearerIcouldnotbe;ForinthepersonofHisSon,I’mjustasnearasHe.

Dear,soverydeartoGod,

DearerIcouldnotbe;ForinthepersonofHisSon,I’mjustasdearasHe.

Charitoō(freelybestowed)isfromcharis(grace,v.6a),andthereforePaulissaying thatGod has graced uswithHis grace. Christians are thosewho havebeengracedbyGod.THEREDEEMED

Onus,“thesaints…whoarefaithfulinChristJesus”(v.1),theRedeemerhasfreelybestowedHisgrace.Weare theoneswhohave redemption throughHisblood. In chapter 2 Paul reminds us ofwhatwewere likewhenGod so graciouslyredeemed us. We “were dead in [our] trespasses and sins”; we “walkedaccordingtothecourseofthisworld,accordingtotheprinceofthepoweroftheair”;we“livedinthelustsofourflesh,indulgingthedesiresofthefleshandofthemind,andwerebynaturechildrenofwrath”;andwewerewithout“hopeandwithout God in the world” (vv. 1-3, 12). In chapter 4 he reminds us that weformerlywalkedinfutilityofmind,“darkenedin[our]understanding,excludedfromthe lifeofGod,”becauseof ignoranceandhardnessofheart (vv.17-18).Those are the kinds of people (the only kind who exist) that God chose toredeem. Itisofcoursebecausemenarelikethatthattheyneedredemption.GoodmenwouldnotneedaRedeemer.That iswhyChrist“gaveHimself forus, thatHe

might redeemus fromevery lawlessdeedandpurify forHimself apeople forHisownpossession,zealousforgooddeeds”(Titus2:14). Untilapersonrealizeshisneedforredemption,however,heseesnoneedforaRedeemer.Untilherecognizesthatheishopelesslyenslavedtosin,hewillnotseekreleasefromit.Butwhenhedoes,hewillbefreedfromthecurseofsin,placedinChrist’sBody,andblessedwithHiseveryspiritualblessing.THEREDEMPTIONPRICE

InHimwehaveredemptionthroughHisblood,(7a)Thepriceofredemption isHisblood. Itcost thebloodof theSonofGodtobuymenbackfromtheslavemarketofsin(cf.Lev.17:11;Heb.9:22). Sheddingofbloodisametonymfordeath,whichisthepenaltyandthepriceofsin.Christ’sowndeath,bythesheddingofHisblood,wasthesubstituteforourdeath.Thatwhichwedeservedandcouldnotsaveourselvesfrom,thebelovedSavior,thoughHedidnotdeserveit,tookuponHimself.Hemadepaymentforwhatotherwisewouldhavecondemnedustodeathandhell. The blood of sacrificial animals was continually offered on the altars of theTabernacleandthentheTemple.Butthatbloodwasneverable,andwasneverintended, to cleanse the offerers from sin.Those animalswere only symbolic,typicalsubstitutes.As thewriterofHebrewsexplains,“It is impossible for thebloodofbullsandgoatstotakeawaysins”(Heb.10:4).ButinthesheddingofHisblood,“wehavebeensanctified through theofferingof thebodyofJesusChrist once for all” (10:10). He “gave Himself up for us, an offering and asacrifice toGodasa fragrantaroma” (Eph.5:2).TheSaviorHimself said thatHisbloodwas“pouredoutformanyforforgivenessofsins”(Matt.26:28).AsthewriterofHebrewsexplains,Christ’ssacrificewas“notthroughthebloodofgoatsandcalves,butthroughHisownblood,Heenteredtheholyplaceonceforall,havingobtainedeternalredemption.Forifthebloodofgoatsandbullsandthe ashes of a heifer sprinkling thosewho have been defiled, sanctify for thecleansingoftheflesh,howmuchmorewillthebloodofChrist,whothroughtheeternalSpiritofferedHimselfwithoutblemishtoGod,cleanseyourconsciencefromdeadworkstoservethelivingGod?”(Heb.9:12-14). We“werenotredeemedwithperishable thingslikesilverorgold,…butwithpreciousblood,asofa lambunblemishedandspotless, thebloodofChrist”(1Pet.1:18-19).NowonderJohnsawthefourlivingcreaturesandthetwenty-fourelders singing, “Worthy art Thou to take the book, and to break its seals; for

Thouwast slain, and didst purchase forGodwithThy bloodmen from everytribe and tongue and people and nation. And Thou hast made them to be akingdomandprieststoourGod;andtheywillreignupontheearth”(Rev.5:8-10). The“redemptionwhichisinChristJesus…inHisbloodthroughfaith”(Rom.3:24-25) has paid the price for those enslaved by sin, bought them out of theslavemarketwheretheywereinbondage,andsetthemfreeasliberatedsonsofGod.IntheirfreedomtheyareinunionwithJesusChristandreceiveeverygoodthing that He is and has. His death frees believers from sin’s guilt,condemnation, bondage, power, penalty, and—some glorious day—even fromitspresence.THEREDEMPTIVERESULTS

theforgivenessofourtrespasses,accordingtotherichesofHisgrace,whichHelavisheduponus.InallwisdomandinsightHemadeknowntousthemysteryofHiswill,(7b-9a)Redemptioninvolveseveryconceivablegoodthing,“everyspiritualblessinginthe heavenly places inChrist” (v. 3).But herePaul focuses on two especiallyimportant aspects. One is negative, the forgiveness of our trespasses, and theotherispositive,wisdomandinsight. Forgiveness.Theprimaryresultofredemptionfor thebeliever isforgiveness,oneofthecentralsalvationtruthsofboththeOldandNewTestaments.Itisalsothedearesttruthtothosewhohaveexperienceditsblessing.AttheLastSupper,JesusexplainedtothedisciplesthatthecupHethensharedwiththemwasHis“bloodof thecovenant,which ispouredout formany for forgivenessof sins”(Matt.26:28).Redemptionbringsforgiveness. Behaviorists and those from some other schools of psychologymaintain thatwe cannot be blamed for our sin, that it is the fault of our genes, ourenvironment, ourparents, or somethingelse external.But aperson’s sin is hisown fault, and the guilt for it is his own. The honest person who has anyunderstandingofhisownheartknowsthat. Thegospeldoesnot teach,assomefalselymaintain, thatmenhavenosinorguilt,butratherthatChristwilltakeawayboththesinandtheguiltofthosewhotrust Him.As Paul told the Jews in PisidianAntioch, “ThroughHim [Christ]forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone whobelievesisfreedfromallthings”(Acts13:38-39).

Israel’sgreatestholydaywasYomKippur,theDayofAtonement.Onthatdaythehighpriestselectedtwounblemishedsacrificialgoats.Onegoatwaskilled,andhisbloodwassprinkledonthealtarasasacrifice.Thehighpriestplacedhishandsontheheadoftheothergoat,symbolicallylayingthesinsofthepeopleontheanimal.Thegoatwasthentakenoutdeepintothewilderness,sofar that itcouldnever find itswayback. In symbol the sinsof thepeoplewentwith thegoat,nevertoreturntothemagain(Lev.16:7-10). Butthatenactment,beautifulandmeaningfulasitwas,didnotactuallyremovethe people’s sins, as they well knew. It was but a picture of what only GodHimself in Christ could do. As mentioned above, aphiēmi (from whichforgivenesscomes)basicallymeanstosendaway.Usedasalegaltermitmeanttorepayorcanceladebtortograntapardon.ThroughthesheddingofHisownblood,JesusChristactuallytookthesinsoftheworlduponHisownhead,asitwere,andcarried theman infinitedistanceaway fromwhere theycouldneverreturn.Thatistheextentoftheforgivenessofourtrespasses. It is tragic that many Christians are depressed about their shortcomings andwrongdoing, thinkingandactingas ifGodstillholds theirsinsagainst them—forgetting that, because God has taken their sins upon Himself, they areseparatedfromthosesins“asfarastheeastisfromthewest”(Ps.103:12).Theyforget God’s promise through Isaiah that one day He would wipe out thetransgressionsofbelievers“likeathickcloud”andtheir“sinslikeaheavymist.ReturntoMe,”Hesaid,“forIhaveredeemedyou”(Isa.44:22).EvenbeforetheMessiah came and paid the price for redemption, God spoke of it as alreadyhaving taken place. Depressed Christians forget that God looked down thecorridorsoftimeevenbeforeHefashionedtheearthandplacedthesinsofHiselect on the head of His Son, who took them an eternal distance away. Hedismissedoursinsbeforewewereborn,andtheycanneverreturn. Hundreds of years before Calvary, Micah proclaimed, “Who is a God likeThee,whopardonsiniquityandpassesovertherebelliousactoftheremnantofHis possession?He does not retainHis anger forever, becauseHe delights inunchanging love. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread ouriniquitiesunderfoot.Yes,Thouwiltcastalltheirsinsintothedepthsofthesea”(Mic.7:18-19). To ancient Israel the distance from east to west and “the depths of the sea”representedinfinity.God’sforgivenessisinfinite;ittakesawayourtrespassestothefarthestreachesofeternalinfinity. InShakespeare’sKingRichardIII(5.3.194)thekinglaments,

Myconsciencehathathousandseveraltongues,

Andeverytonguebringsinaseveraltale,Andeverytalecondemnsmeforavillain.

That is not true ofChristians.When Jesus comes into our lives asSavior andLord,He says touswhatHe said to thewomancaught in the actof adultery,“NeitherdoIcondemnyou;goyourway”(John8:11).“ThereisthereforenownocondemnationforthosewhoareinChristJesus.ForthelawoftheSpiritoflifeinChristJesushassetyoufreefromthelawofsinandofdeath”(Rom.8:1-2). Forgiveness in Jesus Christ is undeserved, but it is free and it is complete.ThosewhohaveHimhave freedom fromsin,nowand throughout eternity. InChristoursins—past,present,andfuture—“areforgiven.forHisname’ssake”(1John2:12;cf.Eph.4:32;Col.2:13).Theywereforgivencountlessagesbeforewecommittedthemandwillremainforgivenforever. Becausewe continue to sin,weneed the continued forgiveness of cleansing;butwedonot need the continued forgiveness of redemption. Jesus toldPeter,“Hewhohasbathedneedsonlytowashhisfeet,butiscompletelyclean”(John13:10). Even though we continue to sin, Jesus “is faithful and righteous toforgiveusoursinsandtocleanseusfromallunrighteousness”(lJohn1:9).Heforgivesalloursinsinthesweepinggraceofsalvation.Thatdoesnotmeanwewillno longersin,nor thatwhenwedooursinshavenoharmfuleffect.Theyhaveaprofoundeffectonourgrowth,joy,peace,usefulness,andabilitytohaveintimateandrichcommunionwiththeFather.Thusthebelieveriscalledontoaskforforgivenessdailysothathemayenjoynotjustthegeneralforgivenessofredemption, but the specific forgiveness of daily cleansing, which bringsfellowship and usefulness to their maximum. That is the issue in our Lord’steachingonprayerrecordedinMatthew6:12,14-15. TherearenosecondclassChristians,nodeprivedcitizensofGod’skingdomorchildren in His family. Every sin of every believer is forgiven forever. Godknows howwewere, howwe now live, and howwewill live the rest of ourlives. He sees everything about us in stark-naked reality. Yet He says, “I amsatisfiedwith you because I am satisfiedwithMy Son, towhom you belong.WhenIlookatyou,IseeHim,andIampleased.” BecauseGodacceptseverybelieverasHeacceptsHisownSon,everybelieverought toaccepthimself in thesameway.Wedonotacceptourselvesforwhat

we are in ourselves anymore thanGod accepts us for that reason.We acceptourselvesasforgivenandasrighteousbecausethatiswhatGodHimselfdeclaresustobe.Tothinkotherwiseisnotasignofhumilitybutofarrogance,becausetothinkotherwiseistoputourownjudgmentaboveGod’sWordandtobelittletheredemption price paid for us by His own beloved Son. A Christian whodenigrates himself and doubts full forgiveness denies the work of God anddenigratesachildofGod.IfwemattertoGod,wecertainlyoughttomattertoourselves. A person may have many friends in high places. He may know presidents,kings,governors,senators,andworldleadersofeverysort.Butsuchfriendshipspale beside that of themost obscureChristian,who not only is a friend but achildoftheCreatoroftheuniverse. PhilipBlisswrote,

IamsogladthatourFatherinheav’nTellsofHisloveintheBookHehasgiv’n.WonderfulthingsintheBibleIsee;Thisisthedearest,thatJesuslovesme.

Oh,ifthere’sonlyonesongIcansing,

WheninHisbeautyIseetheGreatKing,Thisshallmysongineternitybe:“Oh,whatawonderthatJesuslovesme!”

The vastness and comprehensiveness of our forgiveness is seen in Paul’sstatementthatitisaccordingtotherichesofHisgrace.God’sgrace—likeHislove,holiness,power,andallHisotherattributes—isboundless.Itisfarbeyondourabilitytocomprehendordescribe,yetweknowitisaccordingtotherichesofthatinfinitegracethatHeprovidesforgiveness. Ifyouwere togo toamultimillionaireandaskhimtocontribute toaworthyministry, and he gave you a check for twenty-five dollars, he would only begivingout of his riches.Manypoorpeoplegive thatmuch.But if, instead, hegaveyouacheckforfiftythousanddollars,hewouldbegivingaccordingtohisriches. ThatisasmallpictureofGod’sgenerosity.HisforgivenessnotonlyisgivenaccordingtotherichesofHisgracebutislavisheduponus.Weneedneverworry that our sin will outstrip God’s gracious forgiveness. “Where sin

increased,” Paul assures us, “grace abounded all themore” (Rom. 5:20). OurheavenlyFatherdoesnotsimplygiveussubsistenceforgivenessthatwillbarelycover our sins if we are careful not to overdo.We cannot sin beyond God’sgrace,becauseaswickedandextensiveasoursinsmightbeorbecome,theywillnever approach thegreatnessofHisgrace.His forgiveness is infinite, andHelavishes itwithoutmeasureuponthosewhotrust inHisSon.WethereforenotonlycanenjoyfutureglorywithGodbutpresentfellowshipwithHimaswell. Wisdom and Insight. The second result of redemption for the believer is hisbeing givenwisdomand insight.Sophia (wisdom) emphasizes understandingofultimatethings—suchaslifeanddeath,Godandman,righteousnessandsin,heavenandhell, eternityand time.Paul is speakingofwisdomconcerning thethings of God. Phronēsis (insight), on the other hand, emphasizes practicalunderstanding, comprehension of the needs, problems, and principles ofeverydayliving.Itisspiritualprudenceinthehandlingofdailyaffairs. Godnot only forgives us—taking away the sin that corrupts and distorts ourlives—butalsogivesusall thenecessaryequipment tounderstandHimand towalkthroughtheworlddaybydayinawaythatreflectsHiswillandispleasingtoHim.Hegenerouslygivesus thewherewithalboth tounderstandHisWordandtoknowhowtoobeyit. In Jesus Christ, God takes us into His confidence. “We do speak wisdomamongthosewhoaremature,”Paulsaid; it is“awisdom,however,notof thisage, nor of the rulers of this age,who are passing away; butwe speakGod’swisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before theagestoourglory….Nowwehavereceived,notthespiritoftheworld,buttheSpiritwho is fromGod, thatwemight know the things freely given to us byGod”(1Cor.2:6-7,12).Heconcludedthatamazingpassagebydeclaring,“wehavethemindofChrist”(v.16). TheFrenchphilosopherAndréMauroissaid,“Theuniverseisindifferent.Whocreatedit?Whyareweonthispunymud-heap,spinningininfinitespace?Ihavenottheslightestidea,andIamconvincedthatnoonehastheleastidea.” ItisnotsurprisingthatthosewhodonotevenrecognizethatGodexists,muchlesstrustandserveHim,donothavetheleastideaofwhatlife,theuniverse,andeternityareallabout.Jesussaid,“IpraiseThee,OFather,Lordofheavenandearth, thatThoudidsthide these things fromthewiseand intelligentanddidstrevealthemtobabes”(Matt.11:25).Jamessaid,“Ifanyofyoulackswisdom,lethimaskofGod,whogives toallmengenerouslyandwithoutreproach,and itwillbegiventohim”(James1:5).WhenGodtakesawaysin,Hedoesnotleave

usinaspiritual,moral,andmentalvacuumwherewemustthenworkthingsoutforourselves.HelavisheswisdomandinsightonusaccordingtotherichesofHisgracejustasHelavishesforgivenessonusaccordingtothoseriches.THEREDEMPTIVEREASON

accordingtoHiskindintentionwhichHepurposedinHimwithaviewtoanadministrationsuitabletothefulnessofthetimes,thatis,thesummingupof all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things upon the earth.(1:9b-10)WhyhasGoddonesomuchforus?WhyhasHeblesseduswitheveryspiritualblessing,chosenus inChristbefore thefoundationof theworld,madeusholyandblameless,predestinedustoadoptionasHischildren,redeemedusthroughHisblood,andlavishlygivenusforgiveness,wisdom,andinsightaccordingtotheinfiniterichesofHisgrace? God redeemsmen in order thatHemight gather everything toHimself. Thetime of that gathering will be the millennial kingdom, which will be anadministration suitable to the fulnessof the times.When the completionofhistorycomes, thekingdomarrives,eternitybeginsagain,and thenewheavenand new earth are established, there will be a summing up of all things inChrist, things in theheavensand thingsupon theearth. JesusChrist is thegoalofhistory,whichfindsitsresolutioninHim.TheparadiselostinAdamisrestoredinChrist. Atthattime,“atthenameofJesuseveryknee[will]bow,ofthosewhoareinheaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and…every tongue [will] confessthatJesusChristisLord,tothegloryofGodtheFather”(Phil.2:10-11).Christwillgathertheentireuniverseintounity(seePs.2;Heb.1:8-13).Atthepresenttimetheuniverseisanythingbutunified.Itiscorrupted,divided,andsplintered.Satanisnow“therulerofthisworld,”butinthatdayhe“shallbecastout”(John12:31). He and his demon angels will be thrown into the pit during theMillennium,releasedforashortwhile,andthencastintothelakeoffireforalleternity(Rev.20:3,10). When every trace of evil has been disposed of, God will establish anincomparable unity inHimself of all things that remain.That is the inevitablegoaloftheuniverse. Macbethpessimisticallydeclaredthathistoryis“ataletoldbyanidiot,fullofsoundandfury,signifyingnothing”(Shakespeare,Macbeth,5.5.19).

ApartfromthewisdomandinsightGodprovidesHischildren,suchahopelessconclusionisinescapable.ButhistorybelongstoGod,nottothepunyplansofman or the perverse power of Satan. History is written and directed by itsCreator,whowillseeit throughtothefulfillmentofHisownultimatepurpose—thesummingupofall things inChrist.HedesignedHisgreatplan in theagespast;HenowsovereignlyworksitoutaccordingtoHisdivinewill;andinthefulnessofthetimesHewillcompleteandperfectitinHisSon,inwhomitwill foreveroperate in righteousharmonyandgloriousnewnessalongwithallthingsintheheavensandthingsupontheearth.

DivineInheritanceGuaranteed

4

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestinedaccordingtoHispurposewhoworksallthingsafterthecounselofHiswill,to the end thatwewhowere the first to hope inChrist should be to thepraiseofHisglory.InHim,youalso,afterlisteningtothemessageoftruth,thegospelofyoursalvation—havingalsobelieved,youweresealedinHimwiththeHolySpiritofpromise,whoisgivenasapledgeofourinheritance,withaviewtotheredemptionofGod’sownpossession,tothepraiseofHisglory.(1:11-14)Over the years I have hadmany conversationswith people—young and old,educatedanduneducated,privilegedandunderprivileged—whofacelifewithasenseofforeboding,wonderingiftheywilleverfindfulfillmentfortheirlives.Theywonder if theywill turnout tobewhat theycouldbe ifeverythingwentjust right. They wonder if life really has the potential to be wonderful,meaningful, and fulfilling—and, if it does, whether they can discover andachievethatpotential. SomeyearsagoataChristiancampinthemountainsImetayoungmanwithaseverelywitheredarmandleg.Healwaysstayedatthebackofthegrouporinacornerbyhimself,neverparticipatingwiththeothercampers.OntheseconddayIwentovertohim,introducedmyself,andaskedhisname.Herespondedwithabitterscowl,pulledupthesleevethatcoveredhisdeformedarm,andsaid,“LookwhatGoddid tome.”After silentlypraying forGod’swisdomI said,“Wouldyouliketoknowsomething?That’snotyou.”“Whatdoyoumeanitsnotme?”he retorted. “It’s just the house you live in,” I said; “that’s all. It’s a verytemporaryhouse;butyouareaforeverperson.Godoffersaforeverplanforyouand also a new and eternal body for your future.” “You’re kidding,” he said.“No,I’mnotkidding,”Ireplied,andthensharedthegospelwithhim. He gave his heart to Jesus Christ, and his attitude and outlook immediatelychanged.OneofthefirstthingshedidwasaskmetoplayagameofPing-Pongwithhim.Heseemedinthosemomentsnottobeembarrassedorbitterabouthisphysical handicap.As soon as JesusChrist took control of his life he realizedGod had some things for him that far surpassed what, from his humanperspective,hadseemedtobesoterriblyimportantandvaluable.Whenheknew

hewaspartofGod’seternalplanandhadreceivedGod’seternalpromises,hisperspectivedramaticallychanged. In this passage Paul shows us the awesome and wonderful potential ofChristianbelievers.Thatforwhicheverypersoninonewayoranotheryearns,theChristianalreadypossessesorisonedayassuredofpossessing.TheapostlegivesusaglimpseofthegloriousblessingsGodhasplannedforandpromisedtothosewhocometoHimthroughHisSon,JesusChrist. Itishumannaturetobreakpromises.Governmentsmakeandbreakpromises.Advertisersandpoliticiansmakeandbreakpromises.Employersandemployees,preachersandchurchmembers,parentsandchildren,husbandsandwives,andfriends and relatives allmake promises to each otherwhich often are broken.Some are made with the best of intentions, and some are made in order todeceive and exploit. But all of us find ourselves both making and receivingpromisesthat,forwhateverreason,donotmaterialize. We can be eternally thankful that God’s promises are not like ours. Everypromise He makes, He keeps. The promises Paul mentions here that ourheavenlyFathermakestoHischildrennotonlyarewonderfulandexcitingbutabsolute and certain.As thewriter ofHebrews tells us, “Hewho promised isfaithful”(Heb.10:23).LikeAbraham,everybelievershouldbefullyassuredthatwhatGodpromisesHeisableandcertaintoperform(Rom.4:21).OursisaGodwhowillnotandcannotlie(Titus1:2). AtthecompletionofthislongestsentenceintheBible(Eph.1:3-14),inwhichPaulpoursouthisheartinpraisetoGodforHisimmeasurablegrace,hepresentsto us the Father’s guarantee of His divine promise to His children. They arecertain to receive thefull,undiminished inheritanceofJesusChrist.Justaswehave been blessed “with every spiritual blessing,” chosen “in Him before thefoundation of the world,” “predestined… to adoption as sons,” given“redemptionthroughHisblood,”andshown“themysteryofHiswill”(vv.3-5,7,9)—sowehavealsoobtainedaninheritance. Our inheritance is theaspectof salvationwhich isprimarily future.Wewereelected,orpredestined,beforetheworldortimeexisted;wehavebeenredeemedinthispresentage;andwewillreceiveourcompletedinheritanceintheagestocome,whenweenterfullyintotheFather’seternalheavenlykingdom. Hereweareshowntheground,theguarantee,andthegoalofourincomparableinheritanceinJesusChrist.

THEGROUNDOFOURINHERITANCE

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestinedaccordingtoHispurposewhoworksallthingsafterthecounselofHiswill,to the end thatwewhowere the first to hope inChrist should be to thepraiseofHisglory.InHim,youalso,afterlisteningtothemessageoftruth,thegospelofyoursalvation—havingalsobelieved,(1:11-13a)InHimfitsmoreappropriatelyatthebeginningofverse11thanattheendofverse10.ButineitherplacethephraseclearlyreferstoJesusChrist(v.10),whoisthegroundorsourceofourdivine inheritance.ApartfromJesusChrist, theonlyultimateandeternalthingapersoncanreceivefromGodiscondemnation.God bestows sunshine, rain, and many other good things on all men, therighteous and unrighteous alike (Matt. 5:45). But His spiritual blessings arebestowed only on those who are in Him (cf. vv. 1, 3-4, 6-7, 10). “There issalvationinnooneelse;forthereisnoothernameunderheaventhathasbeengivenamongmen,bywhichwemustbesaved”(Acts4:12). InRomans6,Paulgivesthespiritualbiographyofeverybeliever.“Doyounotknow,”hebegins,“thatallofuswhohavebeenbaptizedintoChristJesushavebeenbaptizedintoHisdeath?”(v.3).“Therefore,”hecontinues,“wehavebeenburiedwithHimthroughbaptismintodeath, inorder thatasChristwasraisedfromthedeadthroughthegloryoftheFather,sowetoomightwalkinnewnessof life. For ifwe have become unitedwithHim in the likeness ofHis death,certainlywe shall be also in the likeness ofHis resurrection” (vv. 4-5). By amarvelousmiraclethatonlyGodcancomprehend,everybelieverhasbeentothecrossofCalvary,beennailedtherespirituallywiththeSavior,andbeenburiedandraisedwithHim.JesusChristnotonlywascrucified,buried,andraisedforeverybelieverbutwitheverybeliever.Notonlythat,but“weknowthat,whenHe appears,we shall be likeHim, becausewe shall seeHim just asHe is” (lJohn3:2).Onthatgloriousdaywewillfinallyandfully“becomeconformedtotheimageofHisSon”(Rom.8:29).Wehaveobtainedan inheritance translates a single compoundword in theGreek(eklērēthēmen).Whensomethinginthefuturewassocertainthatitcouldnot possibly fail to happen, the Greeks would often speak of it as if it hadalreadyoccurred(ashere,wherePaulusestheaoristpassiveindicative). In chapter two Paul uses a similar Greek tense (aorist active indicative) tospeak of God’s having “seated us with Him in the heavenly places” (v. 6),

although theapostleand those towhomhewrotehadnotyetentered into thatgloriousexperience.TheirdwellingeternallywiththeLordwasjustascertainasiftheywerealreadyinheaven. Thepassiveformoftheverbin1:11aallowsfortwopossiblerenderings,bothofwhichareconsistentwithotherScripture.Itcanbetranslated“weremadeaninheritance” or, as here, have obtained an inheritance. The first renderingwould indicate that we, that is, believers, are Christ’s inheritance. JesusrepeatedlyspokeofbelieversasgiftsthattheFatherhadgivenHim(John6:37,39;10:29;17:2,24;etc.).JesuswonusatCalvary—asthespoilsofHisvictoryover Satan, sin, and death—and we now belong to Him. ‘“And they will beMine,’says theLordofhosts, ‘onthedaythatIprepareMyownpossession’”(Mal. 3:17). From eternity past the Father planned and determined that everypersonwhowouldtrustinHisSonforsalvationwouldbegiventoHisSonasapossession,agloriousinheritance. Translated the other way, however, this word means just the opposite: it isbelievers who receive the inheritance. Peter speaks of our having been “bornagaintoalivinghopethroughtheresurrectionofJesusChristfromthedead,toobtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undented and will not fadeaway,reservedinheavenfor[us]”(1Pet.1:3-4). Both of the translations are therefore grammatically and theologicallylegitimate.ThroughoutScripture believers are spokenof as belonging toGod,andHe is spokenof as belonging to them.TheNewTestament speaksof ourbeinginChristandofHisbeinginus,ofourbeingintheSpiritandofHisbeinginus. “Theonewho joinshimself to theLord isone spiritwithHim” (1Cor.6:17).Paulcouldthereforesay,“Forme,toliveisChrist”(Phil.1:21). Thepracticalsideofthattruthisthat,becauseweareidentifiedwithChrist,ourlives shouldbe identifiedwithHis life (cf. 1 John2:6).Weare to love asHeloved,helpasHehelped,careasHecared,shareasHeshared,andsacrificeourowninterestsandwelfareforthesakeofothersjustasHedid.LikeourLord,weareintheworldtoloseourlivesforothers. Althougheither renderingofeklērōthēmencanbesupported,Paul’semphasisin Ephesians 1:3-14 makes the second translation more appropriate here: wehaveobtainedaninheritance.OurinheritancewithChristisyetanotheroftheamazingandmagnificentblessingswithwhichtheFatherhasblessedusintheSon.AsPaulmakes clear in verse 3, our inheritance includes “every spiritualblessingintheheavenlyplacesinChrist.”InJesusChrist,believersinheriteverypromiseGodhasevermade.PetertellsusthatGod’s“divinepowerhasgranted

to us everything pertaining to life and godliness” and “has granted to us Hisprecious and magnificent promises” (2 Pet. 1:3-4). Paul says with absoluteinclusiveness, “For asmany asmay be the promises ofGod, inHim they areyes”(2Cor.1:20). OureveryconceivableneedismetbyGod’sgraciousprovisioninaccordancewithHisdivinepromises.Wearepromisedpeace,love,grace,wisdom,eternallife, joy,victory, strength,guidance,power,mercy, forgiveness, righteousness,truth,fellowshipwithGod,spiritualdiscernment,heaven,eternalriches,glory—thoseandeveryothergoodthingthatcomesfromGod.Paulsays,“Theworldorlifeordeathor thingspresentor things tocome;all thingsbelong toyou,andyoubelongtoChrist,andChristbelongstoGod”(1Cor.3:22-23).Becausewehave been made joint heirs with Christ, we are guaranteed possession ofeverythingHepossesses.Weare“heirsofGodandfellowheirswithChrist”(cf.Rom.8:17).JesusChrististhereforethegroundoftheinheritancethatwehaveobtained.Paulfirstshowsthatinheritancefromthedivineperspectiveandthenfromthehuman.THEDIVINEPERSPECTIVE

having been predestined according to His purpose who works all thingsafterthecounselofHiswill,totheendthatwe…shouldbetothepraiseofHisglory.(1:11,12b)Our discussion here will follow the order of the Greek text of verse 12, inwhich(asreflectedintheKingJamesVersion)shouldbetothepraiseofHisglory precedes “who were the first to hope in Christ” (which phrase will bediscussedbelowinrelationtothehumanperspective). God’s perspective on our inheritance in Christ is here shown in Hispredestination,Hispower,andHispreeminence. God’spredestination,havingbeenpredestinedaccordingtoHispurpose.AsChristianswearewhatwearebecauseofwhatGodchosetomakeusbeforeanymanwascreated.FrometernitypastHedeclaredthateveryelectsinner—thoughvile, rebellious, useless, and deserving only of death—who trusted inHis SonwouldbemadeasrighteousastheOneinwhomtheyputtheirtrust.AsPaulhasalreadyestablished,“HechoseusinHimbeforethefoundationoftheworld,thatweshouldbeholyandblamelessbeforeHim”(v.4). WilliamHendriksen’scommentonthispassageishelpfulandconcise:

Neither fate nor human merit determines our destiny. Thebenevolent purpose—thatwe should be holy and faultless (verse 4),sons of God (verse 5), destined to glorify him forever (verse 6, cf.verses12and14)—isfixed,beingpartofalarger,universe-embracingplan. Not only did Godmake this plan that includes absolutely allthings that ever take place in heaven, on earth, and in hell; past,present, and even the future, pertaining to both believers andunbelievers, to angels and devils, to physical as well as spiritualenergies and units of existence both large and small; he alsowhollycarries it out. His providence in time is as comprehensive as is hisdecree from eternity. (New Testament Commentary: Exposition ofEphesians[GrandRapids:Baker,19671,p.88)

God’spower,whoworksall thingsafter thecounselofHiswill.Works isfromenergeō,fromwhichwegetsuchEnglishwordsasenergy,energetic,andenergize.God’screatingandenergizingareone inHisdivinemind.WhenHespoke each part of the world into existence it began immediately to operatepreciselyasHehadplannedittodo.Unlikethethingswemake,God’screationsdonothave tobe redesigned,prototyped, tested, fueled,charged,and the like.Theyarenotonlycreatedreadytofunction,theyarecreatedfunctioning. EnergizingisanindispensablepartofHiscreativeplanandwork.BecauseinHiswondrousgraceGodchoseustobeHischildren,citizensofHiskingdom,and joint heirs with His Son, He will bring all of that to pass. “For I amconfidentofthisverything,”Pauldeclared,“thatHewhobeganagoodworkinyouwillperfectituntilthedayofChristJesus”(Phil.1:6).GodworksoutwhatHe plans. He energizes every believer with all the power necessary for hisspiritualcompletion. It isnotsufficient to think thatGodonlymakes theplan.Healsomakesitworkout. God’s preeminence, should be to the praise of His glory. As mentionedabove, this phrase begins verse twelve in the Greek text, and that order fitslogically with what Paul has been saying about God’s perspective on ourinheritance.TheLord’sperspectiveandworkingareseeninHispredestination,inHispower,and,asweseehere,inHispreeminence.Manisredeemedforthepurposeofrestoringthedivineimagemarredbysin.BecauseGod’sintentionincreating men was that they should bear the divine image, salvation’s goal iscreation’s goal. God desires creatures that will give Him glory by bothproclaiminganddisplayingHisglory.ForthatreasonHeredeemsmen.

Scripture always presents salvation fromGod’s side, in order thatHe shouldhavefullcredit.Inourhumanly-orientedsociety,God’swantingexclusivecreditseems inappropriate—butonlybecausemenhavenoconceptofHisgreatness,holiness,andglory.WhatviewstheymayhaveofHimaresimplyprojectionsofthemselves.Thepraiseandglorythatmensomuchdesirearetotallyundeserved,andtheirmotivesforwantingthemarepurelysinful.ButGodseeksgloryfortherightreasonsandbecauseHealoneisdeservingofit.HisseekinggloryisaholydesireofwhichHeissupremelyandsinglyworthy. Our predestined salvation, including our attendant eternal and boundlessblessings,arethereforedesignedthattheyshouldbetothepraiseofHisglory.THEHUMANPERSPECTIVE

totheendthatwewhowerefirsttohopeinChrist…InHim,youalso,afterlisteningtothemessageoftruth,thegospelofyoursalvation—havingalsobelieved,(12a,13a)In theGreek text thispassage iscontinuous, the lastpartofverse12 leadingdirectly into verse 13. Here we see the believer’s divine inheritance in JesusChrist fromourownhumanperspective.ThroughoutScripture there is tensionbetween God’s sovereignty and man’s will, a tension that, in his limited andimperfectknowledge,manisincapableoffullyreconciling.Aswithalltheotherantinomiesandparadoxes inGod’sWord,our responsibility is tobelievebothsidesofthemwithoutreservation,justastheyarerevealed.WeknowthetruthsareinperfectaccordinGod’smind,andthatknowledgeshouldsatisfyus. Someone has pictured the divine and human sides of salvation in this way:Whenyoulooktowardheavenyouseeasignthatreads,“Whosoeverwillmaycome,”andafteryouenterheavenyoulookbacktothatsamesignandreadontheotherside,“ChoseninHimbeforethefoundationoftheworld.” WhateverGod’sreasonsfordesigningsuchhumanly irreconcilable truths,weshould thank and praise Him for them. For the very reason that they arecompletely true while seeming to be contradictory, we are humbled in Hispresence as we stand in awe of that which to us is incomprehensible. To thetrusting believer such truths are but further evidence that Scripture is God’sdoing,andnotman’s. To the end thatwewhowere first tohope inChrist is the first statementgivenhereaboutthehumansideofourdivineinheritanceinChrist.TheGreekhasadefinitearticlebeforeChrist,andamoreliteraltranslationishopeinthe

Christ. The meaning is not changed, but the definite article emphasizes theuniqueness of our hope: it is in the one andonlySavior, JesusChrist. It alsostresses the idea that the apostles and other first-generation Jewish believerswerethefirsttoreceivetheMessiah. A rich factor in man’s believing the gospel is the hope He is given in HisSaviorandLord.ThoughPaulmentionshopebeforebeliefinthispassage,thechronologicalaswellastheologicalorderisfaithandthenhope.Inthiscontext,however,hope is usedprimarily as a synonym for faith.The first tohope inChristwerethefirsttobelieveinHim. Therefore,Paulcontinues,InHim,youalso,afterlisteningtothemessageoftruth, thegospelofyoursalvation—havingalsobelieved,…As theapostleexplainsinhislettertotheRomans,“Faithcomesfromhearing,andhearingbythe word of Christ” (10:17). Faith comes from a positive response to themessage of truth, the gospel (cf. Gal. 1:6-9)—the good news that God hasprovidedawayofsalvationthroughtheatoningworkofHisSon,JesusChrist.To“asmanyasreceivedHim,tothemHegavetherighttobecomechildrenofGod,eventothosewhobelieveinHisname”(John1:12).Man-madesystemsofreligion,whichrelyonritualorworksorboth,notonlydonotleadtoGodbutcanbecomegreatbarrierstofindingHim.TheonlywaytocomeisthroughHisSon.“Forwith theheartmanbelieves, resulting in righteousness,andwith themouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘Whoeverbelieves in Him will not be disappointed’” (Rom. 10:10-11). Having alsobelievednotonlystressesthemeansbywhichsalvationisappropriatedbutalsotheuniformityofsuchmeansbytheuseofalso. Faith is man’s response to God’s elective purpose. God’s choice of men iselection;men’schoiceofGodisfaith.InelectionGodgivesHispromises,andbyfaithmenreceivethem.

THEGUARANTEEOFOURINHERITANCE

youweresealed inHimwiththeHolySpiritofpromise,whoisgivenasapledgeofourinheritance,(l:13i?-14a)Menhavealwayswantedassurances.Becausethepromisesofothermenaresooften unreliable,we demand oaths, sworn affidavits, surety bonds, guarantees,warranties,andmanyothersuchmeansoftryingtoassurethatwhatispromisedisreceived. God’s simple word should be sufficient for us, but in His graciousness HemakesHispromisesevenmorecertain—ifthatwerepossible—bygivingusHisownguarantees.HeretheLordguaranteesHispromiseswithHissealandwithHis pledge. This is reminiscent of Hebrews 6:13-18, in whichGod gives HispromiseofblessingandthenconfirmsitwithanoathtoprovidewhattheHolySpiritcalls“strongencouragement”(v.18)toallwhohopeinChrist.GOD’SSEAL

Becausewedonotdirectlyand immediately receive the fullnessofallGod’spromiseswhenwe first believe (since it is “reserved inheaven for us,” 1Pet.1:3-4),wemaysometimesbetemptedtodoubtoursalvationandwonderabouttheultimateblessings thatare supposed toaccompany it.Whileweare still inthislifeourredemptionisnotcomplete,becausewestillawait“theredemptionofourbody”(Rom.8:23).Becausewehavenotyetreceivedfullpossessionofourinheritance,wemayquestionitsrealityoratleastitsgreatness. AsonemeansofguaranteeingHispromisestothosewhohavereceivedJesusChrist,Godhassealed[them]inHimwiththeHolySpiritofpromise.Everybeliever is given the veryHolySpirit ofGod themoment he trusts inChrist.“YouarenotinthefleshbutintheSpirit,ifindeedtheSpiritofGoddwellsinyou,”Pauldeclares(Rom.8:9a).Conversely,hegoesontosay,“IfanyonedoesnothavetheSpiritofChrist,hedoesnotbelongtoHim”(v.9b).Incredibly,thebodyofevery trueChristian isactually“a templeof theHolySpiritwho is in[him]”(1Cor.6:19). WhenapersonbecomesaChristian, theHolySpirit takesupresidenceinhislife.LifeinJesusChristisdifferentbecausetheSpiritofGodisnowwithin.Heistheretoempowerus,equipusforministry,andfunctionthroughthegiftsHehas given us. The Holy Spirit is our Helper and Advocate. He protects and

encourages us.He also guarantees our inheritance in JesusChrist. “TheSpiritHimself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and ifchildren,heirsalso,heirsofGodandfellowheirswithChrist”(Rom.8:16-17).TheSpiritofGodisoursecuringforce,ourguarantee. The sealing of which Paul speaks here refers to an official mark ofidentificationthatwasplacedonaletter,contract,orotherimportantdocument.The seal usuallywasmade fromhotwax,whichwasplacedon thedocumentand then impressed with a signet ring. The document was thereby officiallyidentified with and under the authority of the person to whom the signetbelonged. ThatistheideabehindourbeingsealedinHim[Christ]withtheHolySpiritof promise. The seal of God’s Spirit in the believer signifies four primarythings:security,authenticity,ownership,andauthority. Security. In ancient times the seal of a king, prince, or noble representedsecurity and inviolability.When Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den, KingDarius, alongwith his nobles, placed their seals on the stone placed over theentrance to the den, “so that nothing might be changed in regard to Daniel”(Dan. 6:17).Any person but the kingwho broke or disturbed that sealwouldlikelyhaveforfeitedhislife.InasimilarwaythetombwhereJesuswasburiedwassealed.FearingthatJesus’disciplesmightstealHisbodyandfalselyclaimHisresurrection,theJewishleadersobtainedPilate’spermissiontoplaceasealonthestoneandtoguarditwithsoldiers(Matt.27:62-66). Inaninfinitelygreaterway,theHolySpiritsecureseachbeliever,markinghimwithHisowninviolableseal. Authenticity.When King Ahab tried unsuccessfully to get Naboth to sell ortradehisvineyard,QueenJezebelvolunteeredtogetthevineyardherway.“Soshewrote letters inAhab’s name and sealed themwith his seal” and sent theletterstovariousnobleswholivedinNaboth’scity,demandingthattheyarrangefalseaccusationsofblasphemyandtreasonagainsthim.Thenoblesdidastheywere instructed, andNabothwas stoned todeathbecauseof the false charges.The king then simply confiscated the vineyard he had so strongly coveted (1Kings21:6-16).DespitethedeceptionscontainedinthelettersJezebelsent,thelettersthemselveswereauthenticallyfromtheking,becausetheyweresentwithhisapprovalandmarkedwithhisseal.Thesealwashissignature. WhenGodgivesusHisHolySpirit, it is as ifHe stampsuswith a seal thatreads, “This person belongs to Me and is an authentic citizen of My divinekingdomandmemberofMydivinefamily.”

Ownership.WhileJerusalemwasunderseigebyNebuchadnezzarandJeremiahwas under arrest by King Zedekiah for prophesying against the king and thenation, theLordgavespecial instructions toHisprophet. Jeremiahwas told tobuysomelandinAnathothforwhichhehadredemptionrights.Thecontractwasagreedon,andthestipulatedpaymentwasmadeinthecourtofthepalaceguardbefore the required number ofwitnesses. In the presence of thewitnesses thedeedwassignedandsealed,establishingJeremiahasthenewlegalowneroftheproperty(Jer.32:10). When the Holy Spirit seals believers, He marks them as God’s divinepossessions,whofromthatmomentonentirelyandeternallybelongtoHim.TheSpirit’ssealdeclaresthetransactionofsalvationasdivinelyofficialandfinal. Authority.Even afterHamanhadbeenhanged for hiswickedplot to defameandexecuteMordecai,QueenEstherwasdistressedaboutthedecreethatHamanhadpersuadedKingAhasuerustomakethatpermittedanyoneinhiskingdomtoattackanddestroytheJews.Becausethekingcouldnotevenhimselfrevokethedecreethatwasmarkedwithhisownseal,heissuedandsealedanotherdecreethat permitted and even encouraged the Jews to arm and defend themselves(Esther 8:8-12). In both cases the absolute authority of the decrees wasrepresentedintheking’sseal.Thosewhopossessedthesealeddecreeofthekinghadtheking’sdelegatedauthoritysetforthinthedecree. WhenChristiansaresealedwiththeHolySpirittheyaredelegatedtoproclaim,teach,minister, and defendGod’sWord andHis gospel with the Lord’s ownauthority.GOD’SPLEDGE

whoisgivenasapledgeofourinheritance,(1:14a)TheHoly Spirit not only guarantees our inheritance in JesusChristwithHissealbutalsowithHispledge.Anarrabōn(pledge)originallyreferredtoadownpaymentorearnestmoneygiventosecureapurchase.Lateritcametorepresentany sort of pledge or earnest. A form of the word even came to be used forengagementring. Asbelievers,wehavetheHolySpiritas thedivinepledgeofour inheritance,God’sfirstinstallmentofHisguaranteethatthefullnessofthepromisedspiritualblessings “in theheavenlyplaces inChrist” (v. 3)will onedaybe completelyfulfilled.They are assured andguaranteedwith an absolute certainty that onlyGod could provide. The Holy Spirit is the church’s irrevocable pledge, her

divine engagement ring, as it were, that, as Christ’s bride, she will never beneglectedorforsaken(cf.2Cor.1:22;5:5).

THEGOALOFOURINHERITANCE

withaviewtotheredemptionofGod’sownpossession,tothepraiseofHisglory.(1:14b)Although our divine inheritance in Christ is a marvelous, awesome, andguaranteed promise to us from the Lord, it is not the primary purpose of oursalvation. Our salvation and all of the promises, blessings, and privileges wegainthroughsalvationarefirstofallbestowedwithaviewtotheredemptionofGod’sownpossession,tothepraiseofHisglory. Thegreat,overridingpurposeofGod’s redemptionofmen is the rescuingofwhat is His own possession. All creation belongs to God, and in His infinitewisdom,love,andgraceHechosetoprovideredemptionforthefallencreaturesHe hadmade inHis own image—forHis own sake evenmore than for theirsakes,becausetheydonotbelongtothemselvesbuttoHim. As Paul has already twice declared (vv. 6, 12), God’s ultimate goal inredeemingmenisthepraiseofHisglory.WearenotsavedandblessedforourownglorybutforGod’s(cf.Isa.43:20-21).WhenweglorifyourselveswerobGodofthatwhichiswhollyHis.HesavedustoserveHimandtopraiseHim.Wearesavedtoberestoredtotheintendeddivinepurposeofcreation—tobeartheimageofGodandbringHimgreaterglory. Thisisfullyaccomplishedatthebeliever’sglorification,whenwereceivefullgloryandredemptionandaremadetheperfectpossessionofGod.

OurResourcesinChrist

5

For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus whichexistsamongyou,andyourloveforallthesaints,donotceasegivingthanksforyou,whilemakingmentionofyou inmyprayers; that theGodofourLordJesusChrist,theFatherofglory,maygivetoyouaspiritofwisdomandofrevelationintheknowledgeofHim.Ipraythattheeyesofyourheartmaybeenlightened,sothatyoumayknowwhatisthehopeofHiscalling,whataretherichesofthegloryofHisinheritanceinthesaints,andwhatisthesurpassinggreatnessofHispowertowarduswhobelieve.TheseareinaccordancewiththeworkingofthestrengthofHismightwhichHebroughtaboutinChrist,whenHeraisedHimfromthedead,andseatedHimatHisright hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority andpoweranddominion,andeveryname that isnamed,notonly in thisage,butalsointheonetocome.AndHeputallthingsinsubjectionunderHisfeet,andgaveHimasheadoverallthingstothechurch,whichisHisbody,thefulnessofHimwhofillsallinall.(1:15-23)Inverses3-14PaulhassetforththeamazingandunlimitedblessingsbelievershaveinJesusChrist,blessingsthatamounttoourpersonalinheritanceofallthatbelongstoHim.Intheremainderofthechapter(vv.15-23)Paulpraysthatthebelieverstowhomhewriteswillcometofullyunderstandandappreciatethoseblessings. In this prayer he focuses on believers’ comprehension of theirresourcesintheirLordandSavior,JesusChrist.Inverses15-16hepraisesthem,andinverses17-23hemakespetitionstoGodforthem.

PRAISEFORBELIEVERS

For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus whichexistsamongyou,andyourloveforallthesaints,donotceasegivingthanksforyou,whilemakingmentionofyouinmyprayers;(1:15-16)InlightoftheirmarvelousinheritanceinJesusChrist(Forthisreason),Paulnow intercedes for the possessors of that treasure. As mentioned in theIntroduction, these initially included not only the believers in Ephesus butprobably those inall thechurchesofAsiaMinor. Ithadbeenabout fouryearssincePaulministeredthere,andhewasnowinprison.Butfromletters,aswellas through personal reports from friends who visited him in prison, he hadreceivedconsiderable information fromandabout thechurches.Heheard twothings that indicated the genuineness of their salvation, and for those twocardinalmarksofatrueChristian—faithinChristandloveforotherChristians—he affectionately praises them. Those two dimensions of spiritual life areinseparable(cf.1John2:9-11).PRAISEFORTHEIRFAITH

thefaithintheLordJesuswhichexistsamongyou,(1:15b)The emphasis here is on true saving belief,with the lordship of Jesus as theobject of that belief. SomeChristians, perhaps intending to protect the gospelfromanytaintofworksrighteousness,underplayChrist’slordshipalmosttothepoint of denying it. Others would like to accept the term Lord only as areference to deity, not sovereignty.But such a separation is artificial, becausedeityimpliessovereignty.TheOnewhoaloneisGodrulesalone.YetthosewhoteachthatapersonmustbelieveinChristassovereignLordinordertobesavedare sometimes described derisively as “lordship Salvationists.” The NewTestament,however,doesnotseparateJesusasSaviorfromJesusasLord.Heisboth,orHeisneither.Paulsays,“IfyouconfesswithyourmouthJesusasLord,andbelieveinyourheartthatGodraisedHimfromthedead,youshallbesaved”(Rom.10:9;cf.Acts16:31).JesusbecomesSaviorwhenHeisacceptedasLord.“For to thisend,”Paulexplains later inRomans,“Christdiedand livedagain,thatHemightbeLordbothofthedeadandoftheliving”(14:9).Believerssay—infact,onlybelieverscansay—“Jesus isLord”because theypossess theHolySpirit(1Cor.12:3),whowasgiventothemwhentheyweresaved(Rom.8:9).

ToreceiveJesusasSaviorbutnotasLordwouldbetodivideHisnatureintwo.WhenwereceiveHim,wereceiveHimwhollyasHeis. Granted,nopersonreceivesJesusChristwithafullunderstandingofallHeisor allHe requires asLordof thoseHe saves.ManyChristians come toChristwithonlythebarestideaofHissovereigndeityorofwhatitmeanstobelongtoandsubmittoHim.Buttheyarewillingtosubmit(cf.Matt.8:19-22;9:9;10:37-39;Luke9:57-62),togiveupalltheyareandhave(cf.Matt.13:44-46;18:3-4;19:16-26),andtoleaveallandfollowHim(Matt.19:27).OncetheyhavecometoHim,someChristianslosetheirfirstloveforHimasSaviorandresistobeyingHim as Lord. But their lovelessness makes Him no less Savior, and theirresistancemakesHimnolessLord.Christisnotacceptedinparts,firstasSaviorandlaterasLord.JesustheSaviorisJesustheLord,andJesustheLordisJesustheSavior.Hedoesnotexistinpartsorrelatetobelieversinparts.Awareness,appreciation, and obedience toHim asSavior andLord change.Whenwe arefaithfultoHimthosethingsincrease,andwhenweareunfaithfultheydiminish.ButthefactofJesus’lordshipbeginsthesamemomentHebecomesSavior,andneither His lordship nor His saviorhood changes for believers from that timethroughall eternity.All thecommandsofChrist,whichare tobe taught toallbelievers(Matt.28:19-20),assumeHissovereignrighttogiveordersandtobeobeyed. That is precisely why Paul calls salvation “the obedience of faith”(Rom.1:5). PaulisnotpraisingtheEphesiansforsomelater,supplementalactoffaithbutfor the original faith that brought them to saving submission to the sovereignLord.The faith in theLord Jesuswhich exists among you refers to this samesaving faithwithwhich theyentered theChristian lifeand inwhich theywerecontinuingtolive.PRAISEFORTHEIRLOVE

andyourloveforallthesaints,(15c)Asecondmarkofgenuine salvation is love for all the saints, andbecauseofsuchlovePauloffersthanksfortheEphesianbelievers. Christianloveisindiscriminate;itdoesnotpickandchoosewhichbelieversitwilllove.Christlovesallbelievers,andtheyareprecioustoHim.Bydefinition,therefore,ChristianloveextendstoallChristians.Totheextentthatitdoesnot,it is less than Christian. Paul calls for believers to be “maintaining the samelove”(Phil.2:2),whichistoloveallbelieversthesame.

SometimeswehearChristians say,“I lovehim in theLord,”whichseems toimplythat theyhavenopersonalaffectionfornorcommitment to theneedsoftheindividual.Theyextendacertainspiritualizedkindofloveonlybecausetheotherperson is a fellowbeliever.But that isnotgenuine love.To truly loveaperson in the Lord is to love him as the Lord loves him—genuinely andsacrificially. “Weknowthatwehavepassedoutofdeathintolife“Johnsays,“becausewelove the brethren. He who does not love abides in death” (1 John 3:14).Importantasitis,soundtheologyisnosubstituteforlove.Withoutlovethebestdoctrine is like “a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Cor. 13:1). TruesalvationgoesfromtheheadandheartofthebelieverouttootherbelieversandouttotheworldtotouchunbelieversinChrist’sname.Truesalvationproducestruelove,andtruelovedoes“notlovewithwordorwithtongue,butindeedandtruth”(1John3:18).AlwaysintheNewTestamenttruespiritualloveisdefinedasanattitudeofselflesssacrificethatresultsingenerousactsofkindnessdonetoothers.Itisfarmorethanafeeling,anattractionoremotion.WhentheLordhadwashed the feetof theproudandself-seekingdisciples,He told them thatwhatHehaddoneforthemwastheexampleofhowtheyweretoloveeachother(John13:34).Johnemphasizesthesametruth:“Weknowlovebythis, thatHelaiddownHislifeforus;andweought tolaydownourlivesfor thebrethren.Butwhoeverhastheworld’sgoods,andbeholdshisbrotherinneedandcloseshisheartagainsthim,howdoestheloveofGodabideinhim?Littlechildren,letusnotlovewithwordorwithtongue,butindeedandtruth”(lJohn3:16-18). That is the sort of love the Ephesian Christians then had for all the saints.Sadly,however,theirlovedidnotlast.Theykeptthefaithpureandperseveredinit.YetinHislettertothesevenchurchesofAsiaMinortheLordsaysofthechurchatEphesus,“Ihave thisagainstyou, thatyouhave leftyour first love”(Rev.2:2-4).TheyhadlostthegreatloveforChristandtheirfellowbelieversforwhichonlyafewdecadesearlierPaulhadsowarmlypraisedthem. Faith and lovemustbekept inbalance.Manymonks,hermits, andcountlessothersthroughout thehistoryof thechurchhaveendeavoredtokeeptheirfaithpure but have not reached out to others in love as the Lord commands everybeliever to do.They often becomeheresy hunters, eager to tear downwhat iswrongbutdoinglittletobuildupwhatisgood,fullofcriticismbutdeficientinlove. ItisunfortunatethatsomeChristianshavealovelesskindoffaith.Becauseitisloveless there is reason to doubt that such faith is even genuine. True faith

cannotexistapartfromtruelove.WecannotlovetheLordJesuswithoutlovingthosewhomHeloves.“WhoeverbelievesthatJesusistheChristisbornofGod;andwhoeverlovestheFatherlovesthechildbornofHim”(lJohn5:1). TheChristians towhomPaulwrotehisEphesian letterhad the rightbalance,anditwasfortheirgreatfaithandtheirgreatlovethattheapostleassuredthem,I… do not cease giving thanks for you, whilemakingmention of you inmyprayers.

PETITIONFORBELIEVERS

that theGodof ourLord JesusChrist, theFather of glory,maygive to you aspiritofwisdomandofrevelationintheknowledgeofHim.Ipraythattheeyesofyourheartmaybeenlightened,sothatyoumayknowwhatisthehopeofHiscalling,whataretherichesofthegloryofHisinheritanceinthesaints,andwhatisthesurpassinggreatnessofHispowertowarduswhobelieve.TheseareinaccordancewiththeworkingofthestrengthofHismightwhichHebroughtaboutinChrist,whenHeraisedHimfromthedead,andseatedHimatHisright hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority andpoweranddominion,andeveryname that isnamed,notonly in thisage,butalsointheonetocome.AndHeputallthingsinsubjectionunderHisfeet,andgaveHimasheadoverallthingstothechurch,whichisHisbody,thefulnessofHimwhofillsallinall.(1:17-23)TheremainderofthechapterisapetitioninwhichPaulpraysforGodtogivebelievers truecomprehensionandappreciationofwhotheyare inJesusChrist,in order that they might begin to have some idea of how magnificent andunlimited are the blessings that already belonged to them in their Lord andSavior. The petition is directed to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, theFatherofglory,adesignationofGodwhichlinksGodtheFathertoChristtheSonintermsofessentialnature(seealsoRom.15:6;Eph.1:3a,17a;2Cor.1:3;Phil. 2:9-11; 1Pet. 1:3; 2 John3).TheOne towhomallglory belongs is thesameinessenceastheLordJesusChrist.ForthesecondtimeinthreeversesChristiscalledLord(seev.15). In essence Paul prayed that the Ephesians would be spared from franticallysearching forwhatwasalready theirs, but ratherwould see that thegreatGodwhoistheirGodisthesourceofalltheyneedandhasitreadyforthemiftheyareopentoreceiveit.SuchareceptiveattituderequiresthatGodHimselfgivetoyouaspiritofwisdomandofrevelationintheknowledgeofHim. WarrenWiersbetellsthestoryofhowWilliamRandolphHearstoncereadofan extremely valuable piece of art, which he decided he must add to hisextensivecollection.Heinstructedhisagenttoscourthegalleriesoftheworldtofindthemasterpiecehewasdeterminedtohaveatanyprice.Aftermanymonthsofpainstakingsearch,theagentreportedthatthepiecealreadybelongedtoMr.Hearstandhadbeenstoredinoneofhiswarehousesformanyyears.

ItistragicthatmanybelieversbecomeentangledinaquestforsomethingmoreintheChristianlife,forsomethingspecial,somethingextra that the“ordinary”Christianlifedoesnotpossess.TheytalkofgettingmoreofJesusChrist,moreoftheHolySpirit,morepower,moreblessings,ahigherlife,adeeperlife—asifthe resources of God were divinely doled out one at a time like so manypharmaceutical prescriptions or were unlocked by some spiritual combinationthatonlyaninitiatedfewcanknow. Tosay,“IwanttogetallofJesusthereis,”impliesthatwhenweweresavedChristdidnotgiveusallofHimself,thatHeheldsomeblessingsinreservetobeparceledouttothosewhomeetcertainextrarequirements. Peterexplicitlysays,“Hisdivinepowerhasgrantedtouseverythingpertainingtolifeandgodliness,throughthetrueknowledgeofHimwhocalledusbyHisown glory and excellence” (2 Pet. 1:3). The New Testament teaching ofsalvationisthatthenewbirthgrantseverybelievereverythinginChrist.Thereisconsequently no need and no justification in searching for anything more.Thoughitdoesnotdosointentionally,suchsearchingunderminestheessenceofGod’srevealedtruthaboutsalvation.Thegermofthisgreattruthisfoundinthewordsof thePreacher: “Iknow that everythingGoddoeswill remain forever;thereisnothingtoaddtoitandthereisnothingtotakefromit,forGodhassoworkedthatmenshould[reverence]Him”(Eccles.3:14). TheColossianchurchapparentlyhadbeentroubledbythatsortofphilosophy,thinkingtheyweremissingsomethingfromGodthathadtobesuppliedbysomeact, ritual, or other requirement in addition to salvation. For some of themembers the idea had turned into actual heresy, which was taught andpromulgatedinplaceofapostolicteaching. TheywerebeingtaughtthatapersonneedsChristplushumanphilosophy,thesame approach to the gospel seen in modern liberalism, neoorthodoxy,existentialism,andothertheological-philosophicalsystemsthatappearundertheguiseofChristianity.OfsuchheresyPaulsays,“Seetoitthatnoonetakesyoucaptive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition ofmen,accordingtotheelementaryprinciplesoftheworld,ratherthanaccordingtoChrist”(Col.2:8). ThefalseteachersinColossaealsotaughtChristpluslegalism.Theyadvocatedobservanceof special days, feasts, andvarious rituals inorder to attainhigherspiritualstandingandfavorwithGod.OfthisheresyPaulsaid,“LetnooneactasyourjudgeinregardtofoodordrinkorinrespecttoafestivaloranewmoonoraSabbathday—thingswhichareamereshadowofwhatistocome;butthe

substancebelongstoChrist”(2:16-17). AthirderrortaughtbytheColossianhereticsinvolvedboththesinofprideandtheseekingofmysticalexperiencesandvisionstosupplementthefinishedworkofChrist’satoningsacrificeon thecross.What they taughtassomethingmorereallybroughtsomethingless,Paulwarned,becauseittookawayfromChrist’sperfectwork. “Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting inself-abasementandtheworshipoftheangels,takinghisstandonvisionshehasseen,inflatedwithoutcausebyhisfleshlymind,andnotholdingfasttothehead,fromwhomtheentirebody,beingsuppliedandheldtogetherbythejointsandligaments,growswithagrowthwhichisfromGod”(2:18-19). AfourtherrorpromotedintheColossianchurchwasasceticism,thebeliefthatone can gain special favor and reward fromGod through extreme self-denial,forsaking of physical pleasure and comfort, and avoiding contact with the“common”peopleby living in isolatedandaustere situations.Thaterror, evenmore than the others, feeds human pride. Under the name of suppressing theflesh, such ideas and practices actually stimulate it. As Paul points out, theteachings“Donothandle,donottaste,donottouch…arematterswhichhave,tobesure, theappearanceofwisdominself-madereligionandself-abasementandseveretreatmentofthebody,butareofnovalueagainstfleshlyindulgence”(2:21,23). Paul’scounseltotheColossianbelieversinresponsetothoseseriousthreatstothefaithisintroducedin1:12,wherehesaysthat“theFather…hasqualifiedusto share in the inheritanceof the saints in light,” and is summarized in2:9-10—“ForinHim[Christ]allthefulnessofDeitydwellsinbodilyform,andinHimyouhavebeenmadecomplete.”AllofGod’sfullnessisinJesusChrist,andHekeepsbacknoneofthatfullnessfrombelievers.“InHim…wehavebeenmadecomplete,”becausewearesufficient,authorizedsaints(astheuseofhikanoō[toqualify,makesufficient] in1:12proves).Johngivesawarningabout thesameprobleminhisfirstletter,saying,“ThesethingsIhavewrittentoyouconcerningthosewhoare trying todeceiveyou.Andas foryou, theanointingwhichyoureceivedfromHimabidesinyou,andyouhavenoneedforanyonetoteachyou;butasHisanointingteachesyouaboutallthings,andistrueandisnotalie,andjustasithastaughtyou,youabideinHim”(1John2:26-27). YettodaymanyChristiansspendagreatdealoftimeandeffortvainlylookingforblessingsalreadyavailabletothem.TheyprayforGod’slight,althoughHehas already supplied light in abundance through His Word. Their need is tofollow the light theyalreadyhave.Theypray for strength, althoughHisWordtells them they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them (Phil.

4:13). They pray for more love, although Paul says that God’s own love isalreadypouredoutwithintheirheartsthroughtheHolySpirit(Rom.5:5).Theypray formoregrace,although theLordsays thegraceHehasalreadygiven issufficient(2Cor.12:9).Theyprayforpeace,althoughtheLordhasgiventhemHisownpeace,“whichsurpassesallcomprehension”(Phil.4:7). It isexpectedthatwepray for suchblessings if the toneof the prayer is oneof seeking thegrace to appropriate what is already given, rather than one of pleading forsomethingwethinkisscarcelyavailableorisreluctantlysharedbyGod. TheChristian’sprimaryneed is forwisdomandobedience toappropriate theabundanceofblessings theLordhasalreadygiven.Ourproblemisnot lackofblessings,but lackof insightandwisdomtounderstandanduse themproperlyandfaithfully.Ourblessingsaresovastthatthehumanmindcannotcomprehendthem.InourownmindswecannotfathomthericheswehaveinourpositioninJesusChrist.Suchthingsaretotallybeyondthehumanmindtograsp.OnlytheHolySpiritHimselfcansearchthedeepthingsofthemindofGod,andonlytheSpirit can bring them to our understanding. “Just as it is written,” Paul says,“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have notenteredtheheartofman,allthatGodhaspreparedforthosewholoveHim.’Forto usGod revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things,even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a manexcept thespiritof theman,which is inhim?Evenso the thoughtsofGodnooneknowsexcepttheSpiritofGod.Nowwehavereceived,notthespiritoftheworld, but the Spirit who is fromGod, that wemight know the things freelygiventousbyGod”(1Cor.2:9-12). God’s deeper truths cannot be seen with our eyes, heard with our ears, orcomprehendedbyourreasonor intuition.Theyarerevealedonly to thosewholoveHim. EveryChristianhasmany specificneeds—physical,moral, and spiritual—forwhichHemustasktheLord’shelp.ButnoChristianneeds,orcanhave,moreoftheLordorofHisblessingandinheritancethanhealreadyhas.ThatiswhyPaultellsus, ashe told theEphesianbelievers,not to seekmore spiritual resourcesbut to understand and use those we were given in absolute completeness themomentwereceivedChrist. PaulpraysspecificallythatGodmaygivethefacultyofunderstandingsothatwecanknowourresources,whichhecallsaspiritofwisdomandofrevelationintheknowledgeofHim. ThespiritofwisdomisgiventhroughtheHolySpirit,butthisspiritdoesnot

refertotheHolySpiritHimself,assomeinterpreterssuggest.Pneuma(spirit)isanarthrous here, meaning that it has no article before it. In such cases theindefinitearticleisusuallysuppliedinEnglish,asinourtext:aspirit.BelieversalreadypossesstheHolySpirit(Rom.8:9),forwhomtheirbodiesaretemples(1Cor.6:19).NordoesitseemthatPaulwasspeakingofthehumanspirit,whicheverypersonalreadypossesses(1Cor.2:11). The basic meaning of pneuma (from which we get such English words aspneumaticandpneumonia)isbreathorair,andfromthatmeaningisderivedtheconnotationofspirit.ButlikeourEnglishspirit,pneumasometimeswasusedofa disposition, influence, or attitude—as in “He is in high spirits today.” Jesususedthewordinthatsenseinthefirstbeatitude:“Blessedarethepoorinspirit”(Matt.5:3).HewasnotreferringtotheHolySpiritortothehumanspiritbuttothespirit,orattitude,ofhumility. PaulprayedforGodtogivetheEphesiansaspecialdispositionofwisdom,thefullnessofgodlyknowledgeandunderstandingofwhich the sanctifiedhumanmind iscapableof receiving.“Let themknowhowmuch theypossess inyourSon,”hesays,ineffect.“Givethemakeen,rich,deep,strongunderstandingoftheirinheritanceinChrist.”HepraysfortheHolySpirittogivetheirspiritstherightspiritofwisdomandofrevelationintheknowledgeofHim. Revelation, though used here as a synonym of wisdom, deals with God’simparting knowledge to us,whereaswisdom could emphasize our use of thatknowledge.Wemustknowandunderstandourposition in theLordbeforeweare capable of serving Him. We must know what we have before we cansatisfactorilyuseit.Thisadditionalwisdomgoesbeyondintellectualknowledge.It is far richer; and Paul desired that the Ephesian Christians, like those inColossae,would“keepseekingthethingsabove,whereChristis”(Col.3:1). InhisprayingfortheEphesianbelieversPaulasksGodtogivethemrevelationandwisdominthreeparticularareasofGod’smagnificent,incomparabletruth.HepraysforthemtocometoaclearerunderstandingofthegreatnessofGod’splan,thegreatnessofHispower,andthegreatnessofHisPerson.UNDERSTANDINGTHEGREATNESSOFGOD’SPLAN

Ipraythattheeyesofyourheartmaybeenlightened,sothatyoumayknowwhat is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of Hisinheritanceinthesaints,(1:18)Inmostmodern cultures, the heart is thought of as the seat of emotions and

feelings. But most ancients—Hebrews, Greeks, and many others—consideredtheheart(Greekkardia)tobethecenterofknowledge,understanding,thinking,and wisdom. The New Testament also uses it in that way. The heart wasconsideredtobe theseatof themindandwill,anditcouldbe taughtwhat thebrain could never know. Emotions and feelings were associated with theintestines,orbowels (Greeksplanchnon; cf.Acts1:18,where the termclearlyrefers to physical organs,withCol. 3:12; Philem. 7, 12, 20; and 1 John 3:17,whereitreferstoaffectionsandfeelings). One cause of immaturity in the church at Corinth was reliance on feelingsaboveknowledge.Manybelieversweremoreinterestedindoingwhatfeltrightthan in doing what God declared to be right. Paul therefore told them, “Ourmouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart [kardia] is openedwide.Youarenotrestrainedbyus,butyouarerestrainedinyourownaffections[splanchnon].Nowinalikeexchange—Ispeakastochildren—openwidetousalso”(2Cor.6:11-13).Theapostlesaid,ineffect,“Ican’ttakeGod’struthfrommymind and give it to your minds, because your emotions get in the way.”Instead of their emotions being controlled by God’s truth, their emotionsdistortedtheirunderstandingofHistruth. Paul therefore prays for the minds of the Ephesians to be enlightened.EmotionshaveasignificantplaceintheChristianlife,buttheyarereliableonlyastheyareguidedandcontrolledbyGod’struth—whichwecometoknowandunderstand through ourminds. That iswhywe are to “let theword of Christrichly dwell within [us]” (Col. 3:16). When the Holy Spirit works in thebeliever’s mind, He enriches it to understand divine truth that is deep andprofound,andthenrelatesthattruthtolife—includingthoseaspectsoflifethatinvolveouremotions. While Jesus talked with the two disciples on the Emmaus road, their hearts(that is, theirminds)burnedwithin them;but itwasnotuntil “theireyeswereopened [that] they recognized Him” (Luke 24:31-32). Before the Spiritenlightenedthemtheyhadtheinformationbutnottheunderstanding;whattheyknewwas true, but they could not in the power of their ownminds grasp themeaningandsignificanceofit. ThefirstthingforwhichPaulpraysisthatbelieversbeenlightenedaboutthegreatnessofGod’splan. In themost comprehensiveof terms, the apostle asksthat theybegivenunderstandingof thehopeofHiscallingand therichesofthegloryofHisinheritanceinthesaints.HepraysforGodtoenlightenthemabout themagnificent truths of election, predestination, adoption, redemption,forgiveness,wisdomandinsight,inheritance,andsealingandpledgeoftheHoly

Spiritaboutwhichhehasjustbeeninstructingthem(vv.3-14). ThosetruthssummarizeGod’smasterplanfortheredemptionofmankind,HiseternalplantobringmenbacktoHimselfthroughHisownSon,therebymakingthem His children. Now that they belonged to Christ by faith (v. 13), Paul’ssupreme desirewas for the Ephesian believers to fully realizewhat their newidentity meant. “You were no afterthought of God,” he says. “God not onlychosetosaveyou,butHechosetosaveyoueonsbeforeyouexisted,eonsbeforeyouwouldhaveopportunitybyHisgracetochooseHim.Thatiswhoyouare!” UntilwecomprehendwhowetrulyareinJesusChrist,itisimpossibletoliveanobedientand fulfilling life.Onlywhenweknowwhowe reallyarecanwelive like who we are. Only when we come to understand how our lives areanchoredineternitycanwehavetherightperspectiveandmotivationforlivingintime.Onlywhenwecometounderstandourheavenlycitizenshipcanweliveobedientandproductivelivesasgodlycitizensonearth. It isGod’sgreat plan that everybeliever oneday “becomeconformed to theimage ofHis Son” (Rom. 8:29). That is the hope ofHis calling—the eternaldestinyandgloryofthebelieverfulfilledinthecomingkingdom.Thefullnessofthathopewillbeexperiencedwhenwereceivethesupremerichesofthegloryof His inheritance in the saints. It is truth too magnificent for words todescribe,which iswhyevenGod’sownrevelation requires the illuminationofHis Spirit in order for believers even to begin to understand the marvelousmagnitudeoftheblessingsofsalvationthatexistinthesphereofthesaints. OurbeinggloriouschildrenofGodandjointheirswithJesusChristofallGodpossessesistheconsummationandendofsalvationpromisedfrometernitypastandheldinhopeuntilthefuturemanifestationofChrist.Thereisnothingmoretoseek,nothingmoretobegivenorreceived.Wehaveitallnow,andwewillhaveitthroughouteternity.UNDERSTANDINGTHEGREATNESSOFGODSPOWER

andwhat is the surpassinggreatnessofHispower towarduswhobelieve.These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His mightwhichHebroughtaboutinChrist,whenHeraisedHimfromthedead,andseatedHimatHisrighthandintheheavenlyplaces,(1:19-20)Paul’s second request is for the Lord to give the Ephesian believersunderstanding of His greatpower that will bring them to their inheritance inglory. In verse 19 Paul uses four different Greek synonyms to emphasize the

greatnessofthatpower. First is dunamis (power), from which we get dynamite and dynamo. Thispower isonlyforChristians, for thosewhobelieve.Notonly that,but it isallthepowerweareeverofferedorcouldeverhave.Therecouldbenomore,anditis foolish and presumptuous to ask for more. The surpassing greatness ofGod’spower isgiventoeverybeliever,notjusttothosewhobelieveandthenhaveamysticalexperience,secondblessing,orsomeothersupposedadditionalworkofgrace.WhenwearesavedwereceiveallofGod’sgraceandallofHispower,andthatassuresusoftherealizationofoureternalhope. Secondisenergeia(working),theenergizingforceoftheSpiritthatempowersbelievers to live for the Lord. Third is kratos (strength), which may also betranslated “dominion” (1 Tim. 6:16) or “power” (Heb. 2:14). Fourth is ischus(might),whichcarries the ideaofendowedpowerorability. Inall thosewaystheHolySpiritempowersGod’schildren. Pauldidnotprayforpowertobegiventobelievers.Howcouldtheyhavemorethanwhattheyhad?Heprayedfirstofallthattheybegivenadivineawarenessof the power they possessed in Christ. Later in the letter (chaps. 4-6) headmonishedthemtoemploythatpowerinfaithfullivingfortheirLord. We need not pray for power to evangelize, to witness the gospel to others.Believers already have that power.The gospel itself “is the power ofGod forsalvationtoeveryonewhobelieves”(Rom.1:16).WritingtotheThessalonians,Paulremindedthem,“Ourgospeldidnotcometoyouinwordonly,butalsoinpowerandintheHolySpiritandwithfullconviction”(1Thess.1:5). We need not pray for power to endure suffering. As an introduction tomentioningthemanyafflictionshehadenduredfortheLord,Paulcommented,“Butwehavethistreasureinearthenvessels,thatthesurpassinggreatnessofthepowermaybeofGodandnotfromourselves”(2Cor.4:7). NordoweneedtoprayforpowertodoGod’swill.“ItisGodwhoisatworkinyou,”Paul assuresus, “both towill and towork forHisgoodpleasure” (Phil.2:13). Paul accomplished hiswork for theLord through the strength theLordsupplied, “striving according toHis power,whichmightilyworkswithinme”(Col. 1:29). Just before His ascension Jesus assured the disciples, “You shallreceive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8), anenduement everybeliever receives at the timehe is saved.God “is able to doexceeding abundantlybeyond all thatwe askor think, according to thepowerthatworkswithinus”(Eph.3:20).ToaskGodformorepowerisanaffront toHisgraciouslovewhichalreadyhasprovideduseverything.

Thesupernaturalpower…working…strengthandmightwithwhichGodsupplieseverybelieverandwithwhichHewillglorifyeverybeliever is thatwhichHebroughtaboutinChrist,whenHeraisedHimfromthedead,andseatedHimatHisrighthandintheheavenlyplaces.LaterintheletterPauldealswiththematterofusingGod’spowerinHisservice(3:20),buthisprayerhere is thatweunderstand thepowerofHiskeeping,His securingus andHisfulfilling the marvelous hope which is ours in Christ. The resurrection andascension power—the divine energy that lifted Christ from the grave to theearth,andfromtheearthtoheaven—isthepowerthatwillliftustoglory. Attimesallofusaretemptedtodoubt,towonderifGodcandoacertainthingforusorthroughusorultimatelybringusintoHispresence.ButwhenwelookatwhatHe brought about inChrist, atwhatHe faithfully accomplished onbehalf of His Son—and at His assurance that He will just as faithfullyaccomplishHisworkonourbehalf (through the surpassinggreatnessofHispower toward us)—what ground do we have for doubting? In light of suchassurance,howcanaChristianfeelinsecure,forsaken,orpowerless?Thesameunlimiteddivinepower thatraisedHimfromthedeadwill raiseus from thedead,andthesamepowerthatseatedHimatHisrighthandintheheavenlyplaceswillseatustherewithHim.Inthemeanwhile,thatresurrectionpowerisatourdisposalforlivingtoHisglory(Eph.1:19-20;3:20).It issocertainthatthispowerwillbringus toglory thatPaul spokeas if it has alreadyoccurred,becauseithasalreadyoccurredinGod’seternalplan(2:6).UNDERSTANDINGTHEGREATNESSOFGODSPERSON

faraboveallruleandauthorityandpoweranddominion,andeverynamethatisnamed,notonlyinthisage,butalsointheonetocome.AndHeputallthingsinsubjectionunderHisfeet,andgaveHimasheadoverallthingstothechurch,whichisHisbody,thefulnessofHimwhofillsallinall.(1:21-23)MovingfromChrist’smighttoHismajesty,Paul’sthirdrequestisfortheLordtogivebelieversunderstandingofthegreatnessofHisPersonwhosecuresandempowersthem. OncewhenTimothywas intimidated by criticism from fellowChristians, heunderstandably became discouraged. Paul wrote to him, “Remember JesusChrist, risen from the dead, descendant ofDavid, according tomygospel, forwhichIsufferhardshipeventoimprisonmentasacriminal;butthewordofGod

isnotimprisoned.ForthisreasonIendureall thingsforthesakeofthosewhoarechosen,thattheyalsomayobtainthesalvationwhichisinChristJesusandwith it eternalglory” (2Tim.2:8-10). “Remember thegreatnessof thePersonwho liveswithinyou,”Paul says. “Hewas raised from thedeadand seatedatGod’srighthand.Hewasbornof theseedofDavid,asamanjust likeus.Heidentifieswithus,understandsus,andsympathizeswithus.” EveryChristianshouldcontinuallyhavethatfocus.WhenwelookatHim,ourphysicalproblems,psychologicalproblems,andevenspiritualproblemswillnotloom so all-important before us. We not only will be better able to see ourproblems as they really are, but will then, and only then, have the rightmotivationandpowertoworkthemout.Itissadthatwereadandhearsomuchabout the peripheral things of theChristian life and so little about the PersonwhoisthesourceofChristianlife.HowmuchhappierandmoreproductivewearewhenourprimaryattentionisonHispurity,greatness,holiness,power,andmajesty.Paulcalls theCorinthians togaze intentlyonHisglorywith theclearvisionprovidedin theNewCovenant,andthusbemadelikeHimbytheHolySpirit(1Cor.3:18). Whatgreatblessingwecanhavewhenwetake timetosetourownconcernsandneedsasideandsimplyfocusontheLordofglory,allowingtheHolySpiritto do in us what Paul asked Him to do in the Ephesians—give us deepunderstandingofthetruththatourLordisfaraboveallruleandauthorityandpoweranddominion,andeveryname that isnamed,notonly in thisage,butalsointheonetocome.Thetermsrule(archē,meaningleaderorfirstone),authority (exousia),power (dunamis), anddominion (kuriotēs, lordship)weretraditionalJewishtermstodesignateangelicbeingsofgreatrankandmight.ThepointhereisthatthepowerofChristappliedinthebeliever’sbehalfcannotbeoverthrownornegatedordefeated,becauseitfarsurpasses thatof thehostsofSatanwhodesigntodefeatit. It should be noted that the matter of the cosmic war between God and Hisangelic hosts and Satan and his demons is a matter of great importance inScripture. Redemption is a demonstration of God’s power before the angels(3:10).Ourconflictiswiththesefallenangels,whoendeavortohaltoureffortsforGod(6:12;cf.1Pet.3:18-22,whichshowsChrist’striumphoverthosefallenangels, accomplished in His death). Satan and his hosts have endeavored tothwart the plan ofGod from the beginning and are the constant enemyof thework of the kingdom, but they are destined to be overthrown and eternallybanished(Rev.20:10-15). OurLordnotonlyisabove,butfarabove,everythingandeveryoneelse.Heis

aboveSatanandaboveSatan’sworldsystem.He isabove theholyangelsandthe fallen angels, above saved people and unsaved people, for time and foreternity.Heisaboveallnames,titles,ranks,levels,powers,andjurisdictionsintheuniverse.GodputallthingsinsubjectionunderHisfeet(aquotefromPs.8:6;cf.Heb.2:8).Thereisnolimitontime,asPaulsaidChristwillbesupremenot only in this age, but also in the one to come—that is, in the eternalkingdomoftheLordJesusChrist(cf.2:7). Most importantly, as far as believers are concerned,GodgaveHimasheadoverallthingstothechurch,whichisHisbody,thefulnessofHimwhofillsallinall.Christnotonlyistheheadofthechurchbutitsfulness.SinceHehassuchauniqueand intimaterelationshipwith theredeemedwhomHeloves,allHispowerwillbeusedintheirbehalftofulfillHislovingpurposeforthem.Heis completely over us and completely in us, our supreme Lord and supremepower.Thechurchisthefulnessorcomplement(plērēma)ofChrist.Asaheadmusthaveabodytomanifestthegloryofthathead,sotheLordmusthavethechurchtomanifestHisglory(3:10).JesusChrististheonlyOneforwhomthewordincomparabletrulyapplies;yetinathrillingandsecuringwonder,Hehaschosenus todisplayHis incomparablemajesty.Weareguaranteed tocome togloryinorderthatwemightforevermanifestHispraise. TheincomparableChristisincompleteuntilthechurch,whichisHisbody,iscomplete. Jesus Christ fills all in all, giving His fulness to believers. But inGod’swisdomandgrace,believers,asthechurch,arealsothefulnessofHim.JohnCalvinsaid,“ThisisthehighesthonorofthechurchthatuntilHeisunitedto us, the Son of God reckons Himself in some measure incomplete. Whatconsolation it is for us to learn that not untilwe are inHis presence doesHepossessallHisparts,nordoesHewishtoberegardedascomplete.” ThepointofthisgreatpetitionisthatwemightcomprehendhowsecureweareinChristandhowunwaveringandimmutableisourhopeofeternalinheritance.Thepowerofglorificationisinvincibleandispresentlyoperativetobringustoglory.

ComingAliveinChrist

6

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerlywalkedaccordingtothecourseofthisworld,accordingtotheprinceofthepower of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons ofdisobedience.Amongthemwetooallformerlylivedinthelustsofourflesh,indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by naturechildrenofwrath,evenastherest.ButGod,beingrichinmercy,becauseofHis great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in ourtransgressions,madeusalivetogetherwithChrist(bygraceyouhavebeensaved),andraisedusupwithHim,andseateduswithHimintheheavenlyplaces,inChristJesus,inorderthatintheagestocomeHemightshowthesurpassingrichesofHisgraceinkindnesstowardusinChristJesus.Forbygraceyouhavebeensavedthroughfaith;andthatnotofyourselves,itisthegiftofGod;notasaresultofworks,thatnooneshouldboast.ForweareHis workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which Godpreparedbeforehand,thatweshouldwalkinthem.(2:1-10)SomeyearsagoIspoketoagroupofactorsandactresses,presentingtothemthegospelofJesusChrist.Afterward,ahandsomeyoungIndiancameuptomeandtoldmethathewasaMuslimandthathewantedtohaveJesusChrist.Wewent toanearbyroom,andafter Ihadexplained thegospel inmoredetail,heprayedaprayerofacceptance.Heopenedhiseyesandsaid,“Isn’titwonderful!NowIhaveJesusandMohammed.”Considerablydisappointed,Ihadtotellhimthat Jesus could not be taken from some shelf of divinities and added towhateverothergodsonemighthave.WhenHeisLord, therecanbenoothersbesideHim.Suchisanexampleofthemanymisunderstandingsofthemeaningofsalvation. InEphesians2:1-10PaulclarifieswhatitmeanstoreceivesalvationandtobeapartofChrist’sBody,thechurch.Heretheapostlemovesfrometernitypastintotime.Hedescribestheactandprocessofsalvation,themiraclethatdrawsmenintotheeternalplanportrayedinchapter1.Incontextthissectionbuildsonthethoughtof1:19,wherePaulintroducesthegreatpowerofChristtowarduswhobelieveandthendigressestodiscussthatpowerinChrist’slife.Hereturnsnowtoshowthatpowerinoursalvation.

InthefirsttenversesPaulpresentsthepast,present,andfutureoftheChristian:whathewas(vv.1-3),whatheis(vv.4-6,8-9),andwhathewillbe(vv.7,10).Withinthisframeworkhegivessixaspectsofsalvation:Itisfromsin(vv.1-3),bylove(v.4),intolife(v.5),withapurpose(vv.6-7),throughfaith(vv.8-9),anduntogoodworks(v.10).Thefirstaspectisinthepast,thenextfouraspects(exceptforthesecondpartof“purpose,”v.7)pertaintothepresent,andthelastaspect(includingv.7)isinthefuture.

SALVATIONISFROMSIN

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerlywalkedaccordingtothecourseofthisworld,accordingtotheprinceofthepower of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons ofdisobedience.Amongthemwetooallformerlylivedinthelustsofourflesh,indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by naturechildrenofwrath,evenastherest.(2:1-3)First,salvationisfromsin,whichcharacterizeslifebeforeChrist.InthesethreeversesthereisperhapsnoclearerstatementinScriptureonthesinfulnessofmanapartfromChrist. Thewages,orpayment,forsinisdeath(Rom.6:23),andbecausemanisborninsinheisborntodeath.Mandoesnotbecomespirituallydeadbecausehesins;heisspirituallydeadbecausebynatureheissinful.ExceptforJesusChrist,thatis the condition of every humanbeing since theFall, including every believerbeforeheissaved.Itisthepastconditionofbelieversandthepresentconditionofeveryoneelse. Man’s basic trouble is not being out of harmony with his heritage or hisenvironmentbutbeingoutofharmonywithhisCreator.Hisprincipalproblemisnot thathecannotmakemeaningful relationshipswithotherhumanbeingsbutthathehasnorightrelationshiptoGod,fromwhomheisalienatedbysin(Eph.4:18).Hisconditionhasnothingtodowiththewayhelives;ithastodowiththefact that he is dead evenwhile he is alive.He is spiritually deadwhile beingphysically alive.Because he is dead toGod, he is dead to spiritual life, truth,righteousness, inner peace and happiness, and ultimately to every other goodthing. Oneofthefirstindicationsofphysicaldeathisthebody’sinabilitytorespondto stimulus, no matter what it might be. A dead person cannot react. He nolongerrespondstolight,sound,smell,taste,pain,oranythingelse.Heistotallyinsensitive. Onedayayoungboycameupandpoundedonmyofficedoor.WhenIopenedthedoor,Isawhewasbreathlessandcrying.Hesaid,“AreyoutheReverend?Are you the Reverend?” When I answered yes, he said, “Come on. Pleasehurry.”I ranafterhimforablockor two,andwewent intoahouse.Ayoungwoman was standing inside, weeping uncontrollably. She said, “My baby is

dead!Mybabyisdead!”Lyingonabedwasthelimpbodyofherthree-montholdinfant.Shehadtriedtorevivehim,andnothingIcoulddoprovedtobeofhelp.Heshowednosignoflife.Themothercaressedthebaby,kissedit,spoketoit,andcriedtearsoveritslittlehead.Butthechildmadenoresponse.Whentheambulancecrewarrivedtheytrieddesperatelytogetthechildbreathing,buttonoavail.Hewasdead,andnothinganyonecoulddohadaneffectorcouldbringanyresponse.Therewasnolifetheretorespond,noteventothepowerfulloveofamother. Thatisthewayofspiritualdeathaswell.Apersonwhoisspirituallydeadhasnolifebywhichhecanrespondtospiritualthings,muchlessliveaspirituallife.Noamountoflove,care,andwordsofaffectionfromGodcandrawaresponse.AspirituallydeadpersonisalienatedfromGodandthereforealienatedfromlife.Hehasno capacity to respond.As thegreatScottish commentator JohnEadiesaid,“Itisacaseofdeathwalking.”MenapartfromGodarespiritualzombies,thewalkingdeadwhodonotknowtheyaredead.Theygothroughthemotionsoflife,buttheydonotpossessit. AfterJesushadcalledacertainmantofollowHim,themanaskedpermissionto first bury his father—a figure of speech thatmeantwaiting until his fatherdied in order to receive the inheritance. Indicating the condition of spiritualdeadnessandbringingbothdeathstogether,Jesusresponded,“FollowMe;andallowthedeadtoburytheirowndead”(Matt.8:21-22).Theman’sconcernwasnot for his father,whowas not likely dead, but for the things of the physicalworld. He wanted to take care of his physical welfare first and showed nogenuinedesireforthespiritual.WhenPaulcounseledTimothyaboutwidowsinthe church, he said of those who were profligate, “She who gives herself towantonpleasureisdeadevenwhileshelives”(1Tim.5:6).Deadwhiletheyliveisthesadstateofeveryunredeemedhumanbeing. BeforeweweresavedwewerelikeeveryotherpersonwhoisapartfromGod—dead in … trespasses and sins. The Greek case is the locative of sphere,indicatingthesphere,orrealm,inwhichsomethingorsomeoneexists.Wewerenot dead because we had committed sin but because we were in sin. In thiscontexttrespassesandsinsdonotrefersimplytoactsbutfirstofalltothesphereofexistenceofthepersonapartfromGod.Hedoesnotbecomealiarwhenhetellsalie;hetellsaliebecausehealreadyisaliar.Hedoesnotbecomeathiefwhen he steals; he steals because he already is a thief. And so with murder,adultery, covetousness, and every other sin. Committing sinful acts does notmakeussinners;wecommitsinfulactsbecausewearesinners.JesusconfirmedthiswhenHe said, “The evilmanout of his evil treasure brings forthwhat is

evil”(Matt.12:35)and“thethingsthatproceedoutofthemouthcomefromtheheart,andthosedefiletheman.Foroutoftheheartcomeevilthoughts,murders,adulteries,fornications,thefts,falsewitness,slanders”(Matt.15:18-19). Paraptōma (trespasses)means to slip, fall, stumble, deviate, orgo thewrongdirection.Hamartia (sins) originally carried the idea of missing the mark, aswhenhuntingwithabowandarrow.Itthencametorepresentmissingorfallingshortofanygoal,standard,orpurpose.InthespiritualrealmitreferstomissingandfallingshortofGod’sstandardofholiness,andintheNewTestamentit isthemostcommonandgeneraltermforsin(used173times).Pauldoesnotusethe two terms here to point up different kinds of wrongdoing but simply toemphasizethebreadthofthesinfulnessthatresultsfromspiritualdeadness. Paul’sstatementthat“allhavesinnedandfallshortofthegloryofGod”(Rom.3:23) does not give two truths but two views of the same truth. Sin is fallingshort of God’s glory, and falling short of God’s glory is sin. As Paul hadexplainedtwochaptersearlierinRomans,initsmostbasicsensesinisfailingtoglorifyGod.Although fallenmankind “knewGod, theydidnothonorHimasGod” (1:21). Of all the epitaphs that could have been written for Herod, thewordsofActs12:23arethemostappropriate:“AnangeloftheLordstruckhimbecausehedidnotgiveGodtheglory,andhewaseatenbywormsanddied.” That all men apart from God are sinful does not mean that every person isequallycorruptandwicked.Twentycorpsesonabattlefieldmightbe inmanydifferentstagesofdecay,buttheyareuniformlydead.Deathmanifestsitselfinmanydifferentformsanddegrees,butdeathitselfhasnodegrees.Sinmanifestsitself in many different forms and degrees, but the state of sin itself has nodegrees.Notallmenareasevilas theycouldbe,butall fail tomeasureup toGod’sperfectstandard. Asastateofbeing,asphereofexistence,sinhasmoretodowithwhatisnotdonethanwithwhatisdone.God’sstandardisformentobeperfectjustasHeHimselfisperfect(Matt.5:48).Jesusdidnotgiveanewstandardbutrestatedaveryoldone.NorhadGod’scommandto“beholy;forIamholy”(Lev.11:44;cf. 1Pet. 1:16) created anew standard formankindor forHis chosenpeople.Godhasneverhadanystandardformanbutperfectholiness. It is because of that perfect standard of holiness that men apart from Godcannotbeanythingbutsinful.Becausehe is separated fromGodhecannotdoanythingbutfallshortofGod’sstandard.Nomatterhowmuchgoodhedoesorattempts todo, the standardofneverdoingorneverhavingdone evil at all isunattainable.

Man’s common state of sin has often been compared to a diverse group ofpeoplestandingonthebankofawideriver,perhapsamileacross.Eachofthemis trying to jumpto theotherside.The littlechildrenandoldpeoplecan jumponlyafewfeet.Thelargerchildrenandagileadultscanjumpseveraltimesthatfar.A fewathletes can jump several times farther still.Butnoneof themgetsneartheotherside.Theirdegreesofsuccessvaryonlyinrelationtoeachother.Inrelationtoachievingthegoaltheyareequalfailures. Throughout history people have varied greatly in their levels of humangoodnessandwickedness.But in relation toachievingGod’sholiness theyareequal failures. That is why the good, helpful, kind, considerate, self-givingperson needs salvation as much as the multiple murderer on death row. Theperson who is a good parent, loving spouse, honest worker, and civichumanitarianneedsJesusChrist tosavehimfromtheeternalcondemnationofhellasmuchas theskid rowdrunkor theheartless terrorist.Theydonot leadequally sinful lives, but they are equally in the state of sin, equally separatedfromGodandfromspirituallife. Jesussaid,“Ifyoudogoodtothosewhodogoodtoyou,whatcreditisthattoyou?Forevensinnersdothesame”(Luke6:33).OnanotheroccasionHesaid,“You then, being evil, [nevertheless] know how to give good gifts to yourchildren”(Luke11:13).ApersonapartfromGodcandohumanlygoodthings.ButastheLordpointsoutinbothofthosestatements,thepersonisstillasinner,still evil bynature, and still operatingon amotive less than that of glorifyingGod.WhenPaulandtheotherswereshipwreckedontheislandofMalta,Lukereports that “the natives showed us extraordinary kindness” (Acts 28:2); yetthose natives remained superstitious pagans (v. 6). A sinner’s doing good isgood, but it cannot change his nature or his basic sphere of existence, and itcannotreconcilehimtoGod. RelationalgoodnessishelpfultootherpeopleandismorepleasingtoGod.Itisastep in the rightdirection.Butahundred thousandsuchstepscannotbringapersonanynearertoGod.Becauseitisasinner’sconditionofsinfulnessandnothis particular sins that separate him fromGod, his particular acts of goodnesscannotreconcilehimtoGod. DuringJesus’secondfarewelldiscoursetoHisdisciplesHesaid,“He[theHolySpirit],whenHecomes,willconvicttheworldconcerningsin”(John16:8).ThesinofwhichHewill convictmen is the sinofdisbelief in JesusChrist (v.9).That is the sin of separation, the sin that both causes and reflects man’salienation fromGod. It is the sin of not acceptingGod asGod andChrist as

Savior,thesinofrejection.Itisnotparticularactsorstatementsofrejectionbutthe sphere of rejection in which the unsaved person exists that separates himfromGod.That ishis stateof spiritualdeath,hisbeingdead in… trespassesandsins. In the stateof spiritual death, theonlywalking,or living, apersoncando isaccordingtothecourseofthisworld,accordingtotheprinceofthepowerof the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.Kosmos (world) does not here represent simply the physical creation but theworldorder,theworld’ssystemofvaluesandwayofdoingthings—theworld’scourse. And as Paul makes clear, the course of this world follows theleadershipanddesignofSatan,theprinceofthepoweroftheair. Whatweoften call “the spirit of the times” reflects thewidercourseof thisworld, a course inwhichmen are in basic agreement aboutwhat is right andwrong, valuable and worthless, important and unimportant. Sinful men havemany different ideas and standards, but they are in total agreement that thenetworkofthingsinthisworldismoreimportantthanthedivineperspectiveofGod. In thismost basic world outlook they are of onemind. They resolutelywork to fulfill the goals and values of their system, though it defiesGod andalwaysself-destructs.Sinnersarepersistentintheirrejection,andtheworsetheirsystembecomes,themoretheytrytojustifyitandcondemnthosewhospeaktheWordofGodagainstit. Theyareofonemindbecausetheyhaveacommonleaderandlord,theprinceof thepowerof the air. Satan is now “the ruler of thisworld,” and until theLord casts him out (John 12:31) he will continue to rule. The power [orauthority]oftheairprobablyreferstoSatan’shostofdemonswhoexistintheheavenlysphere.PaulhasthisinmindinEphesians6:12,wherehewarnsof“thespiritualforcesofwickednessintheheavenlyplaces.”Duringthepresentageheand his demon host dominate, pressure, and control every person who isunsaved. He is the personification of spiritual death because he is thepersonificationofrebellionagainstGod—andsoisthesystemhedesigned. The three elements that most characterize our present world system arehumanism, materialism, and illicit sex. Humanism places man above all else.Man is themeasureandendof all things.Eachman ishisownboss,hisownstandard of good, his own source of authority—in short, his own god.Materialism places high value in physical things, especially money, becausemoneyisameansofacquiringalltheotherthings.Sexualperversiondominatesmodernwesternsocietyas ithasnoother societies since the lowestperiodsofancientGreeceandRome.Alongwiththehumanisticappealtoself-interestand

thematerialistic appeal to self-aggrandizement, sexual vice is used topromoteand persuade in virtually every field ofmarketing, pandering to self-pleasure.That triumvirate represents the spirit of our age, the current course of thisworld. Satan is the archōn, the prince and ruler over this world system. Not allunsaved people are necessarily indwelt at all times by Satan or are demon-possessed.ButknowinglyorunknowinglytheyaresubjecttoSatan’sinfluence.Because they share his nature of sinfulness and exist in the same sphere ofrebellionagainstGod,theyrespondnaturallytohisleadingandtotheinfluenceofhisdemons.Theyareonthesamespiritualwavelength. Aswiththeworld,theairoverwhichSatanhascontrollingpowerrepresentsthespherewheredemonsmove.Theaircouldbeusedmetaphorically,aswhenwe speak of an “air of expectancy.” In this contextworld and air would bealmostsynonymous,bothofthemrepresentingarealm,orsphere,ofinfluence.Inthatcaseitwouldbeareferencetotherealmofideas,beliefs,andconvictionsoverwhichSatannowoperatesasprince.But it isnot thatwhich is inPaul’smind here or in 6:12. He has in mind the fact that Satan rules the power(demons)whooccupy the air (theheavenly sphere around the earth).Menarenotfreeandindependent;theyaretotallydominatedbythehostsofhell. Towalkaccording to thecourseof thisworld,according to thepowerofthe prince of the power of the air, is to think and live according to thepresuppositions,ideologies,andstandardsoverwhichsinandSatanhavecontroland to be dominated by evil supernatural beings. Satan’s supremepurpose formenisnottogetthemonlytodoevilthings(thefleshwillseetothat,asismadeclearinGal.5:19-21)buttothinkandbelieveevilthings,especiallyaboutGod(cf. 2 Cor. 11:13-15). Because fallen mankind and Satan’s hosts exist in thesamespiritualrealm,itisquitenaturalthathisspiritisthesamespiritthatisnowworkinginthesonsofdisobedience.Theprinceofdisobedienceworksin (theuseofen emphasizes the intimate relationship)willing followers, thosewho have no regard for the Word and will of God, called the sons ofdisobedience (a Semitic term that describes a person characterized bydisobedience), of whom he is the spiritual father (John 8:38-44). Paul makesclear this identifying characteristic of disobedience to God when he statesabsolutelythat“youareslavesoftheonewhomyouobey,eitherofsinresultingin death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness” (Rom. 6:16). He thencharacterizes the believer as onewhoobeysGod: “youbecameobedient fromtheheart”(v.17). Paul’s primary purpose here is not to show how unsaved people now live—

though the teaching isvaluable for thatpurpose—but to remindbelievershowthey themselves formerlywalkedand formerly lived.Allofusonce lived inthelustsofourflesh,indulgingthedesiresofthefleshandofthemind,andwerebynaturechildrenofwrath,evenastherest. Epithumia (lusts) refers to strong inclinations and desires of every sort, notsimplytosexuallust.Thelēma(desires)emphasizesstrongwillfulness,wantingandseekingsomethingwithgreatdiligence.Aswithtrespassesandsins,lustsanddesires are not given to show their distinctiveness but their commonness.Theyareused synonymously to represent fallenman’scompleteorientation tohisownselfishway.Bynatureheisdriventofulfillthelustsanddesiresofhissinful flesh and…mind. The flesh (sarx) refers to the dissipation of life thatcomes when one is abandoned to doing whatever feels good. The mind(dianoia)indicatesthedeliberatechoicesthatdefythewillofGod. Everybelieverwasoncetotallylostinthesystemoftheworld,theflesh,andthedevil,who is theprince over the demons,who are thepowerof the air.Those are fallenman’s three great arenas where he is in a losing battle withspiritualenemies—yettheyareenemieswithwhom,bynature,heisnowallied(cf. 1 John 2:16). Rather than all men being children of God, asmost of theworldlikestothink,thosewhohavenotreceivedsalvationthroughJesusChristare by nature children of wrath (cf. John 3:18). Apart from reconciliationthroughChrist, every person by nature (through human birth) is the object ofGod’swrath, his eternal judgment and condemnation. They are characterizedmostaccuratelynotonlyassonsofdisobediencebutconsequentlyaschildrenofwrath—objectsofGod’scondemningjudgment. Butthoughwewereonceevenastherest,throughfaithintheSaviorwearenot like themany longer.BecauseofChrist’spastworkofsalvation inus,wearepresentlyandeternallyunderHisloveanddeliveredfromthenaturalhumanconditionofdeath,sin,alienation,disobedience,demoncontrol,lust,anddivinejudgment.

SALVATIONISBYLOVE

ButGod,beingrichinmercy,becauseofHisgreatlovewithwhichHelovedus,(2:4)Salvation is from sin and by love. God’s mercy is plousios, rich,overabounding,withoutmeasure,unlimited.TheproblemwithreconciliationisnotontheLord’sside.ThetwowordsbutGodshowwheretheinitiativewasinproviding the power of salvation. His great desire is to be rejoined with thecreaturesHemadeinHisownimageandforHisownglory.Therebellionandrejection is onman’s side. BecauseHewas rich inmercy toward us and hadgreatloveforus,HeprovidedawayforustoreturntoHim.InRomans11:32the apostlePaul focuseson this same issue in saying, “Godhas shut up all indisobediencethatHemightshowmercytoall.”Hispurposeinsodoingisgiveninverse36:“ForfromHimandthroughHimandtoHimareallthings.ToHimbethegloryforever.Amen”(emphasisadded). SalvationforGod’sgloryisbythemotivationandpowerofGod’sgreatlove.Godisintrinsicallykind,merciful,andloving.AndinHisloveHereachesouttovile, sinful, rebellious, depraved, destitute, and condemned human beings andoffers themsalvation andall the eternalblessings it brings.Man’s rebellion isthereforenotonlyagainstGod’slordshipandlawbutagainstHislove. Ifapersonweredrivingdownthestreetandcarelesslyrandownandkilledachild,heprobablywouldbearrested,tried,fined,andimprisonedforinvoluntarymanslaughter.But after he paid the fine and served the sentence hewould befreeandguiltlessbeforethelawinregardtothatcrime.Butpayinghispenaltybefore the lawwoulddonothing torestore the lifeof thechildoralleviate thegriefof theparents.Theoffenseagainst themwasonan immeasurablydeeperlevel.Theonlywayarelationshipbetweentheparentsandthemanwhokilledtheir child could be established or restored would be for the parents to offerforgiveness.Nomatter howmuch themanmightwant to do so, he could notproduce reconciliation from his side. Only the one offended can offerforgiveness,andonlyforgivenesscanbringreconciliation. Thoughgreatlyoffendedandsinnedagainst(asdepictedintheparableofMatt.18:23-35), because of God’s rich … mercy and His great love He offeredforgiveness and reconciliation to us as He does to every repentant sinner.ThoughintheirsinandrebellionallmenparticipatedinthewickednessofJesus’crucifixion,God’smercyandloveprovideawayfor themtoparticipate in the

righteousness of His crucifixion. “I know what you are and what you havedone,”Hesays;“butbecauseofMygreatlove foryou,yourpenaltyhasbeenpaid,Mylaw’sjudgmentagainstyouhasbeensatisfied,throughtheworkofMySononyourbehalf.ForHissake Iofferyouforgiveness.Tocome toMeyouneed only to come toHim.”Not only didHe love enough to forgive but alsoenoughtodiefortheveryoneswhohadoffendedHim.“Greaterlovehasnoonethanthis,thatonelaydownhislifeforhisfriends”(John15:13).Compassionateloveforthosewhodonotdeserveitmakessalvationpossible.

SALVATIONISINTOLIFE

even when we were dead in our transgressions, [God] made us alivetogetherwithChrist(bygraceyouhavebeensaved),(2:5)Aboveallelse,adeadpersonneeds tobemadealive.That iswhatsalvationgives—spiritual life.Toencouragebelieverswhodoubt thepowerofChrist intheir lives,Paul reminds them that ifGodwaspowerful and loving enough togivethemspirituallifetogetherwithChrist,Heiscertainlyabletosustainthatlife. The power that raised us out of sin and death andmade us alive (aoristtense)togetherwithChrist(cf.Rom.6:1-7)isthesamepowerthatcontinuestoenergize every part of our Christian living (Rom. 6:11-13). The we mayemphasizethelinkingoftheJewwiththeGentile“you”inverse1.BothareinsinandmayreceivemercytobemadealiveinChrist. WhenwebecameChristianswewerenolongeralienatedfromthelifeofGod.We became spiritually alive through unionwith the death and resurrection ofChrist and thereby for the first time became sensitive to God. Paul calls itwalkingin“newnessoflife”(Rom.6:4).Forthefirsttimewecouldunderstandspiritualtruthanddesirespiritualthings.BecausewenowhaveGod’snature,wenowcanseekgodlythings,“thethingsabove”ratherthan“thethingsthatareonearth” (Col. 3:2).That iswhat results frombeingalive togetherwithChrist.“WeshallalsolivewithHim”(Rom.6:8)saystheapostle,andournewlifeisindistinguishablefromHislifelivedinus(Gal.2:20).InChristwecannothelpbutbepleasingtoGod.

SALVATIONISWITHAPURPOSE

andraisedusupwithHim,andseateduswithHimintheheavenlyplaces,in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come He might show thesurpassingrichesofHisgraceinkindnesstowardusinChristJesus.(2:6-7)Salvation has a purpose, in regard to us and in regard to God. The mostimmediateanddirectresultofsalvationistoberaisedupwithHim,and[tobe]seatedwithHimintheheavenlyplaces.Notonlyarewedeadtosinandaliveto righteousness throughHis resurrection inwhichwe are raised, butwe alsoenjoyHisexaltationandshareinHispreeminentglory. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the deadHis first instructionwas, “Unbindhim, and let him go” (John 11:44). A living person cannot function whilewrappedinthetrappingsofdeath.BecauseournewcitizenshipthroughChristisinheaven(Phil3:20),GodseatsuswithHimin theheavenlyplaces, inChristJesus.Wearenolongerofthispresentworldorinitssphereofsinfulnessandrebellion.Wehavebeenrescuedfromspiritualdeathandgivenspiritual lifeinordertobeinChristJesusandtobewithHimintheheavenlyplaces.Here,asin1:3,heavenlyplacesreferstothesupernaturalspherewhereGodrules,thoughin6:12itreferstothesupernaturalspherewhereSatanrules. The Greek verb behind seated is in the aorist tense and emphasizes theabsoluteness of this promise by speaking of it as if it had already fully takenplace.EventhoughwearenotyetinheritorsofallthatGodhasforusinChrist,tobeintheheavenlyplacesistobeinGod’sdomaininsteadofSatan’s,tobeinthesphereofspirituallifeinsteadofthesphereofspiritualdeath.Thatiswhereour blessings are andwherewe have fellowshipwith the Father, the Son, theHolySpirit,andwithallthesaintswhohavegonebeforeusandwillgoafterus.That is where all our commands come from and where all our praise andpetitions go. And some day we will receive the “inheritance which isimperishableandundefiledandwillnotfadeaway,reservedinheavenfor[us]”(1Pet.1:4). Thephraseinorderthat indicatesthat thepurposeofourbeingexaltedtothesupernatural sphere of God’s preserve and power is that we may forever beblessed.But it is not only for our benefit and glory.God’s greater purpose insalvationisforHisownsake,inorderthatintheagestocomeHemightshowthesurpassing richesofHisgrace inkindness towardus inChrist Jesus.That,too,isobviouslyforourbenefit,butitisfirstofallforGod’s,becauseitdisplays

foralleternitythesurpassingrichesofHisgrace(cf.3:10).ThroughHisendlesskindness toward us in Christ Jesus the Father glorifies Himself even as Heblessesus.FromthemomentofsalvationthroughouttheagestocomeweneverstopreceivingthegraceandkindnessofGod.Theagestocomeisdifferentfromtheagetocomein1:21andreferstoeternity.HeglorifiesHimselfbyeternallyblessinguswith“everyspiritualblessingintheheavenlyplacesinChrist”(1:3)andbybestowingonusHisendlessandlimitlessgraceandkindness.ThewholeofheavenwillglorifyHimbecauseofwhatHehasdoneforus(Rev.7:10-12).

SALVATIONISTHROUGHFAITH

Forbygraceyouhavebeensavedthroughfaith;andthatnotofyourselves,itisthegiftofGod;notasaresultofworks,thatnooneshouldboast.(2:8-9)Ourresponseinsalvationisfaith,buteventhatisnotofourselves[butis]thegift of God. Faith is nothing that we do in our own power or by our ownresources.Inthefirstplacewedonothaveadequatepowerorresources.Morethan that, God would not want us to rely on them even if we had them.Otherwise salvationwould be in part by our ownworks, andwewould havesomegroundtoboastinourselves.PaulintendstoemphasizethatevenfaithisnotfromusapartfromGod’sgivingit. Somehaveobjectedtothisinterpretation,sayingthatfaith(pistis)isfeminine,while that (touto) is neuter. That poses no problem, however, as long as it isunderstood that thatdoesnot referprecisely to thenoun faithbut to theactofbelieving.Further, this interpretationmakes thebest senseof the text, since ifthatrefers tobygraceyouhavebeensavedthroughfaith(that is, to thewholestatement),theaddingofandthatnotofyourselves,itisthegiftofGodwouldberedundant,becausegraceisdefinedasanunearnedactofGod.Ifsalvationisofgrace,ithastobeanundeservedgiftofGod.FaithispresentedasagiftfromGodin2Peter1:1,Philippians1:29,andActs3:16. Thestoryistoldofamanwhocameeagerlybutverylatetoarevivalmeetingand found theworkmen tearingdown the tent inwhich themeetingshadbeenheld.Franticatmissingtheevangelist,hedecidedtoaskoneoftheworkerswhathecoulddotobesaved.Theworkman,whowasaChristian,replied,“Youcan’tdoanything. It’s too late.”Horrified, themansaid,“Whatdoyoumean?Howcan it be too late?” “Thework has already been accomplished,” hewas told.“Thereisnothingyouneedtodobutbelieveit.” Everyperson livesby faith.Whenweopenacanof foodordrinkaglassofwaterwetrustthatitisnotcontaminated.Whenwegoacrossabridgewetrustittosupportus.Whenweputourmoneyinthebankwetrustitwillbesafe.Lifeisaconstantseriesofactsoffaith.Nohumanbeing,nomatterhowskepticalandself-reliant,couldliveadaywithoutexercisingfaith. Churchmembership,baptism,confirmation,givingtocharity,andbeingagoodneighbor have no power to bring salvation. Nor does taking Communion,keeping theTenCommandments, or living by theSermonon theMount.The

onlythingapersoncandothatwillhaveanypartinsalvationistoexercisefaithinwhatJesusChristhasdoneforhim. WhenweacceptthefinishedworkofChristonourbehalf,weactbythefaithsuppliedbyGod’sgrace.Thatisthesupremeactofhumanfaith,theactwhich,though it isours, isprimarilyGod’s—Hisgift tousoutofHisgrace.Whenapersonchokesordrownsandstopsbreathing, there isnothinghecando. Ifheever breathes again it will be because someone else starts him breathing. ApersonwhoisspirituallydeadcannotevenmakeadecisionoffaithunlessGodfirstbreathes intohim thebreathofspiritual life.Faith is simplybreathing thebreaththatGod’sgracesupplies.Yet,theparadoxisthatwemustexerciseitandbeartheresponsibilityifwedonot(cf.John5:40). Obviously,ifitistruethatsalvationisallbyGod’sgrace,itisthereforenotasa resultofworks.Humanefforthasnothing todowith it (cf.Rom.3:20;Gal.2:16). And thus, no one should boast, as if he had any part. All boasting iseliminated in salvation (cf. Rom. 3:27; 4:5; 1 Cor. 1:31). Nevertheless, goodworkshaveanimportantplace,asPaulisquicktoaffirm.

SALVATIONISUNTOGOODWORKS

ForweareHisworkmanship,createdinChristJesusforgoodworks,whichGodpreparedbeforehand,thatweshouldwalkinthem.(2:10)Althoughtheyhavenopartingainingsalvation,goodworkshaveagreatdealtodowithlivingoutsalvation.Nogoodworkscanproducesalvation,butmanygoodworksareproducedbysalvation. “BythisisMyFatherglorified,”Jesussaid,“thatyoubearmuchfruit,andsoprove to beMydisciples” (John15:8).Goodworks donot bringdiscipleship,buttheyproveit isgenuine.WhenGod’speopledogooddeedstheybearfruitforHiskingdomandbringglorytoHisname. The Bible hasmuch to say about works. It speaks of the works of the law,whicharegoodbut cannot save aperson (Gal. 2:16). It speaksofdeadworks(Heb.6:1)andofworks,ordeeds,ofdarknessandoftheflesh,allofwhichareinherently evil (Rom. 13:12;Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:11).All of thoseworks aredoneinman’sownstrengthandhavenothingtodowithsalvation. BeforewecandoanygoodworkfortheLord,HehastodoHisgoodworkinus. By God’s grace, made effective through our faith, we become Hisworkmanship,createdinChristJesusforgoodworks.Godhasordainedthatwethenlivelivesofgoodworks,worksdoneinHispowerandforHisglory.

Iamthetruevine,andMyFatheristhevinedresser.EverybranchinMe thatdoesnotbear fruit,He takesaway;andeverybranch thatbearsfruit,Heprunesit, that itmaybearmorefruit.YouarealreadycleanbecauseofthewordwhichIhavespokentoyou.AbideinMe,andIinyou.Asthebranchcannotbearfruitofitself,unlessitabidesinthevine,soneithercanyou,unlessyouabideinMe.Iamthevine,you are the branches; he who abides inMe, and I in him, he bearsmuchfruit;forapartfromMeyoucandonothing.Ifanyonedoesnotabide inMe, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and theygather them,andcast them into the fire, and theyareburned. IfyouabideinMe,andMywordsabideinyou,askwhateveryouwish,anditshallbedoneforyou.BythisisMyFatherglorified,thatyoubearmuchfruit,andsoprovetobeMydisciples.(John15:1-8)

ThesamepowerthatcreatedusinChristJesusempowersustodothegoodworksforwhichHehasredeemedus.Thesearetheverifiersoftruesalvation.Righteous attitudes and righteous acts proceed from the transformed life nowliving in the heavenlies. To the Corinthians Paul said there was in them “anabundanceforeverygooddeed”(2Cor.9:8).ToTimothyheinstructedthatthebelieveris“equippedforeverygoodwork”(2Tim.3:17).ChristdiedtobringtoHimselfapeople“zealousforgooddeeds”(Titus2:14).EventhisistheworkofGod, asPaul says:While you “work out your salvation… it isGodwho is atworkinyou,bothtowillandtoworkforHisgoodpleasure”(Phil.2:12-13). Paul’s primary message here is still to believers, many of whom hadexperiencedsalvationyearsearlier.Heisnotshowingthemhowtobesaved,buthowtheyweresaved,inordertoconvincethemthatthepowerthatsavedthemis the same power that keeps them. Just as they already had been giveneverything necessary for salvation, they also had been given everythingnecessaryforfaithfullylivingthesavedlife.ThegreatestproofofaChristian’sdivineempowermentishisownsalvationandtheresultinggoodworksthatGodproduces in and through him (cf. John 15). These good works are expectedbecauseGodpreparedbeforehand,thatweshouldwalkinthem,andthatiswhyJamessaysfaithisillegitimateifworksarenotpresent(James2:17-26). It is from poiēma (workmanship) that we get poem, a piece of literaryworkmanship.Beforetimebegan,GoddesignedustobeconformedtotheimageofHisSon,JesusChrist(Rom.8:29).PaulcouldthereforesaytothePhilippians,“ForIamconfidentof thisverything, thatHewhobeganagoodworkinyouwillperfectituntilthedayofChristJesus”(1:6). Thestoryisoftentoldoftherowdy,disruptiveyoungboyinaSundayschoolclasswhocontinuallyfrustratedhisteacher.Onemorningtheteacheraskedhim,“Whydoyouactlikethat?Don’tyouknowwhomadeyou?”Towhichtheboyreplied,“Goddid,butHeain’tthroughwithmeyet.” All of us are still imperfect, uncut diamonds being finished by the divineMasterCraftsman.He isnot finishedwithusyet, butHisworkwillnot ceaseuntilHehasmadeusintotheperfectlikenessofHisSon(1John3:2). A famous actor was once the guest of honor at a social gatheringwhere hereceivedmany requests to recite favorite excerpts fromvarious literaryworks.AnoldpreacherwhohappenedtobethereaskedtheactortorecitetheTwenty-third Psalm. The actor agreed on the condition that the preacher would alsorecite it. The actor’s recitation was beautifully intoned with great dramaticemphasis, for which he received lengthy applause. The preacher’s voice was

roughandbrokenfrommanyyearsofpreaching,andhisdictionwasanythingbutpolished.Butwhenhefinishedtherewasnotadryeyeintheroom.Whensomeone asked the actor what made the difference, he replied, “I know thepsalm,butheknowstheShepherd.” SalvationdoesnotcomefromknowingaboutthetruthofJesusChristbutfromintimatelyknowingChristHimself.ThiscomingalivecanbeaccomplishedbythepowerofGodbecauseofHisloveandmercy.

TheUnityoftheBody

7

Thereforeremember, thatformerlyyou, theGentiles intheflesh,whoarecalled “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which isperformedinthefleshbyhumanhands—rememberthatyouwereat thattimeseparatefromChrist,excludedfromthecommonwealthofIsrael,andstrangerstothecovenantsofpromise,havingnohopeandwithoutGodintheworld.ButnowinChristJesusyouwhoformerlywerefaroffhavebeenbroughtnearbythebloodofChrist.ForHeHimselfisourpeace,whomadebothgroups intoone,andbrokedownthebarrierof thedividingwall,byabolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandmentscontained in ordinances, that inHimselfHemightmake the two into onenewman, thus establishing peace, andmight reconcile them both in onebodytoGodthroughthecross,by ithavingput todeaththeenmity.AndHecameandpreachedpeacetoyouwhowerefaraway,andpeacetothosewhowerenear; for throughHimwebothhaveouraccess inoneSpirit tothe Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you arefellowcitizenswiththesaints,andareofGod’shousehold,havingbeenbuiltupon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himselfbeingthecornerstone,inwhomthewholebuilding,beingfittedtogetherisgrowing intoaholy temple in theLord; inwhomyoualsoarebeingbuilttogetherintoadwellingofGodintheSpirit.(2:11-22)Itisapartofsinfulhumannaturetobuildbarriersthatshutoutotherpeople.InNew Testament times one of the greatest barriers was between slaves andfreemen, especially between slaves and their owners. Those who were freelooked down on slaves as being inferior, slightly above animals.Many slaveslookedontheirmasterswithcontemptandresentment.Consequently,oneofthegreatestproblemsoftheearlychurchwasingettingChristianslaveownersandChristianslavestotreateachotherasspiritualequals. For the most part, women were also looked down on as inferior beings.Husbandsoftentreatedtheirwiveslittlebetterthantheydidtheirslaves.WhenawifebecameaChristian,herentirelife,outlook,andvaluesystemchanged.Anunbelieving husband would likely divorce her simply because she had madesucharadicaldecisionwithouthisconsent.

TheGreeksweresoproudoftheircultureandsupposedracialsuperioritythattheyconsideredeveryoneelsetobebarbarians,abelieftowhichPaulalludesinRomans1:14andColossians3:11.TheGreeklanguagewasconsideredtobethelanguageofthegods.TheRomanstatesmanCicerowrote,“AstheGreekssay,‘Allmen are divided into two classes,Greeks and barbarians.’”Livy, anotherancient Roman, wrote that Greeks constantly waged a truceless war againstpeopleofotherraces,allofwhomtheyheldtobebarbarians.Becauseofsuchfeelings, theearlychurch facedcontinuingbarriersnotonlybetweenbelievingGentilesandJewsbutbetweenbelievingGreeksandotherGentilebelievers. InhisbookTheCrossofPeaceSirPhilipGibbswrites,

Theproblemoffenceshasgrowntobeoneofthemostacutethatthe world must face. Today there are all sorts of zig-zag and criss-crossing fences running through the races and peoples of theworld.Modern progress has made the world a neighborhood and God hasgivenusthetaskofmakingitabrotherhood.Inthesedaysofdividingwallsofraceandclasswemustshaketheearthanewwiththemessageof Christ, in whom there is neither bond nor free, Jew nor Greek,ScythiannorBarbarian,butallareone.

DisunityamongHisownpeoplehasalwaysbeenaspecialheartachetoGod.InHisintercessoryprayerforHisdisciplesinJohn17,Jesusprayedthreetimesthattheywould be one (vv. 11, 21, 22) and again “that theymay be perfected inunity”(v.23).Jesus’prayerswerealwaysansweredbecauseHealwaysprayedaccordingtoHisFather’swill.HisprayerfortheunityofHispeoplehasalreadybeenansweredpositionally,becauseeverypersonwhohasbelievedinHimhasbeen spirituallymadeonewithHimandwith every other believer fromeveryage.PositionallyweareoneinJesusChrist.“TheonewhojoinshimselftotheLordisonespiritwithHim”(1Cor.6:17).“Forevenasthebodyisoneandyethasmanymembers,andallthemembersofthebody,thoughtheyaremany,areone body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into onebody”(12:12-13). Justasaphysicalbodyhasacommonprincipleof life flowing through it, sodoestheBodyofChrist,Hischurch.TheSpiritofGodputsthelifeofGodinthesoulofeverypersonwhotrustsinJesusChristandunitesthatpersonwitheveryother believer in the same eternal realm. In the kingdom of Jesus Christ allbarrierscomedown.InHimtherearenowalls,noclasses,nocastes,noraces,nogender,nodistinctionsofanysort.

Practically,however,thetruthisoftentragicallydifferent.InthesamelettertoCorinth inwhichPaul sostronglydeclared thepositionalunityofbelievershealso strongly rebuked the Corinthians for their practical disunity. “And I,brethren,couldnotspeaktoyouastospiritualmen,butastomenofflesh,astobabesinChrist.…foryouarestillfleshly.Forsincethereisjealousyandstrifeamong you, are you not fleshly, and are you notwalking likemeremen?” (1Cor.3:1,3;cf.1:11-13). Only about twenty years ago the pastor of prosperous white church in asouthernU. S. town became burdened for the community at large. The blackjanitor of his churchwas a gracious and obedientChristian, and the twomenbegan aweeklyBible study and prayer time together.After a fewmonths thechurch board approached the pastor and told him he had to stop havingfellowshipwith“thatman”becauseitwasbadforthechurch’simage.Whenhetold them he could not do that because he felt fellowshipping with andministering to him was the Lord’s will, virtually no store in town would dobusinesswithhim.Hecouldnotbuyclothes,gas,orevengroceries.Beforelonghehadanervousbreakdownandwastakentothepsychiatricwardofahospitalinanearbylargecity,whereontheseconddayhedivedoutofthewindowandkilledhimself. A far different story, however, is that of a contemporary African church,composedofbelieversfromvarioustribeswhohadbeenthebitterestofenemiesfor countless generations. A missionary who was officiating at a communionserviceinthechurchwasdeeplymovedwhenhelookedaroundhim.Hesawthechiefof theNgoni,alongwithmanyothermembersof that tribe.HealsosawmembersoftheSengaandTumbukatribes—singing,praying,andparticipatingintheLord’sSuppertogether.Informeryearseachofthesetribeslovedtobragabouthowmanymen,women,andchildrenof theother tribestheyhadkilled,raped, or maimed. The old chief could remember the days when the youngNgoniwarriorshadgoneouttoattacktheirenemies.TheyhadleftbehindatrailofburnedanddevastatedvillagesandhadcomehomewiththeirspearsbloodiedwiththedeathofSengaandTumbukapeople.Butastheyonceweredividedbythe spilling of each other’s blood, they are now united by the blood of theircommonSavior,JesusChrist. That is the kind of unity Jesus Christ gives to His people and that Hecommandsthemtomaintain,“beingdiligenttopreservetheunityoftheSpiritinthebondofpeace”(Eph.4:3).“ThereisonebodyandoneSpirit,”Paulgoesontosay,“justasalsoyouwerecalledinonehopeofyourcalling;oneLord,onefaith,onebaptism,oneGodandFatherofallwhoisoverallandthroughalland

inall”(vv.4-6).Thechurchistomanifestthatoneness“untilweallattaintotheunityofthefaith,andoftheknowledgeoftheSonofGod,toamatureman,tothemeasureofthestaturewhichbelongstothefulnessofChrist”(v.13).

ALIENATIONAPARTFROMCHRIST

Thereforeremember,thatformerlyyou,theGentilesintheflesh,whoarecalled“Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,”which is performed in theflesh by human hands—remember that you were at that time separate fromChrist, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to thecovenantsofpromise,havingnohopeandwithoutGodintheworld.(2:11-12)The disunity within the Ephesian church was primarily between Jewish andGentilebelievers.But,asPaullaterremindedthem,thevery“mysteryofChrist”thathad“beenrevealedtoHisholyapostlesandprophetsintheSpirit”is“thatthe Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellowpartakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (3:4-6). AlldifferencesweresetasideinfavorofcommonunityintheHolySpiritofGod.“Foryouareall sonsofGod throughfaith inChrist Jesus.Forallofyouwhowerebaptized intoChristhaveclothedyourselveswithChrist.There isneitherJew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male norfemale;foryouarealloneinChristJesus”(Gal.3:26-28;cf.Rom.10:12).Thechurch’s unity is not organizational but spiritual. This passage focuses on theideaof that spiritual oneness.The terms“both…one” (Eph.2:14), “onenewman”(v.15),“onebody”(v.16),“both”(vv.14,16,18),and“together”(vv.21-22)allindicatetheapostle’semphasis. It is often helpful, and sometimes necessary, to focus on particular national,racial,religious,orethnicgroupsforevangelisticworkandtodeviseapproachesforagivengroupthataresomewhatunique.Butitisunfortunatethatbelieverswhocomefromsuchgroupsareoftenneverassimilatedintoexistingchurches. GodsovereignlychosetheJewstobeHisspecialpeople.“Youonly,”HetoldIsrael, “have I chosen among all the families of the earth” (Amos 3:2). GodchosetheJewsnotonlytoreceiveHisspecialblessingsbutalsotobeachannelofthoseblessingstoothers.FromthebeginningitwasGod’splanthatthroughAbrahamandhis descendants, the Jews, “all the families of the earth shall beblessed” (Gen. 12:3). Israel was called to be a vessel through which theknowledgeofGodwouldbespreadtotheentireworld. Unfortunately,Israelneverfulfilledthatcalling.ShepreferredtocondemntheGentiles rather thanwitness to them.Arabbinicwriter tellsofan incident thatexplainsthecommonJewishattitudetowardGentiles.AcertainGentilewomancame to Rabbi Eleazar, confessed that she was sinful, and told him that she

wanted to become righteous. Shewanted to be accepted into the Jewish faithbecauseshehadheardthattheJewswereneartoGod.Therabbiissaidtohaveresponded,“No.Youcannotcomenear,”andthenshutthedoorinherface. PeterhadsuchanattitudeofdisdainforGentilesbeforehehadthevisionoftheuncleananimalsthattheLordcommandedhimtoeat(Acts10:9-16).PeterlaterexplainedtotheRomancenturionCorneliusandhishousehold:“YouyourselvesknowhowunlawfulitisforamanwhoisaJewtoassociatewithaforeignerortovisithim;andyetGodhasshownmethatIshouldnotcallanymanunholyorunclean”(v.28;cf.Gal.2:11-14). Godcommandedthechurchto“gointoalltheworldandpreachthegospeltoallcreation”(Mark16:15),to“makedisciplesofallthenations”(Matt.28:19),and tobeHis“witnessesboth inJerusalem,and inall JudeaandSamaria,andeventotheremotestpartoftheearth”(Acts1:8).IthasalwaysbeenGod’splantoextendHislove,grace,forgiveness,andmercytoeverypersononearth. GodmadeIsraeldistinctfortworeasons.First,Hewantedtheworldtoseeandnoticethem,torealizethattheydidnotliveandactlikeothermen.Second,Hewantedthemtobesodistinctthattheywouldneverbeamalgamatedwithotherpeoples.He gave them such strict dietary, clothing,marriage, ceremonial, andother laws that they could never fit easily into another society. Thosedistinctions,likethespecialblessingsGodgavethem,wereintendedtobeatoolfor witness. But Israel continually perverted them into a source for pride,isolation,andself-glory. AsPaul reminds theEphesianChristians later in this letter, the church has asimilar calling to be distinct from the world: to “walk no longer just as theGentilesalsowalk, in the futilityof theirmind,”but to“layaside theoldself,which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,” and to “berenewedinthespiritofyourmind,andputonthenewself,whichinthelikenessofGodhasbeen created in righteousness andholinessof the truth” (4:17, 22-24).Yetthechurchalsofacesthedangerofproudlypervertingspecialblessingintoameansforpride,isolation,andself-satisfactioninsteadofusingithumblytowitnessGod’sgraceandgoodnesstotheworld. JonahtypifiedthecommonJewishattitudetowardGentiles.WhenGodcalledhim to preach toNineveh, the prophet fled in the opposite direction.After hefinallyobeyedtheLordandsawthewholecityrepentbecauseofhispreaching,“itgreatlydispleasedJonah,andhebecameangry,”becauseGod, inHisgraceand compassion, spared thewickedGentiles ofNineveh—just as Jonah knewGodwoulddoiftheyrepented(Jonah4:1-2).

LikeJonah,mostJewsdidnotwanttosharetheirgraciousandlovingGodwithanyoneelse.Theyacceptedtheirdivineblessingsbutnottheirdivinemission—tobealighttotheGentilenations(Isa.42:6;49:6;60:3;62:1-2). JewishcontemptforGentilesoftenhadjustificationfromahumanstandpoint,because throughout their history they suffered recurrent oppression andpersecutionfromGentiles—whofrequentlylookedonJewsasaslavepeopletobeexploited.AsinourowndayundertheNazis,Jewshaveoftenbeenderidedasenemiesofthehumanrace. But instead of reflecting the gracious love and forgiveness of the God whocalledandblessed them, theJewsmostoftenvented theirownresentmentandhatred back against their persecutors. Like Jonah, they wanted Gentiles to bejudged,notforgiven.SomeJewsbelievedthatGodcreatedtheGentilestouseasfuel forhell.Manybelieved thatHe lovedIsraelandhatedeveryothernation.Consequently, some Jewishwomen refused to help a non-Jewishwoman givebirth, because to do so would make them responsible for bringing anotherdespisedGentileintotheworld. WhenaJewenteredPalestinehewouldoftenshakethedustoffhissandalsandclothing inordernot tocontaminate theHolyLandwithGentiledust.BecauseSamaritans were partly Gentile, most Jews would go far out of their way toavoid traveling through Samaria. If a young Jewishman orwomanmarried aGentile, their familieswould have a funeral service, symbolizing the death oftheir child as far as religion, race, and family were concerned. For fear ofcontamination,manyJewswouldnotenteraGentilehomeorallowaGentiletoentertheirs. For many hundreds of years the animosity between Jew and Gentile hadfestered and grown. Although they were not always in open conflict, theirmutualcontemptcontinuedtowidenthegulfbetweenthem. Traces of that animosity were found in the early church. The practicaloutworkingofpositionalunitywasnoteasy.ManyJewishbelievers thought itinconceivable that aGentile couldbe savedunlesshe firstbecameaproselyteJew—bykeepingthelawsofMosesandbybecomingcircumcisedifhewereaman.TheseJudaizersbecamesoinfluentialinthechurchthataspecialcouncilwascalledinJerusalemtodealwiththeirteaching(seeActs15).EvenafterthecleardecisionofthecouncilthataGentiledidnothavetobecomeaJewtobesaved, many Jewish Christians continued to believe otherwise. Despite God’sspecialrevelationtohiminthisregard(Acts10)andhisownparticipationintheJerusalemcouncil,PeterwasintimidatedbycertainJudaizerstocompromisethe

gospel. For that reason, Paul “opposed him to his face, because he stoodcondemned” (Gal. 2:11). There is only one gospel, the gospel of grace.Therefore, as Paul had warned, “Even though we, or an angel from heaven,shouldpreachtoyouagospelcontrarytothatwhichwehavepreachedtoyou,lethimbeaccursed”(Gal.1:8). Converted Jews had difficulty breaking from the ceremonial laws such asSabbathobservanceandtheeatingofuncleananimals.ConvertedGentileshaddifficultywithsuchthingsaseatingmeatthathadbeenofferedasasacrificetoapagan deity. Inmany suchways, Jewish andGentile believers stumbled overtheirformertraditionsandbeliefs,andindoingsotheyalsostumbledovereachother.Whatwasofextremeimportancetoonegroupwasinconsequentialtotheother.InEphesians2:11-22Paulconfrontsthatproblemfromtwosides.First,hedescribes the former social and spiritual alienation of Jews and Gentiles, andthenhedescribestheirnewspiritualunityinJesusChrist. Thisimportantsectionbeginswiththewordtherefore,indicatingthatthenextlineofthoughtregardingthenewidentityoftheseGentileChristiansisbuiltonwhat Christ has done to give them life and eternal blessing, as described inverses1-10.ItisasifPauliscallingthemtobesogratefulfortheirdeliverancefromtheiroldsituationthattheycometofullyappreciatetheirnewsituationofunionwithallotherbelievers.Nothingmoreinspiresgratitudeinasavedsinnerthanalookbacktothepitfromwhichhehascome.SOCIALALIENATION

Thefirstkindofalienationwassocial:formerlyyou,theGentilesintheflesh,whoarecalled“Uncircumcision”bytheso-called“Circumcision,”whichisperformedinthefleshbyhumanhands.PaulcallshisreaderstheGentilesinthe flesh inorder toemphasize thephysical,externalnatureof thedistinction,andhecallsonthemtorememberwhotheyhadbeenbeforecomingtoChrist.As far as Jews were concerned they were outcasts, referred to as theUncircumcision, a term of derision, defamation, and reproach. David calledGoliathan“uncircumcisedPhilistine”(1Sam.17:26).BecauseGentilesdidnothavethephysicalmarkofcircumcisiontosetthemapartasthepeopleofGod,manyJewshadcometoconsiderthemtobeinferiorand,infact,ofnoconcerntoGod.PaulcarriesatoneofdisdainforsuchJewishhatred,asevidencedinhischoiceofwords todescribe Jews—the so-called“Circumcision” (lit., “in theflesh, made by hand”). He thereby takes exception to Jewish boasting byemphasizingthatcircumcisionisalsoonlyexternal(cf.Lev.26:41;Deut.10:16;

Jer.4:4;Ezek.44:7). But circumcisionhadnever been amarkof personal relationship toGod, forJewsoranyoneelse.PaulmakesmuchofthattruthinthebookofRomans.“Forhe is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is circumcision that which isoutwardintheflesh.ButheisaJewwhoinoneinwardly;andcircumcisionisthatwhich isof theheart,by theSpirit,notby the letter; andhispraise isnotfrom men, but from God” (Rom. 2:28-29; cf. Gal. 5:6; 6:15). Later in theRomansepistlehepointsoutthatAbraham,thefatheroftheJewishpeople,wassaved before he was circumcised (4:9-12). The separation of the two groupsfromeachotherwassymbolizedbythemarkofcircumcision,apurelyphysicaldistinction.SPIRITUALALIENATION

AmuchmoreimportantGentilealienationwasspiritual:rememberthatyouwereatthattimeseparatefromChrist,excludedfromthecommonwealthofIsrael, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope andwithoutGod in theworld. Although therewas nomoral difference betweenJewandGentile(asvv.1-10show),therewasadifferenceinGod’sdealingwiththem asmen. BeforeChrist came, the Jewswere the people of promise fromGod,buttheGentilesasapeoplewerecutofffromGodinfivedifferentways. First,theywereChristless,separatefromChrist,theMessiah.TheythereforehadnomessianichopeofaSaviorandDeliverer.Theirhistoryhadnopurpose,noplan, andnodestiny—except the ultimate judgment ofGod, ofwhich theywereunaware.ThepopularStoicphilosopherstaughtthathistoryrepeateditselfinthree-thousand-yearcycles.Attheendofeachcycletheuniverseisburnedupandthenreborntorepeatthesamefutilepattern. Pagan deities were but extensions of men’s own weaknesses and sins. Thegoddess Diana, or Artemis, who was the patron deity of Ephesus, was notdepictedasabeautifulandgraciouscreaturebutasanuglybeast,withnippleshanging downonwhich her brood of little beasts suckled.Without exception,paganidolatryhasalwaysbeenforbiddingandrepulsivewhenshowninitstrueform. It thrives on fear and despair rather than trust and hope, because itsdemonicgodsarewickedandcapriciousratherthanholyandfaithful.AlthoughGod had them inHis eternal, sovereign plan to be unitedwithChrist throughfaith,theyhadnosuchrelationshipasyet. Second, the Gentiles were spiritually alienated because they were excludedfrom the commonwealth of Israel. God hadmadeHis chosen people into a

theocracy, a nation of whom He Himself was King and Lord. He gave thatnationHisspecialblessing,protection,and love.Hegave themHiscovenants,His law, His priesthood, His sacrifices, His promises, and His guidance (seeDeut. 32:9-14; 33:27-29; Isa. 63:7-9; Amos 3:2). The psalmist said that God“has not dealt thuswith any nation; and as forHis ordinances, they have notknown them” (147:20).Ezekiel’sdescriptionofGod’s special careof Israel ispowerful:

“Asforyourbirth,onthedayyouwerebornyournavelcordwasnotcut,norwereyouwashedwithwaterforcleansing;youwerenotrubbedwithsaltorevenwrappedincloths.Noeyelookedwithpityonyou to do any of these things for you, to have compassion on you.Ratheryouwerethrownoutintotheopenfield,foryouwereabhorredonthedayyouwereborn.

“WhenIpassedbyyouandsawyousquirminginyourblood,Isaidtoyouwhileyouwereinyourblood,‘Live!’Isaidtoyouwhileyouwere in your blood, ‘Live!’ Imade you numerous like plants of thefield. Then you grew up, became tall, and reached the age for fineornaments; your breasts were formed and your hair had grown. Yetyou were naked and bare. Then I passed by you and saw you, andbehold,youwereat the timefor love;so I spreadMyskirtoveryouand covered your nakedness. I also swore to you and entered into acovenantwithyousothatyoubecameMine,”declarestheLordGod.“ThenIbathedyouwithwater,washedoffyourbloodfromyou,andanointedyouwithoil.Ialsoclothedyouwithembroideredcloth,andputsandalsofporpoiseskinonyourfeet;andIwrappedyouwithfinelinenandcoveredyouwith silk.And Iadornedyouwithornaments,putbraceletsonyourhands,andanecklacearoundyourneck. Ialsoputaringinyournostril,earringsinyourears,andabeautifulcrownonyourhead.Thusyouwereadornedwithgoldandsilver,andyourdresswasoffinelinen,silk,andembroideredcloth.Youatefineflour,honey, and oil; so you were exceedingly beautiful and advanced toroyalty.Thenyour famewent forthamong thenationsonaccountofyour beauty, for it was perfect because of My splendor which Ibestowedonyou,”declarestheLordGod.(Ezek.16:4-14)

HadtheGentilesacceptedthetrueGodthey,too,couldhavebeenapartofthatblessed nation. But because they rejected God, they forfeited His national

blessing. They had no God-blessed community or kingdom and no divinebenefactor.They receivednospecialblessingorprotection,because theywereoutsidethedominionofGod. Third, the Gentiles were spiritually alienated because they were without acovenant with God, strangers to the covenants of promise. The supremecovenantofpromisewas theonegiven toAbraham: “Iwillmakeyouagreatnation,and Iwillblessyou,andmakeyournamegreat;andsoyoushallbeablessing;andIwillblessthosewhoblessyou,andtheonewhocursesyouIwillcurse.And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 12:2-3;17:7; 26:3-5; 28:13-15). Inherent within that one great covenant were theMosaic,Palestinian,andDavidiccovenants—andeventheNewCovenant(]er.31:33). The covenant with Abraham surrounded and determined all of God’sdealingwithIsrael(Rom.9:4). ItshouldbeclarifiedthatadivinecovenantisanagreementinwhichGodbindsHimself tocarryoutHispersonalpromisetoHispeople, toredeemthemfromsinandblessthemforever.Faithandobediencearethemarksofthepersonwhoexperiencesthefulfillmentofthecovenant. Within the covenantsGod gave and renewedHis promises to bless, prosper,multiply,save,andredeemIsrael.WithinthemHepromisedtogiveHispeoplealand, a kingdom, and aKing; and to thosewhobelieved inHimHepromisedeternallifeandheaven. Fourth, the Gentiles were spiritually alienated because they were hopeless,having no hope. Those who have no Christ, no commonwealth, and nocovenantsofpromisealsohavenohope.Truehopecanbebasedonlyonatruepromise,onconfidenceinsomeonewhocanperformwhathepromises.Hopeisaprofoundblessingthatgivesmeaningandsecuritytolife.Livingwithouthopeoffuturejoyandenrichmentreducesmantoapieceofmeaninglessprotoplasm.Hopeistheconsummationoflife,theconfidentassurancethatwehaveablessedfutureintheplanofGod.ThesaddestfeatureofJob’sgreatlamentisfoundinthesewords:“Mydaysareswifterthanaweaver’sshuttle,andcometoanendwithouthope”(Job7:6).Theoppositeof thatpessimisticoutlookis the joyoustruth celebrated among the Jews and stated succinctly in Psalm 146:5—“Howblessed is hewhose help is theGod of Jacob,whose hope is in the Lord hisGod!”“ThehopeofIsrael”(Acts28:20)was thehopeofeternalsalvationandglory.Jeremiahusestheterm“thehopeofIsrael”asatitleforGod,parallelinmeaning to Savior (Jer. 14:8; 17:13). The Gentiles had no hope such as thatexpressedby thepsalmist: “ForThouartmyhope;OLordGod,Thouartmyconfidencefrommyyouth”(71:5).

If someoneofferedyouamillion-dollarbusiness loan,youwouldwant tobesureheactuallyhadthatmuchmoneytolend.Youwouldalsowanttobesurehewas aman of hisword, that hewas credible. If he did not have sufficientmoneyor ifhedidnotkeephisword,hispromisewouldbeworthless,andnoreasonablepersonwouldtakehopeinit. IsraelwasabletohavecompletehopeinGod’spromisesbecauseHehadeveryresourceatHisdisposalandbecauseHecannot lie.TheyhadGod’spromises,and theyknewHewasable and trustworthy to fulfill them.The fact that theyoftenfailedtohopeinthosepromiseswasdueto theirownunfaithfulness,notGod’s. TheGentiles,however,hadnosuchpromisesandthereforehadnogroundforhope.MostGentilesofPaul’sdayeitherthoughtthatdeathendedallexistenceorthatitreleasedthespirittowanderaimlesslyinsomenetherworldthroughouttherestofeternity.Deathbroughtonlynothingnessoreverlastingdespair.TheGreekphilosopherDiogenessaid,“Irejoiceinsportinmyyouth.LongenoughwillIliebeneaththeearthbereftoflife,voicelessasastone,andshallleavethesunlightwhich I love, goodman though I am.Then shall I see nothingmore.Rejoice,Omysoul,inthyyouth.”Thatisthebasicphilosophyofmanypeopleinourownday,reflected insuchsayingsas,“Graball thegustoyoucan”and“Youonlygoaroundonce.” Fifth, and most importantly, the Gentiles were spiritually alienated becausethey were without God [atheos] in the world. It was not that they wereintellectual atheists, becausemost of thembelieved inmanygods.Somewerepantheists,believingthatdivinitywasineverything,animateandinanimate.OnMars Hill Paul noted that the Greeks of Athens were “very religious in allrespects. For while I was passing through and examining the objects of yourworship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWNGOD’”(Acts17:22-23).Thatshrinewaserectedincasetheyhadmissedagod! TheproblemwasnotthattheGentileshadnogodbutthattheydidnothavethetrueGod.ThoughbelievershavemanyhardshipsandtrialsinthepresentsinfulworldandarecontinuallysurroundedbySatan’ssystem,theyhavethesurehopeofafutureworldthatissinlessandperfect.Buttobecaughtinthatevilsystemwithout God is to be hopeless. Paul reminded theGentile converts in Galatiathat,before theycame toknow theLord, they“were slaves to thosewhichbynature are no gods” (Gal. 4:8), which is why every person without Christ iswithouthope(1Thess.4:13). TheGentileswerewithoutGodintheworldbecausetheydidnotwantHim.

TheLorddidnotrejecttheGentiles,“forthereisnopartialitywithGod”(Rom.2:11).They did not haveGod’s lawgiven to themon stone tablets as did theJews,buttheyhaditwrittenintheirheartsandconsciences(Rom.2:15).TheyhadtherevelationofHisnature“evidentwithinthem;forGodmadeitevidenttothem. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternalpoweranddivinenature,havebeenclearlyseen,beingunderstoodthroughwhathasbeenmade,so that theyarewithoutexcuse”(Rom.1:19-20).TheGentilesrejected God by suppressing the truth about Himself that He had madeabundantlyevident.Theproblemwas that, “even though theyknewGod, theydid not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in theirspeculations,andtheirfoolishheartwasdarkened”(v.21). God’spurposeincallingtheJewsasHisholypeoplewastosendthemasHismissionariestotheGentiles,tocallallnationsbacktoHimselfingraceandlove.TheJews,however,werenomorefaithfultotheirgreaterlightthantheGentilesweretotheirlesser.Sadly,manyChristiansarenotfaithfultotheirstillgreaterLight,“thetruelightwhich,comingintotheworld,enlightenseveryman”(John1:9;cf.Rom.1:18-21). Therewill never be an end to alienationuntilChrist returns andbyHis ownpowerbreaksdownthebarriersofseparation.ApartfromChristtherenotonlycanbenoharmonywithGodbutnoharmonyamongmen.

UNITYINCHRIST

ButnowinChristJesusyouwhoformerlywerefaroffhavebeenbroughtnearby thebloodofChrist.ForHeHimself isourpeace,whomadebothgroups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, byabolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandmentscontained in ordinances, that inHimselfHemightmake the two into onenewman, thus establishing peace, andmight reconcile them both in onebodytoGodthroughthecross,by ithavingput todeaththeenmity.AndHecameandpreachedpeacetoyouwhowerefaraway,andpeacetothosewhowerenear; for throughHimwebothhaveouraccess inoneSpirit totheFather.(2:13-18)ThosewhoformerlywerefaroffweretheGentileswhohadcometoChrist.Far off was a common Jewish term used in rabbinical writings to describeGentiles,thosewhowerefarawayfromthetrueGod(cf.Isa.57:19;Acts2:39).Jews,ontheotherhand,consideredthemselvesandtheirconvertstobebroughtnear toGodbecauseoftheircovenantrelationtoHimandthepresenceofHisTemple in Jerusalem. But in Christ every person, Jew and Gentile alike, isbrought near to God by the blood of Christ. And that nearness is not anexternal,dispensational,national,geographic,orceremonialnearness—but isaspiritualintimacyofunionwiththeLordJesusChrist(cf.1Cor.1:24). Therootcauseofstrife,discord,antagonism,enmity,hate,bitterness,fighting,war, conflict, and everyother formofdisunity anddivision is sin.The reasonthere is always perfect harmony in theGodhead is that there is no sin in theGodhead.Perfectholinessproducesperfectharmony.Andtheonlysolutionfordivisionsamongmenistheremovalofsin,whichJesusChristaccomplishedbythesheddingofHisownblood.ThosewhotrustinHisatoningworkarefreedfromsinnowintheirnewnatureandwillbepracticallyandpermanentlyfreedfromsin in theirnewbodieswhen theymeet theLord.ThecleansingvalueofthebloodofChristimmediatelywashesawaythepenaltyofsinandultimatelywashesawayevenitspresence. Because in Christ the great foundational barrier of sin has been removed,everyotherbarrierhasbeenremovedaswell.ThosewhoareoneinChristareoneineachother—whethertheyrealizeitoractlikeitornot(1Cor.6:17).ThepurposeoftheLord’sTableistoremindusofthesacrificeourLordmadenotonlytobringustoHimselfbutalsotoeachother.

Byremovingoursin,ChristgivesuspeacewitheachotherandaccesstoGod.PEACEWITHGODANDWITHHISPEOPLE

ForHeHimself is our peace,whomade both groups into one, andbrokedownthebarrierofthedividingwall,byabolishinginHisfleshtheenmity,which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that inHimselfHemightmakethetwointoonenewman,thusestablishingpeace,andmight reconcile them both in one body toGod through the cross, by ithavingput todeath theenmity.AndHecameandpreachedpeace toyouwhowerefaraway,andpeacetothosewhowerenear;(2:14-17)TheGreektextherehasonlyonepronoun,autos(He),butitisintheemphaticposition, as reflected by the addition ofHimself inmanyEnglish translations.Thewriter emphasizes that Jesus alone is our peace (cf. Isa. 9:6); there is noother source. What laws, ordinances, ceremonies, sacrifices, and good deedscouldnotdotomakepeacebetweenmenandGod,Jesusdid.ThosethingscouldneitherbringmenintoharmonywithGodorwitheachother.InthesacrificeofHimselfonthecross,Jesusaccomplishedboth. Justassin is thecauseofallconflictanddivision, it isalso theenemyofallpeaceandharmony.Built intowickedness is the impossibilityofpeace.Sin isbasically selfishness, and selfishness is basically divisive and disruptive. Wecannot always have what we want without infringing on what someone elsewantsorneeds.Wecannotalwayshaveourownwaywithout interferingwithsomeoneelse’sway. Jamessaid,“Whatisthesourceofquarrelsandconflictsamongyou?Isnotthesource your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do nothave; so you commitmurder.Andyou are envious and cannot obtain; so youfightandquarrel.Youdonothavebecauseyoudonotask.Youaskanddonotreceive,becauseyouaskwithwrongmotives,sothatyoumayspenditonyourpleasures”Games4:1-3). Peacecomesonlywhenselfdies,andtheonlyplaceselftrulydiesisatthefootofCalvary.“IhavebeencrucifiedwithChrist,”Paulsaid;“anditisnolongerIwholive,butChristlivesinme;andthelifewhichInowliveinthefleshIliveby faith in theSonofGod,who lovedme, anddeliveredHimself up forme”(Gal.2:20). DuringWorldWar IIagroupofAmericansoldierswasexchangingfirewithsomeGermanswhooccupiedafarmhouse.Thefamilywholivedinthehouse

hadrun to thebarn forprotection.Suddenly their little three-year-olddaughterbecamefrightenedandranoutintothefieldbetweenthetwogroupsofsoldiers.Whentheysawthelittlegirl,bothsidesimmediatelyceasedfiringuntilshewassafe.A littlechildbroughtpeace,briefas itwas,asalmostnothingelsecouldhavedone. Jesus Christ came as a babe to earth, and in His sacrifice on the cross HeHimselfbecamepeace for thosewho trust inHim.Hispeace isnot temporarybut permanent. He made both groups, Jews (those who were “near”) andGentiles(thosewhowere“faroff”),intoone,andbrokedownthebarrierofthedividingwall. InJesusChrist,aJewisnolongerdistinctfromaGentileasfarasreligionisconcerned.Infact,sinceA.D.70,whentheTemplewasdestroyed,truereligiousJudaism ceased to exist.Not onlywas the place of sacrifice destroyed, but sowereallthegenealogicalrecordsonwhichpriestlydescentwasbased.Likewise,a Gentile in Christ is no longer distinct as far as his spiritual condition isconcerned.Hispaganismisgone,hisunbeliefisgone,hishopelessnessisgone,andhisgodlessnessisgone. ForthoseinChrist,theonlyidentitythatmattersistheiridentityinHim.ThereisnoJewishorGentileChristianity,blackorwhiteChristianity,maleorfemaleChristianity, or free or slave Christianity. There is only Christianity. Our oneLordhasonlyonechurch. ThebarrierofthedividingwallalludestotheseparationoftheCourtoftheGentiles from the restof theTemple.Between that court and theCourtof theIsraeliteswasasignthatread,“NoGentilemayenterwithinthebarricadewhichsurroundsthesanctuaryandenclosure.Anyonewhoiscaughtdoingsowillhavehimself to blame for his ensuing death.” This physical barrier illustrated thebarrierofhostilityandhatethatalsoseparatedthetwogroups.AswelearnfromthebookofActs,evenaJewwhobroughtaGentileintotherestrictedpartoftheTempleriskedbeingputtodeath.AlthoughPaulhadnotdoneso,certainJewsfromAsiaaccusedhimof takingTrophimus, aGentile fromEphesus, into theTemple. They would have stoned Paul to death had he not been rescued byRomansoldiers(Acts21:27-32). Godhadoriginally separated Jews fromGentiles (cf. Isa. 5:1-7;Matt. 21:33)for the purpose of redeeming both groups, not for saving the Jews alone. HeplacedtheCourtoftheGentilesintheTemplefortheverypurposeofwinningGentiles to Himself. It was meant to be a place for Jewish evangelism ofGentiles,aplaceforwinningproselytestoJudaismandoftherebybringingthem

“near.”Itwasthatcourt,however,thattheJewishleadersofJesus’dayusedas“arobbers’den”(Mark11:17)ratherthanasaplaceofwitness. Christforeverbrokedown(theGreekaoristtensesignifiescompletedaction)everydividingwallbyabolishinginHisfleshtheenmity,whichistheLawofcommandments contained in ordinances.When Jesus died on the cross HeabolishedeverybarrierbetweenmanandGodandbetweenmanandhisfellowman.ThegreatestbarrierbetweenJewandGentilewastheceremoniallaw,theLaw of commandments contained in ordinances. The feasts, sacrifices,offerings, laws of cleanliness and purification, and all other such distinctiveoutward commandments for the unique separation of Israel from the nationswereabolished. ThatGod’smorallawwasnotabolishedisclearfromthephrasecontainedinceremonies.HismorallawreflectsHisownholynatureandthereforecanneverchange(cf.Matt.5:17-19).ThatisthelawwhichfortheJewswassummarizedin the Ten Commandments and which for all men is written on their hearts(Rom.2:15)andstillcommandedofthem(Matt.22:37-40;Rom.13:8-10).JesussummarizedGod’smorallawstillfurtherbydeclaring,“AnewcommandmentIgivetoyou,thatyouloveoneanother,evenasIhavelovedyou”(John13:34).TheTenCommandments, like all ofGod’smoral laws, are but the structuredandparticularizedlovethatGodstillrequires(James2:8). AlltheceremoniallawswhichdistinguishedandseparatedJewsfromGentileswereobliterated.BeforeChrist thosegroups couldnot eat together becauseofrestricted foods, required washings, and ceremonial contamination. Now theycouldeatanythingwithanyone.BeforeChristtheycouldnotworshiptogether.AGentilecouldnot fullyworship in the JewishTemple, anda Jewwouldnotworshipinapagantemple.InChristtheynowworshipedtogetherandneedednotemple or other sacred place to sanctify it. All ceremonial distinctions andrequirementswereremoved(cf.Acts10:9-16;11:17-18;Col.2:16-17),that inHimselfHemightmakethetwointoonenewman,thusestablishingpeace.The emphasis is again on inHimself, affirming that this newunity can occuronlywhenmenareunitedinthepersonoftheLordJesusChrist. Kainos(new)doesnotrefertosomethingrecentlycompleted,suchasanewcarrollingofftheassemblyline—oneofmanyothercarsjustlikeit.Thisnewreferstoadifferenceinkindandquality,toacompletelynewmodel,unlikeanythingthatexistedbefore.ThenewpersoninChristisnotsimplyaJeworGentilewhonow happens to be a Christian. He is no longer a Jew or Gentile but only aChristian.Everyothercharacteristicis“former”(seev.11).Paulsummeditupwhenhesaid,“ForthereisnodistinctionbetweenJewandGreek;forthesame

LordisLordofall,aboundinginrichesforallwhocalluponHim;for‘WhoeverwillcalluponthenameoftheLordwillbesaved’”(Rom.10:12-13). AnotherstoryfromWorldWarIIisthatofagroupofAmericansoldierswholosttheirbuddyinbattle.Theycarriedhisbodytotheonlycemeteryinthearea,whichhappenedtobeCatholic.Whenthepriestwastoldthatthedeadmanwasnot Catholic he said, “I am sorry, but he cannot be buried here.” Thedisheartenedanddiscouragedsoldiersdecidedtodowhattheythoughtwasnextbest, and during the night they buried their comrade just outside the cemeteryfence.Theyreturnedthenextmorningtopaytheirlastrespects,buttheycouldnotfindagraveoutsidethefence.Whentheytoldthepriestoftheirquandary,hesaid,“ThefirstpartofthenightIstayedawakesorryforwhatItoldyou.AndthesecondpartofthenightIspentmovingthefence.” When Jesus Christ broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, byabolishing in His flesh the enmity, He moved the fence, in order that inHimselfHemightmakethetwointoonenewman.NopersonwhocomestoHimwillbeexcluded,andnopersonwhoisincludedwillbespirituallydistinctfrom any other. InHis flesh points specifically to Jesus’ death on the cross,through which He nullified, annulled, made of no effect, and invalidated(abolished,katargeō) the feud,discord,andalienation(enmity,echthra), thusestablishingpeace,asalreadyindicatedinverse14. ThewordsandmightreconcilethembothinonebodytoGodthroughthecross demonstrate not only that Jew and Gentile (both is masculine, clearlyreferringtomen)arebroughttogetherbutthattogethertheyarebroughttoGod.ReconciliationtoeachotherisinseparablefromreconciliationtoGod.Asbothare brought to God, they are brought to each other. The death of ChristaccomplishedperfectlywhatGodintended—bringingmentoHimself.Verse13pointstothebloodofChrist,verse15focusesonthefleshofthedyingSavior,andnowinverse16Paulspecificallymentions theplace(thecross)where theblood was shed and the flesh was slain. How did the cross accomplish suchreconciliation?Itput todeaththeenmitybetweenmenandGod(cf.Rom.5:1,10). The hostility betweenmen andGodwas ended in the sacrifice ofChrist.HewastheOnewhoreceivedthejudicialsentenceofGodforsin.Hepaidthepriceof death which God required and thereby satisfied divine justice (cf. 2 Cor.5:20).Hebecame“acurse”forsinners(Gal.3:13)andprovidedreconciliationofthebelievingsinnertoGodandtoallotherrepentantsinners,regardlessofrace. Reconcile isarich term(apokatallassō)whichholds the ideaof turningfrom

hostility to friendship. The double use of prepositions as prefixes (apo, kata)emphasizesthetotalityofthisreconciliation(cf.Col.1:19-23). Mancannotevenreconcilehimselftohisfellowman,muchlesstoGod.“GoddemonstratesHisownlovetowardus,inthatwhilewewereyetsinners,Christdiedforus.Muchmorethen,havingnowbeenjustifiedbyHisblood,weshallbesavedfromthewrathofGodthroughHim.Forifwhilewewereenemies,wewerereconciledtoGodthroughthedeathofHisSon,muchmore,havingbeenreconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Rom. 5:8-10). Apart from Christeverypersonishelpless,sinful,andanenemyofGod.AsPaulsaysinanotherepistle,“ItwastheFather’sgoodpleasureforallthefulnesstodwellin[Christ],andthroughHimtoreconcileallthingstoHimself,havingmadepeacethroughthe blood ofHis cross” (Col. 1:19-20). The Scottish commentator JohnEadiewrote, “The cross which slew Jesus slew also the hostility between man andGod.Hisdeathwasthedeathofthatanimosity.”ThecrossisGod’sanswertoJudaizing, racial discrimination, segregation, apartheid, anti-Semitism, bigotry,war,andeveryothercauseandresultofhumanstrife.ThisisthegreatmysteryofEphesians3:6,“thattheGentilesarefellowheirsandfellowmembersofthebody,andfellowpartakersofthepromiseinChristJesusthroughthegospel.” TheOnewho“Himselfisourpeace”(v.14)cameandpreachedpeacetoyouwhowere far away, andpeace to thosewhowerenear.Euangelizē (preached)literallymeanstobringorannouncegoodnews,andisalmostalwaysusedintheNewTestamentofproclaiming thegospel, thegoodnewsofsalvation throughJesusChrist.From thatand relatedGreek termsweget suchEnglishwordsasevangelize,evangelist,andevangelical.Thephraseinourtextmightthereforeberendered,Hecameandgospeled,orevangelized,peace. TheheavenlyannouncementofJesus’birthwas,“GlorytoGodinthehighest,andonearthpeaceamongmenwithwhomHe ispleased” (Luke2:14).ThosewithwhomtheLordispleasedarethosewhotrustinHisSon,JesusChrist.Asstated inverse13andexplainedabove, thosewhowere far awayareGentilesand those whowere near are Jews. Every person, Jew and Gentile alike, hasaccesstoGod’speacethroughChrist. Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6),who promisedHis disciples, “Peace Ileavewithyou;Mypeace I give to you” (John14:27).Like theirMaster,Hisdisciplesarealsotobepeacemakers(Matt.5:9)andproclaimersofpeace.WhenHe sent out the seventy He commissioned them: “Whatever house you enter,firstsay,‘Peacebetothishouse.’Andifamanofpeaceisthere,yourpeacewillrestuponhim;butifnot,itwillreturntoyou”(Luke10:5-6).PeacesurroundedtheministryofJesusasanaura thatcontinuallyblessed thosewhobelieved in

Him.AmongHislastwordstoHisdiscipleswere,“ThesethingsIhavespokento you, that in Me you may have peace” (John 16:33). The ministry of theapostlesandotherpreachersoftheearlychurchwascharacterizedby“preachingpeace through Jesus Christ” (Acts 10:36). The ministry of the Holy Spirit ischaracterized by the giving of “love, joy, peace,” and the other spiritual fruitmentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. God’s kingdom itself is characterized by“righteousnessandpeaceandjoyintheHolySpirit”(Rom.14:17).TheGodofpeace(1Cor.14:33;Heb.13:20)callsHispeopletopeace(1Cor.7:15).ACCESSTOGOD

forthroughHimwebothhaveouraccessinoneSpirittotheFather.(2:18)Whenwe have JesusChrist (Him)we also have access by theSpirit to theFather. The resources of the entire Trinity are ours the moment we receiveChrist. It isnot justa judicial reconciliationbutanactual intimate relationshipwithpracticalvalueaswebringourneedstotheFather. Prosagōgē(access)isusedonlythreetimesintheNewTestament,ineachcasereferring to the believer’s access to God (see also Rom. 5:2; Eph. 3:12). Inancient times a related word was used to describe the court official whointroducedpersonstotheking.Theygaveaccesstothemonarch.Thetermitselfcarries the ideanotofpossessingaccess inourownrightbutofbeinggrantedtherighttocometoGodwithboldness,knowingwewillbewelcomed.ItisonlythroughourSavior’ssheddingofHisbloodinsacrificialdeathonCalvaryandby faith inHim thatwehaveunion inHisHolySpirit andhaveaccess to theFather.TheSpiritisatworktodrawuscontinuallytoGod(Rom.8:15-17;Gal.4:6-7). Both and one spirit emphasize again the commonality of Jew andGentile. The work of Christ and the establishment of His church reach to allmen. AlthoughinJohn10JesusspokeofHimselfbothastheGoodShepherdandasthe door to the sheepfold (vv. 1-14), He was not mixing metaphors. APalestinian shepherd brought his sheep into the pen at night or erected atemporaryfenceofstones,wood,ormudifhewasawayfromhome.Afterheput thesheepinside,countedthemcarefully,andputoilontheirwoundsfrombriarsorsharprocks,helayacrossthenarrowopeningthatservedasadoor.Theshepherdhimselfwasthedoor. Theonlyaccess intoGod’spresence, theonlydoor into thesheepfoldofHiskingdom,isthroughHisSon.Butitisawonderfulandgloriousaccessthatcan

neverbetakenfromus.Wecanalways“drawnearwithconfidencetothethroneofgrace,thatwemayreceivemercyandmayfindgracetohelpintimeofneed”(Heb.4:16).ThroughGod’sdivineSonwe,too,becomeHissons.Consequentlywe“havenotreceivedaspiritofslaveryleadingtofearagain,but…aspiritofadoptionassonsbywhichwecryout,‘Abba!Father!’”(Rom.8:15). ThosewhoonceweresociallyandspirituallyalienatedareinChristunitedwithGod andwith each other.Because they haveChrist they have both peace andaccessinoneSpirittotheFather.TheyhaveanIntroducerwhopresentsthemat theheavenly throneofGod,beforewhomtheycancomeatany time.TheycannowcometoGodastheirownFather,knowingthatHenolongerjudgesorcondemnsbutonly forgivesandblesses.EvenHisdiscipline isanactof love,given to cleanse and restore His precious children to purity and spiritualrichness.

CLOSINGSUMMARY

Sothenyouarenolongerstrangersandaliens,butyouarefellowcitizenswith the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built upon thefoundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being thecornerstone, inwhomthewholebuilding,beingfittedtogether isgrowingintoaholy temple in theLord; inwhomyoualsoarebeingbuilt togetherintoadwellingofGodintheSpirit.(2:19-22)Paul closes his discussion of the marvelous unity of the Body of Christ bygivingthreemetaphorstoillustrateit.InthepictureoffellowcitizensheshowshowJewandGentilehavebecomepartofthesamekingdom.InthepictureofGod’shouseholdheshowshowallbelieversareonespiritualfamilyinChrist.In the picture of a holy temple in the Lord he shows that all believers aretogetherahabitationforGod.UNITEDINGOD’SKINGDOM

Sothenyouarenolongerstrangersandaliens,butyouarefellowcitizenswiththesaints,(2:19a)WhetherbelieverswerepreviouslyapartfromGodandHispeopleorwhetherthey were previously nearby, they became one in Jesus Christ.Whether theywereformerstrangersandoutcastsorformeraliensandguests,allbelieversinChristbecomefellowcitizensofGod’skingdomwiththesaints—thebelieversfromeveryagewhohave trusted inGod.God’skingdomhasnostrangersoraliens,nosecond-classcitizens.“Ourcitizenshipisinheaven”(Phil.3:20),Pauldeclares,andtheonlycitizensofheavenareGod’ssaints.UNITEDINGODSFAMILY

andareofGod’shousehold,(2:19b)AsifbeingmembersofHisdivinekingdomwerenotenough,God’sgraciouswork in Christ draws us even closer and makes us members of God’shousehold. Becausewe have identified ourselveswithHis Son by faith,Godnowseesusand treatsusexactlyasHeseesand treatsHisSon—with infinitelove.BecausetheFathercannotgiveanythingbutHisbesttotheSon,Hecannot

giveanythingbutHisbesttothosewhoareinHisSon.“BothHewhosanctifiesandthosewhoaresanctifiedareallfromoneFather,”thewriterofHebrewstellsus, “forwhich reasonHe is not ashamed to call thembrethren.…ChristwasfaithfulasaSonoverHishousewhosehouseweare”(2:11;3:6;Rom.8:17). Heavenlycitizenshipandfamilymembershiparenotdistinctrolesorpositionsbutsimplydifferentviewsofthesamereality,becauseeverykingdomcitizenisafamilymemberandeveryfamilymemberisakingdomcitizen. IfbelievershavenodistinctionsbeforeGod, theyshouldhavenodistinctionsamongthemselves.Wearefellowcitizensandfellowfamilymembers,equalineveryspiritualwaybeforeGod.IfGodacceptseachoneofus,howcanwenotaccepteachother?UNITEDINGOD’STEMPLE

havingbeenbuiltuponthefoundationoftheapostlesandprophets,ChristJesusHimself being the corner stone, in whom thewhole building, beingfittedtogetherisgrowingintoaholytempleintheLord;inwhomyoualsoarebeingbuilttogetherintoadwellingofGodintheSpirit.(2:20-22)The foundationof theapostlesandprophets refers to thedivine revelationthat they taught,which in itswritten form is theNewTestament.Because theGreek genitive case appears to be used in the subjective sense, signifying theoriginating agency, the meaning is not that the apostles and prophets werethemselvesthefoundation—thoughinacertainsensetheywere—butthattheylaidthefoundation.Paulspokeofhimselfas“awisemasterbuilder”who“laidafoundation”andwentontosay,“Fornomancanlayafoundationotherthantheonewhichislaid,whichisJesusChrist”(1Cor.3:10-11;cf.Rom.15:20).TheseareNewTestamentprophets,asindicatedbythefactsthattheyarelistedaftertheapostlesandarepartof thebuildingof thechurchofJesusChrist(cf.3:5;4:11).TheiruniquefunctionwastoauthoritativelyspeakthewordofGodtothechurchintheyearsbeforetheNewTestamentcanonwascomplete.Thefactthatthey are identified with the foundation reveals that they were limited to thatformative period.As 4:11 shows, they completed theirwork and gaveway to“evangelists,and…pastorsandteachers.” Thecorner stone of the foundation isChristJesusHimself (see Isa. 28:16;Ps. 118:22;Matt. 21:42;Acts 4:11). The cornerstonewas themajor structuralpartofancientbuildings.Ithadtobestrongenoughtosupportwhatwasbuiltonit,andithadtobepreciselylaid,becauseeveryotherpartof thestructurewas

oriented to it.Thecornerstonewas thesupport, theorienter, and theunifieroftheentirebuilding.ThatiswhatJesusChrististoGod’skingdom,God’sfamily,andGod’sbuilding. Through Isaiah,Goddeclared,“Behold, I am laying inZiona stone,a testedstone,acostlycornerstoneforthefoundation,firmlyplaced.Hewhobelievesinit will not be disturbed” (Isa. 28:16). After quoting that passage, Peter says,“Thispreciousvalue, then, is foryouwhobelieve….youareachosen race,aroyalpriesthood,aholynation,apeopleforGod’sownpossession”(1Pet.2:7,9). ItisChristJesusHimselfasthecornerstone,inwhomthewholebuilding,being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord.Sunarmologeō(fittedtogether)referstothecarefuljoiningofeverycomponentofapieceoffurniture,wall,building,orotherstructure.Everypartispreciselycuttofitsnugly,strongly,andbeautifullywitheveryotherpart.Nothingisoutofplace,defective,misshapen,orinappropriate.BecauseitisChrist’sbuilding,the church is perfect, spotless,without defect or blemish.And that is howHewillonedaypresentthechurch,Hisownholytemple,toHimself(Eph.5:27). Christ’s Body, however, will not be complete until every person who willbelieve in Him has done so. Every new believer is a new stone in Christ’sbuilding, His holy temple. Thus Paul says the temple is growing becausebelieversarecontinuallybeingadded. ManycathedralsinEuropehavebeenunderconstructionforhundredsofyears.Inacontinuingprocess,newrooms,alcoves,chapels,andsofortharebuilt.Thatis the way with the church of Jesus Christ. It is in a continual state ofconstruction as each new saint becomes a new stone. “You also, as livingstones,”Petersaid,“arebeingbuiltupasaspiritualhouseforaholypriesthood,to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable toGod through JesusChrist” (1Pet.2:5).Askingdomcitizens,familymembers,andlivingstones,believersinJesusChrist are a holy priesthood who offer up spiritual sacrifices in God’s holytemple.Asaliving,functioning,andpreciouspartofthattemple,wealsoarebeing built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit (see also 2 Cor.6:16). Thetermadwelling(katoikētērion)carriestheideaofapermanenthome.Godin the Spirit makes His earthly sanctuary in the church, where He takes uppermanentresidenceasLord.Thiswouldbeavividperceptionforpeoplelivingamidtemplesinwhichpagandeitieswerebelievedtodwell,asinthetempletoArtemis in Ephesus (see Acts 19:23-41). But the church is no small physical

chamber inwhichanidol iskept; it is thevastspiritualbodyof theredeemed,wherein residesHisSpirit. (It shouldbenoted that this isadistinct truth fromthatofeachbelieverbeingtheindividualtempleoftheHolySpirit,astaughtin1Cor.6:19-20.) Through the blood, the suffering flesh, the cross, and the death of the LordJesusChrist,aliensbecomecitizens,strangersbecomefamily,idolatersbecomethe temple of the true God, the hopeless inherit the promises of God, thosewithout Christ become one in Christ, those far off are brought near, and thegodlessarereconciledtoGod.ThereinisthereconciliationofmentoGodandofmentomen.

TheMysteryRevealed

8

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of youGentiles—ifindeedyouhaveheardofthestewardshipofGod’sgracewhichwasgiventomeforyou;thatbyrevelationtherewasmadeknowntomethemystery,asIwrotebeforeinbrief.Andbyreferringtothis,whenyoureadyoucanunderstandmy insight into themysteryofChrist,which inothergenerationswas notmade known to the sons ofmen, as it has now beenrevealedtoHisholyapostlesandprophetsintheSpirit;tobespecific,thattheGentiles are fellow heirs and fellowmembers of the body, and fellowpartakersofthepromiseinChristJesusthroughthegospel,ofwhichIwasmadeaminister,accordingtothegiftofGod’sgracewhichwasgiventomeaccordingto theworkingofHispower.Tome, thevery leastofall saints,thisgracewasgiven, topreach to theGentiles theunfathomablerichesofChrist,andtobringtolightwhatistheadministrationofthemysterywhichforageshasbeenhiddeninGod,whocreatedall things; inorderthatthemanifoldwisdomofGodmightnowbemadeknownthroughthechurchtotherulersandtheauthoritiesintheheavenlyplaces.ThiswasinaccordancewiththeeternalpurposewhichHecarriedoutinChristJesusourLord,inwhom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.ThereforeIaskyounottoloseheartatmytribulationsonyourbehalf,fortheyareyourglory.(3:1-13)Thispassageislargelyaparenthesis,whichrunsfromverse2throughverse13.PaulbeginsaprayerforbelieverstounderstandtheirresourcesasoneinChristand thendecides to reemphasizeandexpandsomeof the truthshehasalreadymentioned. He does not actually get into the prayer until verse 14, where herepeats the phrase “For this reason” in order to pick up the thought originallyintroducedinverse1.HeseemstohavefeltthattheEphesianswerenotreadytohearhisprayerintheirbehalfuntil theybetterunderstood—andwerethereforebetterabletoapply—thetruthshewantedtoprayabout.AnditseemedessentialforPaultoaffirmhisauthorityforteachingsuchanewandfar-reachingtruthasthe oneness of Jew and Gentile in Christ, which he does by saying that GodHimselfgavehimthetruthandthecommissiontoproclaimit(vv.2-7). The primary reemphasis is on the great mystery now revealed by God that

GentilesandJewsareone inChristandthat there isno longeranydistinction.Therevelationofthemysteryisdiscussedinvv.1-3,theexplanationofitinvv.4-6,theproclamationofitinvv.7-9,andfinallytheintentionofitinvv.10-13.“Tobespecific,”hesays inverse6, thesacredsecretneverbefore revealed isthat“theGentilesarefellowheirsandfellowmembersofthebody,andfellowpartakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” That verse isessentiallyasummaryof2:11-22. In3:1-13theapostleleadsustofocusonfiveaspectsofthisdivinemystery:itsprisoner,itsplan,itspreaching,itspurpose,anditsprivileges.

THEPRISONEROFTHEMYSTERY

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of youGentiles—ifindeedyouhaveheardofthestewardshipofGod’sgracewhichwasgiventomeforyou;thatbyrevelationtherewasmadeknowntomethemystery,asIwrotebeforeinbrief.Andbyreferringtothis,whenyoureadyoucanunderstandmyinsightintothemysteryofChrist,(3:1-4)ForthisreasonintroducesthecauseofPaul’sprayer(whichreallybeginsinv.14) and refers back to the group of unifying truths Paul has just discussed inchapter2—including the truths that theperson inChristbecomesnew(v.15);thatallbelieversare inonebody(v.16); that theGentiles,whowereonce faraway,nowbecomenearwhentheybelieve(v.17);thatallbelieversareequallycitizens of God’s kingdom and members of His family (v. 19); and that allbelieversarebeingbuiltintoGod’stempleanddwelling(vv.21-22). Asalreadymentioned,however,beforebeginninghisprayer,Pauldecided togooveragainsomeofthosetruthswhichpromptedit,emphasizingtheirdivinesource.Theapostleknewthevalueofrepetitioninteachingandtheimportanceof establishingauthoritywhen teaching suchnewandnon-traditionaldoctrine.None of us understands everything about a truthwhenwe first hear it.God’struths are somarvelous andvast thatwewill never comprehend them fully inthis life, nomatter howmany timeswe hear and study them.Even thingswecometounderstandtosomeextent,weoftenforgetandneedtoberemindedof,andsometruthswouldbeunacceptabletoourhumanmindsifwedidnotknowtheycamefromGod(cf.John6:60;2Pet.3:16). The first truth Paul mentions is about his own situation and God-givenministry.OutsideoftheLordJesusHimself,PaulisbyfarthedominantfigureintheNewTestament.Hewroteatleastthirteenofits27books.HeisalsothedominanthumaninstrumentoftheSpiritinthebookofActs.Andmorethananyotherapostlehedelineatedthemysteriesofthegospel,thetruthshiddeneventothemostfaithfulbelieversofformeragesbutmadeknowntothechurchofJesusChrist. IntheopeningoftheletterPaulgiveshiscredentialsasChrist’sapostle(1:1),butherehespeaksofhimselfas theprisonerofChristJesus.Hehadbeenaprisonerforsomefiveyears,twoyearsinCaesareaandtherestinRome.Hehadbeen arrested on false chargesmade by Jews from the province of Asia whowere visiting in Jerusalem. They had accused him of taking the Gentile

TrophimusintoforbiddenareasoftheTemple,thoughhehadnotdoneso.Paulhad faced hearings before the Sanhedrin, before the Roman governor Felix,beforeFelix’s successor, Festus, and evenbeforeKingAgrippa.HadPaul notappealedtoCaesarwhiledefendinghimselfbeforeFestus,Agrippawouldhavereleased him. From Caesarea the apostle was taken to Rome, where he wasallowedtostayinprivatequarterswithasoldiertoguardhim(seeActs21:27—28:16). AlthougharrestedonJewishcharges,Pauldidnotconsiderhimselfaprisonerof the Jews. Although imprisoned by Roman authority, he did not considerhimself a prisoner of Rome. Although he had appealed to Caesar, he did notconsider himselfCaesar’s prisoner.Hewas aminister of JesusChrist, boughtwith a price, and given the special mission of preaching the gospel to theGentiles.HewasthereforetheprisonerofChristJesus.WhateverhedidandwhereverhewentwereunderChrist’s control.WithouthisLord’s consent, hewasnotsubjecttotheplans,power,punishment,orimprisonmentofanymanorgovernment. The Greek form of the phrase has been called a genitive oforiginatingcause, to identifyPaulasaprisonerbelongingtoJesusChrist,whowasthecauseofhisimprisonment. Perspectiveisall-important.Howweviewandreacttocircumstancesismoreimportantthanthecircumstancesthemselves.Ifallwecanseeisourimmediatesituation, then our circumstances control us. We feel good when ourcircumstancesaregoodbutmiserablewhentheyarenot.HadPaulbeenabletoseeonlyhiscircumstances,hewouldquicklyhavegivenuphisministry.Hadhethoughtthathislifewasultimatelyinthehandsofhispersecutors,hisjailers,hisguards,ortheRomangovernment,hewouldlongsincehavegivenupindespair. ButPaul’sperspectivewasadivineperspective,andhelivedwithtotaltrustinGod’spurposes.Itwasnot thathehimselfknewhisfutureorfullyunderstoodthe divine purposes behind his afflictions, but that he knew his future, hisafflictions, andeveryother aspectofhis lifewere totally inHisLord’shands.DespitehisapostleshipandhismanyrevelationsfromtheLord,Paullivedandworkedbyfaith,notbysight.Heknew—notbecauseofwhathecouldseebutbecauseoftheLord’sownWord—“thatGodcausesallthingstoworktogetherfor good to those who love God, to those who are called according to Hispurpose” (Rom.8:28).That iswhyasbelieversweare to“consider it all joy”when we “encounter various trials.” We know that those trials, or testings,produce faith, that faith produces endurance, and that endurance leads to theperfectionandcompletionofourpreparationforlivingagodlylife(James1:2-4;cf.Acts16:19-25;1Pet.4:12-19).

Paulknewthathiscircumstanceshad“turnedoutforthegreaterprogressofthegospel,” so that his “imprisonment in the cause of Christ [had] become wellknown throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and thatmostof thebrethren, trusting in theLordbecauseof [his] imprisonment, [had]farmorecouragetospeakthewordofGodwithoutfear”(Phil.1:12-14). Paulwas imprisoned forChrist’s savingpurpose,whichwas for the sakeofyouGentiles. Just asChristwasnotcrucified forHisownsake,Paulwasnotimprisonedforhisownsake,butforthesakeofhisLordandthesakeofthosehehadbeengivenaspecialcallingtoserve(Acts9:15;15:7;20:20-24;22:21;Rom.11:13;etc.). “NowI rejoice inmysufferings foryour sake,”he told theColossian believers, “and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body(which is thechurch) in fillingup thatwhich is lacking inChrist’safflictions”(Col. 1:24). In the next verses he told the ColossianGentiles, “I wasmade aminister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for yourbenefit, that Imight fullycarryout thepreaching thewordofGod, that is, themysterywhichhasbeenhiddenfromthepastagesandgenerations;buthasnowbeenmanifestedtoHissaints”(vv.25-26). Paul knew he was in the ministry because he had been called by God tominister.Hewasnotinitforhisownpurposes,andhedidnottrytocarryitoutinhisownpower.Hemade the supremesacrificesofunselfish service for thesakeofbringingotherstoglory(Eph.3:13).In2CorinthiansPaulexpandsourunderstandingofthiscommitment:

Weareafflictedineveryway,butnotcrushed;perplexed,butnotdespairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but notdestroyed;alwayscarryingabout in thebody thedyingofJesus, thatthelifeofJesusalsomaybemanifestedinourbody.Forwewholiveare constantly beingdeliveredover to death for Jesus’ sake, that thelife of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So deathworks in us, but life in you. But having the same spirit of faith,according towhat iswritten,“Ibelieved, therefore I spoke,”wealsobelieve,thereforealsowespeak;knowingthatHewhoraisedtheLordJesuswillraiseusalsowithJesusandwillpresentuswithyou.Forallthingsareforyoursakes,thatthegracewhichisspreadingtomoreandmorepeoplemaycausethegivingofthankstoaboundtothegloryofGod.(4:8-15)

The words if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace

which was given to me for you begin Paul’s parenthesis to emphasize hisdivine authority for this teaching. The Greek first-class conditional clauseindicatesthatthecondition(ifindeedyouhaveheard…)isassumedtobetrue.Paulisthereforesaying,“AsIamsureyouhavealreadyheard….” ThataboutwhichtheyhadheardwasthestewardshipofGod’sgracewhichwas given to Paul on their behalf as Gentiles. Oikonomia (stewardship)primarilyreferredtothemanagementofahousehold,business,orotherconcernon behalf of someone else.A stewardwas responsible for taking care of thatwhichbelongedtosomeoneelse.Hesupervisedsuchthingsasbuying,selling,bookkeeping, planting, harvesting, storing, the preparation of meals, theassignmentofdutiestoslaves,andwhateverelseneededtobedone. Pauldidnotchoosehisapostleshiporhisministry;hewasappointed.“IthankChrist Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered mefaithful,puttingmeintoservice;eventhoughIwasformerlyablasphemerandapersecutor and a violent aggressor” (1 Tim. 1:12-13; cf. Rom. 15:15-16; Gal.2:9). Paul was chosen and commissioned purely by God’s grace. He wasappointedastewardbyGod’sgraceandthenbecameastewardofGod’sgrace.In1Corinthians9:16-17Paularticulatesthesenseofdivinecompulsionbehindhisministry: “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I amundercompulsion;forwoeismeifIdonotpreachthegospel.For if Idothisvoluntarily,Ihaveareward;butifagainstmywill[thesovereignactofGodonthe Damascus road], I have a stewardship entrusted to me.” He thereforerequestedthatmen“regardusinthismanner,asservantsofChrist,andstewardsofthemysteriesofGod”(1Cor.4:1). Everybeliever isa stewardof thecalling, spiritualgifts,opportunities, skills,knowledge,andeveryotherblessinghehasfromtheLord.Everythingwehavebelongs to theLord,andweare thereforeentrustedasstewards tomanageourlivesandeverythingwepossessinbehalfoftheOnetowhomtheybelong.WearefaithfulstewardswhenweusewhatwehavetoministertothosewithinthefamilyofGodandwitnesstothosewhoarewithout.“Aseachonehasreceivedaspecial gift,”Peter admonishesus, “employ it in servingone another, as goodstewardsofthemanifoldgraceofGod”(1Pet.4:10). Paul’sstewardshipwasuniqueevenforanapostle,anditwassorevolutionarythathefounditnecessarytoaddthatbyrevelationtherewasmadeknowntomethemystery,as Iwrotebefore inbrief.Obviously themystery is thatofJewandGentilebeingoneinChrist,aboutwhichhewrotebeforeinbriefin1:9-12and2:11-12.Itwasunknowable,incomprehensibletruthhiddenfromallmenuntilrevealedbyGod(cf.2Tim.3:16-17;2Pet.1:19-21).Andbyreferringto

this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery ofChrist.Paulwasinstrumentalinrevealingmanymysteriestothechurch,buttheparticularmystery inviewhere is theonehehasalreadymentioned ingeneraland is about to state specifically—namely, that in Christ, Jew and GentilebecomeoneinGod’ssightandinHiskingdomandfamily(3:6). It was Paul’s intention not simply to declare themystery but to explain andclarifyit.WhenEphesianbelievers,andeverysubsequentbeliever,wouldreadhisexplanations(herestatedasanassumedpartofChristianliving),Paul’shopewasthattheywouldcometounderstandhisGod-giveninsightintothemysteryofChrist.Sunesis(insight)literallymeanstobringtogetherandmetaphoricallyrefers to comprehension and understanding, mentally bringing knowledgetogether in order to grasp its full meaning and significance. Spiritual insightmust always precede practical application, because what is not properlyunderstoodcannotbeproperlyapplied. Theoppositeofspiritualinsightis“foolishness”(asunetos,Rom.1:21),lackofspiritualdiscernment.Asismadeclearfromthefirstpartofthatverse,lackofdiscernmentexistedeventhoughthenecessaryspiritualfactswereknown—“ForeventhoughtheyknewGod,theydidnothonorHimasGod,orgivethanks;buttheybecamefutileintheirspeculations.” Paul did not get his zeal for the gospel and his passion for souls from highemotional experiences, though he may have had many of them. His love,passion,andenergeticzealtowinthelostandtobuildupthesavedcamefromhisgreatinsightintothegospel.ThemorehecomprehendedGod’sfathomlessloveandgrace,themorehewascompelledtoshareandexemplifythatloveandthatgrace. Paul was so filled with understanding of the mystery of Christ that hesacrificedhishealth,hisfreedom,andhisverylifeintheministryofimpartingthatunderstanding toothersso that they, too,couldunderstand.Andforhim,suchsacrificewassupremejoy.

THEPLANOFTHEMYSTERY

whichinothergenerationswasnotmadeknowntothesonsofmen,asithasnow been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to bespecific,thattheGentilesarefellowheirsandfellowmembersofthebody,andfellowpartakersofthepromiseinChristJesusthroughthegospel,(3:5-6)Inverse5PauldefinesthegeneralmeaningofmysteryasitisusedintheNewTestament,andinverse6heidentifiestheparticularmysteryheisexplainingtotheEphesians. The antecedent ofwhich is “themystery ofChrist,” aboutwhich the apostlehad been given special revelation and insight (vv. 3-4). In other generationsthismysterywasnotmadeknowntothesonsofmen.Sonsofmenreferstomankind ingeneral,not just toGod’schosenpeople, Israel.Before thechurchage no person, not even the greatest of God’s prophets, had anything but aglimpseofthetruththatPaulnowdiscloses.TheOldTestamentteachingsthatrelatetothismysterycanonlybeunderstoodclearlyinlightofNewTestamentrevelation.WeknowthemeaningofmanyOldTestamentpassagesonlybecausetheyareexplainedintheNew(cf.Heb.11:39-40;1Pet.1:10-12). NooneknewthefullmeaningofGod’spromise toAbrahamthat“inyouallthefamiliesoftheearthshallbeblessed”(Gen.12:3)untilPaulwrote,“AndtheScripture,foreseeingthatGodwouldjustifytheGentilesbyfaith,preachedthegospelbeforehandtoAbraham,saying,‘Allthenationsshallbeblessedinyou’”(Gal. 3:8). No one knew the full meaning of Isaiah’s prediction, “I will alsomakeYoualightofthenationssothatMysalvationmayreachtotheendoftheearth” (Isa. 49:6), until it was explained by Paul to mean the offering of thegospel of JesusChrist (theMessiah) to theGentiles aswell as the Jews (Acts13:46-47). OldTestamentsaintshadnovisionofthechurch,theassemblingtogetherofallthe saved into one united Body, in which there were absolutely no racialdistinctions.The clues theyhad in theOldTestamentwere amystery to thembecausetoomuchinformationwaslacking.ThatiswhyJewsintheearlychurch—even the apostle Peter (see Acts 10)—had such a difficult time acceptingGentilebelieversasbeingcompletelyon thesamespiritual levelasJews.AndthatiswhyPaulwasconcernedinthislettertotheEphesianstostateandrestate,toexplainandexplainagain,thatgreattruth.

That truthhasnowbeenrevealedtoHisholyapostlesandprophetsintheSpirit. The Greek behindhas…been revealed is in the aorist tense, whichreferstospecificactsorevents.Coupledwithnow,ithereindicatesthepresentimmediacy of the revelation, which was given exclusively to New Testamentholyapostlesandprophets,andnottoanyotherpersonsbeforeorafterthem.ThesemenweretheinstrumentsofwritingScripture,and1John1:1-3describestheiruniquefunction.ThelasttimetheymetwasattheJerusalemCouncil,andthemanwhoofficiatedthere(James,thehalfbrotherofJesus;seeActs15:13)was not an apostle. They were soon scattered and died, but not before therevelationwas complete.They are referred to inEphesians2:20 and4:11, butonlyherearetheycalledholy,toaffirmthattheywerefitforsuchrevelationandwereauthentic. Somehavenotedthatthepersonalpronoun(autou,His)islinkedwithapostlesandthatthereisnosuchpronounwithprophets.Thiswouldbeanemphasisonboth theprimacyandchronological priorityof theapostles over theprophetswho followed them. The distinction will be treated in connection with thediscussionof4:11. TheSpiritisthedivineagencyofGod’srevelationthroughthesemen.“Knowthis first ofall,” Peter explains, “that no prophecy of Scripture is amatter ofone’s own interpretation, for no prophecywas evermade by an act of humanwill,butmenmovedbytheHolySpiritspokefromGod”(2Pet.1:20-21).ThiswasthefulfillmentofourLord’spromiseinJohn14:25-26and15:26-27. Tobespecific,Paulgoesontosay,themysteryisthattheGentilesarefellowheirsandfellowmembersofthebody,andfellowpartakersofthepromiseinChristJesusthroughthegospel. As mentioned before, it is difficult for us to realize how incrediblyrevolutionary that truthwas to JewsofPaul’sday. In spiteof the fact that theOldTestamentteachesthatGentileswillbeblessedbyGod(Gen.12:3;22:18;26:4;28:14),thatGentileswillblessGod(Psalm72),thattheMessiahwillcometo Gentiles (Isa. 11:10; 49:6; 54:1-3; 60:1-3), that they will be saved by theMessiah (Hos. 1:10; Amos 9:llff.), and that they will receive the Holy Spirit(Joel 2:28-29), the idea of includingGentiles in one bodywith Jewswas thespiritualequivalentofsayingthatleperswerenolongertobeisolated,thattheywere now perfectly free to intermingle and associate with everyone else asnormalmembersofsociety.InthemindsofmostJews,theirspiritualseparationfrom Gentiles was so absolute and so right that the thought of total equalitybeforeGodwasinconceivableandlittleshortofblasphemy.

Yet Paul declares that, first of all, theGentiles are fellow heirs. Thosewhoonce were “excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to thecovenantsofpromise”(2:12)nowhaveexactlythesamelegalstatusbeforeGodas His chosen people, the Jews. They have the same marvelous, boundlessinheritance in Christ that Paul has already mentioned (1:11, 14, 18). Everybeliever is blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places inChrist”(1:3).AstheapostletoldtheGalatians,regardlessofyourracialorotherheritage, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirsaccordingtopromise”(Gal.3:29).TheGentilesarenotboardersorstrangersbutsons(cf.1:11,14,18;2:19),havingthesamelegalstatusasallotherbelievers. Gentiles are also now fellowmembers of the body. They are now equallyblessedasoutsiders,asjointheirswhohavethesamebenefitsasJewsbutwhoexperiencethosebenefitsinsomesortofseparatebutequalexistence.Theyarefullmembersof thebody, linkedby common lifewith everyotherperson inGod’s holy family. They are not second-class in-laws, begrudginglyacknowledgedasdistantrelatives.Theyarefellowmembers, indistinguishableinGod’seyesfromanyothermember.EverychildofGodisonlyGod’schild.Spiritually,hehasnogenesbutdivinegenes.“Forevenasthebodyisoneandyethasmanymembers,andallthemembersofthebody,thoughtheyaremany,areonebody,soalsoisChrist.ForbyoneSpiritwewereallbaptizedintoonebody,whetherJewsorGreeks,whetherslavesorfree,andwewereallmadetodrinkofoneSpirit”(1Cor.12:12-13). Inadditiontohavingthesamelegalandfamilystatus,GentilesalsoarefellowpartakersofthepromiseinChristthroughthegospel.Thatisnotsomuchathirdstatusasitisasummaryoftheothertwo.AllChristians,regardlessoftheirstatusor positionbeforebeing saved, arenow fellowpartakers of everythingthatpertainstoChristthroughthegospel—whichiseverythingthatpertainstoChrist.Theessenceofthegospelisthat,throughfaithinJesusChrist,believersaremadeeverythingHeisandgiveneverythingHehas.Thephrase“themysteryofChrist”(v.4)isalsousedinCol.4:3astheveryessenceofPaul’smessage.ItcarriesthetruthofColossians1:27,thatChristisinbelievingGentilesaswellasbelieving Jews as “the hope of glory” for both. It also carries the truth ofColossians 2:2, that themystery is “Christ Himself,” inwhom believers haveeverything (v.3).So themystery is fullyunderstood tobe JewandGentile inChrist—Christ inJewandGentile,sothat thereis theintimatesharedunionofeternallifeastheybothbecomeimmersedintheLordJesusChrist(Gal.2:20).Godpredestineseverybeliever“tobecomeconformedtotheimageofHisSon”(Rom.8:29).ThisisinanswertotheprayerofourLordrecordedinJohn17:

Idonotaskinbehalfofthesealone,butforthosealsowhobelieve

inMe through their word; that theymay all be one; even as Thou,Father,artinMe,andIinThee,thattheyalsomaybeinUs;thattheworld may believe that Thou didst send Me. And the glory whichThouhastgivenMeIhavegiventothem;thattheymaybeone,justasWeareone;Iinthem,andThouinMe,thattheymaybeperfectedinunity, that theworldmay know that Thou didst sendMe, and didstlovethem,evenasThoudidstloveMe.”(vv.20-23)

Being in Christ through acceptance of the gospel is what creates amongbelievers their perfect and absolutely new society. There can never be trueoneness apart from that reality. And there can never be practical unity in thechurchuntilChristiansrealizeandlivebythepositionalunitytheyalreadyhaveinChrist,theironeLordandSavior.

THEPREACHINGOFTHEMYSTERY

ofwhichIwasmadeaminister,accordingtothegiftofGod’sgracewhichwas given tome according to theworking ofHis power.Tome, the veryleast of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles theunfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is theadministrationofthemysterywhichforageshasbeenhiddeninGod,whocreatedallthings;(3:7-9)ThegospelisspreadbymenwhomGodcallstoproclaimit,anditisthegospelofwhich Paulwasmade aminister. “How then shall they call uponHim inwhom they have not believed?” Paul asks in Romans. “And how shall theybelieveinHimwhomtheyhavenotheard?Andhowshall theyhearwithoutapreacher?”(Rom.10:14).AlthoughtheyhadheardGod’struth,manyIsraelitesdid not “heed the glad tidings; for Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed ourreport?’”(v.16)—justasmanywhohearthegospeldonotheedit.Butitmustbe heard before it can be heeded, andPaul’s calling, like the calling of everypreacher,wastoproclaimGod’sgoodnewsasaminister,accordingtothegiftofGod’sgrace. Inasimilar lineof thought in1Corinthians,Paulemphasizesthiscallingofgrace:“Butby thegraceofGodIamwhat Iam,andHisgracetowardmedidnotprovevain;butIlaboredevenmorethanallofthem,yetnotI,butthegraceofGodwithMe”(1Cor.15:10).Ministerisfromdiakonos,thebasicmeaningofwhichisservant,inparticulara servantwhowaitson tables. It latercame to refer to servants ingeneral.Bydefinition,aservantisonewhoactsonthecommandsofothers,whorecognizesandsubmitstoahigherpower.Hisprimaryresponsibilityistodowhatheistoldto do.Paul’s single responsibilitywas to faithfully be a servant,according tothegiftofGod’sgracewhichwasgivento[him]accordingtotheworkingofHispower.“WhatthenisApollos?”PaulaskedthefactiousCorinthians.“Andwhat is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gaveopportunitytoeachone”(1Cor.3:5).TheLordisthepowerbehindtheservant.To the Colossians the apostle said, “I labor, striving according to His power,whichmightilyworkswithinme”(Col.1:29). Paul emphasizes the fact that he did notmakehimself aminister but that hewasmadeaminister(cf.Col.1:23,25).Thecalling,themessage,thework,andthe empowering were all God’s. When he was first saved on the DamascusRoad, andwhile hewas still blinded from the great light, Paulwas given his

commission by Jesus. “Arise, and stand on your feet; for this purpose I haveappeared toyou, toappointyouaministerandawitness”(Acts26:16). ItwasnotPaul’seducation,naturalabilities,experience,power,personality,influence,oranyother such thing thatqualifiedhim tobeaministerof JesusChrist.Hewasmade an apostle, a preacher, and a servant by thewill and power ofHisLord.Hefeltunworthyofanyreward,asifhehadsoughtsacrificiallytoserveinthisway.Thechoicewasnothisatall,sohedeservednocommendation(1Cor.9:16-18). He did not want accolades but prayers, because he was in serioustroubleifhefailedtofulfillacallinghehadnotevenchosen! Any person in theministry of the churchwhomGod has not appointed is ausurper.Nomatter how seemingly good his intentions, he can do nothing butharmtotheworkoftheLordandtotheLord’speople.JeremiahspeakstothismatterwhenhewritestheLord’sword:“Ididnotsendtheseprophets,buttheyran. I did not speak to them, but they prophesied…. I did not send them orcommandthem”(Jer.23:21,32).NomanshouldentertheministryunlessheisabsolutelycertainoftheLord’scalling. Thekeyforpresentknowledgeofadivinecallisgivenin1Timothy3,wherePaul speaks of the pastor or spiritual overseer as a man who “aspires to theoffice”andwhoisverifiedandapprovedbythosewhoknowhimasonewhois“abovereproach”(vv.3-7).Thepresentcall,then,isboundupinaman’sstrongdesire and affirmation as to a godly life.God calls through desire and churchverification. Thenornow,themanwhoisgenuinelycalledbyGodisinconstantdangeroflosinghis effectivenessby coming to thinkofhimself asmore than a servant.Whenheloseshissenseofservanthood,atthatsametimeheloseshisspiritualpower and usefulness.Whenhe exalts himself and begins towork in his ownhumanpowerandaccordingtohisownplans,hecompeteswithGodandforfeitshisspiritualpower.Tolosedependenceistoloseeverything,becauseeverythingthat is of any value in our lives, including power for effective service, comesonly from the Lord. Among the greatest dangers to the ministry, and to allfaithfulChristianliving,arethingsthatintheworld’seyesareofsupremevalue—personalambition,prestige, recognition,honor, reputation,andsuccess.Godnotonlychoosesweakandfoolishpeopletosave(1Cor.1:26-29),butweakandfoolishpreachersthroughwhomtosavethem(2Cor.11:30;12:7-10).Forthosenotwillingtopaythatprice,theirseekingthepositionisillegitimate. Unholinessisalsoadisqualification,promptingPaultosay,“Ibuffetmybodyandmake itmy slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, Imyselfshouldbedisqualified”(1Cor.9:27).

Paul’s calling to theministry of the gospel, like everything else he receivedfromtheLord,wasthegiftofGod’sgrace.Tome,theveryleastofallthesaints,he goes on to say, this grace was given. Though an apostle and a speciallychosenministerofthemysteriesofthegospel,Paulconsideredhimselftheveryleastofallthesaints.Thetermveryleastisacomparative,indicatinglessthanthe least. That was not mock humility but his honest assessment of himself.BecausehehadsuchanunusuallyclearcomprehensionofGod’srighteousness,healsohadanunusuallyclearunderstandingofhowfarshorthehimselffellofthat righteousness. Paul claimed no second work of grace by which he wasperfectedinholiness,love,oranythingelse.Totheendofhislifeheconsideredhimselftheforemostofsinners(1Tim.1:15)andwasoverwhelmedbyhissenseofunworthiness.Thatattitudedoesnotlimitaman’sservicebutratheristhekeytohisusefulness(cf.GideoninJudges6:15-16andIsaiahinIsa.6:1-9). The unfathomable riches of Christ include all His truths and all Hisblessings, all that He is and has. The purpose of every preacher is to declarethoseriches, totellbelievershowrich theyare inChrist.That iswhy it issoimportantforChristianstounderstandthegreatnessoftheirpositionintheLord.The obedient, productive, and happyChristian life cannot be lived apart fromunderstandingthatgloriousposition.BeforewecandowhattheLordwantsustodoforHim,wemustunderstandwhatHealreadyhasdoneforus.WehaverichesbeyondmeasureintheOneofwhomitwassaid,“inwhomarehiddenallthetreasuresofwisdomandknowledge”(Col.2:3)andintheOneinwhomwehave“everythingpertainingtolifeandgodliness”(2Pet.1:3). Among theunfathomable riches withwhichChrist has blessed us are “Hiskindness and forbearance and patience” (Rom. 2:4), His “wisdom andknowledge” (11:33),Hismercy and great love (Eph. 2:4), “His glory” (3:16),His supplyinguswith“all things to enjoy” (1Tim.6:17),His assurance (Col.2:2),Hisword(3:16),andevenourbeingreproachedforHissake(Heb.11:26).Little wonder that Paul triumphantly reminds us that “in Him you have beenmadecomplete”(Col.2:10). SimplyknowingabouttherichesofChristisnotenough,however.Whenwefallintosinanddisobedienceweforfeitthepresentblessingofthoseriches,justas did the fleshly, disobedient Corinthian believers. “You are already filled,”Paultoldthemsarcastically.“Youhavealreadybecomerich,youhavebecomekingswithoutus;andIwouldindeedthatyouhadbecomekingssothatwealsomightreignwithyou”(1Cor.4:8).LiketheLaodiceans,theythoughttheywererich and in need of nothing, not realizing that theywere really “wretched andmiserableandpoorandblindandnaked”(Rev.3:17).

Paul’sministrywasalsotobringto lightwhat istheadministrationofthemystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things.Administration isfromthesameGreekword(oikonomia)as“stewardship”inverse 2. Paul is saying, in effect, “I amnot only called in the vertical area topreach the unfathomable riches of Christ, but in the horizontal area to teachabouttheadministration,thestewardshipordispensation,ofthemysteryofthechurch age.”The first area dealswith our relationship toGod and the secondwithourdailylivingandourministrytoeachotherasfellowbelievers. Paul’s mission was to bring to light, or reveal, the full expression of theoperationofthisgreattruthofGentileandJewsbeingone,atruthhiddenforsolonginthemindofGodtheCreator.

THEPURPOSEOFTHEMYSTERY

in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made knownthroughthechurchtotherulersandtheauthoritiesintheheavenlyplaces.Thiswas in accordancewith the eternal purposewhichHe carried out inChristJesusourLord,(3:10-11)Thepurpose(hinawithsubjunctiveverb)ofGod’srevealingthemysteryofthechurch is that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made knownthroughthechurchtotherulersandtheauthoritiesintheheavenlyplaces,namely, theangels.Angelsarealsospokenof insuch terms inEphesians1:21and Colossians 1:16. In Ephesians 6:12 Paul uses similar words in regard tofallen angels. God has brought the church into being for the purpose ofmanifestingHisgreatwisdombeforetheangels,bothholyandunholy.TheNewTestament emphasis is on the holy angels’ concern with the church, but it isobvious that the fallen angels can also to some extent see what is going on,thoughtheyhavenodesireorcapacityforpraise. ThiswasinaccordancewiththeeternalpurposewhichHecarriedoutinChrist Jesus our Lord, Paul continues to explain. Everything God has everdone has had the ultimate purpose of giving Himself glory. As Paul declareselsewhere,“ThereisbutoneGod,theFather,fromwhomareallthings,andweexistforHim;andoneLord,JesusChrist,bywhomareallthings,andweexistthroughHim” (1Cor.8:6), and“All thingshavebeencreatedbyHimand forHim”(Col.1:16). Thechurchdoesnotexistsimplyforthepurposeofsavingsouls,thoughthatisamarvelous and importantwork.The supremepurposeof the church, asPaulmakes explicit here, is to glorify God bymanifestingHiswisdom before theangels,whocanthenoffergreaterpraisetoGod.Thepurposeoftheuniverseisto give glory to God, and that will be its ultimate reality after all evil isconquered and destroyed. Even now, “The heavens are telling of the glory ofGod; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands” (Ps. 19:1). Thechurchisnotanendinitselfbutameanstoanend,theendofglorifyingGod.TherealdramaofredemptioncanonlybeunderstoodwhenwerealizethatthegloryofGod is thesupremegoalofcreation.HolyangelsareespeciallymadeandconfirmedinpurityandpraiseascreatureswhowillforevergiveGodglory(Ps. 148:2;Heb. 1:6), and the redemption of fallenmen enriches their praise.Redeemedpeople,then,aretoenhanceangelicpraiseandsomedayinheavento

joininit(Rev.4:8-11;5:8-14;7:9-12;14:1-3;19:1-8). EventhefallenangelsglorifyGod,thoughtheydonotintendtodoso.ItwastheirveryrejectionofHisgloryandtheseekingoftheirownglorythatcausedthemtobecastoutofheaveninthefirstplace.YetJesussaid,“IwillbuildMychurch; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it” (Matt. 16:18). God isglorified through the fallen angels by continually frustrating their rebelliousplansandshowingthefutilityoftheirevilintentionstodestroyHischurch.HisholywrathalsodisplaysHisglory,sinceitisarevelationofwhoHeis(cf.Rom.9:19-22). TheangelscanseethepowerofGodincreation,thewrathofGodatSinai,andtheloveofGodatCalvary.ButabovealltheyseeHismanifold[multi-colored,multi-faceted]wisdomthatismadeknownthroughthechurch.TheyseeHimtaking Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female—who togethermurderedtheMessiahandwereworthyonlyofhell—andmakingthem,bythatverycrossofmurder,onespiritualBodyinJesusChrist.TheyseeHimbreakingdowneverybarrier,everywall thatdividesandmakingallbelieversone inanindivisible,intimate,andeternalunionwiththeFather,theSon,theHolySpirit,andeveryotherbelieverfromeveryotherageandcircumstance.“ThereisjoyinthepresenceoftheangelsofGodoveronesinnerwhorepents,”Jesussaid(Luke15:10).EverysinnerwhorepentsandturnstoChristaddsanotherspiritualstonetoGod’s temple, anothermember toHisBody, andbecomes another forgivenand cleansed sinnerwho ismade eternally onewith every other forgiven andcleansedsinner.Theholyangelsnotonlyareinterestedinthesalvationofmen(1Pet.1:12)butconstantlywatchthefaceofGodinheaventoseeHisreactiontothetreatmentofHissavedearthlychildren(Matt.18:10,14),standingreadytocarryoutanymissionintheirbehalf. When Paul admonished the Corinthian women to show submission to theirhusbandsthroughthecustomofwearinglonghair,hereinforcedthecommandbysayingitwasgiven“becauseoftheangels”(1Cor.11:10),soasnottooffendtheirsenseofsubmissivenessandtogivethemgreatercausetoglorifyGodbytheobedienceofthechurchinthematterofpropermaleandfemaleresponses.TheyareledtopraisetheLordwhentheyseetherightrelationshipinthechurchoverruling the perversion of man’s relationship engineered by Satan and sin.AfterPaulhadstatedcertainprinciplesregardingeldersinthechurch,hewrote,“I solemnlychargeyou in thepresenceofGodandofChrist JesusandofHischosenangels,tomaintaintheseprincipleswithoutbias”(1Tim.5:21).Angelsareexceedinglyconcernedaboutthedisciplineneededtoproduceholybehaviorandpurelivinginthechurchaswellasgodlyleadership(vv.17-25).Afterall,

says the writer of Hebrews, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out torender service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:14).Theyministertoandwatchoverthechurch. In the classroom of God’s universe, He is the Teacher, the angels are thestudents,thechurchistheillustration,andthesubjectisthemanifoldwisdomofGod.

THEPRIVILEGEOFTHEMYSTERY

in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.ThereforeIaskyounottoloseheartatmytribulationsonyourbehalf,fortheyareyourglory.(3:12-13)WhenweputourfaithinJesusChristwecanfreelycometoGodandshareinallofheaven’sunfathomableriches.InJudaismonlythehighpriestcouldenterthepresenceofGodintheHolyofHolies,andthatbutbrieflyonceayearontheDayofAtonement.ForanyoneelsetocomeintoGod’spresencemeantinstantdeath.Butnow,Paulsays,everypersonwhocomestoChristinfaithcancomebefore God at any time and with boldness and confident access. That is theprivilegewithin themystery of the church. “Forwe do not have a high priestwhocannotsympathizewithourweaknesses,butonewhohasbeentemptedinallthingsasweare,yetwithoutsin.Letusthereforedrawnearwithconfidencetothethroneofgrace,thatwemayreceivemercyandmayfindgracetohelpintimeofneed”(Heb.4:15-16). We are not to be flippant or irreverent but are to come to the Lordwith anhonest, open heart—in freedom of speech and freedom of spirit. Confidentaccessistrustthatknowsnofearofrejection,becausewebelongtoHim(cf.1Tim.3:13). In lightofsuchgreatprivilege,Paulsays,Iaskyounotto loseheartatmytribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory. In and through everycircumstance of His children, God works His goodness, blessing, and glory.ApparentlymanybelieversgrievedoverPaul’sextendedyearsofimprisonmentandoverthealmostcontinualsufferingheenduredbecauseofhisministry.But“Iconsiderthatthesufferingsofthispresenttime,”heexplainedtotheRomanbelievers,“arenotworthytobecomparedwiththeglorythatistoberevealedtous” (Rom.8:18).AndPaul’s suffering turnedout for thehonor rather than thedisgraceofthosetowhomheministered(cf.Phil.1:12).

TheFullnessofGod

9

Forthisreason,IbowmykneesbeforetheFather,fromwhomeveryfamilyin heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you,accordingtotherichesofHisglory,tobestrengthenedwithpowerthroughHisSpiritintheinnerman;sothatChristmaydwellinyourheartsthroughfaith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able tocomprehendwithall the saintswhat is thebreadthand lengthandheightanddepth,andtoknowtheloveofChristwhichsurpassesknowledge,thatyoumaybefilleduptoallthefulnessofGod. NowtoHimwhoisabletodoexceedingabundantlybeyondallthatweaskorthink,accordingtothepowerthatworkswithinus,toHimbethegloryinthechurchandinChristJesustoallgenerationsforeverandever.Amen.(3:14-21)Itispossibletoknowagreatdealaboutanautomobile—toknowexactlyhowtheengine,theignition,thetransmission,andsoonoperate—andyetneveruseittogoanywhere.Itisalsopossibletoknowverylittleaboutanautomobileandyetuseiteverydaytotravelhundredsofmiles.Inthesamewayitispossibletoknow a great deal about the Bible—its doctrines, interpretations, moralstandards,promises,warnings,andsoon—andyetnotlivebythosetruths. InEphesians 1:1—3:13Paul gives the basic truths about theChristian life—whoweareinChristandthegreat,unlimitedresourceswehaveinHim.From3:14throughtherestoftheletterweareexhortedtoclaimandtolivebythosetruths. In 3:14-21 Paul gives his prayer requests on behalf of the Ephesianbelievers. In sharing his requestswith them, he urges them to live in the fullpower and effectiveness of “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places inChrist”(1:3).ThissecondprayerinthebookofEphesians(seealso1:15-23)isaprayerforenablement.Thefirstprayerisforbelieverstoknowtheirpower;thesecondisforthemtouseit. TwothingsapastorshouldbemostconcernedaboutaretellinghispeoplewhotheyareinChristandthenurgingthemtolivelikeit.Inotherwords,thepastorhelps members of the flock understand their spiritual power, and then hemotivates themtouse it.Like theapostlePaul in this letter, the faithfulpastor

seeks to bring his people to the place of maximum power as full-functioningChristians. TheprayerofEphesians3:14-21isapleatoGodthatalsoservesasapleatobelievers. Paul pleadswith believers to respond toGod’s sovereign provision,andhepleadswithGodtomotivatethemtodoit—becauseGodnotonlyistheprovider but is also the initiator andmotivator. Paul calls on God to activatebelievers’power so that they canbecome faithful children and therebyglorifytheirheavenlyFather. In this great prayer of entreaty toGod and exhortation toHis children, PaulpraysspecificallyfortheinnerstrengthoftheSpirit,fortheindwellingofChristin the believer’s heart, for incomprehensible love to permeate their lives, forthemtohaveGod’sownfullness,andforGod’sglorytherebytobemanifestedand proclaimed. Each element builds on the previous ones, making a grandprogressionofenablement.

THESPIRIT’SPOWER

Forthisreason,1bowmykneesbeforetheFather,fromwhomeveryfamilyin heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you,accordingtotherichesofHisglory,tobestrengthenedwithpowerthroughHisSpiritintheinnerman;(3:14-16)For this reason picks up after the parenthesis of 3:2-13, and begins byrepeating the words of verse one. The reason about which Paul speaks isthereforefoundinchapter2.ChristmakesusspirituallyaliveinHim(2:5),weare “Hisworkmanship” (v. 10), “no longer strangers and aliens, but… fellowcitizenswith the saints, and are ofGod’s household” (v. 19), “built upon thefoundationof the apostles andprophets” (v. 20), and “arebeingbuilt togetherintoadwellingofGodintheSpirit”(v.22).Forthisreason,therefore(thatournewidentitymakesusthedwellingplaceofGod),PaulpraysfortheEphesianstousethepowerthattheirgreatstatusinChristprovides.BecauseGod’spoweris in those believers, Paul prays that God would enable them to employ thefullness of that power. Because believers are the habitation of the triune, all-powerfulGodoftheuniverse,PaulpraysthattheirunlimitedenergyfromHimwouldbemanifested. Thetruththatomnipotencedwellswithinimpotenceissomajestic,grandiose,andelevated thatwewouldexpectPaul toaddressGodas theeternalKingofgloryorbysomeothersuchexalted title.Buthesays rather,IbowmykneesbeforetheFather.FatheristhesameappellationJesusalwaysusedinprayer,andtheoneHeusedinteachingHisdisciplestopray(Matt.6:9).BecauseGodisourheavenlyFather,wedonotcometoHiminfearandtrembling,afraidthatHewillrebuffusorbeindifferent.WedonotcometoGodtoappeaseHimasthe pagans do to their deities. We come to a tender, loving, concerned,compassionate, accepting Father. A loving human father always accepts theadvancesofhischildren,evenwhen theyhavebeendisobedientorungrateful.Howmuchmore does our heavenly Father accept His children, regardless ofwhattheyhavedoneornotdone?PaulapproachestheFatherwithboldnessandconfidence, knowing thatHe ismorewilling forHis children to come toHimthantheyeverareofgoingtoHim.HeknowsthatGodhasbeenwaitingallthewhilewithaFather’sheartofloveandanticipation. Insaying,Ibowmyknees,Paulisnotprescribingarequiredpostureforprayer.He did not always pray while kneeling, and Scripture tells of God’s faithful

peopleprayinginmanydifferentpositions,asshowninthefollowingpassagesin which emphasis is added. As he interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah,“AbrahamwasstillstandingbeforetheLord”(Gen.18:22).WhenDavidprayedaboutthebuildingoftheTemple,he“wentinandsatbeforetheLord”(1Chron.17:16). As Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of Hisbetrayal,He“fellonHisfaceandprayed”(Matt.26:39). But in Scripture, bowing the knees signifies several things that may haveprompted Paul tomention that position here. First, it represents an attitude ofsubmission, of recognition that one is in the presence of someone who is ofmuch higher rank, dignity, and authority. After proclaiming the Lord as “therockofoursalvation,…agreatGod,andagreatKingaboveallgods,”andastheCreatorof all theearth, thepsalmist says, “Come, letusworshipandbowdown;letuskneelbeforetheLordourMaker”(Ps.95:1-6). Second,weseereferences tobowingthekneebeforeGodin timesof intensepassion and emotion. Appalled and heartbroken over hearing of theintermarriageofIsraeliteswiththeirpaganneighbors,Ezrafellonhiskneesandstretched out his hands in confession to theLord on their behalf (Ezra 9:5-6).WhenDanielheardthatKingDariushadsignedtheedictdevisedbythejealouscommissionersandsatrapsforbiddingtheworshipofanygodbesidestheking,“hecontinuedkneelingonhiskneesthreetimesaday,prayingandgivingthanksbefore hisGod” (Dan. 6:10)—knowing that his continuedworship of the trueGodwouldresultinhisbeingthrownintoadenoflions.AsPaulmetforthelasttimewiththeeldersfromEphesus,“hekneltdownandprayedwiththemall”ontheseashoreatMiletus(Acts20:36). AsheprayedfortheEphesianswhilewritingthislettertothem,theapostlefeltledtobow[his]kneesbeforetheFatherontheirbehalf,notbecausethatpositionor any other is especially sacred, but because it spontaneously reflected hisreverenceforGod’sgloryinthemidstofhispassionateprayer. Fromwhom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name does notteachthatGodisthespiritualFatherofeverybeingintheuniverse.Itdoesnot,asclaimedbymodernliberalism,teachtheuniversalfatherhoodofGodandtheuniversal brotherhood of man. Scripture clearly teaches two spiritualfatherhoods,God’sandSatan’s.GodistheheavenlyFatherofthosewhotrustinHimandSatanisthespiritualfatherofthosewhodonot.Nowherearethesetwoopposite fatherhoods more explicitly distinguished than in John 8. To theunbelieving Jews who rejected Him but presumed to claim Abraham as theirspiritualforefather,Jesussaid,“IfyouareAbraham’schildren,dothedeedsofAbraham.Butas it is,youareseekingtokillMe,amanwhohas toldyouthe

truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. You are doing thedeedsofyour father.…IfGodwereyourFather,youwould loveMe;…Youareofyour father thedevil” (vv.39-42,44). Inhis firstepistle, Johndeclares,“Bythis thechildrenofGodand thechildrenof thedevilareobvious:anyonewhodoesnotpracticerighteousnessisnotofGod,northeonewhodoesnotlovehisbrother”(3:10). Every family inheaven andon earth refers to the saints of every age—thosenow inheavenand thosestill remainingonearth.Theyare theonlyoneswholegitimatelyderivetheirnamesfromGodtheFather.Christiansarenomoreorless the children of God than were believing Israelites, as well as believingGentiles,beforethecomingofChrist.Everyfamilyofbelieversisapartoftheone spiritual family of God, in which there are many members but only oneFatherandonebrotherhood. Paul’s first andcentral request for thisdivine family is thatGodwouldgrant[them], according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with powerthroughHisSpiritintheinnerman. Inapreviouschapter the illustrationwasusedofawealthypersonwhogivesaccordingto,ratherthansimplyoutof,hisriches.Foramillionairetogivefiftyor a hundred dollars would be simply to give out of his wealth, but to givetwenty-five thousand dollars would be to give according to his wealth. Thegreater a person’s wealth, the greater his gift must be to qualify for givingaccordingtohiswealth.ForGodtogiveaccordingtotherichesofHisgloryisabsolutely staggering, because His riches are limitless, completely withoutbounds!YetthatisexactlythemeasurebywhichPaulimploresGodtoempowertheEphesians. AlmosteveryprayerofPaul’sthatisrecordedinScripturewasforthespiritualwelfare of others. Even when he was persecuted, imprisoned, and in need ofmany things forhisownwelfare,heprayedprimarily for fellowbelievers thattheymightbespirituallyprotectedandstrengthened.EvenwhenheprayedforhimselfitwasmostoftenforthepurposeofbeingbetterabletoservehisLordand the Lord’s people. Later in this letter the apostle asked the Ephesians to“pray onmy behalf, that utterancemay be given tome in the opening ofmymouth,tomakeknownwithboldnessthemysteryofthegospel”(6:19). Paul prayed that thePhilippians’ lovewould “abound stillmore andmore inreal knowledge and all discernment, so that [they would] be sincere andblamelessuntilthedayofChrist”(Phil.1:9-10).HedidnotceasetoprayfortheColossianbelievers to“befilledwith theknowledgeofHiswill inallspiritual

wisdomandunderstanding,sothat[theymight]walkinamannerworthyoftheLord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work andincreasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power [lit., beingempoweredwithallpower],according toHisgloriousmight” (Col.1:9-11;cf.Phil.1:4;1Thess.1:2). AllofGod’speoplearetobelikePaulinhavinganoverridingsensitivitytothespiritual needs of others, for the salvation of the unsaved and the spiritualprotectionandgrowthofthesaved.Wearetobesensitivetothespiritualneedsof our wives, husbands, children, pastors, fellow church members, neighbors,fellow students, friends, and co-workers. We are to pray for everyone withwhom we have any contact at all, as well as for many others—such asgovernmentofficials,Christianleaders,andmissionaries—whomwemayneverhavemetorknown. Prayer is tobe a constant effortofourdaily living. Jesus said, “Keepon thealert at all times, praying in order that youmay have strength” (Luke 21:36).Pauloftenmentionedthatheprayedcontinuallyforothers(Eph.1:16;Phil.1:4;Col.1:3,9)andrepeatedlyencouragedotherstodothesame(Rom.12:12;Eph.6:18;Col.4:2;cf.Phil.4:6).AtleasttwoofJesus’parablesfocusonpersistentprayer—theparableofthemanwhoknocksonhisneighbor’sdooratmidnightaskingfor food togiveanunexpectedguest (Luke11:5-10)and theparableofthe importunate widow who eventually obtained help from a wicked judgebecausesherefusedtostoppetitioninghim(Luke18:1-8). As the rest of the prayer indicates, Paul’s petition for theEphesian believerswasbold, confident, and inclusive.HeaskedGod togive themevery spiritualenablement theydidnotalreadyuse toapplytheiravailableresources.JacquesEllul, the contemporary Christian philosopher, is convinced that prayer forpersonslivinginthetechnologicalagemustbecombative—andprayer,hesays,isnotjustcombatwithSatan,corruptedsociety,andone’sowndividedself,butiscombatwithGod.WemuststrugglewiththeLordjustasJacobdidatPeniel(Gen.32:24-30),asAbrahamboldlyintercededforSodomandGomorrah(Gen.18:23-32),andasMosesintercededforhisfellowIsraelites(Ex.32:11-13;Num.14:13-19). In1540Luther’s good friend and assistant,FriedrichMyconius, became sickandwas expected to diewithin a short time. From his bed hewrote a tenderfarewell letter to Luther.When Luther received the message, he immediatelysentbacka reply: “I command thee in thenameofGod to livebecause I stillhaveneedoftheeintheworkofreformingthechurch….TheLordwillneverletme hear that thou art dead, butwill permit thee to surviveme. For this I am

praying,thisismywill,andmaymywillbedone,becauseIseekonlytoglorifythenameofGod.” Thosewords seemharsh and insensitive tomodern ears, butGod apparentlyhonored the prayer. AlthoughMyconius had already lost the ability to speakwhenLuther’sreplycame,hesoonrecovered.HelivedsixmoreyearsanddiedtwomonthsafterLuther. Inourdailylivingandinourprayer,itismoredifficulttoappreciatespiritualrichesthanitistoappreciatematerialriches.Whetherwehavealotofmoneyornot,wehave somecomprehensionofwhatmaterialwealth is like.Wehave atasteofitinthethingswedopossessandwecanvicariouslyenjoytheexpensivehomes, cars, boats, jewelry, clothes, and other such things that we see richpeopleenjoying.Spiritualriches,ontheotherhand,arenotsoobvious—andarenotevenattractivetothenaturalmanortodisobedientChristians. Buttothespiritualbeliever,therichesofHisgloryarerichindeed.Fromthebeginning of the letter Paul has been exulting over those divine riches—Godblessing us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (1:3), Hischoosing us for Himself before the foundation of the world (1:4), Hisredemptionand forgiveness (1:7),Hismakingknown tous themysteryofHiswill(1:9),HisgivingusaninheritancewithHisSon,JesusChrist(1:11),andsoonthroughoutthefirsttwoandahalfchapters.ThephraseofHisglorytestifiesthat theserichesbelongtoGodbecauseofwhoHeis.TheybelonginnatelytoHis Person, which is to say, His glory (cf. 1:17, where Paul calls God, “theFatherofglory”andEx.33:18ff.,whereGodrevealsHispersonalattributesasglory). Those,andmanyothers,aretherichesthateverybelieverhasinJesusChrist.PaulisnotprayingforGodtogivetheserichestobelievers,butthatHewouldgrant believers to be strengthened by God according to the riches theyalready possess. He wants them to live lives that correspond to the spiritualwealththeyhaveinChrist. AcertainrichEnglisheccentricnamedJulianEllisMorrislikedtodresslikeatrampandsellrazorblades,soap,andshampoodoor-to-door.Afteraday’sworkhe would return to his beautiful mansion, put on formal attire and have hischauffeurdrivehim to an exclusive restaurant inhis limousine.SometimeshewouldcatchaflighttoParisandspendtheeveningthere. Many Christians live something like Mr. Morris, spending their day-by-daylivesinapparentspiritualpovertyandonlyoccasionallyenjoyingthevastrichesofHisglorythattheirheavenlyFatherhasgiventhem.Howtragictogoaround

inthetatteredragsofourowninadequacywhenwecouldbelivingsumptuouslyinthesuperabundanceofGod’sunspeakableriches. ThefirststepinlivinglikeGod’schildrenis tobestrengthenedwithpowerthroughHisSpiritintheinnerman.YetmostChristiansneverseemtogettothisfirststep,notknowingwhatitistoseeGod’spowerfullyatworkinthem.Theysuffer,thechurchsuffers,andtheworldsuffersbecausetheinnermanofmostbelieversisneverstrengthenedwithpowerthroughHisSpirit. PaulwasconcernedforthephysicalhealthofbelieversandwasusedbyGodtobring healing tomany.Hewas concerned for the destitute saints in Jerusalemandworked tirelessly to raisemoney for them to buy food and other physicalnecessities.Butheknewthat theoutermanwasdestinedtoperish.It isonlyatemporary housing for the real person, the innerman. “Thereforewe do notloseheart,”Paulcouldsay,“butthoughouroutermanisdecaying,yetourinnerman isbeing reneweddaybyday” (2Cor.4:16).Paul toldTimothy, “But theLord stood with me, and strengthened me, in order that through me theproclamationmightbefullyaccomplished,andthatalltheGentilesmighthear;andIwasdeliveredoutofthelion’smouth”(2Tim.4:17). InThePsychological SocietyMartinGrossquestions thevery foundationsofpsychology and psychiatry, suggesting that prestige and financial gain are thereal driving forces behind them. Evenmore significantly, however, he assertsthatpsychologyandpsychiatryhavenoanswerstothementalandemotionalillstheyareusedto treat.Hisconclusionis thateverypersonis incurablyneuroticby nature and should be left alonewith his neurosis. From the purely humanstandpoint from which he writes, Gross’s pessimistic conclusion is perfectlysound, becauseman’s basic nature is indeeduniversally and incurably flawed.Buttheflawissin,ofwhichneurosesandallotherproblemsarebutsymptoms.Theflawisintheinnerman,wheremanhimselfcannotperformacure. OnlyGodcanreachandcuretheinnerman,andthatiswhereHemostwantstowork.Hisworkbeginswithsalvation,andafterthatHismainfieldofworkisstilltheinnerman,becausethatiswherespirituallifeexistsandwhereitmustgrow.The“divinenature,”impartedtothebelieveratsalvation(1Pet.1:3),isatthecoreof the innermanand is thebasefromwhich theHolySpiritchangesthethinkingofthebeliever. Although the outer, physicalman becomesweaker andweakerwith age, theinner,spiritualmanshouldcontinuallygrowstrongerandstrongerwithpowerthroughHisSpirit.OnlyGod’sSpiritcanstrengthenourspirits.Heistheonewhoenergizes,revitalizes,andempowersus(cf.Acts1:8).InRomans7:22-23

wehearPaulexpressingthestrongdesireofaregeneratedmantodothewillofGodbutbeinghamperedby thesin thatdwells inhis fleshlybody,whereas inchapter8wehearhimexpressthetruththatvictoryinthisconflictisintheHolySpirit.“Forthosewhoareaccordingtothefleshsettheirmindsonthethingsoftheflesh,butthosewhoareaccordingtotheSpirit,thethingsoftheSpirit.Forthemindsetonthefleshisdeath,butthemindsetontheSpiritislifeandpeace”(8:5-6). “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God,” he goes on to say.“However,youarenotinthefleshbutintheSpirit,ifindeedtheSpiritofGoddwells inyou”(vv.8-9). In fact, thepromisecomes that through thepoweroftheSpiritthebelievercan“kill”theevildeedsofhisunredeemedflesh(v.13). TotheGalatianshewrote,“WalkbytheSpirit,andyouwillnotcarryoutthedesireoftheflesh”(Gal.5:16).Theobedient,effective,andproductiveChristianmustbeSpiritconscious,Spiritfilled,andSpiritcontrolled. WhentheinnermanisfedregularlyontheWordofGodandseekstheSpirit’swillinallthedecisionsoflife,thebelievercanbesurehewillbestrengthenedwith power throughHis Spirit. Spiritual power is not themark of a specialclassofChristianbutisthemarkofeveryChristianwhosubmitstoGod’sWordandSpirit.Likephysicalgrowthandstrength, spiritualgrowthandstrengthdonot come overnight. As we discipline our minds and spirits to study God’sWord,understandit,andlivebyit,wearenourishedandstrengthened.Everybitof spiritual food and every bit of spiritual exercise add to our strength andendurance. Spiritualgrowthcanbedefinedas thedecreasingfrequencyofsin.Themoreweexerciseourspiritualmuscles,yieldingtotheSpirit’scontrolofourlives,theless sin is present. Where the strength of God increases, sin necessarilydecreases.ThenearerwecometoGod,thefurtherwegofromsin. Asthatoccurs,whathappenstotheoutermanmatterslessandless.PaulcouldtelltheCorinthians,

We are handicapped on all sides butwe are never frustrated:weare puzzled, but never in despair.We are persecuted, but we neverhave to stand it alone: wemay be knocked down but we are neverknockedout!Everydayweexperiencesomethingof thedeathof theLordJesus,sothatwemayalsoknowthepowerofthelifeofJesusinthesebodiesofours.Wearealwaysfacingdeath,butthismeansthatyouknowmoreandmoreof life….This is thereasonwhywenevercollapse.Theoutwardmandoesindeedsufferwearandtear,buteveryday the inward man receives fresh strength. (2 Cor. 4:8-12, 16,

Phillips)

CHRIST’SINDWELLING

sothatChristmaydwellinyourheartsthroughfaith;(3:17a)Sothat translateshina,aGreekwordused to introducepurposeclauses.Thepurposeofourbeing“strengthenedwithpower throughHisSpirit in the innerman”isthatChristmaydwellin[our]heartsthroughfaith. Theproperorder seems tobe reversed,becauseeverybelieverat salvation isindweltbyChrist (2Cor.13:5;Col.1:27)andcannothave“theHolySpirit intheinnerman”untilhehasreceivedChristasSavior(Rom.8:9,11;1Cor.3:16;6:19).PaulhasalreadymadeclearthatallbelieversareinChrist(1:1,3,10,12;2:6,10,13).HeisthereforenotherereferringtoChrist’sindwellingbelieversinsalvationbutinsanctification. Katoikeō(dwell)isacompoundword,formedfromkata(down)andoikeō(toinhabitahouse).Inthecontextofthispassagetheconnotationisnotsimplythatofbeinginsidethehouseofourheartsbutofbeingathomethere,settleddownas a familymember.Christ cannot be “at home” in our hearts until our innerperson submits to the strengtheningofHisSpirit.Until theSpirit controls ourlives, JesusChrist cannot be comfortable there, but only stays like a toleratedvisitor.Paul’s teachingheredoesnotrelate to theactofJesus’presence in theheartsofbelieversbuttothequalityofHispresence. When the Lord came with two angels to visit them, Abraham and Sarahimmediatelymadepreparationstoentertaintheirguestsinthebestpossibleway.From the rest of the passage (Gen. 18) it is evident that Abraham and SarahknewtheywerehostingtheLordHimself.ItisalsoevidentthattheLordfeltathomewith Abraham and Sarah. It seems significant that when, a short whilelater,theLordwarnedLottotakehisfamilyandfleefortheirlives,HedidnotgoHimselfbutonlysentthetwoangels(19:1).Lotwasabeliever,buttheLorddidnotfeelathomeinLot’shouseasHedidinAbraham’stent. InhisbookletMyHeartChrist’sHome,RobertMungerpicturestheChristianlife as a house, throughwhich Jesus goes from room to room. In the library,whichisthemind,Jesusfindstrashandallsortsofworthlessthings,whichHeproceedstothrowoutandreplacewithHisWord.InthediningroomofappetiteHe finds many sinful desires listed on a worldly menu. In the place of suchthingsasprestige,materialism,and lustHeputshumility,meekness, love,andalltheothervirtuesforwhichbelieversaretohungerandthirst.Hegoesthrough

the living room of fellowship,whereHe findsmanyworldly companions andactivities,throughtheworkshop,whereonlytoysarebeingmade,intothecloset,wherehiddensinsarekept,andsoonthroughtheentirehouse.OnlywhenHehadcleanedeveryroom,closet,andcornerofsinandfoolishnesscouldHesettledownandbeathome. JesusentersthehouseofourheartsthemomentHesavesus,butHecannotlivethere in comfort and satisfaction until it is cleansed of sin and filledwithHiswill.Godisgraciousbeyondcomprehensionandinfinitelypatient.HecontinuestolovethoseofHischildrenwhoinsistonspurningHiswill.ButHecannotbehappyorsatisfiedinsuchaheart.HecannotbefullyathomeuntilHeisallowedtodwell inourhearts through thecontinuingfaith that trustsHimtoexerciseHis lordshipovereveryaspectofour lives.WepracticeaswellasreceiveHispresencebyfaith. HowawesomeandwonderfulthatthealmightyandholyGodwantstoliveinourhearts, be at home there, and rule there!Yet Jesus said, “If anyone lovesMe,hewillkeepMyword;andMyFatherwilllovehim,andWewillcometohim,andmakeOurabodewithhim”(John14:23).

LOVE’SABUNDANCE

and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able tocomprehendwithall the saintswhat is thebreadthand lengthandheightand depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,(3:17b-19d)BeingmadestronginwardlybyGod’sSpiritleadstoChrist’sbeingathomeinour hearts, which leads to love that is incomprehensible. The result of ouryieldingtotheSpirit’spowerandsubmittingtoChrist’slordshipinourheartsislove.WhenChristsettlesdowninourlivesHebeginstodisplayHisownloveinusandthroughus.WhenHefreelyindwellsourhearts,webecomerootedandgroundedinlove,thatis,settledonastrongfoundationoflove. “AnewcommandmentIgivetoyou,“Jesussaid,“thatyouloveoneanother,even as I have loved you” (John 13:34). Peter wrote, “Since you have inobedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren,fervently love one another from the heart” (1 Pet. 1:22). It is God’s supremedesirethatHischildrensincerelyandfullyloveeachother,justasHelovesus.Love is the first fruit of the Spirit, of which joy, peace, patience, kindness,goodness,faithfulness,gentleness,andself-controlareessentiallysubcategories(Gal.5:22-23). Love isanattitudeof selflessness.Biblicalagapē love isamatterof thewilland not a matter of feeling or emotion, though deep feelings and emotionsalmostalwaysaccompanylove.God’slovingtheworldwasnotamattersimplyof feeling; it resulted inHis sendingHis only Son to redeem theworld (John3:16).Love is selflessgiving,alwaysselflessandalwaysgiving. It is theverynatureandsubstanceoflovetodenyselfandtogivetoothers.Jesusdidnotsay,“Greaterlovehasnoonethantohavewarmfeelingsforhisfriends,”butrather,“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay downhis life for his friends”(John15:13). In obeying the Father’s lovingwill to redeem theworld, Jesuswillingly andlovinglygaveHimself toaccomplish thatredemption.“AlthoughHeexisted intheformofGod,[He]didnotregardequalitywithGodathingtobegrasped,butemptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in thelikenessofmen.Andbeingfoundinappearanceasaman,HehumbledHimselfbybecomingobedienttothepointofdeath,evendeathonacross”(Phil.2:6-8).That is love in its most perfect form, and it is this divine attitude of self-

sacrificinglovethateverybelievershouldhaveinhimself(v.5). WecanonlyhavesuchlovewhenChristisfreetoworkHisownlovethroughus.WecannotfulfillanyofChrist’scommandswithoutChristHimself,leastofallHis command to love.Wecanonly love asChrist loveswhenHehas freereigninourhearts.“Bythis,”Johnsays,“theloveofGodwasmanifestedinus,thatGodhas sentHis only begottenSon into theworld so thatwemight livethroughHim. In this is love,not thatwe lovedGod,but thatHe lovedusandsentHisSontobethepropitiationforoursins.Beloved,ifGodsolovedus,wealsooughttoloveoneanother.NoonehasbeheldGodatanytime;ifweloveone another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us…. We love,becauseHefirstlovedus”(1John4:9-12,19). When theSpirit empowersour lives andChrist is obeyed as theLordof ourhearts,oursinsandweaknessesaredealtwithandwefindourselveswantingtoserve others,wanting to sacrifice for them and serve them—because Christ’slovingnaturehas trulybecomeourown.Loving is thesupernaturalattitudeoftheChristian, because love is the nature ofChrist.When aChristian does notlovehehastodosointentionallyandwitheffort—justashemustdotoholdhisbreath. To become habitually unloving hemust habitually resist Christ as theLord of his heart. To continue the analogy to breathing, when Christ has hisproperplaceinourhearts,wedonothavetobetoldtolove—justaswedonothave to be told to breathe. Eventually it must happen, because loving is asnaturaltothespiritualpersonasbreathingistothenaturalperson. ThoughitisunnaturalfortheChristiantobeunloving,itisstillpossibletobedisobedientinregardtolove.Justaslovingisdeterminedbythewillandnotbycircumstancesorotherpeople,soisnotloving.Ifahusbandfailsinhisloveforhiswife, or she for him, it is never because of the other person, regardless ofwhattheotherpersonmayhavedone.Youdonotfalleitherintooroutofagapelove, because it is controlled by thewill. Romantic love can be beautiful andmeaningful, andwe findmany favorable accounts of it in Scripture. But it isagapēlovethatGodcommandshusbandsandwivestohaveforeachother(Eph.5:25, 28, 33;Titus 2:4)—the love that eachperson controls byhis ownact ofwill. Strained relations between husbands andwives, between fellowworkers,between brothers and sisters, or between any others is never a matter ofincompatibilityorpersonalityconflictbutisalwaysamatterofsin. The principle applies to everyone with whom the Christian has contact,especially his fellowChristians.Lovingothers is an act of obedience, andnotlovingthemisanactofdisobedience.“Ifsomeonesays,‘IloveGod,’andhateshisbrother,heisaliar;fortheonewhodoesnotlovehisbrotherwhomhehas

seen,cannotloveGodwhomhehasnotseen.AndthiscommandmentwehavefromHim, that the onewho lovesGod should love his brother also” (1 John4:20-21). In the deepest sense, love is the only commandment of God. Thegreatestcommandment, Jesussaid, is to loveGodwithallourheart, soul,andmind;andthesecondgreatestistoloveourneighborasourselves(Matt.22:37-39).And“hewholoveshisneighbor,”Paulsaid,“hasfulfilledthelaw.Forthis,‘Youshallnotcommitadultery,Youshallnotmurder,Youshallnotsteal,Youshallnotcovet,’andifthereisanyothercommandment,itissummedupinthissaying, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does nowrong to aneighbor;lovethereforeisthefulfillmentofthelaw”(Rom.13:8-10). Theabsenceofloveisthepresenceofsin.Theabsenceoflovehasnothingatall to do with what is happening to us, but everything to do with what ishappening in us. Sin and love are enemies, because sin andGod are enemies.They cannot coexist. Where one is, the other is not. The loveless life is theungodlylife;andthegodlylifeistheserving,caring,tenderhearted,affectionate,self-giving,self-sacrificinglifeofChrist’sloveworkingthroughthebeliever. When we are rooted and grounded in love, we then become able tocomprehendwithall the saintswhat is thebreadthand lengthandheightanddepth of love.Wecannotcomprehend the fulnessof love unlesswearetotally immersed in love, unless it is the very root and ground of our being.WhensomeoneaskedthefamedjazztrumpeterLouisArmstrongtoexplainjazz,he replied,“Man, if I’vegot toexplain it,youain’tgot it.” Insomeways thatsimplisticideaappliestolove.Itcannottrulybeunderstoodandcomprehendeduntil it is experienced. Yet the experience and working of love that Paul istalkingaboutinthispassageisnotemotionalorsubjective.Itisnotnicefeelingsorwarm sentiments that bring such comprehension, but the actualworking ofGod’s Spirit and God’s Son in our lives to produce a love that is pure andsincere,selflessandserving.Toberootedandgroundedinloverequiresbeingrooted and grounded in God.Whenwe are saved, God’s love is “poured outwithinourheartsthroughtheHolySpiritwhowasgiventous”(Rom.5:5).Itisthe Lord Himself who directs our “hearts into the love of God and into thesteadfastnessofChrist”(2Thess.3:5). Love is available to every Christian because Christ is available to everyChristian. Paul prays that we will become able to comprehend with all thesaints. Love is not simply for the even-tempered Christian or the naturallypleasant and agreeableChristian.Nor is it for some supposed special class ofChristianswhohaveaninsidespiritualtrack.Itisfor,andcommandedof,everyChristian—allthesaints.

Comprehensionof lovecomesfrombeingcontinually immersed in the thingsofGod,especiallyHisWord.“ThywordswerefoundandIatethem,”Jeremiahdeclared,“andThywordsbecameformeajoyandthedelightofmyheart;forIhavebeencalledbyThyname,OLordGodofhosts”(Jer.15:16).Jobtestified,“Ihave treasured thewordsofHismouthmore thanmynecessary food” (Job23:12),andthepsalmisttellsusthatthedelightoftherighteousperson“isinthelawoftheLord,andinHislawhemeditatesdayandnight”(Ps.1:2;cf.19:9b-10;119:167;etc.). Tocomprehend…whatisthebreadthandlengthandheightanddepthoflove is tounderstand it in its fullness.Lovegoes ineverydirectionand to thegreatestdistance. Itgoeswherever it isneededforas longas it isneeded.Theearly churchFather Jerome said that the loveofChrist reachesup to theholyangelsanddowntothoseinhell.Itslengthcoversthemenontheupwardwayanditsbreadthreachesthosedriftingawayonevilpaths. Idonot thinkthatbreadthandlengthandheightanddepth representfourspecific types or categories of love but simply suggest its vastness andcompleteness. Inwhatever spiritual directionwe lookwe can seeGod’s love.We can see love’sbreadth reflected inGod’s acceptance ofGentile and JewequallyinChrist(Eph.2:11-18).Wecanseelove’slengthinGod’schoosingusbefore thefoundationof theworld(1:4-5)forasalvationthatwill last throughall eternity.Wecan see love’sheight inGod’shaving “blesseduswith everyspiritualblessingintheheavenlyplacesinChrist”(1:3)andinHisraisingusupandseatingus“withHimintheheavenlyplaces,inChristJesus”(2:6).Wecansee love’sdepth inGod’s reaching down to the lowest levels of depravity toredeemthosewhoaredeadintrespassesandsins(2:1-3).God’slovecanreachany person in any sin, and it stretches from eternity past to eternity future. IttakesusintotheverypresenceofGodandsitsusonHisthrone. Inwhatmayatfirstseemsaself-contradiction,Paulsaysthattoknowtheloveof Christ… surpasses knowledge. Knowing Christ’s love takes us beyondhumanknowledge, because it is from an infinitely higher source. Paul is notspeakinghereofourknowingthelovewearetohaveforChristbuttheloveofChrist,HisveryownlovethatHemustplaceinourheartsbeforewecanloveHimoranyoneelse.Wearecommandedtolovebecausewearegivenlove.GodalwaysgivesbeforeHecommandsanythinginreturn,andloveisoneofChrist’sgreatestgiftstoHischurch.ThroughoutJohn14-16Jesuspromisestogivelove,joy,peace,power,andcomfortwithoutmeasuretothosewhobelongtoHim. TheworldcannotcomprehendthegreatlovethatChristgivesbecauseitcannot

understandChrist.Worldlyloveisbasedonattractionandthereforelastsonlyaslong as the attraction. Christ’s love is based onHis own nature and thereforelasts forever.Worldly love lasts until it is offended or rebuffed. Christ’s lovelastsdespiteeveryoffenseandeveryrebuff.Worldlylovelovesforwhatitcanget.Christ’s love loves forwhat it can give.What is incomprehensible to theworldistobenormallivingforthechildofGod.

GOD’SFULLNESS

thatyoumaybefilleduptoallthefulnessofGod.(3:19b)The inner strengthening of theHoly Spirit leads to the indwelling of Christ,whichleadstoabundantlove,whichleadstoGod’sfullnessinus.Tobefilledup to all the fulness ofGod is indeed incomprehensible, even toGod’s ownchildren.Itisincredibleandindescribable.Thereisnoway,thissideofheaven,wecanfathomthattruth.WecanonlybelieveitandpraiseGodforit. J.WilburChapmanoftentoldofthetestimonygivenbyacertainmaninoneofhismeetings:

I got off at the Pennsylvania depot as a tramp, and for a year Ibegged on the streets for a living. One day I touched aman on theshoulderandsaid,“Hey,mister,canyougivemeadime?”AssoonasIsawhisfaceIwasshockedtoseethatitwasmyownfather.Isaid,“Father,Father,doyouknowme?”Throwinghisarmsaroundmeandwithtearsinhiseyes,hesaid,“Ohmyson,atlastI’vefoundyou!I’vefoundyou.Youwantadime?EverythingIhaveisyours.”Thinkofit.Iwasatramp.Istoodbeggingmyownfatherfortencents,whenfor18yearshehadbeenlookingformetogivemeallthathehad.

ThatisasmallpictureofwhatGodwantstodoforHischildren.Hissupremegoal in bringing us to Himself is to make us like Himself by filling us withHimself,withallthatHeisandhas. Even to begin to grasp the magnitude of that truth, wemust think of everyattributeandeverycharacteristicofGod.WemustthinkofHispower,majesty,wisdom, love,mercy, patience, kindness, longsuffering, and every other thingthatGodisanddoes.ThatPaulisnotexaggeratingisclearfromthefactthatinthis letterhe repeatedlymentions the fullnessofGod’sblessings to thosewhobelongtoHimthroughChrist.HetellsusthatthechurchisChrist’s“body,thefulness of Him who fills all in all” (Eph. 1:23). He tells us that “He whodescendedisHimselfalsoHewhoascendedfaraboveall theheavens, thatHemightfillallthings”(4:10).AndhetellsusthatGodwantseverybelieverto“befilledwiththeSpirit”(5:18). Plēroōmeanstomakefull,orfilltothefull,andisusedmanytimesintheNew

Testament. It speaks of total dominance. A person filled with rage is totallydominatedbyhatred.Apersonfilledwithhappinessistotallydominatedbyjoy.To be filled up to all the fulness of God therefore means to be totallydominated by Him, with nothing left of self or any part of the old man. Bydefinition,then,tobefilledwithGodistobeemptiedofself.It isnottohavemuchofGodandlittleofself,butallofGodandnoneofself.ThisisarecurringthemeinEphesians.HerePaultalksaboutthefulnessofGod;in4:13itis“thefulnessofChrist”;andin5:18itisthefulnessoftheSpirit. What a God, who loves us so much that He will not rest until we arecompletelylikeHim!WecanonlysingwithDavid,“TheLordismyrockandmy fortress andmy deliverer;myGod,my rock, in whom I take refuge;myshieldandthehornofmysalvation,mystrongholdandmyrefuge;mySavior”(2 Sam. 22:2-3). Throughout the rest of that magnificent hymn, David stackspraiseuponpraiseindeclaringGod’sgreatnessandgoodness. InthesamewayJobseemstobealmostatalossforwordstoproperlyextolthewondersofGod. “What ahelpyouare to theweak!Howyouhave saved thearm without strength!What counsel you have given to one without wisdom!What helpful insight you have abundantly provided!… He stretches out thenorthoveremptyspace,andhangstheearthonnothing.HewrapsupthewatersinHisclouds;andtheclouddoesnotburstunderthem….Thepillarsofheaventremble,andareamazedatHisrebuke.…ByHisbreaththeheavensarecleared;His hand has pierced the fleeing serpent. Behold, these are the fringes ofHisways”(Job26:2-3,7-8,11,13-14). Fromourhuman,earthlyperspectivewecanneverseemorethan“thefringesof His ways.” No wonder David said that he would not be satisfied until heawokein the likenessofGod(Ps.17:15).Only thenwillweknowfullyaswehavebeenfullyknown(1Cor.13:12).

THELORD’SGLORY

NowtoHimwhoisabletodoexceedingabundantlybeyondallthatweaskorthink,accordingtothepowerthatworkswithinus,toHimbethegloryinthechurchandinChristJesustoallgenerationsforeverandever.Amen.(3:20-21)InculminationofallhehasbeendeclaringaboutGod’slimitlessprovisionforHis children, Paul gives this great doxology, a paean of praise and glory,introducedbyNowuntoHim. When the Holy Spirit has empowered us, Christ has indwelt us, love hasmasteredus,andGodhasfilleduswithHisownfullness,thenHeisabletodoexceedingabundantlybeyondallthatweaskorthink.Untilthoseconditionsaremet,God’sworkinginusislimited.Whentheyaremet,Hisworkinginusisunlimited.“Truly,truly,Isaytoyou,hewhobelievesinMe,theworksthatIdoshallhedoalso;andgreaterworks than theseshallhedo;because Igo to theFather.AndwhateveryouaskinMyname,thatwillIdo,thattheFathermaybeglorified in the Son. If you askMe anything inMy name, Iwill do it” (John14:12-14). There is no situation in which the Lord cannot use us, provided we aresubmitted to Him. As is frequently pointed out, verse 20 is a pyramidprogressionofGod’senablement:Heisable;Heisabletodo;Heisabletodoexceedingabundantly;Heisabletodoexceedingabundantlybeyondallthatweask; He is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think.ThereisnoquestioninthemindsofbelieversthatGodisabletodomorethanwe can conceive, but too fewChristians enjoy theprivilegeof seeingHimdothatintheirlives,becausetheyfailtofollowthepatternofenablementpresentedintheseverses. Pauldeclaredthattheeffectivenessofhisownministrywasthat“mymessageandmypreachingwerenotinpersuasivewordsofwisdom,butindemonstrationoftheSpiritandofpower”(1Cor.2:4),because“thekingdomofGoddoesnotconsistinwords,butinpower”(4:20).Throughouthisministrytheapostlewasconcerned about “giving no cause for offense in anything, in order that theministrybenotdiscredited,butineverythingcommendingourselvesasservantsofGod,inmuchendurance,inafflictions,inhardships,indistresses,inbeatings,inimprisonments,intumults,inlabors,insleeplessness,inhunger,inpurity,inknowledge, inpatience, inkindness, in theHolySpirit, ingenuine love, in the

wordoftruth,inthepowerofGod”(2Cor.6:3-7).EverythingPauldidwasinthepowerofGod,andinthepowerofGodtherewasnothingwithintheLord’swillthathecouldnotseeaccomplished.ThatsamepowerworkswithinusbythepresenceoftheSpirit(Acts1:8). WhenbyouryieldednessGodisabletodoexceedingabundantlybeyondallthatweaskorthink,accordingtothepowerthatworkswithinus,onlythenarewetrulyeffectiveandonlythenisHetrulyglorified.AndHedeservesgloryin the church and in Christ Jesus, not only now, but to all generationsforeverandever.TheAmenconfirmsthatworthygoal.

TheLowlyWalk

10

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a mannerworthyofthecallingwithwhichyouhavebeencalled,withallhumilityandgentleness,withpatience,showingforbearancetooneanotherinlove,beingdiligenttopreservetheunityoftheSpiritinthebondofpeace.ThereisonebodyandoneSpirit,justasalsoyouwerecalledinonehopeofyourcalling;oneLord,onefaith,onebaptism,oneGodandFatherofallwhoisoverallandthroughallandinall.(4:1-6)When a person joins an organization, he obligates himself to live and act inaccordancewiththestandardsofthegroup.Heacceptsitsaims,objectives,andstandardsashisown.Acitizenisobligatedtoabidebythelawsofhiscountry.Anemployee isobligated toworkaccordingtherules,standards,andpurposesofhis company.Membersof service clubsobligate themselves topromote thegoalsoftheclubandtoabidebyitsstandards.Whensomeonejoinsanathleticteamheisobligatedtoplayasthecoachordersandaccordingtotherulesofthesport.Humansocietycouldnotoperatewithoutsuchobligation. Wehaveanaturaldesiretobeacceptedandtobelong,andmanypeoplewillgotoalmostanylengthstoqualifyforacceptanceinafraternalorder,socialclub,athleticteam,orothergroup.Manypeoplewillalsogotogreatlengthstokeepfrombeingrejectedbyagroup.TheparentsofthemanbornblindwereafraidtotelltheJewishleadersthatJesushadhealedtheirson,becausetheywereafraidofbeing thrownoutof thesynagogue(John9:22).Althoughtheyhadseen theresultofamiraclethathadhealedtheirownsonofhislife-longblindness,theywouldnotcreditJesuswiththemiracleforfearofbeingsociallyostracized.Forthesamereason,“manyevenof therulersbelievedinHim,butbecauseof thePharisees they were not confessing Him, lest they should be put out of thesynagogue;fortheylovedtheapprovalofmenratherthantheapprovalofGod”(12:42-43). Sometimes in the church such loyalties to standards and fearofostracismdonot operate with the same force. Too many Christians are glad to have thespiritualsecurity,blessings,andpromisesofthegospelbuthavetoolittlesenseofresponsibilityinconformingtoitsstandardsandobeyingitscommands.

InthefirstthreechaptersofEphesiansPaulhassetforththebeliever’spositionwithalltheblessings,honors,andprivilegesofbeingachildofGod.InthenextthreechaptershegivestheconsequentobligationsandrequirementsofbeingHischild, inorder to liveoutsalvation inaccordancewith theFather’swilland toHisglory.Thefirstthreechapterssetforthtruthaboutthebeliever’sidentityinChrist,andthelastthreecallforthepracticalresponse. Whenwe receivedChrist as Saviorwe became citizens ofHis kingdom andmembers of His family. Along with those blessings and privileges we alsoreceivedobligations.TheLordexpectsus toact like thenewpersonswehavebecomeinJesusChrist.HeexpectsHisstandardstobecomeourstandards,Hispurposes our purposes, His desires our desires, His nature our nature. TheChristianlifeissimplytheprocessofbecomingwhatyouare. Godexpectsconformitywithinthechurch,theBodyofChrist.Itisnotaforcedlegalistic conformity to external rules and regulations, but a willing innerconformitytotheholiness,love,andwillofourheavenlyFather,whowantsHischildrentohonorHimastheirFather.“Conductyourselvesinamannerworthyof the gospel of Christ,” Paul admonished the Philippians, “so that whether Icomeandseeyouorremainabsent,Imayhearofyouthatyouarestandingfirminonespirit,withonemindstriving togetherfor thefaithof thegospel”(Phil.1:27). ThethereforeofEphesians4:1marksthetransitionfrompositionaltopracticaltruth,fromdoctrinetoduty,principletopractice.Paulmakesasimilartransitionin the book of Romans. After laying down eleven chapters of doctrine, hedevotestheremainderofthebooktourgingChristianstoliveinaccordancewiththatdoctrine—topresenttheirbodiesas“alivingandholysacrifice,acceptableto God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (12:1). In Galatians Pauldevotes the first four chapters to explainingChristian liberty and the last twochapters to exhortingChristians to liveby that liberty.That sort of division isfound inmanyofPaul’s epistles (see alsoPhil. 2:1-2;Col. 3:5; 1Thess. 4:1).Rightpracticemustalwaysbebasedonrightprinciple.ItisimpossibletohaveaChristian life-style without knowing the realities of the life that Christ hasprovided. Right doctrine is essential to right living. It is impossible to live a faithfulChristian life without knowing biblical doctrine. Doctrine simply meansteaching,andthereisnowaythateventhemostsincerebelievercanlivealifepleasingtoGodwithoutknowingwhatGodHimselfislikeandknowingthesortof lifeGodwants him to live. Thosewho set biblical theology aside also setasidesoundChristianliving.

Church renewal does not come with new programs, buildings, organization,educationalmethods,oranythingelseexternal.Churchrenewalcomesfirstofallthroughtherenewalofthemind.LaterinthisletterPaulpraysthattheEphesianswould“berenewedinthespiritofyourmind,andputonthenewself,whichinthelikenessofGodhasbeencreatedinrighteousnessandholinessofthetruth”(4:23-24).ItisonlywheninthespiritoftheirmindstheygrasptherighteousnessandholinessofGod’struththatGod’speoplearerenewed.Atthebeginningofthis letter Paul prayed “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father ofglory,maygivetoyouaspiritofwisdomandofrevelationintheknowledgeofHim” (1:17). Growing in grace, Peter tells us, is linked with growing in the“knowledgeofourLordandSaviorJesusChrist”(2Pet.3:18).Alongwithhisministry of proclaiming Christ, Paul also was “admonishing every man andteachingeverymanwithallwisdom,thatwemaypresenteverymancompleteinChrist”(Col.1:28).Inhiswell-knownwordstoTimothy,Pauldeclaresthat“AllScripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, forcorrection,fortraininginrighteousness;thatthemanofGodmaybeadequate,equipped for every goodwork” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). It is impossible to do goodworkswithoutknowledgeoftheWordofGod. In Ephesians 4:1-6 Paul appeals to believers to walk worthily of their highposition in Jesus Christ. In describing that walk he discusses its call, itscharacteristics,anditscause.

THECALLTOTHEWORTHYWALK

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a mannerworthyofthecallingwithwhichyouhavebeencalled,(4:1)Beforegivinghisappeal,Paulonceagainreferstohimselfastheprisonerofthe Lord (see 3:1). By mentioning his imprisonment he gently reminds hisreaders thatheknows theworthyChristianwalkcanbecostlyand thathehaspaidconsiderablecosthimselfbecauseofhisobediencetotheLord.Hewouldnotaskthemtowalkinawayinwhichhehadnothimselfwalkedorpayapricethathehimselfwasnotwillingtopay.Hispresentphysicalcircumstanceseemedextremely negative from a human perspective, but Paulwanted his readers toknowthatthisdidnotchangehiscommitmenttoorhisconfidenceintheLord. The apostlewas not seeking sympathyor usinghisRoman confinement as ameans for shaming the Ephesians into compliance with his request. He wasremindingthemagainofhisowncompletesubserviencetoChrist,hisbeingtheprisoner of the Lord whether he was in jail or not. He became the Lord’sprisoner on the road toDamascus and never sought to be free of that divineimprisonment. PaulhadtheabilitytoseeeverythinginthelightofhowitaffectedChrist.Hesaw everything vertically before he saw it horizontally. His motives wereChrist’s,hisstandardswereChrist’s,hisobjectiveswereChrist’s,hisvisionwasChrist’s, his entire orientation was Christ’s. Everything he thought, planned,said,anddidwasinrelationtohisLord.HewasinthefullestsenseacaptiveoftheLordJesusChrist. Most of us will admit that we tend to be so self-oriented that we seemanythingsfirstofall—andsometimesonly—inrelationtoourselves.Butthepersonwho has theWord of Christ abiding in him richly, the onewho saturates hismindwithdivinewisdomandtruthwillask,“Howdoes thisaffectGod?Howwill it reflectonHim?Whatdoeshewantme todowith thisproblemor thisblessing? How can I most please and honor Him in this?” He tries to seeeverythingthroughGod’sdivinegrid.Thatattitudeisthebasisandthemarkofspiritualmaturity.WithDavid,thematureChristiancansay,“IhavesettheLordcontinuallybeforeme;becauseHeisatmyrighthand”(Ps.16:8). Paulmadenoapologyforpleadingwithpeopletodowhatheknewwasright.I…entreatyou,hesays.Parakaleō(entreat)meanstocalltoone’sside,with

the idea of wanting to help or be helped. It connotes intense feeling, strongdesire. In this context it is not simply a request but a plea, an imploring orbegging.PaulwasnotgivingsuggestionstotheEphesiansbutdivinestandards,standards apart from which they could not live in a way that fittinglycorrespondedtotheirbeingchildrenofGod.Paulneverexhortedonatake-it-or-leave-it basis. He could not rest until all those given into his spiritual carewalkedinamannerworthyofthecallingwithwhichtheyhadbeencalled. Paul pleaded with King Agrippa to listen to his testimony (Acts 26:3), hestronglyurged theCorinthians to reaffirm their love for a repentantbrother (2Cor.2:8),andpleadedwiththeGalatianstostandinthelibertyofthegospelashe did (Gal. 4:12). He pleaded out of an intense love for others, saved andunsaved.Ofunsaved fellowJews,hewrote,“Iam telling the truth inChrist, Iamnotlying,myconsciencebearingmewitnessintheHolySpirit, thatIhavegreatsorrowandunceasinggriefinmyheart.ForIcouldwishthatImyselfwereaccursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmenaccordingtotheflesh”(Rom.9:1-3). Christiansshouldnotresentapastor’sentreatingtheminthefaithasPauldidthose to whom he ministered. A pastor who approaches his ministry withdetachmentor indifference isnotworthyofhisoffice.Lovingconcern for thespiritual welfare of others is costly, and apart from God’s strength it isfrustratinganddemoralizing. Surveys of pastors over the past decade or so have revealed widespreaddiscouragement and even depression—what one writer described as battlefatigue.A large percentage of those interviewed said that themost depressingpart of theirministrywas the sense of never being through, of always havingmoretodo,andofseeingmuchoftheir“success”turnouttobesuperficialandtemporary.They reported that therenever seems tobeenough time topreparesermons as carefully as they should, to visit and counsel everyonewho needsthem,toattendallthemeetings,ortoaccomplishthemanyotherthingsexpectedof thepastorbyhiscongregationandbyhimself.Hiswork isneverdone,andthemorehecaresthemoreheseestodo.Paul,whohimselfdidtheworkofapastor andwas an apostle and an evangelist, spoke of believers inGalatia as,“My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you”(Gal. 4:19). He suffered perpetual birth pains from his great desire for thespiritualgrowthandmaturityofthosetowhomheministered. Not only pastors but every believer should have a loving concern to entreat,implore,beg,andpleadwithotherstorespondinobediencetothegospel.LikePaul, theyshouldhaveapassiontoentreat theirfellowbelieverstowalkina

mannerworthyoftheircalling—tobeeverythingtheLorddesiresofthem.Walk isfrequentlyusedintheNewTestamenttorefertodailyconduct,day-by-dayliving,anditisthethemeofthelastthreechaptersofEphesians.Inthefirstsixteenversesofchapter4,PaulemphasizestheunityandintherestofthechaptertheuniquenessoftheChristianwalk.Inchapters5and6hestressesthemoralpurity, thewisdom, theSpiritcontrol, thefamilymanifestations,andthewarfareoftheChristianwalk. Axios (worthy)hastherootmeaningofbalancingthescales—whatisononeside of the scale should be equal in weight to what is on the other side. Byextension, the word came to be applied to anything that was expected tocorrespondtosomethingelse.Apersonworthyofhispaywasonewhoseday’swork corresponded to his day’swages. The believerwhowalks in amannerworthyofthecallingwithwhichhehasbeencalledisonewhosedailylivingcorresponds to his high position as a child ofGod and fellow heirwith JesusChrist.Hispracticallivingmatcheshisspiritualposition. Thecallingwithwhichyouhavebeencalledisthesovereign,savingcallingofGod (cf. 1Thess. 2:12). “Noonecancome toMe,” Jesus said, “unless theFatherwhosentMedrawshim”(John6:44;cf.v.65).Onanotheroccasion,Hesaid,“AndI,ifIbeliftedupfromtheearth,willdrawallmentoMyself”(John12:32). Paul tells us that thosewhomGod “predestined, theseHe also called;andwhomHecalled, theseHealso justified;andwhomHejustified, theseHealso glorified” (Rom. 8:30). As the apostle mentioned in the opening of thisletter,“HechoseusinHimbeforethefoundationoftheworld,thatweshouldbeholyandblamelessbeforeHim”(Eph.1:4).NopersoncanbesavedapartfromreceivingJesusChristashisSavior.ButnopersoncanchooseChristwhohasnotalreadybeenchosenby theFatherand theSon.“YoudidnotchooseMe,”Jesusexplained to thedisciples,“but Ichoseyou,andappointedyou, thatyoushouldgoandbearfruit,andthatyourfruitshouldremain”(John15:16). Paulmakesmanyreferencestothebeliever’scalling(klēsis),which,asinthiscase, refers to theLord’s sovereign, effectual call to salvation (Rom. 11:29; 1Cor.1:26;Eph.1:18;4:1,4;Phil.3:14;2Thess.1:11;2Tim.1:9;cf.Heb.3:1;2Pet.1:10). WithoutGod’scalling,withoutHischoosingus,ourchoosingHimwouldbefutile.Infact,ifGoddidnotcallmentoHimselfnomanwouldwanttocometoHim, because the natural man—every natural man—is at enmity with God(Rom.8:7).ThemarveloustruthofthegospelisthatGodnotonlysentHisSontoprovidethewayofsalvation(Rom.5:8)butthatHesentHimtoseekthelost

in order to save them (Luke 19:10). God was not content simply to makesalvationavailable.HehascalledtheredeemedelecttoHimself. Thatiswhyourcallingisahighcalling,a“heavenlycalling”(Heb.3:1),and“aholycalling”(2Tim.1:9).Andthatiswhythefaithful,responsiveChristianis determined to “press on toward the goal for theprize of theupward call ofGodinChristJesus”(Phil.3:14).

THECHARACTERISTICSOFTHEWORTHYWALK

withallhumilityandgentleness,withpatience,showingforbearancetooneanotherinlove,beingdiligenttopreservetheunityoftheSpiritinthebondofpeace.(4:2-3)Here Paul gives five essentials for faithful Christian living, five attitudes onwhichwalkingworthilyintheLord’scallarepredicated.HUMILITY

Thesecharacteristics,ofwhichhumilityisthefoundation,formaprogression,thegenuineexerciseofoneleadingtotheexerciseofthosethatfollow. Tapeinophrosunē(humility)isacompoundwordthatliterallymeanstothinkor judge with lowliness, and hence to have lowliness of mind. John Wesleyobservedthat“neithertheRomansnortheGreekshadawordforhumility.”Theveryconceptwassoforeignandabhorrenttotheirwayofthinkingthattheyhadno term to describe it. Apparently this Greek termwas coined by Christians,probably by Paul himself, to describe a quality for which no other wordwasavailable.TotheproudGreeksandRomans, their termsfor ignoble,cowardly,andothersuchcharacteristicsweresufficienttodescribethe“unnatural”personwhodidnotthinkofhimselfwithprideandself-satisfaction.When,duringthefirst several centuries of Christianity, pagan writers borrowed the termtapeinophrosunē, they always used it derogatorily—frequently ofChristians—becausetothemhumilitywasapitiableweakness. Buthumility isthemostfoundationalChristianvirtue.WecannotevenbegintopleaseGodwithouthumility,justasourLordHimselfcouldnothavepleasedHisFatherhadHenotwillingly“emptiedHimself, taking the formofabond-servant, and…humbledHimself bybecomingobedient to the point of death,evendeathonacross”(Phil.2:7-8). Yethumilityisterriblyelusive,becauseiffocusedontoomuchitwillturnintopride, its very opposite. Humility is a virtue to be highly sought but neverclaimed,becauseonceclaimeditisforfeited.OnlyJesusChrist,astheperfectlyobedientSon,couldjustifiablyclaimhumilityforHimself.“TakeMyyokeuponyou,”Hesaid,“forIamgentleandhumbleinheart”(Matt.11:29).HecametoearthasGod’sSon,yetwasborn inastable, raised inapeasant family,neverownedpropertyexceptthegarmentsonHisback,andwasburiedinaborrowed

tomb.AtanytimeHecouldhaveexercisedHisdivinerights,prerogatives,andglory,butinobedienceandhumilityHerefusedtodosobecauseitwouldhavebeen to go outsideHis Father’swill. If the Lord of glorywalked in humilitywhileHewasonearth,howmuchmoreareHis imperfect followers todoso?“TheonewhosaysheabidesinHimoughthimselftowalkinthesamemannerasHewalked”(lJohn2:6). Although humility is at the heart of Christian character, no virtue is moreforeign to theworld’sways.Theworld exalts pride, not humility.Throughouthistory, fallen human nature, ruled by Satan, the prince of this world, hasshunned humility and advocated pride. For the most part humility has beenlookedonasweaknessandimpotence,somethingignobletobedespised.Peopleunashamedly claim to be proud of their jobs, their children, theiraccomplishments, and on and on. Society loves to recognize and praise thosewhohaveaccomplishedsomethingoutstanding.Ostentation,boasting,parading,andexaltingaretheworld’sstockintrade. Unfortunately the church often reflects that worldly perspective and pattern,buildingmanyprogramsandorganizationsaroundthesuperficialenticementsofawards, trophies, and public recognition. We seem to have found a way toencourage boasting that is “acceptable,” because such boasting is done in thenameof thegospel.But indoingsowecontradict theverygospelweclaimtopromote, because the hallmark of the gospel is humility, not pride and self-exaltation.God’sworkcannotbe servedby theworld’sways.God’scall is tohumilityandHisworkisonlyaccomplishedthroughhumility. The first sin was pride, and every sin after that has been in some way anextensionofpride.PrideledtheangelLucifertoexalthimselfabovehisCreatorandLord.Because thebright “star of themorning” continually said, “Iwill, Iwill,Iwill”inoppositiontoGod’swill,hewascastoutofheaven(Isa.14:12-23).Because he said, “I ama god,” theLord cast him “from themountain ofGod”(Ezek.28:11-19).TheoriginalsinofAdamandEvewaspride,trustingintheir own understanding above God’s (Gen. 3:6-7). The writer of Proverbswarns, “When pride comes, then comes dishonor” (11:2), “Pride goes beforedestruction,andahaughtyspiritbeforestumbling”(16:18),andagain“Haughtyeyesandaproudheart,thelampofthewicked,issin”(21:4). Isaiahwarned,“Theproudlookofmanwillbeabased,andtheloftinessofmanwillbehumbled,andtheLordalonewillbeexaltedinthatday”(Isa.2:11;cf.3:16-26). “Behold, I am against you, O arrogant one,” God declared againstBabylon, “For your dayhas come, the timewhen I shall punishyou.And thearrogantonewillstumbleandfallwithnoonetoraisehimup”(Jer.50:31-32).

The lastchapterof theOldTestamentbegins,“Forbehold, theday iscoming,burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoerwill be chaff”(Mai. 4:1). The Beatitudes begin with “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matt.5:3),andJamesassuresusthat“Godisopposedtotheproud,butgivesgracetothehumble”(James4:6;cf.Ps.138:6). PrideisthesupremetemptationfromSatan,becauseprideisattheheartofhisown evil nature. Consequently, Satan makes sure that the Christian is neverentirely free from the temptation of pride.Wewill always be in a battlewithpride until the Lord takes us to be with Himself. Our only protection againstpride,andouronlysourceofhumility,isaproperviewofGod.PrideisthesinofcompetingwithGod,andhumilityisthevirtueofsubmittingtoHissupremeglory. Pridecomes inmanyforms.Wemaybe tempted tobeproudofourabilities,ourpossessions,oureducation,oursocialstatus,ourappearance,ourpower,andeven our biblical knowledge or religious accomplishments. But throughoutScripturetheLordcallsHispeopletohumility.“Beforehonorcomeshumility”(Prov.15:33);“TherewardofhumilityandthefearoftheLordareriches,honorand life” (22:4);“Letanotherpraiseyou,andnotyourownmouth;a stranger,andnotyourownlips”(27:2). Humilityisaningredientofallspiritualblessing.Justaseverysinhasitsrootsin pride, every virtue has its roots in humility. Humility allows us to seeourselvesasweare,because it showsusbeforeGodasHe is. Just aspride isbehind every conflict we have with other people and every problem offellowship we have with the Lord, so humility is behind every harmonioushuman relationship, every spiritual success, and every moment of joyousfellowshipwiththeLord. DuringthedaysofslaveryintheWestIndies,agroupofMoravianChristiansfound it impossible to witness to the slaves because they were almost totallyseparated from the ruling class—many of whom felt it beneath them even tospeak to a slave.Twoyoungmissionaries, however,weredetermined to reachthoseoppressedpeoplesatanycost.InordertofulfillGod’scallingtheyjoinedtheslaves.Theyworkedandlivedbesidetheslaves,becomingtotallyidentifiedwith them—sharing their overwork, their beatings, and their abuse. It is notstrange that the twomissionariessoonwontheheartsof thoseslaves,manyofwhom accepted for themselves theGodwho couldmovemen to such lovingselflessness. A person cannot even become a Christian without humility, without

recognizing himself as a sinner andworthy only ofGod’s just condemnation.“Truly I say to you,” Jesus said, “unless you are converted and become likechildren, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbleshimself…”(Matt.18:3-4).Attheheightofhisownfameandrecognitionasaprophet, John the Baptist said of Jesus, “I am not fit to removeHis sandals”(Matt. 3:11) and “Hemust increase, but Imust decrease” (John3:30).Marthawasbusydoingmany thingssupposedly for Jesus’ sake,buton threedifferentoccasionsweseeMarysimplysittinghumblyatJesus’feet.Inallfourgospelsthe writers hide themselves and focus attention on Jesus. How easy it wouldhavebeenforthemtosubtlyincludeaccountsfavorabletothemselves.Matthewidentifies himself as a despised tax-collector, which none of the other gospelwritersdoes.Ontheotherhand,hedoesnotmentionthefeastthathegaveforhis fellow tax-collectors tomeet Jesus.BecauseofMatthew’shumility, itwaslefttoLuketowriteaboutthat. MarkprobablywroteunderthetutelageofPeter,andpossiblybecauseofthatapostle’s influence he does not report two of the most amazing things thathappened to Peter during Jesus’ ministry—his walking on water and hisconfessionofJesusastheChrist,theSonofthelivingGod.Johnnevermentionshisownname,referringtohimselfsimplyas“thedisciplewhomJesusloved.” In a compilation of old quotes is an excellent paragraph written by ThomasGuthrie:

Thegrandestedifices, thetallest towers, theloftiestspiresrestondeep foundations. The very safety of eminent gifts and preeminentgracesliesintheirassociationwithdeephumility.Theyaredangerouswithout it. Greatmen do need to be goodmen. Look at themightyship.Aleviathanintothesea,withhertoweringmastsandcarryingacloud of canvas. How she steadies herself on the waves and walkserect on the rollingwaters like a thingwith inherent, self-regulatinglife….Whyisshenotflungonherbeam’send,sentdownflounderinginto the deep? Because unseen beneath the surface a vast well-ballastedhullgivesherbalanceandtakesholdofthewater,keepshersteadyunderapressivesailandonthebosomofaswellingsea.Eventhoughtopreservethesaintupright,topreservethesainterectandsafefromfalling,Godgiveshimbalanceandballastbestowingonthemanto whom He has given lofty endowments, the tendant grace of aproportionatehumility.

Humility begins with proper self-awareness, “the virtue,” said Bernard ofClairvaux, “bywhich aman becomes conscious of his own unworthiness.” Itbeginswithanhonest,unadorned,unretouchedviewofoneself.Thefirst thingthehonestpersonseesinhimselfissin,andthereforeoneofthesurestmarksoftruehumilityisdailyconfessionofsin.“Ifwesaythatwehavenosin,wearedeceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He isfaithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from allunrighteousness”(1John1:8-9).“Wearenotboldtoclassorcompareourselveswith some of those who commend themselves,” Paul says; “but when theymeasure themselves by themselves, and compare themselveswith themselves,they are without understanding” (2 Cor. 10:12). It is not only unspiritual butunintelligent to judge ourselves by comparison with others. We all tend toexaggerate our own good qualities andminimize the good qualities of others.Humilitytakesoffourrose-coloredglassesandallowsustoseeourselvesaswereally are.We are not “adequate in ourselves to consider anything as comingfromourselves,”saysPaul,“butouradequacyisfromGod”(2Cor.3:5). Second,humilityinvolvesChrist-awareness.HeistheonlystandardbywhichrighteousnesscanbejudgedandbywhichpleasingGodcanbejudged.Ourgoalshouldbenolessthan“towalkinthesamemannerasHewalked”(1John2:6),andJesusChristwalkedinperfection.OnlyofJesushasGodeversaid,“ThisisMybelovedSon,inwhomIamwell-pleased”(Matt.3:17). Third,humilityinvolvesGod-awareness.AswestudyHislifeinthegospelswecome to see Jesus more and more in His human perfection—His perfecthumility,HisperfectsubmissiontotheFather,Hisperfectlove,compassion,andwisdom. But beyond His human perfection we also come to see His divineperfection—His limitless power;His knowing the thoughts and heart of everyperson; andHis authority to heal diseases, cast out demons, and even forgivesins.WecometoseeJesusChristasIsaiahsawtheLord,“sittingona throne,loftyandexalted”andwewanttocryoutwiththeseraphim,“Holy,Holy,Holy,istheLordofhosts,thewholeearthisfullofHisglory,”andwiththeprophethimself,“Woeisme,forIamruined!ForIamamanofuncleanlips,andIliveamong a people of unclean lips; formy eyes have seen theKing, theLordofhosts”(Isa.6:1,3,5). WhenPaullookedathimselfinself-awareness,hesawtheforemostofsinners(1 Tim. 1:15). When Peter looked at himself in Christ awareness, he said,“Departfromme,forIamasinfulman,OLord”(Luke5:8).WhenJoblookedathimself inGodawareness,hesaid,“ThereforeI retract, I repent industandashes”(Job42:6).

Our business success, fame, education, wealth, personality, good works, oranything elsewe are or have in ourselves counts for nothingbeforeGod.Themorewerelyonandgloryinsuchthings,thegreaterbarriertheybecometoourcommunion with God. Every person comes before the Lord with nothing tocommend him and everything to condemn him. But when he comeswith thespiritofthepenitenttax-collector,saying,“God,bemercifultome,thesinner,”Godwillwillinglyand lovinglyaccepthim.“Foreveryonewhoexaltshimselfshall behumbled,buthewhohumbleshimself shall be exalted” (Luke18:13-14).GENTLENESS

Humility always produces gentleness, or meekness. Meekness is one of thesurest signs of true humility. You cannot possess meeknesswithout humility,and you cannot possessmeeknesswith pride. Because pride and humility aremutuallyexclusive,soareprideandmeekness,orgentleness. Manydictionariesdefinemeeknessintermssuchas“timid,”or“adeficiencyincourage or spirit”; but that is far from the biblical meaning. Praotēs (heretranslatedgentleness)referstothatwhichismild-spiritedandself-controlled,theopposite of vindictiveness and vengeance. Jesus used the adjective form ingiving the thirdbeatitude (“Blessedare thegentle,”Matt. 5:5) and todescribeHis own character (“For I am gentle,”Matt. 11:29). Gentleness is one of thefruitsoftheSpirit(Gal.5:23)andshouldcharacterizeeverychildofGod(Col.3:12;cf.Phil.4:5). The meaning of praotēs has nothing to do with weakness, timidity,indifference, or cowardice. It was used of wild animals that were tamed,especiallyofhorses thatwerebrokenand trained.Suchananimal still hashisstrengthandspirit,butitswillisunderthecontrolofitsmaster.Thetamedlionisstillpowerful,buthispowerisunderthecontrolofhistrainer.Thehorsecanrunjustasfast,butherunsonlywhenandwherehismastertellshimtorun. Meekness is power under control.Biblicalmeekness, or gentleness, is powerunderthecontrolofGod.Ameekpersonisnormallyquiet,soothing,andmildmannered,andheisneveravenging,self-assertive,vindictive,orself-defensive.When the soldierscame toarrestHim in theGardenofGethsemaneandPeterdrew his sword to defend His Lord, Jesus said, “Do you think that 1 cannotappealtoMyFather,andHewillatonceputatMydisposalmorethantwelvelegions of angels?” (Matt. 26:53). Even in His humanity Jesus had access toinfinitedivinepower,whichHecouldatanytimehaveusedinHisowndefense.

YetnotoncedidHechoose todoso.His refusal toenlistdivineresources foranything but obeyingHis Father’s will is the supreme picture ofmeekness—powerundercontrol. DaviddisplayedsuchmeeknesswhenherefusedtokillKingSaulinthecavenear Engedi, although he had easy opportunity and considerable justificationfrom the human point of view (1 Sam. 24:1-7). After David himself becameking, he again showed the restraint of meekness when he refused to retaliateagainstthemalicioustaunts,curses,andstonethrowingofShimei(2Sam.16:5-14). Mosesisdescribedas,“veryhumble,morethananymanwhowasonthefaceof the earth” (Num. 12:3).Yet he fearlessly confrontedPharaoh in theLord’sname (see Ex. 5-12), angrily confronted Israel with her rebelliousness andidolatry(32:19-29),andevenboldlyconfrontedtheLordtoforgivethepeople’ssin (32:11-13, 30-32). Yet Moses’ confidence was not in himself but in theLord’s character and promises. When God first called him, Moses replied,“Please,Lord,Ihaveneverbeeneloquent,neitherrecentlynorintimepast,norsince Thou hast spoken to Thy servant; for I am slow of speech and slow oftongue”(4:10).AsheservedtheLordthroughouthislife,MoseshadGod’srodto remindhim that thegreatwork towhich theLordhad calledhimcouldbeaccomplishedonly in theLord’sownpower.ThathehimselfwasnothingandGod was everything were the marks ofMoses’ meekness. AsMartyn Lloyd-Jones has observed, “To be meek means you have finished with yourselfaltogether.” YetthemeekpersonisalsocapableofrighteousangerandactionwhenGod’sWordornameismaligned,asJesuswaswhenHisFather’shousewasmadeintoa robber’sdenandHe forciblydroveout theoffenders (Matt.21:13).AsPaulaffirmslaterinthisletter,itispossibletobeangryandnotsin(Eph.4:26).LiketheLordHimself,themeekpersondoesnotrevileinreturnwhenheisreviled(1Pet.2:23).Whenthemeekpersonbecomesangry,he isarousedby thatwhichmalignsGodor isharmful toothers,notbywhat isdoneagainsthimself.Andhisangeriscontrolledandcarefullydirected,notacarelessandwildventingofemotionthatspatterseveryonewhoisnear. Oneof themarksof truemeekness isself-control.Peoplewhoareangeredatevery nuisance or inconvenience to themselves know nothing ofmeekness orgentleness.“Hewhoisslowtoangerisbetterthanthemighty,andhewhoruleshis spirit, than he who captures a city” (Prov. 16:32). Two other marks ofmeekness,alreadymentioned,areangeratGod’snameorworkbeingmalignedandlackofangerwhenweourselvesareharmedorcriticized.

Themeekperson respondswillingly to theWordofGod,nomatterwhat therequirements or consequences, humbly receiving “theword implanted” (James1:21). He is also a peacemaker, who readily forgives and helps to restore asinning brother (Gal. 6:1). Finally, the person who is truly meek and gentleaccordingtoGod’sstandardshastherightattitudetowardtheunsaved.Hedoesnotlookdownonthemwithafeelingofsuperioritybutlongsfortheirsalvation,knowing that he himselfwas once lost—andwould still be lost but forGod’sgrace.Wearetobe“readytomakeadefensetoeveryonewhoasks[us]togivean account for the hope that is in [us], yet with gentleness (praotēs) andreverence”(1Pet.3:15).NotonlyChristianwomenbutallbelieversshouldbeadorned“withtheimperishablequalityofagentleandquietspirit”(1Pet.3:4).PATIENCE

A third attitude that characterizes the Christian’s worthy walk is patience,which is an outgrowth of humility and gentleness. Makrothumia (patience)literallymeans long-tempered, and is sometimes translated longsuffering. Thepatientpersonenduresnegativecircumstancesandnevergivesintothem. Abraham received the promise ofGod but had towaitmany years to see itsfulfillment.“Thus,”thewriterofHebrewstellsus,“havingpatientlywaited,heobtained the promise” (Heb. 6:15). God had promised that Abraham’sdescendantswouldbeagreatnation(Gen.12:2)andyethewasnotgivenIsaac,thechildofpromise,untilafterAbrahamwasnearlyahundredyearsold.“Yet,withrespecttothepromiseofGod,hedidnotwaverinunbelief,butgrewstronginfaith,givingglorytoGod”(Rom.4:20). GodtoldNoahtobuildashipinthewilderness,farfromanybodyofwaterandbeforetherehadeverbeenrainonearth.For120yearsNoahworkedatthattask,whilepreachingtohisneighborsofGod’scomingjudgment. In the chronicle of faithful Old Testament saints in the book of Hebrews,Moses’ patient endurance is mentioned twice. He chose rather “to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin;consideringthereproachofChristgreaterrichesthanthetreasuresofEgypt;forhewaslookingtothereward.ByfaithheleftEgypt,notfearingthewrathoftheking;forheendured,asseeingHimwhoisunseen”(Heb.11:25-27). James said, “As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take theprophetswho spoke in thenameof theLord” (James5:10).WhenGodcalledJeremiah,Hetoldtheprophetthatnoonewouldbelievehismessageandthathe

wouldbehated,maligned,andpersecuted(Jer.1:5-19).YetJeremiahservedtheLordfaithfullyandpatientlyuntil theendofhis life.Similarly,when theLordcalled Isaiahhewas told that thenationwouldnot listen tohimnor turn fromtheirsin(Isa.6:9-12).LikeJeremiah,however,hepreachedandministeredwithpatientfaithfulness. Paulwaswillingtoendureanyhardship,affliction,ridicule,orpersecutioninordertopatientlyservehisMaster.“Whatareyoudoing,weepingandbreakingmy heart?” he asked the Christians at Caesarea after the prophet Agabuspredictedtheapostle’sarrestandimprisonment.“ForIamreadynotonlytobebound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts21:13). When H. M. Stanley went to Africa in 1871 to find and report on DavidLivingstone, he spent several months in the missionary’s company, carefullyobserving the man and his work. Livingstone never spoke to Stanley aboutspiritual matters, but Livingstone’s loving and patient compassion for theAfricanpeoplewasbeyondStanley’scomprehension.Hecouldnotunderstandhow themissionary couldhave such love for andpatiencewith thebackward,pagan people among whom he had so long ministered. Livingstone literallyspenthimselfinuntiringserviceforthosewhomhehadnoreasontoloveexceptfor Christ’s sake. Stanley wrote in his journal, “When I saw that unweariedpatience,thatunflaggingzeal,andthoseenlightenedsonsofAfrica,IbecameaChristianathisside,thoughheneverspoketomeoneword.” Aristotle said that the greatestGreek virtuewas refusal to tolerate any insultand readiness to strike back. But that is not God’s way for His people. Thepatient saint acceptswhatever other people do to him.He is “patientwith allmen”(1Thess.5:14),eventhosewhotryhispatiencetothelimit.HeispatientwiththosewhoslanderhimandwhoquestionhismotivesforservingtheLord. The patient saint accepts God’s plan for everything, without questioning orgrumbling.Hedoes not complainwhenhis calling seems less glamorous thansomeone else’s or when the Lord sends him to a place that is dangerous ordifficult. He remembers that God the Son left His heavenly home of love,holiness, and glory to come to earth and be hated, rejected, spat upon, andcrucified—withoutoncereturningevilforevilorcomplainingtoHisFather.FORBEARINGLOVE

AfourthcharacteristicelementoftheworthyChristianwalkisforbearancetooneanotherinlove.Petertellsusthatsuch“lovecoversamultitudeofsins”(1

Pet.4:8).Itthrowsablanketoverthesinsofothers,nottojustifyorexcusethembut to keep the sins frombecoming anymore known than necessary. “Hatredstirsupstrife,butlovecoversalltransgressions”(Prov.10:12).Forbearinglovetakesabusefromotherswhilecontinuingtolovethem. Forbearing love could only be agapē love, because only agapē love givescontinuously andunconditionally.Erōs love is essentially self-love, because itcares for others only because ofwhat it can get from them. It is the love thattakesandnevergives.Philialoveisprimarilyreciprocallove,lovethatgivesaslongas it receives.Butagapē love isunqualifiedandunselfish love, love thatwillingly gives whether it receives in return or not. It is unconquerablebenevolence,invinciblegoodness—lovethatgoesouteventoenemiesandpraysforitspersecutors(Matt.5:43-44).ThatiswhytheforbearanceofwhichPaulspeaksherecouldonlybeexpressedinagapēlove.UNITY

The ultimate outcome of humility, gentleness, patience, and forbearance isbeing diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.Spoudazō(tobediligent)basicallymeanstomakehaste,andfromthatcomethemeaningsofzealanddiligence.Onecommentatordescribesitasaholyzealthatdemandsfulldedication.PaulusedthewordintellingTimothy,“Bediligenttopresent yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to beashamed,handlingaccuratelythewordoftruth”(2Tim.2:15;cf.Titus3:12-13). Preservation of theunity of the Spirit in the bond of peace should be thediligent and constant concern of every believer. Paul is not speaking oforganizational unity, such as that promoted inmanydenominations and in theecumenicalmovement.He is speakingof the inner anduniversalunityof theSpirit bywhich every true believer is bound to every other true believer. AsPaulmakesclear,thisistheunityoftheSpiritworkinginthelivesofbelievers.Itdoesnotcomefromtheoutsidebuttheinside,andismanifestedthroughtheinnerqualitiesofhumility,gentleness,patience,andforbearinglove. Spiritualunityisnot,andcannotbe,createdbythechurch.Itisalreadycreatedby the Holy Spirit. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,whetherJewsorGreeks,whetherslavesorfree,andwewereallmadetodrinkofoneSpirit….Therearemanymembers,butonebody”(1Cor.12:13,20;cf.Rom.8:9).ItisthisveryunityoftheSpiritforwhichJesussoearnestlyprayedin theUpperRoom shortly beforeHis betrayal and arrest: “HolyFather, keeptheminThyname,thenamewhichThouhastgivenMe,thattheymaybeone,

evenasWeare,…thattheymayallbeone;evenasThou,Father,artinMe,andIinThee,thattheyalsomaybeinUs….AndtheglorywhichThouhastgivenMeIhavegiventothem;that theymaybeone, justasWeareone;I in them,andThouinMe,thattheymaybeperfectedinunity”(John17:11,21-23). The church’s responsibility, through the lives of individual believers, is topreserve theunityby faithfullywalking inamannerworthyofGod’scalling(v.1),manifestingChrist to theworldbyoneness inHim (cf.Rom.15:1-6;1Cor.1:10-13;3:1-3;Phil.1:27).Theworldisalwaysseekingbutneverfindingunity.All the laws,conferences, treaties,accords,andagreements fail tobringunity or peace. Someone has reported that throughout recorded history everytreaty made has been broken. There is not, and cannot be, any peace for thewicked (Isa. 48:22). As long as self is at the center; as long as our feelings,prestige,andrightsareourchiefconcern,therewillneverbeunity. Thebond that preservesunity ispeace, the spiritual belt that surrounds andbinds God’s holy people together. It is the bond that Paul described inPhilippians as “being of the samemind,maintaining the same love, united inspirit, intent ononepurpose” (2:2).Behind thisbondofpeace is love,whichColossians3:14calls“theperfectbondofunity.” Humilitygivesbirthtogentleness,gentlenessgivesbirthtopatience,patiencegivesbirthtoforbearinglove,andallfourofthosecharacteristicspreservetheunity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. These virtues and the supernaturalunitytowhichtheytestifyareprobablythemostpowerfultestimonythechurchcanhave,becausetheyareinsuchcontrasttotheattitudesandthedisunityoftheworld.Noprogramormethod,nomatterhowcarefullyplannedandexecuted,canopenthedoortothegospelinthewayindividualbelieverscandowhentheyare genuinely humble, meek, patient, forbearing in love, and demonstratepeacefulunityintheHolySpirit.

THECAUSEOFTHEWORTHYWALK

ThereisonebodyandoneSpirit,justasalsoyouwerecalledinonehopeofyourcalling;oneLord,one faith,onebaptism,oneGodandFatherofallwhoisoverallandthroughallandinall.(4:4-6)Everything that relates to salvation, the church, and the kingdom of God isbasedontheconceptofunity,asreflectedinPaul’suseofsevenone’sinthesethreeverses.Thecause,orbasis,ofoutwardonenessisinneroneness.Practicalonenessisbasedonspiritualoneness.ToemphasizetheunityoftheSpirit,Paulrecitesthefeaturesofonenessthataregermanetoourdoctrineandlife. Paul does not develop the particular areas of oneness, but simply lists them:body,Spirit,hope,Lord,faith,baptism,andGodandFather.HisfocusisontheonenessofthoseandeveryotheraspectofGod’snature,plan,andworkasabasisforourcommitmenttoliveasone.Itisobviousthatverse4centersontheHolySpirit,verse5ontheSon,andverse6ontheFather.UNITYINTHESPIRIT

ThereisonebodyandoneSpirit,justasalsoyouwerecalledinonehopeofyourcalling;(4:4)There isonlyonebodyofbelievers, thechurch,which iscomposedofeverysaint who has trusted or will trust in Christ as Savior and Lord. There is nodenominational, geographical, ethnic, or racial body. There is no Gentile,Jewish,male,female,slave,orfreemanbody.ThereisonlyChrist’sbody,andtheunityofthatbodyistheheartofthebookofEphesians. ObviouslythereisbutoneSpirit,theHolySpiritofGod,whoispossessedbyevery believer and who is therefore the inner unifying force in the body.Believers are individual temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16-17) that arecollectively “being fitted together [and are] growing into a holy temple in theLord,…beingbuilt together intoadwellingofGod in theSpirit” (Eph.2:21-22). The Spirit “is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to theredemptionofGod’sownpossession,tothepraiseofHisglory”(Eph.1:14).Heis the divine engagement ring (pledge), as it were,who guarantees that everybelieverwillbeatthemarriagesupperoftheLamb(Rev.19:9). If all Christianswerewalking in obedience to and in the power of theHoly

Spirit,firstourdoctrineandthenourrelationshipswouldbepurifiedandunified.The spiritual unity that already exists would be practically manifested incompleteharmonyamongthepeopleofGod. Believers are also unified in the one hope of their calling. Our calling tosalvation is ultimately a calling to Christlike eternal perfection and glory. InChristwehavedifferentgifts,differentministries,differentplacesofservice,butonlyone…calling, the calling to “be holy andblameless beforeHim” (Eph.1:4) and“tobecomeconformed to the imageofHisSon” (Rom.8:29),whichwilloccurwhenweseetheglorifiedChrist(1John3:2).ItistheSpiritwhohasplacedusintheoneBodyandwhoguaranteesourfutureglory.UNITYINTHESON

oneLord,onefaith,onebaptism,(4:5)Just as obviously, there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ our Savior. “There issalvationinnooneelse;forthereisnoothernameunderheaventhathasbeengiven among men, by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Paul told theGalatians, “Even thoughwe or an angel fromheaven, should preach to you agospel contrary to thatwhichwe have preached to you, let him be accursed”(Gal.1:8).“ForthesameLordisLordofall,aboundinginrichesforallwhocalluponHim”(Rom.10:12). Consequentlytherecanonlybeonefaith.Paulisnotreferringheretotheactof faithbywhich aperson is savedor the continuing faith that produces rightliving, but rather the bodyof doctrine revealed in theNewTestament. In trueChristianitythereisonlyonefaith,“thefaithwhichwasonceforalldeliveredtothesaints”andforwhichwearetocontend(Jude3).Ouronefaithisthecontentof the revealedWordofGod.Lackof faithful andcareful studyofHisWord,unexamined tradition, worldly influences, carnal inclinations, and many otherthingsfragmentdoctrineintomanyvaryingandevencontradictoryforms.God’sWordcontainsmanytruths,butitsindividualtruthsarebutharmoniousfacetsofHisonetruth,whichisouronefaith. There is but one baptism among believers. Spiritual baptism, by which allbelieversareplacedintotheBodybytheHolySpirit,isimpliedinverse4.Theonebaptismofverse5isbesttakentorefertowaterbaptism,thecommonNewTestamentmeansofabeliever’spubliclyconfessingJesusasSaviorandLord.This is preferred because of the way Paul has spoken specifically of eachmemberoftheTrinityinsuccession.ThisistheLordJesusChrist’sverse,asit

were. Waterbaptismwasextremelyimportantintheearlychurch,notasameansofsalvation or special blessing but as a testimony of identity with and unity inJesus Christ. Believers were not baptized in the name of a local church, aprominentevangelist,aleadingelder,orevenanapostle,butonlyinthenameofChrist(see1Cor.1:13-17).ThosewhobyoneLordareinonefaithtestifytothatunityinonebaptism.UNITYINTHEFATHER

oneGodandFatherofallwhoisoverallandthroughallandinall.(4:6)ThebasicdoctrineofJudaismhasalwaysbeen,“TheLordisourGod,theLordisone!”(Deut.6:4;seealso4:35;32:39;Isa.45:14;46:9),andGod’sonenessisjust as foundational toChristianity (see1Cor.8:4-6;Eph.4:3-6; James2:19).YettheNewTestamentalsorevealsthemorecompletetruththattheoneGodisinthreePersons—Father,Son,andHolySpirit(Matt.28:19;John6:27;20:28;Acts5:3-4). God the Father is often used in Scripture as the most comprehensive andinclusivedivinetitle,thoughitisclearfrommanyNewTestamenttextsthatHeis never separated in nature or power from the Son or theHoly Spirit. Paul’spointhereisnottoseparatethePersonsoftheGodheadbuttonotetheiruniquerolesandyetfocusontheirunityinrelationtoeachotherandinrelationtothechurch—manifested in the several different aspects mentioned in these threeverses. OuroneGodandFather,alongwiththeSonandtheHolySpirit,isoveralland through all and in all. That comprehensive statement points to theglorious,divine, eternalunity that theFathergivesbelieversbyHisSpirit andthroughtheSon.WeareGodcreated,Godloved,Godsaved,GodFathered,Godcontrolled,Godsustained,Godfilled,andGodblessed.Weareonepeopleunderone sovereign (over all), omnipotent (through all), and omnipresent (in all)God.

TheGiftsofChristtoHisChurch

11

ButtoeachoneofusgracewasgivenaccordingtothemeasureofChrist’sgift.Thereforeitsays,“WhenHeascendedonhigh,Heledcaptiveahostofcaptives,andHegavegifts tomen.”(Nowthisexpression,“Heascended,”whatdoesitmeanexceptthatHealsohaddescendedintothelowerpartsoftheearth?HewhodescendedisHimselfalsoHewhoascendedfarabovealltheheavens, thatHemight fill all things.)AndHe gave someas apostles,and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors andteachers,(4:7-11)TheessenceofthegospelisnotinwhatmenshoulddoforGodbutinwhatHehasdoneformen.TheNewTestament,liketheOld,containsmanycommandsandrequirements,manystandardstobemetandobligationstobefulfilled.Butimportant as those things are, they are not the heart of Christianity. They aresimplywhatGodcallsandenablesustodoforHisgloryinresponsetowhatHehas done for us through our Lord Jesus Christ. Every New Testament bookteaches what Christ has done for believers, and every New Testamentexhortation isbuilton that foundationofGod’sgraciousprovision through theSavior.Godgave thesupremegiftofgraceandHischildrenare to respond infaithfulobedience(seeEph.2:10). PaulbeginsthispassagebyreferringtowhatGodhasdoneforthosewhohavetrusted inHisSon.TheworthyChristianwalkhehas just described (4:1-6) iscarriedout throughtheministryof thegiftHehasgivenus.Inverses7-11theapostlefirstassuresusthateverybelieverhasbeenindividuallygifted;thenheshows us howChrist obtained the right to give gifts; and finally hementionssome of the specially gifted men through whom the Lord blesses the wholechurch.

THEGIFTSOFCHRISTTOINDIVIDUALBELIEVERS

ButtoeachoneofusgracewasgivenaccordingtothemeasureofChrist’sgift.(4:7)Itisimportanttonotethatthetermbut,withwhichthisversebegins,isusedhereasanadversativeratherthanasasimpleconjunction.Itcouldbetranslated“inspiteofthat”or“ontheotherhand,”contrastingtheprevioussubjectmatterwithwhatisabouttobesaid. This interpretationofbutbrings together theemphasisofunity thathasbeentheechoingthemeofverses3-6withtheparallelemphasisofdiversity,whichisthethemeofverses7-11.Itsetstheindividual(eachone)overagainstthe“all”(v.6)inregardtounityintheBodyofChrist.Thereadingofbutasadversativeis strengthened by the emphatic use of hekastos (each one). Unity is notuniformity and is perfectly consistent with diversity of gifts. God’s graciousrelationto“all”isalsoapersonalrelationtoeachone(cf.1Cor.12:7,11)andapersonalministrythrougheachone.ThusPaulmovesfromtheunityofbelieverstotheuniquenessofbelievers. Graceisasingle-worddefinitionofthegospel.ThegospelisthegoodnewsofGod’sgracetosinfulmankind.Thenatureofgraceisgiving,andtheBibletellsusmuchmoreaboutgivingthangetting,becauseGod’snatureistogive.GodisaGodofgracebecauseHeisaGodwhofreelygives.Ithasnothingtodowithanythingwehavedoneorhavefailedtodo;itcanonlybereceived. GodisgraciousbecauseofwhoHeis,notbecauseofwhoorwhatweare.Hisgrace is therefore unmerited, unearned, undeserved. It depends entirely on theOnewhogives it, not on thosewho receive it.Grace isGod’s self-motivated,self-generated,sovereignactofgiving. God’sgracehasanotherdimensionthatplacesitstillfurtheraboveeveryotherkindofgiving.Thegreatestgiftofgrace is self.Grace is thereforeGod’sSelfdonation,HisSelfgiving.Henotonlygivesblessingstomen,HegivesHimself.InfinitelymoreimportantandpreciousthananyblessingGodgivesusisthatgiftofHimself.TheincomprehensibleandstaggeringtruthofthegospelisthattheholyGodoftheuniversehasgivenHimselftosinfulmankind!GodgrantsusHissalvation,Hiskingdom,Hisinheritance,HisSpirit,Histhrone,Hiswisdom,Hislove,Hispower,Hispeace,Hisglory,andeveryother“spiritualblessingintheheavenlyplaces inChrist”(Eph.1:3).Butfarmore thanallof thoseblessings,

He blesses us with His personal presence. God owes nothing to sinful menexcept judgment for their sin. He does not owemen the smallest blessing orfavor. Yet in His grace He has given us the blessing of all blessings, theimmeasurableblessingofintimatesharedlife(cf.2Pet.1:3-4). Whenwechooseapartnerwithwhomweplantospendtherestofourlifeinmarriage,wearecareful topicksomeonewhoisworthyoftheself-givingthatmarriagedemands.Thatpersonistheoneaboveallotherstowhomwewillgiveourlove,ourtime,ourthoughts,ourdevotion,ourloyalty,andourresources—inshort,allthatwehave. YetwhenGod“choseusinHimbeforethefoundationoftheworld”(Eph.1:4),He did so out of pure grace and not for anythingHe saw in us thatmade usworthyofHiscare.“ForGodsolovedtheworld,thatHegaveHisonlybegottenSon”(John3:16).AllGodcansee in theworld issin,yetHegaveHimself tothat sinful world through His own Son in order that the world might beredeemed.TheSonalsogaveHimself,emptyingHimselfofHisownglorythatHemightofferglorytofallenmenandgivingHisownlifethatspirituallydeadmenmightlive. ThroughoutHisearthlyministryJesuscontinuallygaveHimself toothers.HegaveHimself toHisdisciples, to thoseHehealed, to thoseHeraised fromthedead, releasedfromdemons,andforgaveofsins.To thewomanat thewell inSycharHeofferedthewaterofeternallife(John4:14),andHeHimselfwasthatwater (6:35;7:38).“YouknowthegraceofourLordJesusChrist, that thoughHewas rich,yet foryour sakeHebecamepoor, thatyou throughHispovertymight become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9). To those who receive His grace God willcontinue to “show the surpassing richesofHisgrace inkindness towardus inChristJesus”throughouttheagestocome(Eph.2:7). Thegrace inwhichwestand(Rom.5:2)notonlysavesbutenables (cf.Eph.6:10;Phil.4:13;1Tim.1:12;2Tim.4:17),andthatisthesenseofthetermhere.Paulmakes it clear thatgracewasgiven toeverybeliever.Thedefinitearticle(he)isusedintheoriginaltext,indicatingthatthisisthegrace,thatis,thegraceuniquetoChrist.Thetermforgraceischarisandsignifiesthatwhatisgivenisnotthecharismata(thespecialgiftsindicatedbythiswordinRom.12:6-8and1Cor.12:4-10)butthesubjectivegracethatworksinandshowsitselfthroughthelifeofabeliever.Thisgrace is theenablingpower thatmakes thespecialgiftsfunctiontothegloryofGod. This distinction is clear for the rest of Paul’s statement, according to themeasureofChrist’s gift.Enablinggrace ismeasuredout to be consistentwith

what isnecessary for theoperationofChrist’sgift.The termdōrea (gift)doesnot focus on the undeservedness of the gift as does charismata (the special“gifts”;cf.Rom.12:6;1Cor.12:4;1Pet.4:10)noronthespiritualsourceofthegiftasdoespneumatikōn(“spiritualgifts,”lit.,spiritualthings;cf.1Cor.12:1),butonthefreenessofthegift(cf.Matt.10:8;Rom.3:24). Andeachbeliever’sgiftisunique.ThemeasureorspecificportiongivenisbysovereigndesignfromtheHeadof thechurch.TheLordhasmeasuredout theexactproportionofeachbeliever’sgift (comparePaul’suseof thephrase“themeasureoffaith”inRom.12:3).TheexactproportionofenablinggraceonthepartofGod is linkedwith theexactproportionofenactingfaithon thepartofeachbeliever;andGodisthesourceofboth.ThesumofthisisthatGodgivesboththegraceandthefaithtoenergizewhatevergiftHegivestothefullintentofHispurpose. Inlightof thetruthjuststatedit isclearthatsincetheyaresovereignlygiven(cf. 1Cor. 12:4-7, 11), nogifts shouldbe sought; that since they are essentialelementsinGod’splan(cf.1Cor.12:18,22,25),nogiftsshouldbeunused;andthatsincetheycomefromtheLord,nogiftsshouldbeexalted(cf.Rom.12:3). We each have a gift that is measured out to us—with certain distinctcapabilities, parameters, and purposes. Each of us is given a specific gift(singular)throughwhichwearetoministerinChrist’sname.“Aseachonehasreceivedaspecialgift,”Petersays,“employ it inservingoneanother,asgoodstewardsofthemanifoldgraceofGod”(1Pet.4:10). InRomans12Paulgivesamoredetailedexplanationofspiritualgifts,whichheintroducesbyemphasizing,ashedoesinEphesians4,that“wehavegiftsthatdiffer according to the grace given to us” (v. 6). By definition, gifts aresomething we receive, and we receive spiritual gifts through the working ofGod’s grace. Believers’ gifts are not determined by their preferences,inclinations, natural abilities, merit, or any other personal consideration, butsolely by God’s sovereign and gracious will.We are gifted according to Hisplan,Hispurpose,andHismeasure.Wehavenomore todowithdeterminingourgiftthanwedidwithdeterminingwhatcolorofskin,hair,oreyeswewouldbebornwith.Godisthesourceofelectinggrace,equippinggrace,andenablinggrace. In1Corinthians12weseeasimilarexplanationandemphasis.“Nowtherearevarietiesofgifts,but thesameSpirit.And therearevarietiesofministries,butthesameLord.Andtherearevarietiesofeffects,butthesameGodwhoworksallthingsinallpersons.ButtoeachoneisgiventhemanifestationoftheSpirit

forthecommongood”(vv.4-7).Godisthesolegiveranddeterminerofspiritualgifts. The lists of specific gifts in Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, andEphesians4:11arenotnarrowandstrictdelineationsofthespiritualgifts.Thereisnot,forinstance,asinglekindofpropheticgift,teachinggift,orservinggift.Ahundredbelieverswiththegiftofteachingwillnotallhavethesamedegreesorareasofteachingabilityoremphasis.Onemayexcelinpublicteachingintheclassroom or church. Another’s teaching gift will be for instructing children,another’sforteachingone-on-one,andsoon.Eachbelieverisgiventhemeasureof grace and faith to operate his gift according toGod’s plan.Add individualpersonality,background, education, influences in life, andneeds in theareaofserviceanditbecomesobviousthateachbelieverisunique. Norisit thatabeliever’ssinglegiftwillberestrictedtoonlyonecategoryofgiftedness. An individual gift may include a number of specific areas ofgiftedness,inalimitlessvarietyofcombinations.Someonewithamajorgiftofadministrationmay also have something of the gifts of helps and of teaching.Believers’ gifts are like snowflakes and fingerprints—each one is completelydistinct from all others. Some teachers may emphasize knowledge, someinstruction,somemercy,andothersexhortation.FromthepaletteofgiftcolorstheHolySpirit uses thebrushofHis sovereigndesign topaint themixtureofeachbelieversothatnotwoarelike. Christiansarenotassembly-lineproductions,witheveryunitbeingexactlylikeeveryotherunit.Consequently,noChristiancanreplaceanotherinGod’splan.HehasHisownindividualizedplanforeachofusandhasindividuallygiftedusaccordingly. We are not interchangeable parts in Christ’s Body, but“individuallymembersoneofanother” (Rom.12:5).“Oneand thesameSpiritworksallthesethings,distributingtoeachoneindividuallyjustasHewills”(1Cor.12:11,emphasisadded).WhenabelieverdoesnotministerhisgiftproperlyasGod’ssteward(1Pet.4:10),God’sworksufferstothatdegree—becauseGodhasnotcalledorgiftedanotherChristianinexactlythesamewayorforexactlythesamework.ThatiswhynoChristianistobeaspectator.EverybelieverisontheteamandisstrategicinGod’splan,withhisownuniqueskills,position,andresponsibilities. Atweddings,birthdays,Christmas,andothersuchoccasions,weoftengetgiftsforwhichwehavenouse.Weputtheminadrawer,storetheminthegarage,orlater give them to someone else.ButGodnever gives suchgifts.EachofHisgifts is exactly what we need to fulfill our work for Him.We never get thewronggift,ortoomuchortoolittleofit.WhentheHolySpiritgaveusourgift,

He presented uswith precisely the right blend of abilities and enablementweneedtoserveGod.NotonlydoesouruniquegiftednessmakeusanirreplaceablememberofChrist’sBodybutitisamarkofGod’sgreatlovetosingleeachofusoutforuniqueblessingandministry. Not to use our gift is an affront toGod’swisdom, a rebuff ofHis love andgrace,andalosstoHischurch.Wedidnotdetermineourgift,deserveit,orearnit.Butwe all have a gift from theLord, and ifwe do not use it,Hiswork isweakenedandHisheart isgrieved.Theintentofthetextbeforeusis torevealthe balanced relationship between the oneness of believers and theirindividuality which contributes to that oneness. (For further explanation ofspiritualgifts,seetheauthor’scommentaryon1Corinthians,notingthematerialon12:1-31;cf.Rom.12:3-8.)

HOWCHRISTWONTHERIGHTTOGIVEGIFTS

Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host ofcaptives,andHegavegifts tomen.”(Nowthisexpression,“Heascended,”whatdoesitmeanexceptthatHealsohaddescendedintothelowerpartsoftheearth?HewhodescendedisHimselfalsoHewhoascendedfarabovealltheheavens,thatHemightfillallthings.)(4:8-10)Paul is set to delineate some of the gifts Christ has given, but beforementioningspecificgiftsbestowedonthewholechurch,heusesPsalm68:18asa comparison passage to show how Christ received the right to bestow thosegifts.TheobviousdifferencesbetweenboththeHebrewandGreek(Septuagint)OldTestament textsofPsalm68:18andPaul’scitationof it suggest thathe isprobablymakingonlyageneralallusiontothepassageforthesakeofanalogy,ratherthanspecificallyidentifyingitasadirectpredictionofChrist. Psalm68isavictoryhymncomposedbyDavidtocelebrateGod’sconquestoftheJebusitecityandthetriumphantascentofGod(representedbytheArkoftheCovenant)upMountZion(cf.2Sam.6-7;1Chron.13).Afterakingwonsuchavictoryhewouldbringhomethespoilsandenemyprisonerstoparadebeforehispeople. An Israelite king would take his retinue through the holy city ofJerusalemandupMountZion.Anotherfeatureofthevictoryparade,however,wouldbethedisplayoftheking’sownsoldierswhohadbeenfreedafterbeingheldprisonerbytheenemy.Thesewereoftenreferredtoasrecapturedcaptives—prisonerswhohadbeentakenprisoneragain,sotospeak,bytheirownkingandgivenfreedom. The phrasewhenHe ascended on high depicts a triumphantChrist returningfrombattleonearthbackintothegloryoftheheavenlycitywiththetrophiesofHisgreatvictory. In His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus Christ conquered Satan, sin, anddeath(cf.Col.2:15),andbythatgreatvictoryHeledcaptiveahostofcaptives,whooncewereprisonersoftheenemybutnowarereturnedtotheGodandthepeoplewithwhom they belong. The picture is vivid in its demonstration thatGodhasyet-unsavedpeoplewhobelong toHim—though theyarenaturally inSatan’s grasp and would remain there had not Christ by His death andresurrectionmadeprovisiontoleadthemintothecaptivityofHiskingdomintowhichtheyhadbeencalledbysovereignelection“beforethefoundationoftheworld” (Eph. 1:4). Compare Acts 18:10, where the Lord tells Paul to stay in

CorinthandpreachbecausetherewerepeopleinthatcitywhobelongedtoHimbut were not yet saved from bondage to the king of darkness (see also John10:16;11:51-52;Acts15:14-18). Uponarrivinginheaven,Hegavegiftstomen.Paulhereusesyetanothertermforgifts(domata) toexpress thecomprehensivenessof thisgraciousprovision.Like a triumphant conqueror distributing the spoils to his subjects, so Christtakes the trophiesHehaswonanddistributes them inHiskingdom.AfterHisascension came all the gifts empowered by theHolySpirit (John 7:39; 14:12;Acts2:33).WhentheSaviorwasexaltedonhigh,HesenttheSpirit(Acts1:8),andwiththecomingoftheSpiritalsocameHisgiftstothechurch.BeforePaulidentifiesthegiftshehasinmind,hefirstgivesabriefparentheticalexplanationoftheanalogyhehasjustused. In explaining the application of the Old Testament passage, Paul says,Nowthis expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He alsodescended into the lower parts of the earth? The He of whom Paul isspeakingis theOnewhowillfillall things—JesusChrist,“whofillsall inall”(1:23).AscendedreferstoJesus’ascensionfromearthtoheaven(Acts1:9-11).HeascendedfromearthtoheaventoforeverreignwithHisFather. PaulisquicktoexplainthattheexpressionHeascendedcannotmeananythingexcept thatHe…alsodescended. If, as seems clear,ascended refers to ourLord’sbeingtakenuptoheaven,thendescendedmustrefertoHiscomingdownfrom heaven to earth. The captain of our salvation was first abased and thenexalted.Divestiturecamebeforeinvestiture,incarnationbeforeglorification(seePhil. 2:4-11). This truth is repeated in proper chronological sequence in verse10:HewhodescendedisHimselfalsoHewhoascended. ThedepthofChrist’sdescentinincarnationissaidtobeintothelowerpartsoftheearth.ThisreferenceispresentedtoprovideastrikingcontrastintermsofHisascentfarabovealltheheavens,emphasizingtheextremerangeofourLord’scondescensionandexaltation.TounderstandthephrasethelowerpartsoftheearthweneedonlyexamineitsuseelsewhereinScripture.InPsalm63:9ithastodowithdeath,beingrelatedtofallingbythesword(v.10).InMatthew12:40asimilarphrase,“theheartoftheearth,”referstothebellyofagreatfishwhere the prophet Jonah was kept. In Isaiah 44:23 the phrase refers to thecreated earth containingmountains, forests, and trees. Psalm139:15 uses it inreference to thewombofawomanwhereGod is formingachild.Thesumoftheseusesindicatesthatthephraserelatestothecreatedearthasaplaceoflifeand death. In the majority of the uses it appears in contrast to the highestheavens,ashereandinPsalm139:8,15andIsaiah44:23.

Theintentofthephraseinthisletterisnottopointtoaspecificplace,buttorefertothedepthoftheincarnation.ItisinterestingthateachoftheusesofthephraseoutsideEphesianscanalsorelatetothedepthofChrist’sincarnation.Hewasformedinthewomb(Psa.139:15),livedontheearth(Isa.44:23),referredtoHisownburialasaparalleltoJonah’sbeinginthefish(Matt.12:40),andHisdeathisconsistentwiththeuseofthephraseinPsalm63:9. ItshouldbenotedfurtherthatourLord’sdescentwentevenbeyondthewomb,the earth, the grave, and death—to a descent into the very pit of the demons.PetershedslightonthemeaningofHealsodescendedintothelowerpartsoftheearth. Inhisfirst letterhesays,“ForChristalsodiedforsinsonceforall,thejustfortheunjust,inorderthatHemightbringustoGod,havingbeenputtodeathintheflesh,butmadealiveinthespirit;inwhichalsoHewentandmadeproclamationtothespiritsnowinprison”(1Pet.3:18-19).BetweenJesus’deathonCalvaryandHisresurrectioninthegardentomb,Hewas“puttodeathintheflesh,butmadealiveinthespirit.”Hewasphysicallydeadbutspirituallyalive.During the three days He was in that state He also descended “and madeproclamation[fromkērussō)tothespiritsnowinprison.”Thisdoesnotrefertopreaching the gospel (from euangelizē) but to making a triumphantannouncement—in this case Christ’s announcement of His victory over thedemonsevenwhiletheytriedtoholdHimindeath. The Old Testament refers to the place of the departed dead as Sheol (Deut.32:22;Job26:6;Ps.16:10;etc.).PartofSheolwasaplaceoftormentandevil,occupiedbytheunrighteousdeadandbythedemonswhohadbeenconfinedandboundtherebecauseoftheirwickedcohabitationwithwomenduringtheperiodbeforetheFlood(seeGen.6:2-5;2Pet.2:4;Jude6).WhenChristdescendedtoSheol, He proclaimed His victory, because “He had disarmed the rulers andauthorities [and]madeapublicdisplayof them,having triumphedover them”(Col.2:15;cf.1Pet.3:19).Atthattimecametheannouncementtothedemons,both bound and loose (the “angels and authorities and powers”), that they allweresubjecttoChrist(1Pet.3:22;Eph.1:20-21).Toascendtoheaven,HealsopassedthroughtheterritoryofSatanandhisdemonsintheair(Heb.4:14usesdia, through) and no doubt celebratedHis triumphover them.Whether or notPaul had this event in mind in his reference here is difficult to establish;nonetheless,itdoesdemonstratethedepthofChrist’sdescent. AnotherpartofSheol,thoughnotclearlydistinguishedfromtheotherbyOldTestamentwriters,wasbelievedtobeaplaceofhappinessandbliss, inhabitedby the righteous dead who had believed in God. “Abraham’s bosom” (Luke16:22-23) and “Paradise” (Luke 23:43) apparentlywere common designations

for Sheol at the time of Christ. Early church dogma taught that the righteousdeadoftheOldTestamentcouldnotbetakenintothefullnessofGod’spresenceuntil Christ had purchased their redemption on the cross, and that they hadwaitedinthisplaceforHisvictoryonthatday.Figurativelyspeaking,theearlychurchFatherssaidthat,afterannouncingHistriumphoverdemonsinonepartof Sheol, He then opened the doors of another part of Sheol to release thosegodlycaptives.Likethevictoriouskingsofold,Herecapturedthecaptivesandliberatedthem,andhenceforththeywouldliveinheavenaseternallyfreesonsofGod. ItmustbesuggestedthatsuchaviewseemsstrainedintheEphesiancontext,becausethelowerpartsoftheearthisageneralphraseandcannotbeproventorefertoSheol. Paul’s point in Ephesians 4:8-10 is to explain that Jesus’ paying the infinitepriceofcomingtoearthandsufferingdeathonourbehalfqualifiedHimtobeexalted above all the heavens (that is, to the throne ofGod), in order thatHemightrightfullyhavetheauthoritytogivegiftstoHissaints.BythatvictoryHegainedtherighttoruleHischurchandtogivegiftstoHischurch,thatHemightfillallthings. Does all things mean all prophecies, all assigned tasks, all universalsovereignty?Surelytheanswerisyesinregardtoeachofthoseaspects.Butthecontext would dictate that His filling all things primarily has to do with Hisgloriousdivinepresenceandpowerexpressedinuniversalsovereignty.Hefillsthe entire universe with blessing, particularly His church, as the next verseillustrates.

THEGIFTSOFCHRISTTOTHEWHOLECHURCH

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some asevangelists,andsomeaspastorsandteachers,(4:11)Afterhisparentheticalanalogy(vv.9-10)fromPsalm68:18,Paulcontinueshisexplanationofspiritualgifts.Christnotonlygivesgifts to individualbelieversbut to the total Body. To each believer He gives special gifts of divineenablement,and to thechurchoverallHegivesspeciallygiftedmenas leaders(seev.8,“Hegavegiftstomen”)—asapostles,…prophets,…evangelists,and…pastorsandteachers. HegaveemphasizesthesovereignchoiceandauthoritygiventoChristbecauseofHisperfectfulfillmentoftheFather’swill.Notonlyapostlesandprophetsbutalsoevangelists,…pastorsandteachersaredivinelycalledandplaced.APOSTLESANDPROPHETS

In 1 Corinthians 12:28, Paul says, “God has appointed in the church, firstapostles,secondprophets, third teachers.”Thatstatementaddsweightnotonlytotheideaofdivinecallingbutalsotothechronologicalsignificance(“first,…second,…third”)inthegivingofthesegiftedmentothechurch. The first two classes of giftedmen, apostles and prophets, were given threebasicresponsibilities:

(1) to laythefoundationof thechurch(Eph.2:20);(2) toreceiveanddeclaretherevelationofGod’sWord(Acts11:28;21:10-11;Eph.3:5); and (3) to give confirmation of thatWord through “signs andwondersandmiracles”(2Cor.12:12;cf.Acts8:6-7;Heb.2:3-4).

The first of the giftedmen in theNewTestament churchwere theapostles, ofwhom Jesus Christ Himself is foremost (Heb. 3:1). Thebasicmeaning of apostle (apostolos) is simply that of one sent on amission.InitsprimaryandmosttechnicalsenseapostleisusedintheNewTestamentonlyof the twelve, includingMatthias,whoreplacedJudas(Acts1:26),andofPaul,whowasuniquelysetapartasapostleto the Gentiles (Gal. 1:15-17; cf. 1 Cor. 15:7-9; 2 Cor. 11:5). ThequalificationsforthatapostleshipwerehavingbeenchosendirectlybyChrist and havingwitnessed the resurrectedChrist (Mark 3:13;Acts

1:22-24). Paul was the last to meet those qualifications (Rom. 1:1;etc.).Itisnotpossibletherefore,assomeclaim,fortheretobeapostlesin the church today.Somehaveobserved that the apostleswere likedelegatestoaconstitutionalconvention.Whentheconventionisover,the position ceases. When the New Testament was completed, theofficeofapostleceased.

Thetermapostleisusedinamoregeneralsenseofothermenintheearly church, such as Barnabas (Acts 14:4), Silas and Timothy (1Thess. 2:6), and a few other outstanding leaders (Rom. 16:7; 2Cor.8:23;Phil.2:25).Thefalseapostlesspokenofin2Cor.11:13nodoubtcounterfeitedthisclassofapostleship,sincetheotherswerelimitedtothirteenandwerewellknown.The trueapostles in thesecondgroupwere called “messengers (apostoloi) of the churches” (2 Cor. 8:23),whereasthethirteenwereapostlesofJesusChrist(Gal.1:1;1Pet.1:1;etc.).

Apostles in both groupswere authenticated “by signs andwondersandmiracles”(2Cor.12:12),butneithergroupwasself-perpetuating.InneithersenseisthetermapostleusedinthebookofActsafter16:4.Nor is thereanyNewTestament recordofanapostle ineithergroupbeingreplacedwhenhedied.

…ProphetswerealsoappointedbyGodasspeciallygiftedmen,anddiffer from those believers who have the gift of prophecy (1 Cor.12:10).Notall suchbelieverscouldbecalledprophets. It seems thatthe office of prophet was exclusively for work within a localcongregation, whereas that of apostleship was a much broaderministry, not confined to any area, as implied in thewordapostolos(“onewhoissentonamission”).Paul,forexample,isreferredtoasaprophetwhenheministeredlocallyintheAntiochchurch(Acts13:1),butelsewhereisalwayscalledanapostle.

TheprophetssometimesspokerevelationfromGod(Acts11:21-28)andsometimessimplyexpoundedrevelationalreadygiven(asimpliedinActs 13:1,where they are connectedwith teachers). They alwaysspokeforGodbutdidnotalwaysgiveanewlyrevealedmessagefromGod.Theprophetsweresecondtotheapostles,andtheirmessagewastobejudgedbythatoftheapostles(1Cor.14:37).Anotherdistinctionbetweenthetwoofficesmayhavebeenthattheapostolicmessagewas

more general and doctrinal, whereas that of the prophets was morepersonalandpractical.

Liketheapostles,however,theirofficeceasedwiththecompletionoftheNewTestament, just as theOld Testament prophets disappearedwhenthattestamentwascompleted,some400yearsbeforeChrist.Thechurch was established “upon the foundation of the apostles andprophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone” (Eph. 2:20).Once the foundationwas laid, theworkof the apostles andprophetswas finished. (First Corinthians, The MacArthur New TestamentCommentary[Chicago:Moody,1984],pp.322-24)

There is no mention of the latter two gifted offices replacing the first two,becauseinNewTestamenttimesallwereoperative.Butthefactisthat,astheycontinuedtoservethechurch,theevangelistsandpastorsandteachersdidpickupthebatonfromthefirstgenerationapostlesandprophets. From its inception at Pentecost the church has been indebted to the apostles,throughwhomChrist established the fullness ofNewTestament doctrine (seeActs 2:42). Those uniquely called and empowered men recorded God’s finalrevelationasHerevealedittothem. Theprophets, thoughtheydidnotusuallyreceivedirectrevelationfromGod,neverthelessweregreatlyinstrumentalinbuildingupandstrengtheningtheearlychurch.Bothapostlesandprophetshavepassedfromthescene(Eph.2:20),butthefoundationtheylaidisthatonwhichallofChrist’schurchhasbeenbuilt.EVANGELISTS

Evangelists and pastors and teachers are now in place inGod’s plan for theadvancementofthekingdom.Evangelists(euangelistēs)aremenwhoproclaimgoodnews.ThespecifictermevangelistisusedonlyinthistextinEphesians;inActs21:8,wherePhilipiscalledan“evangelist”(seeActs8:4-40fordetailsononeofPhilip’sevangelisticefforts);andin2Timothy4:5,whereTimothyistoldto“dotheworkofanevangelist.”Buttheselimitedreferencesdescribeavital,extensive,andfar-reachingministry,indicatedbytheuseoftheverbeuangelizō(toproclaimthegoodnews)54timesandthenouneuangelion(goodnews)76times.Godwasthefirstevangelist,sinceHe“preachedthegospelbeforehand”(from proeuangelizomai; Gal. 3:8). Even the angel evangelized (“I bring …good news,” [from euangelizomai]) in announcing the birth of Christ (Luke

2:10).JesusHimselfevangelizedin“preachingthegospel”(Luke20:1),asdidtheapostlesin“preachingtheword”(Acts8:4). Theworkoftheevangelististopreachandexplainthegoodnewsofsalvationin Jesus Christ to those who have not yet believed. He is a proclaimer ofsalvationbygracethroughfaithintheSonofGod. Philip demonstrates that the evangelist is not a man with ten suits and tensermonswho runs a road show.NewTestament evangelistsweremissionariesandchurchplanters(muchliketheapostles,butwithoutthetitleandmiraculousgifts), who went where Christ was not named and led people to faith in theSavior.TheythentaughtthenewbelieverstheWord,builtthemup,andmovedontonewterritory. Timothy illustrates the fact that an evangelist can be identified with localchurchesinaprolongedministryforthepurposesofpreachingandexpoundingthetruegospel,inordertocounterfalseteachersandtheirdamningmessageandtoestablishsounddoctrineandgodliness. Thesegiftedmenareuniquelydesignedandgiven to thechurch to reach thelostwith the saving gospel, and every church should consider thisministry ashigh priority. It is my conviction that each local assembly should raise upevangelists, tosendsomeout inmissionenterprisesand tohaveothers remainpermanentlyinthechurchfellowship—toteach,mobilize,andleadothersouttofulfillthecommissionofwinningthelosttoChrist.Everychurchshouldbeledbyacombinationofevangelistsandteachingshepherds—mengiftedtobringthelost in andmen gifted for feeding believers and leading them in theWord tobuildthemPASTORSANDTEACHERS

Pastors translatespoimēn, whose normalmeaning is shepherd. It emphasizesthe care, protection and leadership of theman ofGod for the flock. Teachers(didaskaloi)hastodowiththeprimaryfunctionofpastors. Though teaching can be identified as a ministry on its own (1 Cor. 12:28),pastors and teachers are best understood as one office of leadership in thechurch. Often the word and (kai) means “that is” or “in particular,” makingteachers in this context explanatory of pastors. That meaning cannot beconclusivelyproveninthistext,butthetextof1Timothy5:17clearlyputsthetwofunctionstogetherwhenitsays:“Lettheelderswhorulewellbeconsideredworthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and

teaching”(lit.,“labortoexhaustioninwordandteaching”).Thosetwofunctionsdefine the teaching shepherd. To fully understand this ministry, some keyquestions need to be answered about the identity of the elder in the NewTestament,andsomedetailisnecessaryforproperunderstanding. How is the pastor-teacher related to the bishop and elder? Pastors are notdistinct from bishops and elders; the terms are simply different ways ofidentifying the same people. As explained above, the Greek word for pastor(poimēn) has the basic meaning of shepherd. The Greek word for bishop isepiskopos, from which we derive Episcopalian, and its basic meaning is“overseer.” The Greek word for elder is presbuteros, from which we getPresbyterian,anddenotesanolderperson. Textualevidence indicates thatall three termsrefer to thesameoffice. In thequalifications for a bishop, listed in 1Timothy 3:7, and those for an elder, inTitus,Paulusesboth terms to refer to thesameman(1:5,7).FirstPeter5:1-2bringsall three terms together.Peter instructs theelders tobegoodbishopsasthey pastor: “Therefore, I exhort the elders [presbuteros] among you, as yourfellowelder andwitnessof the sufferingsofChrist, andapartakeralsoof theglorythat is toberevealed,shepherd[poimainō] theflockofGodamongyou,exercising oversight [episkopeo] not under compulsion, but voluntarily,accordingtothewillofGod.” Acts20alsousesallthreetermsinterchangeably.Inverse17,Paulassemblesalltheelders(presbuteros)ofthechurchtogivethemhisfarewellmessage.Inverse 28, he says, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, amongwhich the Holy Spirit has made you overseers [episkopos], to shepherd[poimainō]thechurchofGod.” Elderemphasizeswhothemanis,bishopspeaksofwhathedoes,andpastordealswithhisattitudeandcharacter.Allthreetermsareusedofthesamechurchleaders,andallthreeidentifythosewhofeedandleadthechurch;yeteachtermhasauniqueemphasis. Episkoposmeans“overseer,”or“guardian,”andisusedfivetimesintheNewTestament. In1Peter2:25,JesusChrist iscalled the“Guardian[episkopos]ofyoursouls.”Thatis,Heistheonewhohastheclearestoverviewofusandwhothereforeunderstandsusbest.Theotherfourusesofepiskoposrefertoleadersinthechurch. Episkopos was the secularGreek culture’s equivalent to the historicHebrewidea of elder.Overseers, or bishops,were those appointed by the emperors togoverncapturedornewly-foundedcity-states.Thebishopwasresponsibletothe

emperor,butoversightwasdelegatedtohim.Hefunctionedasacommissioner,regulating the affairs of the new colony or acquisition. Episkopos thereforesuggestedtwoideastothefirst-centuryGreekmind:responsibilitytoasuperiorpower, and introduction to a new order of things. Gentile converts wouldimmediatelyunderstandthoseconceptsintheterm. Itisinterestingtotracethebiblicalusesofepiskopos.ItappearsinthebookofActsonlyonceandneartheend(Acts20:28).AtthattimetherewererelativelyfewGentilesinthechurch,andsothetermwasnotcommonlyusedinChristiancircles.ButasmoreandmoreGentilesweresavedandthechurchbegantoloseits Jewish orientation, the Greek word episkopos was apparently used morefrequentlytodescribethosewhofunctionedaselders(see1Tim.3:1). TheNewTestamentbishop,oroverseer,wasinauniqueleadershiproleinthechurch and was specifically responsible for teaching (1 Tim. 3:2), feeding,protecting,andgenerallynurturingtheflock(Acts20:28).Biblically,thereisnodifferenceintheroleofanelderandthatofabishop.Thetwotermsrefertothesame group of leaders, episkopos emphasizing function and presbuterosemphasizingcharacter. Poimēn(pastor,orshepherd)isusedanumberoftimesintheNewTestament,but Ephesians 4:11 is the only place in the King James Version where it istranslated“pastor.”Everyothertimeitistranslated“shepherd.” Two of the three times is appears in the epistles, poimēn refers to Christ.Hebrews 13:20-21 is a benediction: “Now theGod of peace,who brought upfromthedead thegreatShepherd[poimōn])of thesheep through thebloodoftheeternalcovenant,evenJesusourLord,equipyouineverygoodthingtodoHiswill.”FirstPeter2:25says,“Foryouwerecontinuallystraying likesheep,butnowyouhavereturnedtotheShepherd[poimōn]andGuardian[episkopos]ofyoursouls.” InEphesians4:11,pastor (poimōn) isusedwith theword teacher.TheGreekconstruction there indicates that the two terms go together, and we mighthyphenate them in English as pastor-teacher. The emphasis is on the pastor’sministryofteaching. Poimōn,then,emphasizesthepastoralroleofcaringandfeeding,althoughtheconceptofleadershipisalsoinherentinthepictureofashepherd.Thefocusofthe termpoimōn ison the leader’sattitude.Tobequalifiedasapastor, amanmusthaveashepherd’scaringheart. ThewordelderisofOldTestamentJewishorigin.TheprimaryHebrewwordforelder(zaqen)isused,forexample,inNumbers11:16andDeuteronomy27:1

of the seventy tribal leaders who assistedMoses. There it refers to a specialcategoryofmenwho,muchlikeasenate,weresetapartforleadershipinIsrael.Deuteronomy1:9-18 indicates that thesemenwerechargedwith responsibilityfor judging the people, andMoses communicated through them to the people(Ex.19:7-9;Deut.31:9).They led thePassover (Ex.12:21) andperhapsotherelementsofworship. Later, theeldersof Israelwerespecifically involved in leadershipofcities (1Sam.11:3;16:4;and30:26).Theirfunctionwasstilldecisionmaking—applyingwisdom to the lives of the people in resolving conflicts, giving direction, andgenerallyoverseeingthedetailsofanorderlysociety. TheOldTestamentreferstothemas“eldersofthecongregation”(Judg.21:16),“eldersof Israel” (1Sam.4:3), “eldersof the land” (1Kings20:7), “eldersofJudah”(2Kings23:1),and“elders…ofeachcity”(Ezra10:14).Theyservedaslocalmagistratesandasgovernorsoverthetribes(Deut.16:18;19:12;31:28). Another Hebrew word for elder is sab, used only five times in the OldTestament,allinthebookofEzra,whereitreferstothegroupofJewishleadersinchargeofrebuildingtheTempleaftertheExile. TheGreekwordforelder(presbuteros)isusedaboutseventytimesintheNewTestament.Likezaqen (whichmeans“aged,”or“bearded”),sab (whichmeans“gray-headed”) and our English word elder, the term presbuteros refers tomature age. In Acts 2:17, Peter quotes Joel 2:28—“And your old men shalldreamdreams.”TheHebrewwordfor“oldmen”inJoeliszaqen,andtheGreekwordusedinActsispresbuteros.Usedinthatsense,elderdoesnotconstituteanofficialtitlebutsimplymeansanolderman. In 1Timothy 5:2, the feminine form ofpresbuteros is used to refer to olderwomen, who are there contrasted with younger ones: “[Appeal to] the olderwomen as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.” In thatcontextthetermagainsimplysignifiesmatureage,notanofficeinthechurch. First Peter 5:5 contains a similar usage: “You younger men, likewise, besubject toyourelders.”As in1Timothy5:2, theword ishereused tocontrastage and youth. In such a contextpresbuteros is generally understood tomeanonly“anolderperson,”notnecessarilyanofficeholderofanykind,andthatwastheprimarymeaningofthetermingeneralGreekusage. In the timeofChristpresbuteroswasa familiar term. It isused twenty-eighttimesintheNewTestamenttorefertoagroupofexofficiospiritualleadersofIsrael.See,forexample:“thechiefpriestsandelders”(Matt.27:3);“thescribesandelders”(27:41);“officersofthetempleandelders”(Luke22:52);and“rulers

and elders of the people” (Acts 4:8). In each of those instances, and in everysimilar usage, presbuteros refers to recognized Jewish religious leaders whowere not defined as priests of any kind. Those elders seem to have beenmembersoftheSanhedrin,thehighestrulingbodyinJudaisminJesus’time. Matthew15:2andMark7:3,5usethephrase“tradition(s)oftheelders.”Therepresbuteros refers to an ancestry of leaders who passed down principlesgoverning religious practice. They were the teachers who determined Jewishtradition,andinthatsenseelderisequivalenttorabbiandmayormaynothavesignifiedofficialstatus. PresbuterosoccurstwelvetimesinthebookofRevelation,eachtimereferringto the twenty-four elders who appear to be unique representatives of theredeemedpeopleofGodfromallages. The New Testament church was initially Jewish, and it was natural that theconcept of elder rulewas adopted.Elderwas theonly commonlyused Jewishtermfor leadership thatwas freeofanyconnotationofeither themonarchyorthe priesthood. That is significant for the New Testament use of the term,because in the churcheachbeliever is a co-regentwithChrist and there couldtherefore be no earthly king. And, unlike national Israel, the church has nospeciallydesignatedearthlypriesthood,becauseallbelieversarepriests (1Pet.2:5, 9; Rev. 1:6). Therefore, of all the Jewish concepts of leadership, that ofelderbesttransferstothekindofleadershipordainedforthechurch. TheeldersofIsraelwerematuremen,headsoffamilies(Ex.12:21);ablemenofstrongmoralcharacterwhofearedGodandwereknownfortheirtruthfulnessand integrity (Ex. 18:20-21); men full of the Holy Spirit (Num. 11:16-17);capable men of wisdom, discernment, and experience—impartial andcourageousmenwhowould intercede, teach, and judge righteously and fairly(Deut. 1:13-17). All those characteristics were involved in the Jewishunderstanding ofpresbuteros. The use of that term to describe church leaderslikewiseemphasizesmaturityofspiritualexperience,showninthestrengthandconsistencyofmoralcharacter. PresbuterosisusednearlytwentytimesinActsandtheepistlesinreferencetoa unique group of leaders in the church. From the earliest beginnings of thechurch itwas clear that a group ofmature spiritual leaderswas designated tohave responsibility for the church.The church atAntioch, for example,wherebelievers were first called Christians, sent Barnabas and Saul to the elders atJerusalem with a gift to be distributed to the needy brethren in Judea (Acts11:29-30).Itisthereforeclearboththateldersexistedinthechurchatthatvery

earlydateandthatthebelieversatAntiochrecognizedtheirauthority. Since the church at Antioch grew out of the ministry at Jerusalem, eldersprobably existed there as well. It is likely that Paul himself functioned as anelderatAntiochbeforehesteppedoutintheroleofapostle.HeislistedinActs13:1 as one of that church’s teachers. Elders played a dominant role in theCouncilofJerusalem(seeActs15:2,4,6,22,23;16:4)andtheywereobviouslyveryinfluentialinthefoundationallifeoftheearlychurch. AsPaulandBarnabasbegantopreachinnewareas,andasthechurchbegantoextend itself, the process of identifying church leaders became more clearlydefined.And throughout theNewTestament, as thechurchdeveloped, leaderswerecalledelders. Ingeneralusage,therefore,elderseemstobethemostappropriatetermforourday, since it is free of many of the unbiblical connotations and nuances ofmeaningimposedonbishopandevenpastorthroughoutmuchofchurchhistory. AsearlyinthebiblicalnarrativeasActs14,weseethatoneofthekeystepsinestablishing a new church was to identify and appoint elders for churchleadership. “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church,havingprayedwithfasting,theycommendedthemtotheLordinwhomtheyhadbelieved”(Acts14:23). NearlyeverychurchweknowofintheNewTestamentisspecificallysaidtohaveelders.Wearetold,forexample,that“fromMiletus[Paul]senttoEphesusandcalledtohimtheeldersofthechurch”(Acts20:17).ItissignificantthatthechurchatEphesushadelders,becauseallthechurchesofAsiaMinor—suchasthoselistedinRevelation1:11—wereextensionsoftheministryatEphesus.Wecanassume that thosechurchesestablished their leadershipafter thepattern inEphesus,namely,thatofapluralityofelders. Peter wrote to the scattered believers in “Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia,andBithynia,…Iexhorttheeldersamongyou…shepherdtheflockofGod”(1Pet.1:1;5:1-2).Pontus,Galatia,Cappadocia,andBithyniawerenotcities,butratherterritories.PeterwasthereforewritingtoanumberofchurchesscatteredalloverAsia—allofwhichhadelders. Whatistheroleofapastor-teacher?Astheapostoliceracametoaclose,theofficeofpastor-teacheremergedasthehighestleveloflocalchurchleadership.Thus it carried a great amount of responsibility.Elderswere chargedwith thecare and feeding, aswell as the spiritualguidance,of the entire church.Therewasnohighercourtofappeal,andnogreaterresourceforknowingthemindandheartofGodwithregardtoissuesinthechurch.

FirstTimothy3:1says,“Itisatrustworthystatement:ifanymanaspirestotheofficeofoverseer[episkopos],itisafineworkhedesirestodo.”Inverse5,Paulsays that theworkofanepiskopos is to“takecareof thechurchofGod.”Theclear implication is that a bishop’s primary responsibility is that of beingcaretakerforthechurch. Thatgeneralresponsibilityinvolvesanumberofmorespecificduties,perhapsthemost obvious of which is to oversee the affairs of the local church. FirstTimothy5:17says,“Lettheelderswhorulewellbeconsideredworthyofdoublehonor.” The Greek word translated “rule” (proistēmi) is used to speak of theelders’ responsibilities four times in 1 Timothy (3:4, 5, 12; 5:17), once in 1Thessalonians 5:12 (where it is translated, “have charge over”), and once inRomans12:8,whererulingislistedasaspiritualgift.Proistēmiliterallymeans“to stand first,” and it speaks of the duty of general oversight common to allelders. As thosewhorule in thechurch,pastoraleldersarenotsubject toanyhigherearthlyauthorityoutsidethelocalassembly.Buttheirauthorityoverthechurchisnotbyforceordictatorialpowerbutbypreceptandexample(seeHeb.13:7). Eldersarenottooperatebymajorityruleorvote.IfalltheeldersareguidedbythesameSpiritandallhavethemindofChrist,thereshouldbeunanimityinthedecisions theymake (see1Cor.1:10;cf.Eph.4:3;Phil.1:27;2:2). If there isdivision,alltheeldersshouldstudy,pray,andseekthewillofGodtogetheruntilconsensusisreached.Unityandharmonyinthechurchbeginwiththisprinciple. Witheldersliestheresponsibilitytopreachandteach(1Tim.5:17).Theyareto determine doctrinal issues for the church and have the responsibility ofproclaimingthetruthtothecongregation.Inlistingthespiritualqualificationsofthe overseer, 1 Timothy 3:2-7 gives only one qualification that relates to aspecificfunction:hemustbe“abletoteach.”Alltheotherqualificationsrelatetopersonalcharacter. Titus1:7-9 also emphasizes the significanceof the elder’s responsibility as ateacher:“Fortheoverseermust…beablebothtoexhortinsounddoctrineandtorefute those who contradict.” The threat of false teachers in the church wasalready so great that a key qualification for leadership was the ability tounderstand and teach sound doctrine. “Exhort” in that verse is the Greekparakaleō, which literally means “to call near.” From its uses in the NewTestament, we see that the ministry of exhortation has several elements. Itinvolves persuasion (Acts 2:14; 14:22; Titus 1:9), pleading (2 Cor. 8:17),comforting(1Thess.2:11),encouraging(1Thess.4:1),andpatientreiteratingof

importantdoctrine(2Tim.4:2). Elders are to be a resource for those who seek partnership in prayer. Jameswrote,“Isanyoneamongyousick?Lethimcallfortheeldersofthechurch,andletthemprayoverhim,anointinghimwithoilinthenameoftheLord”Games5:14). FromActs20:28welearnthatanotherfunctionofanelderisshepherding:“Beonguardforyourselvesandfortheflock,amongwhichtheHolySpirithasmadeyou overseers, to shepherd the church of God.” Involved in the concept ofshepherding are the twin responsibilities of feeding and protecting the flock.Verses29-30reemphasizethefactthattheprotectingministryoftheoverseerisessentialforcounteringthethreatoffalseteachers. The elder acts as a caring and loving shepherd over the flock, but never inScripture isacongregationspokenofas“his flock”or“your flock.”Believersare the “flock of God” (1 Pet. 5:2), and the elder is merely a steward andcaretakerforthosepreciouspossessionsofGod. As spiritual overseers of the church, teaching shepherds are to determinechurch polity (Acts 15:22); to oversee (Acts 20:28); to ordain others (1 Tim.4:14);torule,teach,andpreach(1Tim.5:17);toexhortandrefute(Titus1:9);and to act as shepherds, setting an example for all (1 Pet. 5:1-3). ThoseresponsibilitiesputeldersatthecoreoftheworkoftheNewTestamentchurch.(For further study regarding elders, see the author’s book,Answering theKeyQuestionsAboutElders[PanoramaCity,CA:WordofGraceCommunications,1984].) EverybelievertodayisindebteddirectlyorindirectlytothesespeciallygiftedmenGodhas given toHis church.Through their preaching, teaching,writing,exhortation, and other ministries, they lead the lost to Christ, enrich ourknowledgeofGodandHisWord,andencourageus“towalkinamannerworthyof the calling with which [we] have been called” (4:1). They are “worthy ofdouble honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching” (1Tim.5:17).“Obeyyourleaders,andsubmittothem,”thewriterofHebrewstellsus,“fortheykeepwatchoveryoursouls,asthosewhowillgiveanaccount.Letthemdothiswithjoyandnotwithgrief,forthiswouldbeunprofitableforyou”(Heb.13:17). AllofthegiftsthatChristgivestoindividualsandtothechurchasawholearegiftswhichHeHimselfperfectlyexemplified.IfevertherewasapreacheritwasChrist,ifevertherewasateacher,ruler,administrator,servant,helper,orgiveritwasChrist.Heistheperfectillustrationandexampleofeverygift,becauseHis

giftstousaregraciousgiftsofHimself.

BuildingtheBodyofChrist

12

fortheequippingofthesaintsfortheworkofservice,tothebuildingupofthebodyofChrist;untilweall attain to theunityof the faith,andof theknowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of thestaturewhichbelongstothefulnessofChrist.Asaresult,wearenolongertobechildren,tossedhereandtherebywaves,andcarriedaboutbyeverywindofdoctrine,bythetrickeryofmen,bycraftinessindeceitfulscheming;but speaking the truth in love,weare togrowup inall aspects intoHim,whoisthehead,evenChrist,fromwhomthewholebody,beingfittedandheld together by thatwhich every joint supplies, according to the properworking of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for thebuildingupofitselfinlove.(4:12-16)The past decade or so has witnessed the development of what is called thechurch growth movement. Seminars, conferences, books, programs, and evenspecial organizations are devoted exclusively to teaching and discussingprinciplesandmethodsforchurchgrowth.Manyof theeffortsarehelpful,butonly to the extent they are consistent with the principles Paul teaches inEphesians4:12-16.HereinitsmostsuccinctformisGod’splanbywhichChristproduces churchgrowth.Since theLord said, “Iwill buildMychurch” (Matt.16:18,emphasisadded),itisobviousthatthebuildingmustbeaccordingtoHisplan.Attempting tobuild thechurchbyhumanmeansonlycompeteswith theworkofChrist. Asdiscussedinthepreviouschapter,God’sspiritualgiftstoHischurchincludeboth the individual gifting of every believer as well as the gifted men calledapostles and prophets, who were given strictly for New Testament times andwerefollowedbythegiftedmencalledevangelistsandpastor-teachers,whoaregivenforcontinuingministrytothechurch(Eph.4:11).ItisGod’splanforthelast two groups of giftedmen—the evangelists and pastor-teachers—to equip,buildup,anddevelopHischurchbythegeneraloperationalproceduresetforthinverses12-16.Inthispassageweareshowntheprogression,thepurpose,andthepowerofGod’sdivinepatternforthebuildingandfunctionofHischurch.

THEPROGRESSIONOFGOD’SPATTERN

fortheequippingofthesaintsfortheworkofservice,tothebuildingupofthebodyofChrist;(4:12)In thesimplestpossible termsPaulheresets forthGod’sprogressiveplan forHischurch:equippingtoservicetobuildingup.EQUIPPING

ThefirsttaskwithinGod’sdesignisfortheevangelistsandpastor-teacherstobeproperlyequipping thesaints (a titleused for all those set apart toGodbysalvation;cf.1Cor.1:2).Theevangelist’sworkistobringmenandwomentounderstandingofthegospelofsalvation,toleadthemtoreceiveJesusChristasLordandSaviorandtherebybecomechildreninHisspiritualfamilyandcitizensofHisdivinekingdom.Intheearlyyearstheobjectivewastoestablishalocalchurch.Thisbeginstheequipping.Thepastor-teacher’ssubsequentwork,then,istoprovidetheleadershipandspiritualresourcestocausebelieverstobetakingon the likeness of their Lord and Savior through continual obedience to HisWordandtoprovideapattern,orexample,ofgodliness(1Thess.1:2-7;1Pet.5:3). Katartismos (equipping)basically refers to thatwhich is fit, is restored to itsoriginalcondition,orismadecomplete.Thewordwasoftenusedasamedicaltermforthesettingofbones.Paulusedtheverbforminhisclosingadmonitionto the Corinthian believers: “Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete” (2Cor.13:11,emphasisadded).ThewriterofHebrewsusedtheterminhisclosingprayer: “Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the greatShepherdofthesheepthroughthebloodoftheeternalcovenant,evenJesusourLord,equipyouineverygoodthingtodoHiswill,workinginusthatwhichispleasinginHissight”(Heb.13:20-21). Notonlyisthematterofindividualequippingimpliedinthesetextsbutalsothecollective equipping expressed in 1 Corinthians 1:10—“Now I exhort you,brethren,bythenameofourLordJesusChrist,thatyouallagree,andtherebenodivisionsamongyou,butyoubemadecomplete(fromkatartizō)inthesamemind and in the same judgment” (emphasis added). The equipping of eachbelieverresultsintheunityofall. Godhasgiven fourbasic tools, as itwere, for the spiritualequippingof the

saints.Thesearespiritualmeans,becausethefleshcannotmakeanyoneperfect(Gal.3:3).ThefirstandmostimportantisHisWord,theBible.“AllScriptureisinspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, fortraining in righteousness; that theman ofGodmay be adequate, equipped foreverygoodwork”(2Tim.3:16-17).Jesussaid,“Youarealreadycleanbecauseof thewordwhichIhavespoken toyou”(John15:3).Thefirstpurposeof thepastor-teacher,therefore,istofeedhimself,tofeedhispeople,andtoleadthemtofeedthemselvesontheWordofGod. Theexampleoftheapostles,whogavethemselvescontinuallytoteachingtheWord and to prayer (Acts 6:4) indicates that a second tool of equipping isprayer, and thepastor-teacher is responsible topreparehimselfand to leadhispeopletopreparethemselvesinprayer.Epaphraswascommittedtothisspiritualmeansforbuildingupbelievers.PaulcharacterizedtheministryofEpaphrasbysayingthatheis“alwayslaboringearnestlyforyouinhisprayers,thatyoumaystandperfectandfullyassuredinallthewillofGod.ForIbearhimwitnessthathehasadeepconcernforyou”(Col.4:12-13,emphasisadded). Itisessentialtonotethatthisequipping,completing,orperfectingofthesaintsis attainable here on earth, because Paul uses katartizō (the verb form ofequipping) to refer to what spiritually strong believers are to do for fellowbelieverswhohavefallenintosin.ThetextstronglyteachesthattheministryofequippingistheworkofleadingChristiansfromsintoobedience. Athirdtoolofequippingistestingandafourthissuffering.Theseareprimary,purgingexperiencesbywhichthebeliever isrefinedtogreaterholiness.Jamestellsusto“consideritalljoy…when[we]encountervarioustrials,knowingthatthetestingof[our]faithproducesendurance.Andletendurancehaveitsperfectresult,” he goes on to say, “that youmay be perfect and complete, lacking innothing” (James 1:2-4). When we respond to God’s testing in trust andcontinuedobedience,spiritualmusclesarestrengthenedandeffectiveserviceforHimisbroadened. Sufferingisalsoameansofspiritualequipping.Peterusesthiswordnearthecloseofhisfirstletter:“Andafteryouhavesufferedforalittlewhile,theGodofall grace,who called you toHis eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect,confirm,strengthenandestablishyou”(1Pet.5:10,emphasisadded).Knowingand followingChrist in the deepest sense not only involves being raisedwithHim but also sharing in “the fellowship of His sufferings” (Phil. 3:10). Paulrejoiced in his sufferings for Christ’s sake. God “comforts us in all ouraffliction,” he says, “so thatwemaybe able to comfort thosewho are in anyafflictionwiththecomfortwithwhichweourselvesarecomfortedbyGod.For

just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort isabundantthroughChrist”(2Cor.1:4-5). Thesendingof testsandsufferingareentirelyGod’soperation,andHegivesthemtoHissaintsaccordingtoHislovingandsovereignwill.Buttheothertwoagentsofspiritualequipping—prayerandknowledgeofScripture—arethetasksofthegiftedmen. LiketheapostlesinJerusalem,thepastor-teacheristodevotehimselfaboveallelse“toprayer,andtotheministryoftheword”(Acts6:4).LikePaul,heshouldbeable tosay thathissupremeeffort isgiven to“admonishingeverymanandteachingeverymanwithallwisdom,thatwemaypresenteverymancompleteinChrist”(Col.1:28).AsPaulsaidofEpaphras,itshouldbesaidofeverypastor-teacher thathelaborsearnestlyinprayerfor thosegivenintohiscare, inorderthatthey“maystandperfectandfullyassuredinallthewillofGod”(Col.4:12).The devoted pastor-teacher is “a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantlynourishedon thewordsof the faithandof the sounddoctrine,”whichhe thenprescribes,teaches,readspublicly,andexhorts(1Tim.4:6,11,13).Heiscalledto “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke,exhort,withgreatpatienceandinstruction”(2Tim.4:2). Even themostbiblical andefficientof churchorganizationswillnotproducespiritual maturity without the leadership of God’s gifted ministers who arecontinually in prayer and in His Word. Administration and structure has itsplace,but it is far fromtheheartofspiritualchurchgrowth.Thegreatneedofthe church has always been spiritual maturity rather than organizationalrestructuring.All thebookson leadership,organization,andmanagementofferlittlehelptothedynamicsofthechurchofJesusChrist. Evenlessdoesthechurchneedentertaining.God’speoplecanusetheirtalentsin ways that glorify the Lord and give testimony of His grace, but whentestimony turns to vaudeville, as it often does, God is not glorified and Hispeoplearenotedified.Religiousentertainmentneithercomesfromnorleadstospiritualmaturity.Itcomesfromselfandcanonlypromoteself. The study and teaching ofGod’sWord takes time.The evangelist or pastor-teacherthereforecannotfulfillhisGod-givenresponsibilityifheisencumberedwiththeplanningandadministrationofamultitudeofprograms—nomatterhowworthy and helpful they are. Again, like the apostles in Jerusalem, he cannot“serve tables”andalsobefaithful“toprayer,and to theministryof theword”(Acts6:2,4). Thesurestroadtoachurch’sspiritualstagnation,tothepastor’sburnout,orto

both is for thepastor tobecomesoengulfed inactivitiesandprograms thathehastoolittletimeforprayerandtheWord.Andprogramsthat“succeed”canbeevenmoredestructive than those that fail if theyaredone in the fleshand forhumansatisfactionratherthantheLord’sglory.ItislackofknowledgeofGod’sWord and obedience to it (Hos. 4:6), not lack of programs andmethods, thatdestroy His people. When they fail it is not because of weak programs butbecauseofweakteaching. Thefirstconcernoftheleadershipofthechurchshouldbeforthefilledseats,not the empty ones.When a young preacher complained toCharles Spurgeonthathisowncongregationwastoosmall,Spurgeonreplied,“Well,maybeitisaslargeasyou’dliketogiveaccountforinthedayofjudgment.” Spiritual growth does not always involve learning something new.Ourmostimportantgrowthoftenisinregardtotruthwehavealreadyheardbuthavenotfullyapplied.Peterwrote,“Ishallalwaysbereadytoremindyouofthesethings,even though you already know them, and have been established in the truthwhichispresentwithyou.AndIconsideritright,aslongasIaminthisearthlydwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder,… that at any time after mydepartureyoumaybeabletocallthesethingstomind”(2Pet.1:12-13,15).ThegreattruthsoftheWordofGodcanneverbemasteredoroverlearned.Thebattlewithourunredeemedfleshnecessitatesconstantreminding.Aslongasapastorhasbreathheshouldpreachthosetruths,andaslonghiscongregationhasbreathitshouldhearthem. DuringtheArab-Israeliwarof1967anAmericanreporterwasflyingovertheSinaidesertwithanIsraeliofficer,andtheyspottedsomefiftythousandstrandedEgyptian soldierswhoobviouslywere dyingof thirst.When the situationwasreportedinthenewspapers,anumberofworldleadersandorganizationstriedtodo something to help. But every time a plan was suggested, some military,diplomatic,orbureaucraticobstaclepreventeditsbeingcarriedout.Bythetimehelpcame,thousandsofthesoldiershaddied. How equally tragic it is for churches to spin their wheels in programs andcommitteeswhilethousandsaroundthemaredesperatelyinneedofthespiritualwateroftheWord.SERVICE

The second aspect of God’s plan for the operation of His church is service.Paul’slanguageindicatesthatitisnotthegiftedmenwhohavethemostdirectresponsibility to do the work of service. No pastor, or even a large group of

pastors,candoeverythingachurchneedstodo.Nomatterhowgifted,talented,and dedicated a pastor may be, the work to be done where he is called toministerwillalwaysvastlyexceedhis timeandabilities.Hispurpose inGod’splanisnot to try tomeetall thoseneedshimselfbut toequipthepeoplegiveninto his care to meet those needs (cf. v. 16, where this idea is emphasized).Obviously the leaders share in serving, andmanyof thecongregation share inequipping,butGod’sbasicdesignforthechurchisfortheequippingtobedoneso that the saints can serve each other effectively. The entire church is to beaggressively involved in theworkof theLord (cf.1Cor.15:58;1Pet.2:5,9;4:10-11;andcontrast2Thess.3:11). WhenthegiftedmenarefaithfulinprayerandinteachingtheWord,thepeoplewillbeproperlyequippedandrightlymotivatedtodotheworkofservice.FromthesaintswhoareequippedGodraisesupelders,deacons, teachers,andeveryother kind of worker needed for the church to be faithful and productive.SpiritualserviceistheworkofeveryChristian,everysaintofGod.Attendanceisapoorsubstituteforparticipationinministry.BUILDINGUP

The third element and the immediategoalofGod’splan for theoperationofHischurchisitsbeingbuiltup.Properequippingbytheevangelistsandpastor-teachers leading toproperserviceby thecongregation results inevitably in thebuildingupofthebodyofChrist.Oikodomē (buildingup) literallyrefers tothebuildingofahouse,andwasusedfigurativelyofanysortofconstruction.Itis the spiritual edification and development of the church of which Paul isspeaking here. The body is built up externally through evangelism as morebelieversareadded,buttheemphasishereisonitsbeingbuiltupinternallyasallbelieversarenurturedtofruitfulservicethroughtheWord.Paul’sexhortationtotheEphesianeldersemphasizesthisprocess:“IcommendyoutoGodandtotheword,… which is able to build you up” (Acts 20:32). The maturation of thechurch is tied to learningofandobedience to theholy revelationofScripture.Just as newborn babes desire physical milk, so should believers desire thespiritualnourishmentoftheWord(1Pet.2:2).

THEPURPOSEOFGOD’SPATTERN

untilweallattaintotheunityofthefaith,andoftheknowledgeoftheSonofGod,toamatureman,tothemeasureofthestaturewhichbelongstothefulnessofChrist.Asaresult,weareno longer tobechildren, tossedhereand there bywaves, and carried about by everywind of doctrine, by thetrickeryofmen,bycraftinessindeceitfulscheming;butspeakingthetruthinlove,(4:13-15a)Thebuildingupoftheredeemedinvolvesatwo-foldultimateobjective,whichPaulidentifiesastheunityofthefaithandtheknowledgeoftheSonofGod,outofwhichflowspiritualmaturity,sounddoctrine,andlovingtestimony. Somecommentatorsadvocatetheviewthatsuchanultimateobjectiveisonlyattainable at glorification, believing that Paul is describing our final heavenlyunity andknowledge.But that ideadoesnot fit the context at all, because theapostle is not describing the final work of Christ on behalf of the church inheavenbut theworkofgiftedmen in thechurchonearth.These resultscouldonlyapplytothechurchinitsearthlydimension.UNITYOFTHEFAITH

Theultimatespiritual targetfor thechurchbeginswiththeunityofthefaith(cf. v. 3). As in verse 5, faith does not here refer to the act of belief or ofobediencebuttothebodyofChristiantruth,toChristiandoctrine.Thefaithisthecontentofthegospelinitsmostcompleteform.AsthechurchatCorinthsoclearly illustrates, disunity in the church comes from doctrinal ignorance andspiritualimmaturity.Whenbelieversareproperlytaught,whentheyfaithfullydotheworkofservice,andwhenthebodyistherebybuiltupinspiritualmaturity,unity of the faith is an inevitable result.Oneness in fellowship is impossibleunlessitisbuiltonthefoundationofcommonlybelievedtruth.Thesolutiontothedivisions inCorinthwasforeveryonetohold thesameunderstandingsandopinionsandtospeakthesametruths(1Cor.1:10). God’struthisnotfragmentedanddividedagainstitself,andwhenHispeopleare fragmentedanddivided it simplymeans theyare to thatdegreeapart fromHis truth, apart from the faith of right knowledge and understanding.Only abiblically equipped, faithfully serving, and spiritually maturing church canattaintotheunitythefaith.Anyotherunitywillbeonapurelyhumanlevel

andnot onlywill be apart frombut in constant conflictwith theunityof thefaith.Therecanneverbeunityinthechurchapartfromdoctrinalintegrity.KNOWLEDGEOFCHRIST

The second result of following God’s pattern for building His church isattainingtheknowledgeoftheSonofGod.Paulisnottalkingaboutsalvationknowledge but about the deep knowledge (epignōsis, full knowledge that iscorrect and accurate) through a relationshipwithChrist that comes only fromprayerandfaithfulstudyofandobediencetoGod’sWord.AftermanyyearsofdevotedapostleshipPaulstillcouldsay,“IcountallthingstobelossinviewofthesurpassingvalueofknowingChristJesusmyLord,forwhomIhavesufferedthelossofallthings,andcountthembutrubbishinorderthatImaygainChrist,and may be found in Him,… that I may know Him, and the power of Hisresurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings…. Not that I have alreadyobtainedit,orhavealreadybecomeperfect,butIpressoninorderthatImaylayholdofthatforwhichalsoIwaslaidholdofbyChristJesus”(Phil.3:8-10,12).Paulprayedthat theEphesianswouldhavethat“knowledgeofHim”(1:17;cf.Phil. 1:4; Col. 1:9-10; 2:2). Growing in the deeperknowledge of the Son ofGodisalife-longprocessthatwillnotbecompleteuntilweseeourLordface-to-face.ThatistheknowingofwhichJesusspokewhenHesaid,“MysheephearMy voice, and I know them” (John 10:27). Hewas not speaking of knowingtheiridentitiesbutofknowingthemintimately,andthatisthewayHewantsHispeoplealsotoknowHim.SPIRITUALMATURITY

ThethirdresultoffollowingGod’spatternforHischurchisspiritualmaturity,a maturity to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness ofChrist. God’s great desire for His church is that every believer, withoutexception, come to be like His Son (Rom. 8:29), manifesting the characterqualitiesoftheOnewhoistheonlymeasureofthefull-grown,perfect,matureman.ThechurchintheworldisJesusChristintheworld,becausethechurchisnowthefullnessofHisincarnateBodyintheworld(cf.1:23).Wearetoradiateand reflectChrist’s perfections.Christians are therefore called to “walk in thesame manner as He walked” (1 John 2:6; cf. Col. 4:12), and He walked incompleteandcontinualfellowshipwithandobediencetoHisFather.TowalkasourLordwalkedflowsfroma lifeofprayerandofobedience toGod’sWord.“Weall,withunveiledfacebeholdingas inamirror thegloryof theLord,are

being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from theLord,theSpirit”(2Cor.3:18).AswegrowintodeeperfellowshipwithChrist,theprocessofdivinesanctificationthroughHisHolySpiritchangesusmoreandmoreintoHisimage,fromonelevelofglorytothenext.Theagentofspiritualmaturity,aswellasofeveryotheraspectofgodlyliving,isGod’sownSpirit—apartfromwhomthesincerestprayerhasnoeffectiveness(Rom.8:26)andevenGod’sownWordhasnopower(John14:26;16:13-14;1John2:20). It is obvious that believers, all ofwhomhave unredeemed flesh (Rom. 7:14;8:23), cannot in this life fully andperfectly attain themeasureof the staturewhichbelongstothefulnessofChrist.Buttheymustandcanreachadegreeofmaturity that pleases and glorifies the Lord. The goal of Paul’s ministry tobelieverswas theirmaturity, as indicated by his labors to “present everymancomplete(teleios,mature)inChrist”(Col.1:28-29;cf.Phil.3:14-15).SOUNDDOCTRINE

ThefourthresultoffollowingGod’spatternforHischurchissounddoctrine.TheChristianwhoisproperlyequippedandmatureisnolongerachildwhoistossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind ofdoctrine,bythetrickeryofmen,bycraftinessindeceitfulscheming. Kubia (trickery) is the term fromwhichwegetcube, andwasusedofdice-playing.Justastoday,thedicewereoften“loaded”orotherwisemanipulatedbyprofessional gamblers to their own advantage. The term for dice thereforebecame synonymous with dishonest trickery of any sort. Craftiness(panourgia; see Luke 20:23; 1 Cor. 3:19; 2 Cor. 12:16) is a similar term,carrying the idea of clever manipulation of error made to look like truth.Methodia (scheming) isused later in the letter to refer to “the schemesof thedevil” (6:11).Nodoubt it has reference toplanned, subtle, systematized error.Paul’spoint is thatneither the trickeryofmennor thedeceitful schemingofthedevilwillmisleadthespirituallyequippedandmaturebeliever. Itisspiritualchildren(nēpios,lit.,onewhodoesnottalk),suchasweremanyof theCorinthian believers (1Cor. 3:1; 14:20),who are in constant danger offallingprey toeverynewreligious fadornovel interpretationofScripture thatcomes along.Having no thoroughknowledge ofGod’sWord, they are tossedhereandtherebywavesofpopularsentimentandarecarriedaboutbyeverywindofnewdoctrine that seemsappealing.Because theyarenotanchored inGod’s truth, they are subject to every sort of counterfeit truth—humanistic,cultic, pagan, demonic, or whatever. The New Testament is replete with

warningsagainstthisdanger(seeActs20:30-31;Rom.16:17-18;2Cor.11:3-4;Gal. 1:6-7; 3:1; Col. 2:4-8; 1 Tim. 4:1, 6-7; 2 Tim. 2:15-18; 3:6-9; 4:3;Heb.13:9;2Pet.2:1-3;1John2:19,26). TheimmatureChristianisgullible;andinthehistoryofthechurchnogroupofbelievershas fallen intomore foolishness in thenameofChristianity thanhasmuchofthechurchtoday.Despiteourunprecedentededucation,sophistication,freedom,andaccesstoGod’sWordandsoundChristianteaching,itseemsthateveryreligioushuckster(cf.2Cor.2:17;4:2;11:13-15)canfindareadyhearingand financial support from among God’s people. The number of foolish,misdirected,corrupt,andevenhereticalleaderstowhommanychurchmemberswillinglygivetheirmoneyandallegianceisastoundingandheartbreaking. Thecauseofthisspiritualplightisnothardtofind.Agreatmanyevangelistshavepresentedaneasy-believismgospelandagreatmanypastorshave taughtanalmostcontentlessmessage.InmanyplacestheBodyofChristhasnotbeenbuiltup in sounddoctrineor in faithfulobedience.Consequently there is littledoctrinalsolidarity(“unityoffaith”)andlittlespiritualmaturity(“knowledgeoftheSonofGod…tothemeasureofthestaturewhichbelongstothefulnessofChrist”). Just as many families today are dominated by their children, so are manychurches.Itistragicwhenthechurch’schildren—spirituallyimmaturebelievers(cf.1John2:13-14)whochange theirviewswitheverywindofdoctrineandcontinually fall prey to men’s trickery and Satan’s craftiness and deceitfulscheming—arefoundamongitsmostinfluentialteachersandleaders.AUTHENTICLOVINGTESTIMONY

Thefifthandfinalfeaturethatisprimarilyarequirementandyetalsoaresultof followingGod’spatternforHischurchwillbe indirectopposition tobeingtossed, carried away, tricked, anddeceivedby the schemesofSatan—namely,speakingthetruthinlove,aprinciplethatappliestoeveryaspectofChristianlife and ministry. The verb translated speaking the truth is alētheuō, whichmeans to speak, deal, or act truthfully. Some have translated it “truthing it,”whileotherssayitconveystheideaofwalkinginatruthfulway.Theverbrefersto being true in thewidest sense and is hard to translate into English. Yet inGalatians4:16itseemstoespeciallyemphasizepreachingthegospeltruth.SincethereferenceinGalatiansistheonlyotheruseoftheverbintheNewTestament,itseemssafetosaythattheemphasisinEphesians4isalsoonthepreachingofthetruth(withinthecontextofatruthfulandauthenticChristianlife).Authentic,

mature believers whose lives aremarked by love will not be victims of falseteaching(v.14)butwillbelivingauthenticallyandproclaimingthetruegospeltoadeceivedanddeceivingworld.Theworkofthechurchgoesfullswing,fromevangelismtoedificationtoevangelism,andsoonandonuntiltheLordreturns.Theevangelizedareedified,andthey,inturn,evangelizeandedifyothers. The spiritually equipped church, whose members are sound in doctrine andmature in their thinking and living, is a church that will reach out in love toproclaim the saving gospel. God does not give us knowledge, understanding,gifts,andmaturitytokeepbuttoshare.Hedoesnotequipustostagnatebuttoserve.Wearenotgiftedandedifiedinordertobecomplacentandself-satisfiedbutinordertodotheLord’sworkofserviceinbuildingupandexpandingtheBodyofChrist.Inloveistheattitudeinwhichweevangelize(cf.3:17-19;4:2;5:1-2).Paulwasanexampleforsuchlove,asseeninthefollowingtestimony:

But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mothertenderlycares forherownchildren.Having thusa fondaffection foryou,wewerewell-pleasedtoimparttoyounotonlythegospelofGodbutalsoourownlives,becauseyouhadbecomeverydeartous.Foryou recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, howworking night anddaysoasnottobeaburdentoanyofyou,weproclaimedtoyouthegospelofGod.Youarewitnesses, and so isGod,howdevoutly anduprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; just asyouknowhowwewereexhortingandencouragingandimploringeachoneofyouasafatherwouldhisownchildren,sothatyoumaywalkinamannerworthyoftheGodwhocallsyouintoHisownkingdomandglory.(1Thess.2:7-12;cf.2Cor.12:15;Phil.2:17;Col.1:24-29)

JohnBunyansaidofChristians,“Whenalltheirgarmentsarewhitetheworldwill count them His,” and the skeptical German poet Heinrich Heine said toChristians,“YoushowmeyourredeemedlifeandImightbeinclinedtobelievein your Redeemer.” The authentic life that speaks the gospel with a spirit oflovingsacrificewillbeeminentlyconvincing. Speaking the truth in love seems deceptively easy, but it is extremelydifficult.Itispossibleonlyforthebelieverwhoisthoroughlyequippedinsounddoctrineandinspiritualmaturity.Fortheimmaturebeliever,rightdoctrinecanbenomore thancoldorthodoxyand lovecanbenomore than sentimentality.Only themature man, the man who is growing up to the measure of thestaturewhichbelongstothefulnessofChristisconsistentinhavingsufficient

wisdomtounderstandGod’struthandeffectivelypresentittoothers;andonlyhehasthecontinualhumilityandgracetopresentit in loveandinpower.Thecombination of truth and love counteracts the two great threats to powerfulministry—lackoftruthandlackofcompassion.we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ(4:15b)This loving, authentic testimony assists believers in growing into the verylikeness of Jesus Christ. The phrase in all aspects calls for a comprehensiveChristlikenesssuchas thatdescribed inverse13 (cf.1Cor.11:1;2Cor.3:18;Gal.4:19;Eph.5:2;1Pet.2:21;lJohn2:6). Thehead…Christ expresses a familiar Pauline analogy indicatingChrist’sauthority (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18), leadership (Eph. 5:23), and here, as inColossians2:19,controllingpower.Henotonly is thesovereignHeadand theruling Head but also the organic Head. He is the source of power for allfunctions. Human beings are declared officially dead when the EKG is flat,signifyingbraindeath.Asthebrainisthecontrolcenterofphysicallife,sotheLord Jesus Christ is the organic source of life and power to His Body, thechurch. TogrowintoHislikenessistobecompletelysubjecttoHiscontrollingpower,obedient toHis every thought and expression ofwill. It is to personifyPaul’sprayers“Fortome,toliveisChrist”(Phil.1:21)and“ItisnolongerIwholive,butChristlivesinme”(Gal.2:20).

THEPOWERFORGOD’SPATTERN

fromwhom thewhole body, being fitted andheld together by thatwhichevery joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individualpart, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.(4:16)Thepowerforbeingequippedandmaturedintolovinglyauthenticproclaimersisnotinbelieversthemselves,intheirleaders,orinchurchstructure.TheBodyreceivesitsauthority,direction,andpowerasitgrows“upinallaspectsinto…Christ,” fromwhom thewhole body [is] fitted and held together. The twopresentpassiveparticiples that thesephrases translateare synonymousandaremeant toexpress that theclose, tight, compactedcorrelationof function in theBodyas anorganism is the result ofChrist’s power.That doesnot negate theeffortsofbelievers,asprovedbythephrasesbythatwhicheveryjointsuppliesandaccordingtotheproperworkingofeachindividualpart.Eachof thesephrases is extremely significant in conveying truth about the function of theBody.ChristholdstheBodytogetherandmakesitfunctionbythatwhicheveryjoint supplies. That is to say, the joints are points of contrast, the joiningtogether or union where the spiritual supply, resources, and gifts of the HolySpirit pass from one member to another, providing the flow of ministry thatproducesgrowth. Theproperworkingof each individualpart recalls the importanceof eachbeliever’sgift(v.7;cf.1Cor.12:12-27).ThegrowthofthechurchisnotaresultofclevermethodsbutofeverymemberoftheBodyfullyusinghisspiritualgiftinclosecontactwithotherbelievers.Christ is thesourceof the lifeandpowerandgrowthofthechurch,whichHefacilitatesthrougheachbeliever’sgiftsandmutual ministry in joints touching other believers. The power in the churchflows from the Lord through individual believers and relationships betweenbelievers. WhereHispeoplehaveclose relationshipsofgenuine spiritualministry,Godworks; andwhere theyarenot intimatewitheachother and faithfulwith theirgifts,Hecannotwork.Hedoesnot lookforcreativity, ingenuity,orclevernessbutforwillingandlovingobedience.Thephysicalbodyfunctionsproperlyonlyaseachmemberinunionwitheveryothermemberrespondstothedirectionoftheheadtodoexactlywhatitwasdesignedtodo. InColossians2:19Paulgives apriceless insightwhenhewarns against “not

holding fast to the head, fromwhom the entire body, being supplied andheldtogetherbythejointsandligaments,growswithagrowthwhichisfromGod.”ThekeyideainthatverseisforeverymemberoftheBodytoremaincloseandintimate,holdingtightlytofellowshipwithChrist,theHead,andthusnotbeledastraybythatwhichisfalseanddestructive. ThesumofallthatthesetruthsaffirmisthateveryindividualbelieveristostayclosetoJesusChrist,faithfullyusinghisspiritualgiftinclosecontactwitheverybelieverhetouches,andthatthroughsuchcommitmentandministrytheLord’spowerwillflowforthebuildingupoftheBodyinlove. Thenoungrowth(auxēsis,usedonlyhereandinCol.2:19)ispresentmiddlein form, indicating that the body produces its own growth through residentdynamics.Aswithalllivingorganisms,spiritualgrowthinthechurchdoesnotcome from forces outside but from the vital power within that causes thegrowthofthebodyforthebuildingupofitself.Allofthisisinlove,whichisalwaystobethespiritofthefellowshipofbelievers.Aboveallthings,theBodyistomanifestlove,andwhenitisbuiltupaccordingtothisplan,theworldwillknowitistheBodyofChrist(John13:34-35).

OffwiththeOld,OnwiththeNew

13

This I say therefore,andaffirmtogetherwith theLord, thatyouwalknolonger just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, beingdarkenedintheirunderstanding,excludedfromthelifeofGod,becauseofthe ignorance that is in them,becauseof thehardness of theirheart; andthey,havingbecome callous,havegiven themselves over to sensuality, forthepracticeofeverykindofimpuritywithgreediness.ButyoudidnotlearnChrist inthisway, if indeedyouhaveheardHimandhavebeentaught inHim,justastruthis inJesus, that, inreferencetoyourformermanneroflife,youlayasidetheoldself,whichisbeingcorruptedinaccordancewiththelustsofdeceit,andthatyouberenewedinthespiritofyourmind,andput on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created inrighteousnessandholinessofthetruth.(4:17-24)WhenapersonbelievesandconfessesJesusChristasLordandistherebybornagain,atransformationtakesplaceinhisbasicnature.Thechangeisevenmorebasicandradicalthanthechangethatwilltakeplaceatdeath.Whenabelieverdies,hehasalreadybeen fitted forheaven,alreadybeenmadeacitizenof thekingdom, already become a child of God. He simply begins to perfectlyexperiencethedivinenaturehehashadsincehisspiritualbirth,becauseforthefirst time he is free from the unredeemed flesh. The future receiving of hisglorifiedbody(cf.1Cor.15:42-54)willnotmakehimbetter,sinceheisalreadyperfected;but itwillgivehim the full capacity for all that eternal resurrectionlifeinvolves. Salvationisnotamatterofimprovementorperfectionofwhathaspreviouslyexisted.Itistotaltransformation.TheNewTestamentspeaksofbelievershavinganewmind,anewwill,anewheart,anewinheritance,anewrelationship,newpower,newknowledge,newwisdom,newperception,newunderstanding,newrighteousness,newlove,newdesire,newcitizenship,andmanyothernewthings—allofwhicharesummedupinnewnessoflife(Rom.6:4). Atthenewbirthapersonbecomes“anewcreature;theoldthingspassedaway;behold,new thingshavecome” (2Cor.5:17). It isnot simply thathe receivessomethingnewbut thathebecomes someonenew.“IhavebeencrucifiedwithChrist,”Paulsaid;“anditisnolongerIwholive,butChristlivesinme;andthe

lifewhichInowliveinthefleshIlivebyfaithintheSonofGod,wholovedme,anddeliveredHimselfupforme”(Gal.2:20).Thenewnatureisnotaddedtotheoldnaturebut replaces it.The transformedperson is a completelynew“I.” Incontrasttotheformerloveofevil(cf.John3:19-21;Rom.1:21-25;28-32),thatnewself—thedeepest, truestpartof theChristian—nowloves the lawofGod,longstofulfill itsrighteousdemands,hatessin,andlongsfordeliverancefromthe unredeemed flesh, which is the house of the eternal new creation untilglorification(seeRom.7:14-25;8:22-24). Why,then,dowecontinuetosinafterwebecomeChristians?AsPaulexplainsinRomans7,“NolongeramItheonedoingit,butsinwhichindwellsme.ForIknow that nothing good dwells inme, that is, inmy flesh; for thewishing ispresent inme,but thedoingof thegoodisnot”(vv.17-18;cf.20).Sin isstillresident in theflesh,so thatweare inhibitedandrestrainedfrombeingable togivefullandperfectexpressiontothenewnature.Possessingthefullnessofthedivine naturewithout the corruption of our unredeemed flesh is a promisewewillrealizeonlyinthefuture(cf.Rom.8:23;Phil.3:20-21;2Pet.1:3-4). Biblical terminology, then, does not say that a Christian has two differentnatures.Hehasbutonenature, thenewnature inChrist.Theoldselfdiesandthenewself lives; theydonotcoexist. It isnota remainingoldnaturebut theremaininggarmentofsinfulfleshthatcausesChristianstosin.TheChristianisasinglenewperson,atotallynewcreation,notaspiritualschizophrenic.Itisthefilthy coat of remaining humanness in which the new creation dwells thatcontinuestohinderandcontaminatehisliving.Thebelieverasatotalpersonistransformed but not yet wholly perfect. He has residing sin but no longerreigningsin(cf.Rom.6:14).Heisnolongertheoldmancorruptedbutisnowthenewmancreated in righteousnessandholiness, awaiting full salvation (cf.Rom.13:11). InEphesians4Paulmakestwoappealsbasedonthefactthatbelieversarenewcreations.Thefirstbeginsthechapter:“I, therefore,…entreatyoutowalkinamanner worthy of the calling with which you have been called” (v. 1). Thesecond(v.17)introducesthepresenttext,inwhichPaulcontraststhewalkofthewicked unbeliever with the walk of the spiritual Christian. He follows thatcontrast with more “therefores” (v. 25; 5:1, 7, 15), showing the Christian’sproper response to being a new creation. All of this points to the fact that achanged nature demands changed behavior. It is as if the apostle is saying,“SinceGodhascreatedamarvelousnewentity in theworldcalledthechurch,and because of this unique creation, with its unique character of humility, itsuniqueempowermentwithspiritualgifts,itsuniqueunityastheBodyofChrist,

and itsneed tobebuiltup in love,here ishoweverybelievershould liveasamemberofthatchurch.” Inverses17-24,Paulmovesfromthegeneral tothespecific,firstgivingfourcharacteristics of thewalk of the oldman and then four characteristics of thewalkofthenew.

THEWALKOFTHEOLDSELF

This I say therefore,andaffirmtogetherwith theLord, thatyouwalknolonger just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, beingdarkenedintheirunderstanding,excludedfromthelifeofGod,becauseofthe ignorance that is in them,becauseof thehardness of theirheart; andthey,havingbecome callous,havegiven themselves over to sensuality, forthepracticeofeverykindofimpuritywithgreediness.(4:17-19)ThethereforerefersbacktowhatPaulhasbeensayingaboutourhighcallinginJesusChrist.Becausewearecalledtosalvation,unifiedintheBodyofChrist,giftedbytheHolySpirit,andbuiltupbythegiftedmen(vv.1-16),weshouldtherefore… walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk. We cannotaccomplishthegloriousworkofChristbycontinuingtolivethewaytheworldlives. Ethnos(Gentiles)isnotinalloftheancientGreektexts,andmayhavebeenalateraddition.ButitspresencehereisperfectlyconsistentwithitsuseelsewhereintheNewTestament,includingPaul’sotherletters.Thetermbasicallyreferstoamultitudeofpeople ingeneral, and then toagroupofpeopleofaparticularkind. It is this secondary meaning that we see in our derived English wordethnic. Jews used the term in two commonways, first to distinguish all otherpeoplefromJewsandsecondtodistinguishallreligionsfromJudaism.Gentilestherefore referred racially and ethnically to all non-Jews and religiously to allpagans. InhisfirstlettertotheThessaloniansPaulusestheterminitspaganmeaningwhenherefersto“theGentileswhodonotknowGod”(1Thess.4:5),andthatisthe sense in which he uses it in our present text.Gentiles here represent allungodly,unregenerate,paganpersons. Likethechurchinourownday, thechurchesatEphesusandinalmosteverynon-PalestinianareainNewTestamenttimesweresurroundedbyrankpaganismanditsattendantimmorality.Ephesuswasaleadingcommercialandculturalcityof theRomanempire. It boasted thegreatpagan templeofArtemis,orDiana,oneofthesevenwondersoftheancientworld.Butitwasalsoaleadingcityindebauchery and sexual immorality. Some historians rank it as the mostlasciviouscityofAsiaMinor. ThetempleofArtemiswasthecenterofmuchofthewickedness.Likethosein

mostpaganreligions,itsritualsandpracticeswerebutextensionsofman’svilestandmostpervertedsins.Maleandfemaleroleswereinterchanged,andorgiasticsex, homosexuality, and everyother sexual perversionwere common.Artemiswasherselfa sexgoddess, representedbyanugly, repulsiveblack female idolthatlookedsomethinglikeacrossbetweenacowandawolf.Shewasservedbythousands of temple prostitutes, eunuchs, singers, dancers, and priests andpriestesses. Idols ofArtemis and other deitieswere to be seen everywhere, ineverysizeandmadeoutofmanydifferentmaterials.Ofspecialpopularityweresilver idols and religious artifacts. Itwas because Paul’s preaching cut deeplyintothattradethattheEphesiansilversmithsralliedthepopulaceagainsthimandhisfellowbelievers(Acts19:24-28). The temple of Artemis contained one of the richest art collections then inexistence.Itwasalsousedasabank,becausemostpeoplefearedstealingfromwithin its walls lest they incur the wrath of the goddess or other deities. Aquartermile-wideperimeter served as an asylum for criminals,whowere safefromapprehensionandpunishmentas longastheyremainedwithinthetempleconfines.Forobvious reasons, thepresenceofhundredsofhardenedcriminalsaddedstillfurthertoEphesus’scorruptionandvice.Thefifth-centuryB.C.GreekphilosopherHeraclitus,himselfapagan,referredtoEphesusas“thedarknessofvileness. Themorals were lower than animals and the inhabitants of Ephesuswerefitonlytobedrowned.”ThereisnoreasontobelievethatthesituationhadchangedmuchbyPaul’sday.Ifanything,itmayhavebeenworse. ThechurchatEphesuswasasmallislandofdespisedpeopleinagiantcesspoolofwickedness.Most of the believers had themselves once been a part of thatpaganism.Theyfrequentlypassedbyplaceswhere theyoncecarousedandranintofriendswithwhomtheyonceindulgedindebauchery.Theyfacedcontinualtemptationstoreverttotheoldways,andtheapostlethereforeadmonishedthemto resist.This I say therefore,andaffirmtogetherwith theLord, thatyouwalknolongerjustastheGentileswalk.Petergaveasimilarwordwhenhewrote, “For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out thedesireoftheGentiles,havingpursuedacourseofsensuality,lusts,drunkenness,carousals, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.And in all this, they aresurprisedthatyoudonotrunwiththemintothesameexcessofdissipation,andtheymalignyou”(1Pet.4:3-4). OnthebasisofwhatweareinChristandofallthatGodnowpurposesforusasHisredeemedandbelovedchildren,wearetobeabsolutelydistinctfromtherestoftheworld,whichdoesnotknoworfollowHim.Spirituallywehavealreadylefttheworldandarenowcitizensofheaven.Wearethereforenotto“lovethe

world, nor the things in theworld. If anyone loves theworld, the love of theFatherisnotinhim.Forallthatisintheworld,thelustofthefleshandthelustoftheeyesandtheboastfulprideoflife,isnotfromtheFather,butisfromtheworld.Andtheworldispassingaway,andalsoitslusts;buttheonewhodoesthe will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17). The world’s standards arewrong,itsmotivesarewrong,itsaimsarewrong.Itswaysaresinful,deceitful,corrupt,empty,anddestructive. The warning Paul gives did not originate from his own personal tastes orpreferences.ThisIsay…andaffirmtogetherwiththeLord.Thematterofforsaking sinand following righteousness isnot thewhimof isolated,narrow-mindedpreachersandteachers.ItisGod’sownstandardandHisonlystandardfor thosewhobelong toHim. It is theveryessenceof thegospeland isset inboldcontrasttothestandardsoftheunredeemed. Paulproceeds togive four specific characteristicsof theungodly,pagan life-style that believers are to forsake. The worldly life is intellectually futile,ignorantofGod’struth,spirituallyandmorallycalloused,anddepravedinmind.INTELLECTUALLYFUTILE

Thefirstcharacteristicofunregeneratepeopleisthattheyliveinthefutilityoftheirmind.Itissignificantthatthebasicissueoflife-stylecentersinthemind.Paul continues to speak of understanding and ignorance (v. 18), learning andteaching (vv. 20-21), and the mind and truth (vv. 23-24)—all of which arerelatedtotheintellect.BecauseunbelieversandChristiansthinkdifferentlytheyare therefore to act differently. As far as spiritual and moral issues areconcerned, an unbeliever cannot think straight.His rational processes in thoseareas arewarped and inadequate (cf. Rom. 1:28; 8:7; 1 Cor. 2:14; Col. 2:18;Titus1:15). In their two-volume book The Criminal Personality, Samuel Yochelson andStanton Samenow maintain that criminal behavior is the result of warpedthinking.Threeentiresections(pp.251-457)aredevotedto“Thethinkingerrorsof thecriminal.”Bystudyingwhatcriminals think, rather than trying toprobetheirfeelingsandbackgrounds,theseresearchersusethesesectionstosharetheirconclusions. “It is remarkable,” theywrite, “that the criminal often derives asgreatanimpactfromhisactivitiesduringnonarrestablephasesashedoesfromcrime. The criminal’s thinking patterns operate everywhere; they are notrestricted to crime.” That is a description of the depraved, reprobate mind.“Sociologicalexplanationshavebeenunsatisfactory,”theauthorsdeclare.“The

ideathatamanbecomesacriminalbecauseheiscorruptedbyhisenvironmenthas proved to be too weak an explanation. We have indicated that criminalscomefromabroadspectrumofhomes,bothdisadvantagedandprivilegedwithinthe same neighborhood. Some are violators and most are not. It is not theenvironment that turns aman into a criminal, it is a series of choices that hemakes starting at a very early age.” The researchers also conclude that thecriminal mind eventually “will decide that everything is worthless.” “Histhinkingisillogical,”theyaffirminsummary. Becauseman’ssinfulness flowsoutofhis reprobatemind, the transformationmust begin with the mind (v. 23). Christianity is cognitive before it isexperiential.ItisourthinkingthatmakesusconsiderthegospelandourthinkingthatcausesustobelievethehistoricfactsandspiritualtruthsofthegospelandtoreceiveChristasLordandSavior.That iswhythefirststep inrepentance isachangeofmindaboutoneself,aboutone’sspiritualcondition,andaboutGod. To the Greeks the mind was all-important. They prided themselves in theirgreatliterature,art,philosophy,politics,andscience.TheyweresoadvancedintheirlearningthatGreekslaveswereprizedbytheRomansandotherconquerorsastutorsfortheirchildrenandasmanagersoftheirhouseholdsandbusinesses.Greeksbelievedthatalmostanyproblemcouldbereasonedtoasolution. Yet Paul says that spiritually the operation of the natural mind is futile andunproductive. Mataiotēs (futility) refers to that which fails to produce thedesiredresult,thatwhichneversucceeds.Itwasthereforeusedasasynonymforempty,because itamounts tonothing.Thespiritual thinkingandresulting life-style of theGentiles—here representing all the ungodly—is inevitably empty,vain, andvoidof substance.The lifeof anunbeliever is boundup in thinkingandactinginanarenaofultimatetrivia.Heconsumeshimselfinthepursuitofgoalsthatarepurelyselfish,intheaccumulationofthatwhichistemporary,andin looking for satisfaction in that which is intrinsically deceptive anddisappointing. Theunregeneratepersonplansandresolveseverythingonthebasisofhisownthinking. He becomes his own ultimate authority and he follows his ownthinkingtoitsultimateoutcomeoffutility,aimlessness,andmeaninglessness—to the self-centered emptiness that characterizes our age (cf. Ps. 94:8-11;Acts14:15;Rom.1:21-22). Aftera lifeofexperiencingeveryworldlyadvantageandpleasure, thewisest,wealthiest, and most favored man of the ancient world concluded that theworldly life is“vanityandstrivingafterwind”(Eccles.2:26;cf.1:2;14;2:11;

etc.).Yetcenturyaftercentury,millenniaaftermillennia,mengoonseekingthesamefutilegoalsinthesamefutileways.IGNORANTOFGOD’STRUTH

ThesecondcharacteristicofungodlypersonsisignoranceofGod’struth.Theirthinking not only is futile but spiritually uninformed. They are darkened intheirunderstanding,excludedfromthelifeofGod,becauseoftheignorancethatisinthem,becauseofthehardnessoftheirheart. Generaleducationandhigherlearningaremorewidespreadtodaythaneverinhistory.Collegegraduatesnumber in the tensofmillions,andoursociety, likeancientGreece,prides itself in itsscience, technology, literature,art,andotherachievements of themind.Formanypeople, to be called ignorant is a greateroffensethantobecalledsinful.YetPaul’spointinthispassageisthatignoranceand sin are inseparable. The ungodlymay be “always learning,” but they are“neverabletocometotheknowledgeofthetruth”(2Tim.3:7).Fallenmankindhas a built-in inability to know and comprehend the things ofGod—the onlythings that ultimately are worth knowing. When men rejected God, “theybecamefutileintheirspeculations,andtheirfoolishheartwasdarkened”(Rom.1:21).Intellectualfutilityandfoolishnesscombineaspartofsin’spenalty. TheGreekword behindbeing darkened is a perfect participle, indicating acontinuingconditionofspiritualdarkness.Thisdarknessimpliesbothignoranceandimmorality.Anddarknessofunderstandingiscoupledwithexclusionfromthe life of God (cf. John 1:5). The cause of their darkness, ignorance, andseparationfromGodisthehardnessoftheirheart,theirwillfuldeterminationto remain in sin. Because men determine to reject Him, God judicially andsovereignly determines to blind theirminds, exclude them fromHis presence,andconfirmthemintheirspiritualignorance.“ForeventhoughtheyknewGod,they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks,” Paul explains of fallenmankind. “Professing to be wise, they became fools…. Therefore God gavethemoverinthelustsoftheirheartstoimpurity”(Rom.1:21-22,24). Becauseofthehardnessoftheirheart,theungodlyareunresponsivetotruth(cf.Isa.44:18-20;1Thess.4:5).Justasacorpsecannothearaconversationinthemortuary, the personwho is spiritually “dead in [his] trespasses and sins”(Eph.2:1)cannothearorunderstandthethingsofGod,nomatterhowloudlyorclearly theymaybedeclaredorevidenced inhispresence.Pōrēsis (hardness)carries the idea of being rock-hard. It was used by physicians to describe thecalcificationthatformsaroundbrokenbonesandbecomesharderthanthebone

itself.Itwasalsousedofthehardformationsthatsometimesoccurinjointsandcausethemtobecomeimmobile.Itcouldthereforeconnotetheideaofparalysisaswellasofhardness.Sinhasapetrifyingeffect,and theheartof thepersonwho continually chooses to sin becomes hardened and paralyzed to spiritualtruth,utterlyinsensitivetothethingsofGod. LeroyAudenoftheUniversityofChicagohaswritten,“Wehidearestlesslionunderacardboardbox,forwhilewemayuseothertermsthanguilttodescribethisturbulenceinoursouls,thefactremainsthatallisnotrightwithinus.”Byone way or another—by psychological game playing, rationalization, self-justification,transferringtheblame,orbydenyingsinandeliminatingmorality—mentryfutilelytogetridofthelionofguilt.Butitwillnotgoaway. Satanplaysapartintheblindnessofthosewhorefusetobelieve,because“thegodofthisworldhasblindedthemindsoftheunbelieving,thattheymightnotsee the lightof thegospelof thegloryofChrist,who is the imageofGod”(2Cor. 4:4).They refuse to seeChrist because they refuse to seeGod, and theirrefusalisreadilyconfirmedandreinforcedbythegodofthisworld. Andwhenmencontinuallypersist in following theirownway, theywillalsoeventually be confirmed in their choice by theGod of heaven.The JewswhoheardJesusteachandpreachhadthegreatadvantageofhavinghadGod’sWordgiven to them throughMoses, the prophets, and otherOld Testamentwriters.TheyhadtheevengreateradvantageofseeingandhearingGod’sownincarnateSon.But“thoughHehadperformedsomanysignsbeforethem,”Johntellsus,“yettheywerenotbelievinginHim….Forthiscausetheycouldnotbelieve,forIsaiahsaidagain, ‘Hehasblinded theireyes,andHehardened theirheart; lesttheyseewith theireyes,andperceivewith theirheart,andbeconverted,andIhealthem’”(John12:37,39-40).Becausetheywouldnotbelieve,theycouldnotbelieve.Godonedaysays,“Lettheonewhodoeswrong,stilldowrong;andlettheonewhoisfilthy,stillbefilthy”(Rev.22:11). Whenmenchoosetopetrifytheirheartsbyconstantrejectionofthelight(John12:35-36),theybecamedarkenedintheirunderstanding,excludedfromthelifeofGod,becauseoftheignorancethatisinthem,becauseofthehardnessof theirheart.That is theunspeakable tragedyofunbelief, the tragedyof thepersonwhomakeshimselfhisowngod.SPIRITUALLYANDMORALLYCALLOUSED

The third characteristic of the unregenerate person is spiritual and moralcallousness—they… become callous.When people continue in sin and turn

themselves away from the life of God, they become apathetic and insensitiveaboutmoralandspiritual things.Theyrejectallstandardsofrighteousnessanddo not care about the consequences of their unrighteous thoughts and actions.Even consciencebecomes scarredwith tissue that is not sensitive towrong (1Tim.4:2;Titus1:15). According to an ancient Greek story, a Spartan youth stole a fox but theninadvertentlycameuponthemanfromwhomhehadstolenit.Tokeephistheftfrombeingdiscovered,theboystuckthefoxinsidehisclothesandstoodwithoutmovingamusclewhilethefrightenedfoxtoreouthisvitalorgans.Evenatthecostofhisownpainfuldeathhewouldnotownuptohiswrong. Ourwickedsocietyissodeterminednottobediscoveredforwhatitisthatitstands unflinching as its very life and vitality is ripped apart by the sins andcorruptionitholdssodear.Ithasbecomecallousbothtotherealityandtotheconsequencesofsin,andwillendureanyagonyratherthanadmitthatitswayof“living”isthewayofdeath. Ontheotherhand,sinsthatwereoncehiddenorexcusedarenowindulgedinopenly andblatantly.Oftennot even the semblanceofmorality ismaintained.When self-desire rules, indecency runs wild and proceeds to cauterize theconscience,theGod-givenwarninglightandpaincenterofthesoul.Thosewhoaredyingaredesensitizedtothatwhichiskillingthem—becausetheychooseitthatway.Evenwhenheldupshamefullyinfullviewoftheworld,theirsinsarenot recognized as sinful or as the cause of increasing meaninglessness,hopelessness,anddespair(cf.Rom.1:32).DEPRAVEDINMIND

Futile, self-centered thinking, ignorance of the truth, and spiritual andmoralcallousness lead inevitably to sensuality, for the practice of every kind ofimpuritywithgreediness. Aselgeia (sensuality) refers to total licentiousness, the absence of all moralrestraint, especially in the areaof sexual sins.Onecommentator says the termrelatesto“adispositionofthesoulincapableofbearingthepainofdiscipline.”Theideaisthatofunbridledself-indulgenceandundisciplinedobscenity. Sensualitycharacterizes thepeoplePeterdescribesas“thosewhoindulgethefleshinitscorruptdesiresanddespiseauthority.Daring,self-willed,theydonottremblewhen they revile angelicmajesties,whereas angelswho aregreater inmightandpowerdonotbringarevilingjudgmentagainstthembeforetheLord.

Butthese,likeunreasoninganimals,bornascreaturesofinstincttobecapturedand killed, revilingwhere they have no knowledge, will in the destruction ofthosecreaturesalsobedestroyed”(2Pet.2:10-12). All people initially recognize at least some standard of right andwrong andhaveacertainsenseofshamewhentheyactagainstthatstandard.Consequently,theyusuallytrytohidetheirwrongdoing.Theymaycontinuallyfallbackintoitbut still recognize it as wrong, as something they should not be doing; andconscience will not let them remain comfortable. But as they continue tooverrule conscience and train themselves to do evil and to ignore guilt, theyeventually reject those standards and determine to live solely by their owndesires, thereby revealing an already seared conscience. Having rejected alldivine guidelines and protection, they become depraved in mind and givethemselves over to sensuality. Such a person cares nothing about what otherpeople think—not to mention about what God thinks—but only about whatgratifiesthecravingsofhisownwarpedmind. Ungodliness and its attendant immorality destroy the mind as well as theconscienceand the spirit.RejectionofGodandofHis truthand righteousnessfinallyresultsinwhatPaulreferstoinRomansasa“depravedmind”(1:28)—amind that isnomind, thatcannot reason, thatcannot thinkclearly, thatcannotrecognizeorunderstandGod’struth,andthatlosescontactwithspiritualreality.In its extreme, the depraved mind loses contact with all reality. That is themindlessnessoftheself-indulgent,profligatecelebritywholoseshiscareer,hissanity, and often his life because of wanton sensuality. When indecencybecomesawayoflife,everyaspectoflifeiscorrupted,distorted,andeventuallydestroyed. The rapid increase inmental illness todaycanbe laid in largemeasureat thefeet of increased sensuality of every sort.Man ismade forGodanddesignedaccordingtoHisstandards.WhenherejectsGodandHisstandardshedestroyshimselfintheprocess.ThecorruptionsofourpresentsocietyarenottheresultofpsychologicalorsociologicalcircumstancesbuttheresultofpersonalchoicesbasedonprinciplesthatarespecificallyandpurposelyagainstGodandHisway.Homosexuality, sexual perversion, abortion, lying, cheating, stealing, murder,and every other type of moral degeneration have become unabashed andcallousedways of life through the conscious choices of thosewho indulge inthem. Ergasia(practice)canrefertoabusinessenterprise,andthatideacouldapplyhere.Theungodlypersonoftenmakesbusinessoutofeverykindofimpurity.AChristianleadercommentedsomeyearsagothatmanyofthebookspublished

in the United States today rival the drippings of a broken sewer. Yetpornography, prostitution, X-rated films, suggestive TV programs, and everykind of impurity form perhaps the largest industry in our country. The vastmajorityofitisopen,unashamed,andlegallyprotected. An article inForbes magazine (Sept. 18, 1978, pp. 81-92) entitled “The X-Rated Economy” began by stating the obvious—pornography is no longer anillegalbusiness.Themarketforpornographyisnotconfinedtopervertsorotheremotionalcripples.Tothecontrary,thelargestpartofthemarketismiddleclasspeople.Inanincreasinglypermissivesocietythosewhoenjoypornographyarefree to revel in it.Thesurprising revelationwas that, according tooneofficialestimate, thenation’spornographersdomorethanfourbilliondollarsworthofbusinessayear—morethanthecombinedincomesoftheoftensupportivemovieandmusic industries!Other estimates place the total pornographic business—includingalargesegmentoftheburgeoninghomevideomarket—atthreetimesthatmuch. Impurityisinseparablefromgreediness.Pleonexia(greediness)isunboundedcovetousness,uninhibitedlustforthatwhichiswanted.Immoralityhasnopartin love, and anything the sensual person does under the guise of caring andhelpfulnessisbutaruseforexploitation.Theworldofsensualityandimpurityistheworldofgreediness.Thepersongivenovertogodlessnessandimmoralitygreedilytakeswhateverhecanfromthosearoundhim.Heevaluateslifeonlyinmaterial terms(Luke12:15),usesotherpeople tohisownadvantage(1Thess.2:5;2Pet.2:3),andturnshisbackonGodinordertofulfillhisownevildesires(Rom.1:29).Andhisgreedinessisnolessthanidolatry(Col.3:5). Whenapersondetermines to thinkhisownway,dothingshisownway,andpursuehisowndestiny, he cutshimself off fromGod.When that happens, hecutshimselfofffromtruthandbecomesspirituallyblindandwithoutstandardsofmorality.Withoutstandardsofmorality,immoralitybecomesashamelessandcallousedwayof life.When that is continued it destroys themind’s ability todistinguishgoodfromevil,truthfromfalsehood,andrealityfromunreality.Thegodlesslifebecomesthemindlesslife. That process characterizes every unbeliever. It is the direction that everyungodly person is headed, although some are further along than others. “Evilmen and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and beingdeceived” (2 Tim. 3:13). That some people may not reach the extremes Paulmentions in Ephesians 4:17-19 is due only to the protective shield of God’scommongrace thatHeshowersbothon therighteousand theunrighteous(seeMatt.5:45)andtothepreservinginfluenceoftheHolySpirit(Job34:14-15)and

ofthechurch(Matt.5:13).

THEWALKOFTHENEWSELF

ButyoudidnotlearnChristinthisway,ifindeedyouhaveheardHimandhavebeentaughtinHim,justastruthisinJesus,that,inreferencetoyourformermanneroflife,youlayasidetheoldself,whichisbeingcorruptedinaccordancewiththelustsofdeceit,andthatyouberenewedinthespiritofyourmind,andputonthenewself,whichinthelikenessofGodhasbeencreatedinrighteousnessandholinessofthetruth.(4:20-24)The new walk in Christ is the exact opposite of the old walk of the flesh.Whereas the old is self-centered and futile, the new is Christ-centered andpurposeful. Whereas the old is ignorant of God’s truth, the new knows andunderstands it. Whereas the old is morally and spiritually calloused andshameless,thenewissensitivetosinofeverysort.Whereastheoldisdepravedinitsthinking,thenewisrenewed.CHRIST-CENTERED

ButyoudidnotlearnChristinthisway,(4:20)Afterreviewingtheevilsofthepaganworldandtheself-centered,purposeless,standardless wickedness that both comes from and leads to spiritual darknessand ignorance, Paul declared to believers who had fallen back into suchdegradation,ButyoudidnotlearnChristinthisway.ThatisnotthewayofChrist or of His kingdom or family. “You are not to have any part of suchthings,”Heinsisted,“whetherbyparticipationorassociation.” YoudidnotlearnChristisadirectreferencetosalvation.TolearnChrististobesaved.Whileitistruethattheverbmanthanōcanbeusedinreferencetotheprocessoflearningtruth(seeRom.16:17;Phil.4:9),itcanalsomean“tocometo know” (Walter Bauer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament.TranslatedandeditedbyWF.ArndtandF.WGingrich.5thed.[Chicago;U.ofChicago,1958],p.490),asaone-timeact,particularlywhen theverb isaoristactiveindicative,asinthiscase.TheaoristisalsousedinJohn6:45,whereJesusspoketothosewhohad“learnedfromtheFather”—indicatingareferencetothesavingactoffaithundertheOldCovenantwhichwouldleadthemnowtoHim. InMatthew11:29,Jesusofferedoneoftheloveliestofallsalvationinvitations:“Takemyyokeuponyou,andlearnofme”(KJV).Thisuseofmanthanōisalso

intheaoristtense,indicatingasingleunrepeatedact. Boththecontextandtheuseoftheaoristtenseoftheverb“tolearn”inthesepassagesleadtotheconclusionthatthislearningreferstothemomentofsavingfaith. “FriendshipwiththeworldishostilitytowardGod”(James4:4),andthepersonwhomakesaprofessionofChristbutmakesnoefforttobreakwithhisworldlyandsinfulhabitshasreasontodoubthissalvation.“Theonewhosays,‘Ihavecome to knowHim’ and does not keepHis commandments, is a liar, and thetruthisnotinhim,”and“Ifanyonelovestheworld,theloveoftheFatherisnotinhim”(1John2:4,15). The ways of God and the ways of the world are not compatible. The idea,promotedbysomewhoclaimtobeevangelicals,thataChristiandoesnothavetogiveupanythingorchangeanythingwhenhebecomesaChristianisnothinglessthandiabolical.Thatnotion,underthepretenseofelevatingGod’sgraceandof protecting the gospel from works righteousness, will do nothing but sendmanypeopleconfidentlydownthebroadwaythatJesussaidleadstodestruction(Matt.7:13). Fromthehumanside,salvationbeginswithrepentance,achangeofmindandaction regarding sin, self, andGod. John the Baptist (Matt. 3:2), Jesus (Matt.4:17), and the apostles (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 20:21; 26:20) began theirministries with the preaching of repentance. The very purpose of receivingChrististo“besavedfromthisperversegeneration”(Acts2:40),andnooneissavedwho does not repent and forsake sin. Repentance does not save us, butGodcannotsaveusfromsinofwhichweareunwillingtoletgo.Toholdontosin is to refuse God, to scorn His grace, and to nullify faith. No Christian istotallyfreefromthepresenceofsininthislife,butinChristheiswillinglyfreedfrom his orientation to sin.He slips and fallsmany times, but the determineddirectionofhislifeisawayfromsin. Oneofthefirst thingsaChristianshouldlearnisthathecannottrusthisownthinking or rely on his own way. “They who live should no longer live forthemselves,butforHimwhodiedandroseagainontheirbehalf”(2Cor.5:15).TheChristianhasthemindofChrist(1Cor.2:16),andChrist’sistheonlymindonwhichhecanrely.Theobedient,faithfulChristianistheoneforwhomChristthinks,acts, loves, feels, serves,and lives ineveryway.HesayswithPaul, “IhavebeencrucifiedwithChrist;anditisnolongerIwholive,butChristlivesinme;andthelifewhichInowliveinthefleshIlivebyfaithintheSonofGod,wholovedme,anddeliveredHimselfupforme”(Gal.2:20).

BecausewehavethemindofChrist,weareto“havethisattitudein[ourselves]whichwasalsoinChristJesus,”who“humbledHimselfbybecomingobedienttothepointofdeath,evendeathonacross”(Phil.2:5,8).AlthoughChristwasonewithHisFather,whileonearthHedidabsolutelynothingbutHisFather’swill (Matt.26:39,42;John4:34;5:30;6:38;etc.). If the incarnateLordsoughtthemindofHisheavenlyFather ineverythingHedid,howmuchmoreshouldwe?Themarkof theChristian life is to think likeChrist, act likeChrist, lovelikeChrist,andineverypossiblewaytobelikeChrist—inorderthat“whetherweareawakeorasleep,wemaylivetogetherwithHim”(1Thess.5:10). Godhasaplanofdestinyfortheuniverse,andaslongasChristisworkinginusHeisworkingoutapartof thatplanthroughus.TheChrist-centeredlife isthe most purposeful and meaningful life conceivable—it is part of the divineplanandworkofGod!KNOWSGODSTRUTH

ifindeedyouhaveheardHimandhavebeentaughtinHim,justastruthisinJesus,(4:21)InsteadofbeingignorantofGod’struth,theChristianhasheardChristandistaughtinHim.Bothverbsareintheaoristtense,againpointingtoaone-timepastact,and in thiscontext referring to the timewhen thereaderswere taughtandcametobelievethegospel—herecalledthetruth…inJesus.Thesetermsdescribethemomentofsalvation-conversion.WhenapersonreceivesChristasSaviorandLord,hecomesintoGod’struth. IfindeedyouhaveheardHimandhavebeentaughtinHim(cf.Matt.17:5)couldnotpossiblyrefertohearingJesus’physicalvoiceonearth,becausethereisnowaythatcouldhavebeentrueofallthebelieversinAsiaMinortowhomPaulwaswriting.ItmustrefertothehearingofHisspiritualcalltosalvation(cf.John8:47;10:27;Acts3:22-23;Heb.3:7-8).ManyNewTestament referencesspeakofthishearingandbeingtaughtasthecallofGod(see,e.g.,Acts2:39).Enautoi (inHim)means inunionwithChristand furtheremphasizes the factthatatconversionwereceivedthetruthembodiedinChrist,becausewecametobeinHim. LifewithoutGod leads tocynicismabout truth.Theungodlypersonmayaskrhetorically with Pilate, “What is truth?” (John 18:38), but he expects nosatisfactoryanswer.TheChristian,however,cansay,“ThetruthofChrist is inme”(2Cor.11:10)and“WeknowthattheSonofGodhascome,andhasgiven

usunderstanding,inorderthatwemightknowHimwhoistrue,andweareinHimwhoistrue,inHisSonJesusChrist”(lJohn5:20). The truth that is in Jesus, then, is first of all the truth about salvation.Thisideaisparallelto1:13,wherePaulsayshearingthetruthandbeinginHimaresynonymouswithconversion:“InHim,youalso,afterlisteningtothemessageoftruth,thegospelofyoursalvation—havingalsobelieved,youweresealedinHimwiththeHolySpiritofpromise.”Thetruth…isinJesusanditleadstothefullness of truth about God, man, creation, history, sin, righteousness, grace,faith, salvation, life, death, purpose, meaning, relationships, heaven, hell,judgment,eternity,andeverythingelseofultimateconsequence. John summed up this relationshipwith truthwhen hewrote: “Andwe knowthattheSonofGodhascome,andhasgivenusunderstanding,inorderthatwemightknowHimwhoistrue,andweareinHimwhoistrue,inHisSonJesusChrist.ThisisthetrueGodandeternallife”(lJohn5:20).DELIVEREDFROMTHEOLDSELF

that, inreferencetoyourformermannerof life,youlayasidetheoldself,whichisbeingcorruptedinaccordancewiththelustsofdeceit,(4:22)To demonstrate the transforming nature of regeneration, the apostle furtherdescribesanddefinestheinherentrealitiesof thetruthinJesusthathisreadersheard andwere taught at conversion.He uses three infinitives (in the originalGreek) to summarizewhat theyheard in the call of thegospel: layaside, “berenewed”(v.23),and“puton”(v.24). It is important to note that Paul is not here exhorting believers to do thesethings. These three infinitives describe the saving truth in Jesus and are notimperativesdirectedtoChristians.Theyaredoneatthepointofconversion,andarementionedhereonlyasareminderoftherealityofthatexperience. Layasidetheoldselfisrelatedto“haveheard…andhavebeentaught”inthegospel(v.21).Itshouldalsobenotedthat,althoughitisessentialtoaffirmthatsalvationisadivineandsovereignmiracleapartfromanyhumancontribution,itmustalsobeaffirmedthatmendohearandbelieveandlayasidetheoldwhileputtingonthenew.ThesavingactofGodeffectssuchresponsesinthebelievingsoul. These are not human works required for divine salvation but inherentelements of the divine work of salvation. Paul’s terms here are basically adescription of repentance from sin and submission toGod, so often taught aselementsofregeneration(seeIsa.55:6-7;Matt.19:16-22;Acts2:38-40;20:21;1

Thess.1:9;efal.). IncontrasttotheunregeneratepersonwhocontinuallyresistsandrejectsGodand lives in the sphere of dominating sin (the former manner of life), theChristianhasheardthecalltolayasidetheoldself.Theverbmeanstostripoff,as in thecaseofold filthyclothes.The tense (aoristmiddle) indicates aonce-and-foreveractiondonebythebelieveratsalvation. Paul’s reference to the old self (old in the sense ofworn out anduseless) isconsistentwithgospelterminologyinhisotherepistles.Forexample,Colossians3describes thefactofsalvationusingfourverbs:“foryouhavediedandyourlifeishiddenwithChristinGod”(v.3);“youhavebeenraisedup”(v.1);“youlaidaside theoldself[man]”(v.9);andyou“haveputon thenewself[man]who is being renewed to a trueknowledge according to the imageof theOnewhocreatedhim”(v.10;emphasisadded).Allfourverbsareintheaoristtensein the Greek, indicating that they refer back to already completed action andmust therefore refer to the same past event of salvation. In the context, “laidaside”and“haveputon”cannotbeotherthanexactparallelsto“havedied”and“havebeenraisedup,”whichareclearlysalvificincontent. Affirming the truth of these four aspects of conversion is the basis for theexhortations in the Colossian passage. Paul is describing salvation to theColossiansexactlyashedoestotheEphesians.AlthoughinEphesianshedoesnot refer specifically to the believer’s union in the death and resurrection ofChrist,hedoesalludetothatrealitywhensayingthattheonewhobelievesis“inHim.” His references to the old self and the new self in both passages areobviouslyparallel. Thisperspective is furtherprovedbyPaul’s teaching inRomans6,wherehedescribesthenatureofsalvation,withemphasisonverbs:“we…diedtosin”(v.2);“allofus…havebeenbaptizedintoChristJesus”(v.3);“havebeenburiedwithHim… into death” (v. 4); “wehave become unitedwithHim in…Hisdeath” (v. 5); “our old self was crucified with Him” (v. 6); “our body of sinmightbedoneawaywith”(v.6);“hewhohasdied”(v.7);and“wehavediedwithChrist”(v.8;emphasisadded).Eightof thosenineverbsareaorist in theGreek, looking back at an already accomplished event. One is in the perfecttense(v.5),seeingtheresultofthatpastevent.Again,Paulgiveshisexhortationonthebasisofthisdescriptionofthecompletetransformationofthebelieveratconversion(cf.Rom.6:12-23). TheinescapableconclusionfromwhatPaulsaysinRomansandColossiansisthatsalvationisaspiritualunionwithJesusChristinHisdeathandresurrection

thatcanalsobedescribedasthedeathof the“oldself”andtheresurrectionofthe“newself,”whonowwalksin“newnessoflife.”Thisunionandnewidentityclearlymeansthatsalvationistransformation.Itisnottheadditionofanewselftoanoldself. InChrist, theoldselfno longerexists (cf.2Cor.5:17).That iswhattheEphesiansheardandweretaughtaccordingtothetruthinJesus(4:21).The old self is the unconverted nature, described as being corrupted inaccordancewiththelustsofdeceit.Theoldselfoftheunbelievernotonlyiscorruptbut is increasinglybeingcorrupted (presentpassive),because it is thetool for evil desire which is controlled by deceit (cf. 2:1-3). The gospelinvitationistolaytheoldselfasideinrepentancefromsinthatincludesnotjustsorrowaboutsinbutaturningfromsintoGod.BECOMETHENEWSELF

andthatyouberenewedinthespiritofyourmind,andputonthenewself,whichinthelikenessofGodhasbeencreatedinrighteousnessandholinessofthetruth.(4:23-24)Incontrasttothedepraved,reprobatemindoftheunregenerateperson(w.17-18), theChristian isrenewed continually in the spirit of [his]mind (cf.Col.3:10).Ananeoō (toberenewed)appearsonlyhere in theNewTestament.Thebestrenderingofthispresentpassiveinfinitiveisasamodifierofthemainverbputon,sothatitwouldread“andbeingrenewedinthespiritofyourmind,puton the new self.” This makes clear that such renewal is the consequence of“layingasidetheoldself”andisthecontextinwhichonemayputonthenewself.Salvationrelatestothemind,whichisthecenterofthought,understanding,andbelief,aswellasofmotiveandaction.Thespiritofyourmindisexplainedbyonecommentatoras intendingtoshowthat it isnot in thesphereofhumanthinkingorhumanreason,butinthemoralsphere,thatthisrenewaloccurs.JohnEadiesays:

Thechangeisnotinthemindpsychologically,eitherinitsessenceor in its operation; and neither is it in the mind as if it were asuperficialchangeofopiniononpointsofdoctrineorpractice;butitisinthespiritofthemind;inthatwhichgivesmindbothitsbentanditsmaterialofthought.Itisnotsimplyinthespiritasifitlaythereindimandmystic quietude; but it is in the spirit of themind; in thepowerwhich, when changed itself, radically alters the entire sphere andbusinessoftheinnermechanism.

WhenapersonbecomesaChristian,Godinitiallyrenewshismind,givingitacompletely new spiritual and moral capability—a capability that the mostbrilliantandeducatedmindapartfromChristcanneverachieve(cf.1Cor.2:9-16).This renewalcontinues through thebeliever’s lifeashe isobedient to theWord and will of God (cf. Rom. 12:1-2). The process is not a one-timeaccomplishmentbut thecontinualworkof theSpirit in thechildofGod(Titus3:5).Our resourcesareGod’sWordandprayer. It is through thesemeans thatwegainthemindofChrist(cf.Phil.2:5;Col.3:16;2Tim.1:7),anditisthroughthatmindthatwelivethelifeofChrist. Therenewedspiritofthebeliever’smindisacorollarytoputtingonthenewself,whichisthenewcreationmadeintheverylikenessofGodandhasbeencreated in righteousness and holiness of the truth. That which was oncedarkened, ignorant, hardened, calloused, sensual, impure, and greedy is nowenlightened,learnedinthetruth,sensitivetosin,pure,andgenerous.Whereasitwas once characterized by wickedness and sin, it is now characterized byrighteousnessandholiness.InColossians3:12,Paulcallsbelievers“thechosenofGod,holyandbeloved.” Itisessentialtoexpandtheconceptofthenewselfsothatitmaybeunderstoodmorefully.Thewordnew(kainos)doesnotmeanrenovatedbutentirelynew—newinspeciesorcharacter.Thenewselfisnewbecauseithasbeencreatedinthe likeness of God. The Greek is literally, “according to what God is”—astaggering statement expressing thewondrous reality of salvation. Thosewhoconfess Jesus Christ as Lord are made like God! Peter says we become“partakersofthedivinenature”(2Pet.1:4). InGalatians2:20,Pauldeclares,“ItisnolongerIwholive,butChristlivesinme.”TheimageofGod,lostinAdam,ismoregloriouslyrestoredinthesecondAdam,theOnewhoistheimageoftheinvisibleGod(cf.2Cor.4:4-6),wherePauldescribesChristastheimageofGod,thetreasurethatdwellsinus. Ifbelievershavereceivedthedivinenature—thelifeofChrist,thelikenessofGod in thisnewselfbyanactofdivinecreation (cf.Col.3:10)—Itobviouslymust have been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. In theGreek,thewordtruthisplacedlasttocontrastwithdeceit(v.22),andthebestrenderingisthatoftheNIV:“truerighteousnessandholiness.”Godcouldcreatenoless(seeLuke1:75). Righteousness relates to our fellowmen and reflects the second table of thelaw(Ex.20:12-17).Holiness(hosiotēs,sacredobservanceofalldutiestoGod)

relates to God and reflects the first table (Ex. 20:3-11). The believer, then,possessesanewnature,anewself,aholyandrighteousinnerpersonfitforthepresenceofGod.Thisisthebeliever’struestself. So righteousandholy is thisnewself thatPaul refuses toadmit that any sincomesfromthatnewcreationinGod’simage.ThushislanguageinRomans6-7isexplicit inplacingtherealityofsinotherthaninthenewself.Hesays,“Donotletsinreigninyourmortalbody”(6:12)and,“Donotgoonpresentingthemembersofyourbodytosin”(6:13,emphasisadded). InthosepassagesPaulplacessininthebeliever’slifeinthebody.Inchapter7heseesitintheflesh.Hesays,“NolongeramItheonedoingit,butsinwhichindwellsme”(v.17),“Nothinggooddwellsinme,thatis,inmyflesh”(v.18),“Iamnolongertheonedoingit,butsinwhichdwellsinme”(v.20),and“…thelawofsinwhichisinmymembers”(v.23). In those texts Paul acknowledges that being a new self in the image ofGoddoesnoteliminatesin. It isstillpresent in theflesh, thebody, theunredeemedhumanness that includes thewholehumanperson’s thinkingandbehavior.Buthewillnotallowthatnewinnermantobegivenresponsibilityforsin.Thenew“I”lovesandlongsfortheholinessandrighteousnessforwhichitwascreated. Paulsummarizesthedichotomywiththesewords:“Sothen,ontheonehandImyselfwithmymind[synonymousherewiththenewself]amservingthelawof God, but on the other, with my flesh [synonymous here with unredeemedhumannesscontainedinoursinfulbodies]thelawofsin”(Rom.7:25).Itisthisstrugglethatpromptstheanticipationfor“theredemptionofthebody”describedinRomans8:23(cf.Phil.3:20-21). We are new, but not yet all new. We are righteous and holy, but not yetperfectly righteous and holy. But understanding the genuine reality of ourtransformingsalvationisessentialifwearetoknowhowtoliveasChristiansintheBodyofChristtowhichwebelong. The remaining portions of the epistle contain exhortations to the believer tobringhisbodyintoobediencetothewillofGod. Many rescuemissions have a delousing room,where derelictswho have nothadabathinmonthsdiscardalltheiroldclothesandarethoroughlybathedanddisinfected. The unsalvageable old clothes are burned and new clothes areissued.Thecleanmanisprovidedcleanclothes. That isapictureof salvation,except that in salvation thenewbeliever isnotsimply given a bath but a completely new nature. The continuing need of theChristian life is to keep discarding and burning the remnants of the old sinful

clothing. “Do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin asinstrumentsofunrighteousness”Paulpleads;“butpresentyourselvestoGodasthosealivefromthedead,andyourmembersasinstrumentsofrighteousnesstoGod”(Rom.6:13). Themany thereforesandwherefores in theNewTestamentusually introduceappealsforbelieverstolivelikethenewcreaturestheyareinChrist.Becauseofour new life, our new Lord, our new nature, and our new power, we arethereforecalledtoliveacorrespondinglynewlife-style.

PrinciplesofNewLife

14

Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you,with hisneighbor,forwearemembersofoneanother.Beangry,andyetdonotsin;do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil anopportunity.Lethimwho steals stealno longer;but rather lethim labor,performingwith his own handswhat is good, in order that hemay havesomething to share with him who has need. Let no unwholesome wordproceed fromyourmouth,butonlysuchawordas isgood foredificationaccording to theneedof themoment, that itmaygivegrace to thosewhohear.AnddonotgrievetheHolySpiritofGod,bywhomyouweresealedfor the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger andclamor and slanderbe put away fromyou, alongwith allmalice.Andbekind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just asGod inChristalsohasforgivenyou.(4:25-32)Theonlyreliableevidenceofaperson’sbeingsavedisnotapastexperienceofreceivingChristbutapresentlifethatreflectsChrist.“Theonewhosays,‘Ihavecome to knowHim’ and does not keepHis commandments, is a liar, and thetruth isnot inhim”(1John2:4).Newcreaturesact likenewcreatures.God isnot progressively making new creations out of believers; believers are thosewhomHehasalreadymadenewcreations.“IfanymanisinChrist,heisanewcreature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Cor.5:17).ThisisPaul’sprimaryconcerninRomans6,wherehecarefullydescribesthebeliever’s“newnessoflife”(v.4;cf.7:6). Paul has just demonstrated (vv. 17-24) that believers know salvation to belaying aside “the old self” and putting on “the new self” (Eph. 4:22, 24).Christians are not robots who simply react automatically to divine impulses.AlthoughGodsovereignlymakesusnewcreatures,HealsocommandsusinthestrengthoftheSpirittosubdueourunredeemedhumanness(1Cor.9:27),whichstillresidesinus,andtoliveasnewcreaturesinsubmissiontoChristournewMaster. The paradox of the Christian life is that both God’s sovereignty andman’s will are at work. The faithful believer responds positively to God’ssovereigndeclarationsandcommands. AftershowingwhatbelieversareandhavepositionallyinChrist(chaps.1-3),

Paulfirstgivesgeneralbasicinstructionforthepracticalityoflivingthenewlife(4:1-24) and then continues throughout the rest of the letter to give specificcommandsfortheconductofthatlife.In4:25-32hegivescommandsreflectingseveral contrasts between theold life and thenew.Basedon their newness oflife,believersare tochangefromlyingtospeakingthe truth, fromunrighteousangertorighteousanger,fromstealingtosharing,fromunwholesomewordstoedifyingwords,andfromnaturalvicestosupernaturalvirtues.

FROMLYINGTOSPEAKINGTHETRUTH

Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you, with hisneighbor,forwearemembersofoneanother.(4:25)This second therefore of the chapter (see v. 17) provides an anticipatedresponsetothegeneraldescriptionofthenewlifeinChristdescribedinverses20-24andintroducesthefirstspecificcommandforthenewwalk. LiarswillnotinheritthekingdomofGod.“Forthecowardlyandunbelievingandabominableandmurderersandimmoralpersonsandsorcerersandidolatersand all liars, their partwill be in the lake that burnswith fire and brimstone,which is theseconddeath”(Rev.21:8;cf.1Cor.6:9).Abelievercanfall intolyingjustashecanfallintoanysin,butifhislifeisahabitualflowofliesthatproceedfromaheartthatseekstodeceive,hehasnobiblicalbasisforbelievingheisaChristian.Thepersonwhocontinuallyliesasaregularpartofhisdailyliving showshimself tobeachildofSatannotofGod (John8:44).Satan liesaboutGod,Christ,life,death,heaven,hell,Scripture,good,evil,andeverythingelse. Every religious system apart from Christianity is built around variousdeceptionsofSatan.Eventhefewandlimitedtruthsthatmaybefoundinhumanreligionsareschemingpartsofagreaternetworkthatseekstodeceive. Ever since the Fall, lying has been a common characteristic of unregeneratemankind.Oursocietytodayissodependentonlyingthatifitsuddenlyturnedtotellingthetruthourwayoflifewouldcollapse.Ifworldleadersbeganspeakingonlythetruth,WorldWarIIIwouldcertainlyensue.Somanyliesarepiledonother lies, and so many organizations, businesses, economies, social orders,governments, and treaties are built on those lies that theworld systemwoulddisintegrateiflyingsuddenlyceased.Resentmentandanimositywouldknownobounds,andtheconfusionwouldbeunimaginable. Lying includes more than simply telling direct falsehoods. It also includesexaggeration,addingfalsehood to thatwhichbeginsas true.SomeyearsagoaChristianman becamewidely known for his powerful andmoving testimony.But after several years he stopped. When asked why, he replied with somedegreeof integrity, “Over the years I embellished the story somuch that I nolongerknewwhatwastrueandwhatwasnot.” Cheatinginschoolandonincometaxreturnsisaformoflying.Makingfoolishpromises,betrayingaconfidence,flattery,andmakingexcusesareallformsof

lying. The Christian should have no part of any kind of lying. He is to becharacterized by laying aside falsehood, because falsehood is incompatiblewithhisnewnatureandunacceptabletohisnewLord.Apotithēmi,fromwhichlayingaside isderived,has todowithdiscarding, strippingoff, castingaway,andthelike.ItisthewordLukeusedoftheJewishleadersinJerusalemwho,astheywere stoningStephen,“laid aside their robes at the feet of a youngmannamed Saul” (Acts 7:58). They laid aside their outer garments so they couldmorefreelydotheirwickedwork.TheChristianlaysasidefalsehoodsohecanbefreetodotherighteousworkoftheLord. Quoting Zechariah 8:16, Paul goes from the negative prohibition on to thepositivecommand,speaktruth,eachoneofyou,withhisneighbor.Christ isHimself“theway,andthetruth,andthelife”(John14:6);theHolySpiritis“theSpiritoftruth”(v.17);andGod’sWordistruth(17:17).Whenapersonbecomesabelieverhestepsoutofthedomainoffalsehoodintothedomainoftruth,andeveryformoflyingthereforeisutterlyinconsistentwithhisnewself. It should be said that telling the truth does not require telling everythingweknow. Truthfulness is not in conflict with keeping a confidence or otherlegitimate secrets. Everything we say should be unqualifiedly true, and topurposely withhold information in order to deceive and mislead is a form oflying.Buttruthfulnessdoesnotdemandourtellingeverythingweknowwithnoregardfor its impact.Nordoesitdemandthatweunburdenallourillfeelings,doubts,andhatredson thosewhomwedislike—in thekindofpseudo-honestypromotedbyFreudianpsychologyandothersuchphilosophies.OurconcernasChristiansshouldbeforGodtodealwithourwrongfeelingsandremovethem,nottowantonlyexpresstheminsomeineptattemptatself-justificationorinthemisguidedexpectationthatsimplyexpressingthemwillsomehowmakethemgoawayorwillmendrelationshipstheyhavecausedtobebroken.ToreadilyadmitasPauldid thatwearenotperfectorfreeofsin(Rom.7:15-25;Phil.4:12-14;etc.)isonething;tobroadcastdetailedaccountsofoursinisquiteanother. God’s economy is based on truth, and His people—either as individualbelievers or as the corporate church—cannot be fit instruments for His workunlesstheyliveintruthfulness.Wearetospeaktruth,eachoneof [us],withhis neighbor, for we are members of one another. The word neighbor isdefined by the phrasemembers of one another andmeans fellowChristians.Wearetospeaktruthtoeveryoneandineverysituation,butwehaveaspecialmotive to be truthfulwith other believers, becausewe are fellowmembers ofChrist’sBody,thechurch,andthereforemembersofoneanother.

Ourphysicalbodiescannotnotfunctionproperlyorsafelyifeachmemberdoesnot correctly communicate to the others. If our brain were suddenly to startgivingfalsesignalstoourfeet,wewouldstumbleorwalkinfrontofamovingtruckinsteadofstoppingonthecurb.Ifitfalselyreportedhotandcold,wecouldfreeze todeathbecausewe felt toowarmorbe scalded in ahot showerwhilefeelingchilly.Ifoureyesdecidedtosendfalsesignalstothebrain,adangerouscurveinthehighwaymightappearstraightandsafe,andwewouldcrash.Ifthenervesinourhandsandfeetfailedtotellourbrainthatinjurywasoccurring,ourfoot could bemangled or our fingers burned without our knowing it. That isprecisely the great danger of leprosy—injuries, disease, and other afflictionsdevastatethebodybecausenervesfailtosenddangersignalsofpain. Thechurchcannot functionproperly if itsmembers shade the truthwithoneanother or fail towork together honestly and lovingly.We cannot effectivelyministertoeachotherorwitheachotherifwedonotspeak“thetruthinlove”(Eph.4:15),especiallyamongourfellowbelievers.

FROMUNRIGHTEOUSANGERTORIGHTEOUSANGER

Beangry,andyetdonotsin;donotletthesungodownonyouranger,anddonotgivethedevilanopportunity.(4:26-27)Parorgismos (anger) isnotmomentaryoutward,boiling-over rageor inward,seethingresentment,butratheradeep-seated,determinedandsettledconviction.Asseeninthispassage,itsNewTestamentusecanrepresentanemotiongoodorbad,dependingonmotiveandpurpose. Paul’scommandistobeangry(fromorgizē),withthequalificationandyetdonotsin.Inthisstatementhemaybelegitimatizingrighteousindignation,angeratevil,atthatwhichisdoneagainstthePersonoftheLordandagainstHiswillandpurpose.ItistheangeroftheLord’speoplewhohateevil(Ps.69:9).Itistheanger thatabhors injustice, immorality,andungodlinessofeverysort. It is theangerofwhich thegreatEnglishpreacherF.WRobertsonwrote inoneofhisletters.Whenheoncemetacertainmanwhowastryingtolureayounggirlintoprostitution,hebecamesoangrythathebithislipuntilitbled. Jesus expressed righteous anger at thehard-heartednessof thePhariseeswhoresentedHishealingthemanwiththewitheredhandontheSabbath(Mark3:5).Althoughtheworditselfisnotusedinthegospelaccountsoftheevents,itwasnodoubtthatkindofangerthatcausedJesustodrivethemoneychangersoutoftheTemple(Matt.21:12;John2:15).JesuswasalwaysangeredwhentheFatherwasmalignedorwhenothersweremistreated,butHewasneverselfishlyangryatwhatwasdoneagainstHim.Thatisthemeasureofrighteousanger. Anger that is sin, on the other hand, is anger that is self-defensive and self-serving,thatisresentfulofwhatisdoneagainstoneself.ItistheangerthatleadstomurderandtoGod’sjudgment(Matt.5:21-22). Anger that is selfish, undisciplined, and vindictive is sinful and has no placeeventemporarilyintheChristianlife.Butangerthatisunselfishandisbasedonlove for God and concern for others not only is permissible but commanded.Genuinelovecannothelpbeingangeredatthatwhichinjurestheobjectofthatlove. But even righteous anger can easily turn to bitterness, resentment, and self-righteousness.Consequently,Paulgoesontosay,donotletthesungodownon your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. Even the bestmotivatedangercansour,andwearethereforetoputitasideat theendofthe

day.Takentobed,itislikelytogivethedevilanopportunitytouseitforhispurposes. Ifanger isprolonged,onemaybegin toseekvengeanceand therebyviolatetheprincipletaughtinRomans12:17-21,

Neverpaybackevilforeviltoanyone.Respectwhatisrightinthesightofallmen. Ifpossible,sofaras itdependsonyou,beatpeacewithallmen.Never takeyourownrevenge,beloved,but leaveroomfor the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I willrepay,”saystheLord.“Butifyourenemyishungry,feedhim,andifhe is thirsty,givehimadrink;for insodoingyouwillheapburningcoalsuponhishead.Donotbeovercomebyevil,butovercomeevilwithgood.”

Itmay also be that verses 26b-27 refer entirely to this unrighteous anger, inwhichcasePauluses the imperative in thesenseofsaying that,becauseangermaycomeinamomentandovertakeabeliever,andbecauseithassuchastrongtendency to grow and fester, it should be dealt with immediately—confessed,forsaken,andgiventoGodforcleansingbeforeweendtheday. In any case of anger, whether legitimate or not, if it is courted, “advantage[will]be takenofusbySatan” (2Cor.2:11), andhewill feedour angerwithself-pity,pride, self-righteousness,vengeance,defenseofour rights, andeveryothersortofselfishsinandviolationofGod’sholywill.

FROMSTEALINGTOSHARING

Let himwho steals steal no longer; but rather let him labor, performingwithhisownhandswhat isgood, inorder thathemayhavesomething tosharewithhimwhohasneed.(4:28)ThethirdcommandPaulsetsforthdemandsachangefromstealingtosharing.No one is completely free from the temptation to steal. Many children gothroughaphaseof thinkingit isfuntosteal,sometimessimplyfor thesakeofstealing.Thereisacertainfleshlyattractionintakingthatwhichdoesnotbelongtousandtryingtogetbywithit.Theoldselfhadabuilt-ininclinationtosteal,and that is one of themany characteristics of the old self that “the new self,which [is] in the likenessofGod” (v.24)puts away.TheChristian is tosteal[kleptō,fromwhichcomeskleptomaniac]nolonger. Inthepastseveraldecadesshopliftinghasgrownalarmingly,alargepercentageofitbeingdonebyemployees.Insomelargestoresuptoathirdofthepriceofthe merchandise is used to cover theft losses of various sorts. Intentionaloverestimating, falsifiedcostoverruns,andoutrightembezzlementare rampantthroughout business and industry. Padding expense accounts, reporting morehours than were worked, failing to report income to the IRS, and other suchdeceptionsareacceptedasnormalbymanypeople.Tothem,stealingissimplyagameinwhichgettingcaughtistheonlycauseforregretorshame. Grand larceny, petty theft, taking some of your dad’smoney off the dresser,renegingonadebt,notpayingfairwages,orpocketingwhataclerkoverpaysinchange are all stealing. There is simply no end to ways we can steal, andwhateverthewaysareandwhateverthechancesforbeingcaught,stealingissinandhasnopartinthenewwalkofthenewmaninChrist. The alternative to stealing is to labor… inorder…to sharewithhimwhohasneed.ItisGod’splanforeveryonetoworkwhoisabletodoso.“Ifanyonewillnotwork,neitherlethimeat.Forwehearthatsomeamongyouareleadingan undisciplined life, doing nowork at all” (2 Thess. 3:10-11). TheChristianwho does notwork and “provide for his own, and especially for those of hishousehold,… has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim.5:8). Our labor shouldbe inwhat isgood, inwork that ishonest, honorable, andproductive.Thetermagathos(good)connotesthatwhichisgoodinquality,and

herereferstoGod-honoringemployment.AChristianshouldneverbeinvolvedin a job, profession, work, or business that demands compromise of God’sstandards, that dishonors Him, violates His holy commands, or misleads orharmsothersinanyway. Performingwithhisownhands stresses the truth that thenormis foreveryperson to be responsible for his own provision, and evenmore, to sharewiththosewho,inspiteofhardworkorbecauseofdevastationorincapacity,areinneed. Notonlyshouldourworkharmnoone,itshouldbeforthespecificpurposeofhelping them—to sharewithhimwhohasneed.AChristian’sdesire toearnmore should be for the purpose of being able to give more and help more.Beyondprovidingforhisownandhisfamily’sbasicneeds,hegainssohecangive.Liketherestofhislife,aChristian’soccupation—directlyorindirectly—shouldaboveallelsebeameansofservicetoGodandtoothers. “When you give a reception,” Jesus said, “invite the poor, the crippled, thelame, the blind, andyouwill be blessed, since theydonot have themeans torepay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Luke14:13-14).As he visited them atMiletus on hisway to Jerusalem, Paul’s lastwords to theEphesian elderswere: “I have covetednoone’s silverorgoldorclothes.Youyourselvesknowthatthesehandsministeredtomyownneedsandtothemenwhowerewithme.IneverythingIshowedyouthatbyworkinghardin thismanner youmust help theweak and remember thewords of the LordJesus, thatHeHimself said, ‘It ismoreblessed togive than to receive’” (Acts20:33-35).

FROMUNWHOLESOMEWORDSTOWHOLESOMEWORDS

Letnounwholesomewordproceedfromyourmouth,butonlysuchawordasisgoodforedificationaccordingtotheneedofthemoment,thatitmaygivegracetothosewhohear.AnddonotgrievetheHolySpiritofGod,bywhomyouweresealedforthedayofredemption.(4:29-30)AfourthchangeintheChristian’slifeshouldbefromspeakingunwholesomewords to speaking wholesome ones. His speech should be transformed alongwitheverythingelse. Sapros(unwholesome)referstothatwhichiscorruptorfoulandwasusedofrotten fruit, vegetables, and other spoiled food. Foul language should neverproceed from themouth of aChristian, because it is totally out of characterwithhisnewnessoflife.Unwholesomelanguageshouldbeasrepulsivetousasarottenappleoraspoiledpieceofmeat.Off-colorjokes,profanity,dirtystories,vulgarity, double entendre, and every other form of corrupt talk should nevercross our lips. “But now you also,” Paul wrote the Colossians, “put them allaside:anger,wrath,malice,slander,andabusivespeechfromyourmouth”(Col.3:8;cf.Eph.5:4). The tongue is exceedinglydifficult to control. It is “a fire,” James says, “thevery world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that whichdefilestheentirebody,andsetsonfirethecourseofourlife,andissetonfirebyhell.Foreveryspeciesofbeastsandbirds,ofreptilesandcreaturesofthesea,istamed,andhasbeentamedbythehumanrace.Butnoonecantamethetongue;itisarestlessevilandfullofdeadlypoison”Games3:6-8). HowmuchitmusthavegrievedPetertorememberthathenotonlydeniedhisLord but that he even denied him with cursing and swearing (Matt. 26:74).Perhaps thatmemory caused Peter to praywithDavid, “Set a guard,OLord,overmymouth;keepwatchoverthedoorofmylips”(Ps.141:3).OnlytheLordhas sufficient power to control our lips and guard them from everyunwholesomeword.Thetongue,ofcourse,onlyspeakswhatthehearttellsittosay. “The mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart,” Jesus said (Matt.12:34;cf.Mark7:14-23).Afoulmouthcomesfroma foulheart,and theonlywayfortheLordtocleanseourtongueisthroughHisWord,whichfillstheheartwith “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever ispure,whatever is lovely,whatever is of good repute,” and all that is excellentand“worthyofpraise”(Phil.4:8).

In addition to renouncing corrupt and harmful language we are to developspeech that is pure, helpful, and pleasing to God. Paul here mentions threespecific characteristics ofwholesome speaking: it is edifying, appropriate, andgracious. First,thewordsofaChristianaretobegoodforedification.Ourspeechshouldbuildupbybeinghelpful,constructive,encouraging, instructive,anduplifting.Sometimes,ofcourse,itmustbecorrective;butthat,too,isedifyingwhendoneintherightspirit.Proverbs25:12admonishes:“Likeanearringofgoldandanornament of fine gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.” The preacher ofEcclesiastes “sought to find delightful words and to write words of truthcorrectly,”andsuchwordsspokenbyawiseman“arelikegoads…andwell-drivennails”(Eccles.12:10-11). Second,everythingwesayshouldbeappropriate,accordingtotheneedofthemoment. It is not that every word we speak is to be freighted with greatsignificance,but thatwhatwesayshouldalwaysbefittingfor thesituation,sothat it constructively contributes to all. Obviously, we should neverunnecessarily mention things that might harm, discourage, or disappointsomeoneelse.Some things—though theymaybeabsolutely trueandperfectlywholesome—arebetterleftunsaid.Everyoneadmiresthewisdomandvirtueofthosewhospeaklessoftenbutusuallysaysomethingofbenefit.Proverbs25:11teaches: “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in rightcircumstances.” Proverbs 15:23 affirms that “aman has joy in an apt answer,andhowdelightful is a timelyword!” In fact, “Hekisses the lipswhogivesarightanswer”(Prov.24:26). Third,whatwe say should be gracious, that itmay give grace to thosewhohear.AsPaulhasalreadysaid,thematureChristiannotonlyspeaksthetruthbutspeaks it in love (v. 15). Raw truth is seldom appropriate and is oftendestructive.Wehavebeensavedingraceandwearekeptingrace;thereforeweare to live and speak in grace. Just as grace supremely characterizes God itshouldalsocharacterizeHischildren. Graciousness always characterized Jesus. Isaiah said of the loveliness of thespeech ofChrist: “TheLordGodhas givenMe the tongue of disciples, that Imay know how to sustain the weary one with a word” (Isa. 50:4). On oneoccasionLukerecordstheeffectoftheSavior’swords:“AndallwerespeakingwellofHim,andwonderingatthegraciouswordswhichwerefallingfromHislips” (Luke 4:22). A few moments later, the ones who spoke those wordsbecameenraged,tookJesustotheedgeofthecity,andwouldhavethrownHim

overtheclifftoHisdeathhadHenotdisappearedfromtheirmidst(w.28-30).But Jesus had not become ungracious. Had the people admitted the truth HeremindedthemofaboutthespiritualrebelliousnessofIsrael,confessedthattheythemselveswereguiltyofthesamesin,andacceptedthefactofGod’sofferingHisgrace toGentiles, theywould indeedhavebeenedifiedandbuiltup.Eventellingmenoftheirsinisagraciousthingtodo,ifitisdonefortherightpurposeandintherightspirit,becauseuntilapersonfacesuptoandrepentsofhissinhecannotexperiencethegraceofsalvation. “Letyourspeechalwaysbewithgrace,”PaultoldtheColossians,“seasoned,asitwere,withsalt”(Col.4:6).Saltisapreservativeandhelpsretardspoilage.ThegraciouswordsofChristianshelpretard themoralandspiritualspoilage in theworld around them. They also provide strength and comfort to those in need.OurgraciousnessreflectsthegraceofChrist,whousesourgraciousnesstodrawotherstoHisgrace. A powerfulmotivation for putting off unwholesome talk is that not to do sowillgrieve theHoly Spirit ofGod.All sin is painful toGod, but sin inHischildrenbreaksHisheart.WhenHischildrenrefuse tochange thewaysof theoldlifeforthewaysofthenew,Godgrieves.TheHolySpiritofGodweeps,asitwere,whenhe seesChristians lying insteadof speaking the truth,becomingunrighteously rather than righteously angry, stealing instead of sharing, andspeakingcorruptinsteadofupliftingandgraciouswords. WhateverviolatesthewillofGodandtheholinessoftheheartwillgrievethethirdPersonoftheTrinity.Grievingcanleadtoquenching(1Thess.5:19)andtoaforfeitureofpowerandblessing.ItshouldbenotedalsothatsuchresponsesbytheHolySpirit indicateHis personhood,which is seen in theuseof personalpronouns referring to Him (cf. John 14:17; 16:13; etc.). His identity asComforter, or Helper (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7), indicates that He is likeChrist, who is a person. TheHoly Spirit has intellect (1 Cor. 2:11), feelings(Rom.8:27;15:30),andwill(1Cor.12:11).Heworks(1Cor.12:11),searches(1Cor. 2:10), speaks (Acts 13:2), testifies (John15:26), teaches (John14:26),convicts (John 16:8-11), regenerates (John 3:5), intercedes (Acts 8:26), guides(John 16:13), glorifies Christ (John 16:14), and directs service to God (Acts16:6-7). SpecificallyinlightofthistextinEphesians,thepersonhoodoftheHolySpiritisseeninthefactthatHecanbetreatedasaperson.Hecanbetested(Acts5:9),lied to (Acts 5:3), resisted (Acts 7:51), insulted (Heb. 10:29), andblasphemed(Matt.12:31-32).

Paulasks,ineffect,“HowcanwedothatwhichissodispleasingtotheOnebywhom[we]havebeensealedforthedayofredemption?”(see1:13-14).TheHolySpirit isGod’spersonalmarkofauthenticityonus,His stampofdivineapproval.Howcanwegrieve theOnewho isourHelper,Comforter,Teacher,Advocate, Divine Resident of our hearts, and guarantor of our eternalredemption? How can we ungraciously grieve God’s infinitely graciousHolySpirit?Hehasdonesomuchforusthat,outofgratitude,weoughtnottogrieveHim. ThecommandnottoshowingratitudetotheDivineSpiritisbasedonthefactthatHehassecuredoursalvation.Paulisnotsayingweshouldavoidsininordertokeepoursalvation,butratherthatweshouldbeeternallygratefultotheHolySpiritforHismakingitimpossibleforustoloseit.

FROMNATURALVICESTOSUPERNATURALVIRTUES

Letallbitternessandwrathandangerandclamorandslanderbeputawayfrom you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgivingeachother, justasGod inChristalsohas forgivenyou.(4:31-32)ThefinalchangePaulmentionsisfromnaturalvicestosupernaturalvirtuesandamountstoasummaryoftheotherchanges. Man’snaturaltendencyistosin,andthenaturaltendencyofsinistogrowintogreatersin.AndaChristian’ssinwillgrowjustlikethatofanunbeliever.Ifnotchecked,ourinnersinsofbitternessandwrathandangerwillinevitablyleadtotheoutwardsinsofclamor,slander,andothersuchmanifestationsofmalice. Bitterness (pikria) reflectsa smoldering resentment, abroodinggrudge-filledattitude (seeActs 8:23;Heb. 12:15). It is the spirit of irritability that keeps apersoninperpetualanimosity,makinghimsourandvenemous.Wrath(thumos)has to dowithwild rage, the passion of themoment.Anger (orgē) is amoreinternalsmoldering,asubtleanddeepfeeling.Clamor(kraugē)istheshoutoroutcry of strife and reflects the public outburst that reveals loss of control.Slander(blasphēmia,fromwhichwegetblasphemy)istheongoingdefamationof someone that rises from a bitter heart. Paul then addsmalice (kakia), thegeneraltermforevilthatistherootofallvices.Allofthese,hesays,mustbeputawayfromyou. Theseparticularsinsinvolveconflictbetweenpersonandperson—believerandunbelieverand,worsestill,betweenbelieverandbeliever.Thesearethesinsthatbreakfellowshipanddestroyrelationships, thatweaken thechurchandmar itstestimonybeforetheworld.WhenanunbelieverseesChristiansactingjustliketherestofsociety,thechurchisblemishedinhiseyesandheisconfirmedstillfurtherinresistingtheclaimsofthegospel. In place of those vices we are rather to be kind to one another,tenderhearted,forgivingeachother,justasGodinChristalsohasforgivenus.ThesearegracesGodhasshowntousandtheyarethegraciousvirtueswearetoshowtoothers.Goddidnotloveus,chooseus,andredeemusbecauseweweredeserving,butpurelybecauseHeisgracious.“GoddemonstratesHisownlovetowardus, inthatwhilewewereyetsinners,Christdiedforus.…Whilewewere enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son”

(Rom.5:8,10).IfGodissogracioustous,howmuchmore,then,shouldwebekind,… tender-hearted, and forgiving to fellow sinners, especially to oneanother. BeingunconditionallykindcharacterizestheLord,asLuke6:35bshows:“ForHeHimselfiskindtoungratefulandevilmen.”Paulspeaksof“therichesofHiskindness… that leads you to repentance” (Rom. 2:4).We are to be like ourheavenlyFather,saysChrist,andareto“love[our]enemies,anddogood,andlend,expectingnothinginreturn;and[our]rewardwillbegreat,and[we]willbesonsoftheMostHigh”(Luke6:35a). Tender-hearted has the idea of being compassionate, and reflects a feelingdeepinthebowels,orstomach,agnawingpsychosomaticpainduetoempathyfor someone’s need.Forgiving each other is so basic to reflectingChristlikecharacter that it needs little comment. The most graphic illustration offorgivenessisintheparableofMatthew18:21-35.WhenPeteraskedaboutthelimitsofforgiveness,theLordtoldhimastoryofamanwithanunpayabledebtwhowasforgivenbyhiscreditor,theking.Thiswasapictureofsalvation—GodforgivingasinnertheunpayabledebtofunrighteousrebellionagainstHim. The forgivenman thenwent to someonewhoowedhima small amount andhad him imprisoned for nonpayment. He who eagerly accepted a massive,comprehensive forgiveness would not forgive a small, easily-payable debt ofanother person. The incongruity of his action shows the heinousness of abeliever’sunforgivingheart,andthemanwasseverelychastenedbytheLordforhiswickedattitude. PaulhasthissamerelationshipinmindashecallsforbelieverstoforgivejustasGod inChrist alsohas forgivenyou.Canwewhohavebeen forgiven somuchnotforgivetherelativelysmallthingsdoneagainstus?We,ofallpeople,shouldalwaysbeeagertoforgive. The parallel text to this passage, found in Colossians 3:1-17, forms a fittingsummationtoPaul’steachinghere.

IfthenyouhavebeenraisedupwithChrist,keepseekingthethingsabove,whereChristis,seatedattherighthandofGod.Setyourmindonthethingsabove,notonthethingsthatareonearth.ForyouhavediedandyourlifeishiddenwithChristinGod.WhenChrist,whoisourlife,isrevealed,thenyoualsowillberevealedwithHiminGlory.

Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead toimmorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, andgreed,which amounts

to idolatry.For it isonaccountof thesethingsthat thewrathofGodwillcome,andinthemyoualsooncewalked,whenyouwerelivinginthem. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice,slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to oneanother, since you laid aside the old selfwith its evil practices, andhaveput on thenew selfwho is being renewed to a trueknowledgeaccording to the image of the One who created him—a renewal inwhichthereisnodistinctionbetweenGreekandJew,circumcisedanduncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ isall,andinall.

And so, as thosewhohavebeen chosenofGod, holy andbeloved,put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness andpatience;bearingwithoneanother,andforgivingeachother,whoeverhasacomplaintagainstanyone,justastheLordforgaveyou,soalsoshould you. And beyond all these things put on love, which is theperfectbondofunity.AndletthepeaceofChristruleinyourhearts,towhich indeedyouwere called in one body; andbe thankful.Let thewordofChristrichlydwellwithinyou,withallwisdomteachingandadmonishingoneanotherwithpsalmsandhymnsandspiritualsongs,singingwiththankfulnessinyourheartstoGod.Andwhateveryoudoinwordordeed,doall in thenameof theLordJesus,giving thanksthroughHimtoGodtheFather.

WalkinginLove

15

ThereforebeimitatorsofGod,asbelovedchildren;andwalkinlove,justas Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and asacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But do not let immorality or anyimpurity or greed even be named among you, as is proper among saints;and theremustbeno filthinessandsilly talk,orcoarse jesting,whicharenot fitting,but rather givingof thanks.For this youknowwith certainty,thatnoimmoralorimpurepersonorcovetousman,whoisanidolater,hasan inheritance in thekingdomofChristandGod.Letnoonedeceiveyouwithemptywords,forbecauseofthesethingsthewrathofGodcomesuponthesonsofdisobedience.Thereforedonotbepartakerswiththem;(5:1-7)InthispassagePaulfirstpresentsthepositivetruthsabouttruegodlyloveandthenthenegativetruthsaboutSatan’scounterfeitloveanditsconsequences.

THEPLEA

ThereforebeimitatorsofGod,asbelovedchildren;andwalkinlove,(5:1-2a)ThewalkofthebelieverisakeymattertoPaul.Hehasintroducedthefactthatoursis tobeaworthywalk(4:1)andawalkdifferentfromtheworld’s(4:17).Hewillalsocall forawalk in light(5:8)andawalk inwisdom(5:15). In thisverse theapostlepleadswithbelievers towalk in suchaway thatdaily life ischaracterizedbylove.Growinginloveisacontinuingneedforeverybeliever,sincelovefulfillsallofGod’slaw(Rom.13:8-10).Aswegrowinlovewealsosee the need to be evenmore loving. And since biblically defined love is socontrarytotheflesh,wearealwaysinneedofremindersandencouragementtolove. Therefore refers back to the last part of chapter 4, especially verse 32.Kindness,tender-heartedness,andforgivenessarecharacteristicsofGod,whoislove. God Himself is infinitely kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving, and weachievethosevirtuesbyimitatingtheirSource. Mimētēs(imitator)isthetermfromwhichwegetmimic,someonewhocopiesspecificcharacteristicsofanotherperson.AsimitatorsofGod,ChristiansaretoimitateGod’scharacteristics,andaboveallHislove.ThewholeoftheChristianlife is the reproduction of godliness as seen in the person of Christ. God’spurpose in salvation is to redeemmen from sin and to conform them “to theimageofHisSon”(Rom.8:29).TobeconformedtoChrististobecomeperfect,justasGodisperfect(Matt.5:48).“Asobedientchildren,”Petertellsus,“donotbeconformedto theformer lustswhichwereyours inyour ignorance,but likethe Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;becauseitiswritten,‘Youshallbeholy,forIamholy’”(1Pet.1:14-16;cf.Lev.11:44). The great hope of believers is, “We know that,whenHe appears,weshallbelikeHim,becauseweshallseeHimjustasHeis”(1John3:2).ImitatingHis love is possiblebecause “the loveofGodhasbeenpouredoutwithinourheartsthroughtheHolySpiritwhowasgiventous”(Rom.5:5). When Alexander the Great discovered a coward in his army who also wasnamedAlexander, he told the soldier, “Renounce your cowardice or renounceyourname.”ThosewhocarryGod’snamearetobeimitator’sofHischaracter.ByHisgraceitispossibletoreflectHimeveninourpresentlimitations.

ToknowwhatGodislikewemuststudyHisWord,HisrevelationofHimself,HisgreatSelf-disclosure.YetthemorewelearnofGod’scharacterthemorewelearn how far above usHe is and how impossible in ourselves it is fulfill thecommandtobelikeHim,tobeabsolutelyperfect,justasHeis.Thatiswhyweneed “to be strengthenedwith power throughHis Spirit in the innerman” inorderto“befilleduptoallthefulnessofGod”(Eph.3:16,19).TheonlywaywecanbecomeimitatorsofGodisfortheLordJesusChristtoliveHisperfectlifethroughus.WearetotallydependentonHisSpirittobecomelikeHim.Ifweareto obey Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians, “let all that you do be done inlove”(1Cor.16:14),wemustsubmittothecontrollinginfluenceoftheSpirit. Itisnaturalforchildrentobeliketheirparents.Theyhavetheirparents’natureandtheyinstinctivelyimitatetheirparents’actionsandbehavior.ThroughJesusChristGodhasgivenustherighttobecomeHischildren(John1:12;Gal.3:26).AsPauldeclaredatthebeginningofthisletter,God“predestinedustoadoptionassons throughJesusChrist toHimself,accordingto thekind intentionofHiswill” (Eph. 1:5). Because our heavenly Father is holy, we are to be holy.BecauseHe is kind,weare tobekind.BecauseHe is forgiving,weare tobeforgiving.BecauseGodinChristhumbledHimself,wearetohumbleourselves.Because God is love, as His beloved children we are towalk in love. Thisabilityisnotnatural,however,butsupernatural—requiringanewnatureandthecontinuouspoweroftheHolySpiritflowingthroughusbyobediencetoGod’sWord. The greatest evidence of love is undeserved forgiveness.The supreme act ofGod’s lovewas togive“HisonlybegottenSon, thatwhoeverbelieves inHimshouldnotperish,buthaveeternallife”(John3:16).God’slovebroughtman’sforgiveness. God loved the world with such a great love that He offeredforgiveness to sinful, rebellious,wretched, vilemankind, by sendingHis ownSontogiveHislifeonthecrossthattheymightnotsufferdeath.HeofferedtheworldthefreegiftofeternalfellowshipwithHim. BecauseforgivenessisthesupremeevidenceofGod’slove,itwillalsobethemost convincingproofofour love.Lovewill always leadus to forgiveothersjust as love ledGod inChrist to forgiveus (Eph.4:32).Nothingmore clearlydiscloses a hard, loveless heart than lack of forgiveness. Lack of forgivenessbetrays lackof love (see4:31).Thepresenceof forgivenessalwaysproves thepresenceof love,becauseonly lovehas themotive andpower to forgive.Theextentofourloveistheextentofourabilitytoforgive. Whatever another believer may do against us, no matter how terrible ordestructiveorunjustified,Christhaspaidthepenaltyforthatsin.Nomatterhow

othersmayhurt,slander,persecute,orinanywayharmus,Christ’ssacrificewassufficient to pay their penalty. When a Christian expresses, or even harbors,vengeance toward a brother, he not only sins by allowing selfish hatred tocontrolhimbuthesinsbyprofaningChrist’ssacrifice—byseekingtometeoutpunishmentforasinwhosepenaltyhasalreadybeenpaidbyhisLord. BecauseChristhaspaidthepenaltyforeverysin,wehavenorighttoholdanysinagainstanyperson,evenanonbeliever.Peterthoughtthatforgivingsomeone“up to seven times”wasgenerous.But Jesus said, “Idonot say toyou,up toseventimes,butuptoseventytimesseven”(Matt.18:22).InChristallour“sinsare forgiven forHis name’s sake” (1 John 2:12);He has “forgiven usall ourtransgressions” (Col. 2:13, emphasis added). “In Him we have redemptionthroughHisblood, theforgivenessofourtrespasses,accordingtotherichesofHisgrace”(Eph.1:7). Just as thedepthofGod’s love is shownbyhowmuchHehas forgiven, thedepthofour love is shownbyhowmuchwe forgive.“Aboveall,”Peter says,“keepfervent inyour loveforoneanother,because lovecoversamultitudeofsins”(1Pet.4:8).TheGreekwordbehind“fervent”referstoamusclestretchedtothelimit.Ourloveistostretchtothelimitinordertocover“amultitudeofsins.” The greater our love the greater the multitude of sins it will cover inforgiveness. The depth of our love is also shown by howmuchwe knowwe have beenforgiven.When Jesuswas eating dinnerwith Simon the Pharisee, a prostitutecameintothehouseandanointedJesus’feetwithhertearsandwithexpensiveperfume.SimonwasincensedatwhatshedidandwasdisappointedinJesusforallowingsuchawomantotouchHim.Jesusrespondedbytellingaparable:”‘Acertainmoneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and theother fifty.When theywereunable to repay,hegraciously forgave themboth.Which of them therefore will love him more?’ Simon answered and said, ‘Isupposetheonewhomheforgavemore.’AndHesaidtohim,‘Youhavejudgedcorrectly.’”After comparing theways that Simon and thewoman had treatedHim,Jesussaid,“For this reason I say toyou,hersins,whicharemany,havebeen forgiven, for she lovedmuch; but hewho is forgiven little, loves little”(Luke7:36-47). BecauseSimonhadnorealsenseoftheenormityofthesininhisownlife,andtherefore sensed no need for forgiveness, he was unforgiving of others—especiallythosewhomheconsideredmoralandsocialoutcasts.Unforgivenessisthemeasureofself-righteousnessjustasforgivenessisthemeasureoflove.Ourabilitytolove,andthereforetoforgive,dependsonoursenseofhowmuchGod

hasforgivenus.Unforgivenessisalsoameasureofunbelief,becausethepersonwhofeelsnoneedforforgivenessfeelsnoneedforGod. Robert Falconer tells the story of hiswitnessing among destitute people in acertaincityandofreadingthemthestoryofthewomanwhowipedJesus’feetwith her tears.While hewas reading he heard a loud sob and looked up at ayoung, thingirlwhose facewasdisfiguredby smallpox.Afterhe spokea fewwords of encouragement to her, she said, “WillHe ever come again, theOnewhoforgavethewoman?IhaveheardthatHewillcomeagain.Willitbesoon?”“Hecouldcomeanytime.Butwhydoyouask?”Falconerreplied.Aftersobbingagainuncontrollably, shesaid,“Sir,can’tHewaita littlewhile?Myhairain’tlongenoughyettowipeHisfeet.” ThepersonwhoseesthegreatnessofhisownforgivenessbyGod’slovewillhimselfinlovebeforgiving.HeforgivesinlovebecausehisheavenlyFatherhasforgiveninloveandhedesirestobeanimitatorofHisFather.

THEPATTERN

justasChristalsolovedyou,andgaveHimselfupforus,anofferingandasacrificetoGodasafragrantaroma.(5:2b)Ayoungchildoftenlearnstodrawbytracing.Themorecarefullyhetraces,thetruerthelikenessofhiscopyistotheoriginal. The pattern for Christian living isChrist Himself, the one by whom everybelieveristotracehislife.ThegreatdifferencebetweenthistracingandthatofayoungchildlearningtodrawisthatwewillneverhaveatimewhenChristwillceasetobeourpattern.Andwewillneverbe“onourown,”sufficientlyskilledinourselves to liveasHe lived. In fact,ourpart isnotsomuch topatternourlives ourselves as to allow God’s Spirit to pattern us after His Son. SecondCorinthians3:18expressesthisprofoundtruthinmagnificentterms:“Butweall,with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are beingtransformedintothesameimagefromglorytoglory,justasfromtheLord,theSpirit.” ThesummumbonumofChristthatwearetoimitateisHislove.HelovedusandgaveHimselfupforus.Givingofoneselftoothersistheepitomeofagapēlove.Biblicalloveisnotapleasantemotionorgoodfeelingaboutsomeone,butthe giving of oneself for his welfare (cf. 1 John 3:16). Divine love isunconditionallove,lovethatdependsentirelyontheonewholovesandnotonthemerit, attractiveness, or response of the one loved.Christ did not simplyhave a deep feeling and emotional concern formankind.Nor didHe sacrificeHimselfforusbecauseweweredeserving(cf.Rom.5:8,10).“Whilewewereyetsinners,”HegaveHimselfusforuspurelyoutofsovereign,graciouslove,takingoursinuponHimselfandpayingitspenaltyinourbehalf. God’s love, and all love that is like His, loves for the sake of giving, notgetting.Withconditionallove,iftheconditionsarenotmetthereisnoobligationtolove.Ifwedonotget,wedonotgive.ButGod’smakesnoconditionsforHislove to us and commands thatwe love otherswithout conditions. There is nowaytoearnGod’sloveortodeserveitbyreasonofhumangoodness. Romantic, emotional love between husband and wife ebbs and flows, andsometimes disappears altogether. But loss of romantic love is never anappropriate excuse for dissolving a marriage, because the love that Godspecifically commands husbands to have for their wives is agapē love (Eph.

5:25;3:19;cf.Titus2:4;etc.)—lovelikeHisownundeservedloveforus, lovethatisbasedonwillfulchoiceinbehalfoftheoneloved,regardlessofemotions,attraction,ordeserving.Romanticloveenhancesandbeautifiestherelationshipbetween husband and wife, but the binding force of a Christian marriage isGod’s own kind of love, the love that loves because it is the divine nature tolove. It is the loveofgiving,notofgetting;andevenwhen it ceases toget, itcontinues togive.Where there is the sacrificial loveofwillfulchoice, there isalsolikelytobetheloveofintimacy,feeling,andfriendship(philia). Godloveduswhilewewerestillsinnersandenemies,andHecontinuestoloveusasbelievers,eventhoughwecontinuetosinandfallshortofHisperfectionandHisglory.HelovesuswhenweforgetHim,whenwedisobeyHim,whenwedenyHim,whenwe fail to returnHis love, andwhenwegrieveHisHolySpirit.WhenJudesaid,“KeepyourselvesintheloveofGod”(Jude21),hewasindicatingtheresponsibilitytostayintheplacewherethatdivineloveshedsitsblessing. ThosewhoaregivenGod’snaturethroughJesusChristarecommandedtoloveasGodloves.InChrist,itisnowournaturetolovejustasitisGod’snaturetolove—becauseHisnature isnowournature.For aChristiannot to love is forhimtoliveagainsthisownnatureaswellasagainstGod’s. Lovelessness is thereforemore thanafailureorshortcoming. It issin,willfuldisobedienceofGod’scommandanddisregardofHisexample.ToloveasGodlovesistolovebecauseGodloves,becauseweareto“beimitatorsofGod,asbelovedchildren”andbecauseChristalsoloved[us],andgaveHimselfupforus,anofferingandasacrificetoGod. God’slovenotonlyisforgivingandunconditionalbutisalsoself-sacrificing.Therefore to loveasGodloves is to lovesacrificially, to lovebythegivingofourselvesasHegaveHimself. The Christian’s walk in love is to extend to every person, believer andunbeliever.IfGod’slovecanreachouteventoHisenemies,howcanwerefusetoloveourenemies?IfHelovesHisimperfectchildrenwithaperfectlove,howcanwenotlovefellowbelievers,whoseimperfectionsweshare?Andifdivinelove ledChrist to sacrificeHimself for unworthy and ungrateful sinners, howcan we not give ourselves to fellow sinful people, unbelievers as well asbelievers,inHisname? Shortly before His betrayal and arrest, Jesus was having supper with Hisdisciples.During themeal thedisciplesbeganarguingamongthemselvesas towhich was the greatest. Their Lord was facing His ultimate humiliation and

affliction,andyettheironlyconcernwasforthemselves,fortheirownprestige,rank,andglory.WhentheLordmostneededtheircomfort,encouragement,andsupport,theyactedasifHewerenotwiththem.Alltheirattentionwasfocusedselfishlyonthemselves(Luke22:24). ItwasthenthatJesuspickedupabasinofwaterandbeganwashingtheirfeet,atask usually reserved for the lowest of servants. Despite their callous lack ofconcern for His impending suffering and death, Jesus humbly, forgivingly,unconditionally, and self-sacrificially ministered to them. After He finishedwashing their feet and returned to the supper table, “He said to them,Doyouknowwhat I have done to you?You callMeTeacher andLord; and you areright,forsoIam.IfIthen,theLordandtheTeacher,washedyourfeet,youalsooughttowashoneanother’sfeet.ForIgaveyouanexamplethatyoualsoshoulddo as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than hismaster; neither is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him” (John13:12-16).LaterHecommandedthemtoloveinthissamemanner(John13:34-35). Christ’sgivingHimselfupforus,anofferingandasacrificetoGodwasafragrantaroma toHisheavenlyFatherbecause that sacrificedemonstrated inthefullestandmostultimatewayGod’skindoflove.Thewordsforusindicatethepersonalexpressionoflovedirectedatallwhobelieve.(Thisdoesnotlimittheprovisionoftheatonementonlytobelievers,asotherScripturesmakeclear.SeeJohn1:29;3:15-16;Rom.10:13;2Cor.5:14;1Tim.2:4,6;4:10;2Pet.2:1;lJohn2:2;4:14.) ThefirstfivechaptersofLeviticusdescribefiveofferingscommandedbyGodof the Israelites.The first threewere theburntoffering, themealoffering,andthe peace offering. The burnt offering (Lev. 1:1-17) depicted Christ’s totaldevotiontoGodingivingHisverylifetoobeyandpleaseHisFather;themeal(grain) offering (Lev. 2:1-16) depicted Christ’s perfection, and the peaceoffering (Lev. 3:1-17; 4:27-31) depicted His making peace between God andman.All of those offerings obviously spoke ofwhatwas pleasing toGod.Ofeach,theScripturesaysitprovideda“soothingaromatotheLord”(Lev.1:9,13,17;2:2,9,12;3:5,16).Philippians4:18explainsthatthefragrantaromameantthe sacrifice was “acceptable, … well-pleasing to God.” But the other twoofferings—thesin(Lev.4:1-26,32-35)andthetrespass(Lev.5:1-19)offerings—were repulsive toGod, because, though they depicted Christ, they depictedHimasbearingthesinofmankind.TheydepictedtheFather’sturningHisbackon theSonwhen“HemadeHimwhoknewnosin tobesinonourbehalf” (2Cor.5:21),atwhich timeJesusexclaimedfromthecross,“MyGod,MyGod,

whyhastThouforsakenMe?”(Matt.27:46). WhileChristwasthesin-bearer,GodcouldnotlookonHimorrejoiceinHimor be pleased in Him. But when the Father raised Christ from the dead, thesacrificethatcausedHimtobecomesinbecamethesacrificethatconqueredsin.ThesinthatputHimtodeathwasitselfputtodeath,andthatgreatactoflovewastoGodasafragrantaroma.Thatfragrantaromaspreadsitsfragrancetoeveryoneonearthwhowillplacehimselfunderthegraceofthatsacrifice,anditwill spread its fragrance throughout heaven for all eternity. In all aspects, ourlivesshouldpleaseGod(cf.2Cor.2:14-16).

THEPERVERSION

Butdonotletimmoralityoranyimpurityorgreedevenbenamedamongyou, as is proper among saints; and theremust be no filthiness and sillytalk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.(5:3-4)WhateverGodestablishes,Satanwillcounterfeit.WhereGodestablishes truelove, Satan produces counterfeit love. Counterfeit love characterizes Satan’schildren, those who are of the world, just as true love characterizes God’schildren,thosewhoarecitizensofheaven. In contrast to godly, unselfish, forgiving love, theworld’s love is lustful andself-indulgent. It loves because the object of love is attractive, enjoyable,pleasant,satisfying,appreciative,lovesinreturn,producesdesiredfeelings,orislikely torepay insomeway. It isalwaysbasedon theotherperson’s fulfillingone’sownneedsanddesiresandmeetingone’sownexpectations.Worldlyloveis reciprocal, giving little in the expectationof gettingmuch.Speakingof thatkindoflove,Jesussaid,“Forifyoulovethosewholoveyou,whatrewardhaveyou?Donoteventhetax-gatherersdothesame?”(Matt.5:46). Theworldclaimstowant love,andloveisadvocatedandpraisedfromeverycorner.Romanticloveespeciallyistouted.Songs,novels,movies,andtelevisionserials continually exploit emotional, lustful desire as if it were genuine love.Questingforandfantasizingaboutthe“perfectlove”isportrayedastheultimatehumanexperience. Itshouldnotbesurprisingthatthemisguidedquestforthatkindofloveleadsinevitablytoimmoralityandimpurity,becausethatkindofloveisselfishanddestructive,adeceptivecounterfeitofGod’slove.Itisalwaysconditionalandisalways self-centered. It is not concerned about commitment but onlysatisfaction;itisnotconcernedaboutgivingbutonlygetting.Ithasnobasisforpermanencebecauseitspurposeistouseandtoexploitratherthantoserveandto help. It lasts until the one loved no longer satisfies or until he or shedisappearsforsomeoneelse. Porneia(immorality)referstoallsexualsin,andallsexualsinisagainstGodand against godly love. It is the antonym of enkrateia, which refers to self-control,especiallyintheareaofsex.WhenPaulspokebeforeFelixandhiswifeDrusilla,“discussingrighteousness,self-controlandthejudgmenttocome,Felix

becamefrightenedandsaid, ‘Goawayfor thepresent,andwhenI find time, Iwillsummonyou’”(Acts24:24-25).FelixhadstolenDrusilla fromherformerhusband and was therefore living with her in an adulterous relationship. Thesexual self-control of which Paul spoke pertained to lustful passion, as Felixunderstood. The message to the governor was that he was living contrary toGod’s righteousnessby refusing todisciplinehis sexualdesire,and for thathewassubjecttoGod’sjudgment. Loss of sexual self-control leads to its opposite, which is immorality andimpurity.Akatharsia(impurity)isamoregeneraltermthanporneia,referringto anything that is unclean and filthy. Jesus used the word to describe therottennessofdecayingbodies ina tomb(Matt.23;27).Theother ten times thewordisusedin theNewTestament it isassociatedwithsexualsin. It refers toimmoral thoughts, passions, ideas, fantasies, and every other form of sexualcorruption. Contemporary sex madness has even found its way into the church. Theinfluenceofthelustfulworldhasbeensopervasiveandthechurchsoweakandundiscerning that many Christians have become convinced that all sorts ofsexualexcessesandimpuritiesarecoveredbygraceorcanberenderedmorallysafeifengagedinwiththerightattitude—especiallyifsomeScriptureversecanbe twisted to give seeming support. But immorality and impurity cannot besanctified or modified into anything better than what they are, which iswickedness—a crime against the holy God and the loving Savior. In 1Corinthians5:1-5and6:13-20Paulshows that there isnoplace for that in theChristianlife. As mentioned under the discussion of Ephesians 4:19, greed is inseparablefrom impurity. Every form of sexual immorality is an expression of the self-will,self-gratification,andself-centerednessofgreed.Itisbynaturecontrarytolove,whichisself-giving.Immoralityand impurityarebutformsofgreedinthe realm of sexual sin. They are manifestations of sexual covetousness andexpress counterfeit love (which is really hate, since love seeks the purity ofothers and is unselfish), masquerading as something beautiful, good, andrewarding. Because those sins seem so attractive and promising, spouses areforsaken,childrenareneglected,homesaredestroyed,friendsaredisregarded,asnoeffortissparedtofulfillthedesiretohavetheonewhoislustedafter—allofthatinthenameoflove. Becauseofthestrongsexualnatureofhumanbeings,sexualsinsarepowerfulandcanbecomepervertedinunimaginableways.Ifgivenfreerein,sexualsinslead to complete insensitivity to the feelings andwelfareofothers, tohorrible

brutality,andfrequentlytomurder—asnewsstoriestestifydaily. ThatiswhythesinsofimmoralityoranyimpurityorgreedshouldnotevenbenamedamongChristians,asisproperamongsaints.Thosesinscannotinanywaybejustified,andtheyshouldnotinanywaybetolerated.Themeaningof saints is “holyones,” and thosewhoareholyhavenothing todowith thatwhichisunholy. Paul continues hiswarning against this perversion of love bymentioning anextensive listof relatedsins that is sure tocovereverybelieveratone timeoranother.NotonlyshouldChristiansneverengageinsexualsinsofanykind,buttheyshouldneverbeguiltyoffilthinessandsillytalk,orcoarsejesting. Filthiness has to do with general obscenity, any talk that is degrading anddisgraceful. It comes from the same Greek root as “disgraceful” in verse 12,wherePaulsaysthatsuchvilethingsshouldnotevenbementioned,muchlessparticipated in, and is related to the term in Colossians 3:8, meaning “dirtyspeech.” Mōrologia (silly talk) usedonlyhere in theNewTestament, is derived frommōros(whichmeansdull,orstupid,andisthewordfromwhichwegetmoron)and legō (to speak). It is stupid talk, talk only befitting someone who isintellectuallydeficient.Itissometimesreferredtoaslowobscenity,foolishtalkthatcomesfromthedrunkortheguttermouth.Ithasnopointexcepttogiveanairofdirtyworldliness. Eutrapelia (coarse jesting), on the other hand, refers to talk that is morepointedanddetermined.Itcarries the ideaofquicklyturningsomethingthat issaid or done—no matter how innocent—into that which is obscene orsuggestive. It is the filthy talk of a person who uses every word andcircumstance to display his immoral wit. It is the stock-in-trade of the clevertalk-showhostwhoisneveratalossforsexualinnuendo.Butthelowobscenityofsillytalkandthe“high”obscenityofcoarsejestingcomefromthesamekindofheart,theheartgivenovertomoralfilthiness. In light of such clear teaching of God’s Word, it is strange that so manyChristiansnotonlydiscussbutlaughandjokewithimpunityaboutalmosteveryformofsexualintimacy,corruption,andperversion.ButGod’sstandardisclear:theremustbeno filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting,which arenotfitting. Insteadofbeinginvolvedinimmoralityorfilthyspeaking,thebeliever’smouthshould be involved in thegiving of thanks. Thanksgiving is an expression ofunselfishness.Theselfishandunlovingpersondoesnotgivethanksbecausehe

thinks he deserveswhatever good thing he receives. The unselfish and lovingperson,ontheotherhand,focuseshislifeandhisconcernontheneedsofothers.Whatevergood thinghe receives fromGodor fromotherpeoplehe counts asundeserved and gracious. He is always thankful because his spirit is one oflovingandofgiving.Insteadofusingothers,heservesthem.Insteadoftryingtoturntheinnocentintotheimmoral,heseekstochangetheimmoralintowhatisrighteousandholy.Heisthankfulbecausetheholylifeisthesatisfyinglife,andpeopleseeloveforGodinthethankfulperson. If Christians are known for anything it should be for love expressed towardGod and others by unceasing thankfulness (cf. 1 Thess. 5:18, where theinjunctionisclear:“Ineverythinggivethanks;forthisisGod’swillforyouinChristJesus”).

THEPUNISHMENT

For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person orcovetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom ofChristandGod.Letnoonedeceiveyouwithemptywords, forbecauseofthese things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.Thereforedonotbepartakerswiththem;(5:5-7)ItisclearthatPaulisrestatingatruthhehadtaughttheEphesiansmanytimeswhilehepastoredamongthemand,nodoubt,onethatothershadreinforced.Forthis you knowwith certainty, he said. There should have been no doubt orconfusionintheirmindsaboutwhathewasabouttosay,becauseitwasnothingnew. Goddoesnot toleratesin,andpervertedloveleadstopunishment.Sinhasnoplace in His kingdom and no place in His family. Immoral, impure, andcovetous are from the same basic Greek words as immorality, impurity andgreed in verse 3. Covetousness is a form of idolatry. The covetous man,therefore, ismore than simply selfishand immoral;he isan idolater (cf.Col.3:5). PersonswhoarecharacterizedbythesinsPaulhasjustcondemnedinverses3and4willhavenoinheritanceinthekingdomofChristandGod.Nopersonwhose life pattern is oneof habitual immorality, impurity, andgreed canbe apartofGod’skingdom,becausenosuchpersoncanbelongtoHim.Suchwouldcontradict the truths of Romans 6 and 2 Corinthians 5:17, as well as theinstructionof1Johnregardingthecharacteristicsofbelievers.Thelifedescribedhere testifies to an unredeemed, sinful nature—nomatter what relationship toChristapersonmightclaimtohave.God’schildrenhaveGod’snature,andthehabituallysinfulpersonprovesthathedoesnothaveagodlynature(lJohn3:9-10).The kingdom of Christ and God refers to the sphere of salvation, thecommunityoftheredeemedandtheplaceofeternalglory.Thekingdomistherule of Christ and God, which includes the present church, the futureMillennium,andtheeternalstateinglory. “ForthegraceofGodhasappeared,bringingsalvationtoallmen,instructingustodenyungodlinessandworldlydesiresandtolivesensibly,righteouslyandgodly in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12). Every personwho is saved, and istherefore a part of that glorious rule ofChrist andGod, is instructed by theHolySpiritandby the inclinationofhisnewnature to forsakesinand toseek

righteousness. The person whose basic life pattern does not reflect thatorientationcannotclaimGodashisFatherorthekingdomofChristandGodashisinheritance. ItisdangerouslydeceptiveforChristianstotrytogiveassuranceofsalvationtosomeonewhohasnobiblicalgroundsforsuchassurance.Inhisfirstlettertothechurch at Corinth, Paul gives an even more detailed listing of sins whosehabitualpracticeprovesapersonisnotsavedandhasnoclaimonGod.“DoyounotknowthattheunrighteousshallnotinheritthekingdomofGod?Donotbedeceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, norhomosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, norswindlers,shallinheritthekingdomofGod”(1Cor.6:9-10).Suchthingsdonotcharacterize the children of God (cf. Gal. 5:17-21 for a similar insight). TheverdictofGodisthat,nomatterwhatmaybetheclaim,alifedominatedbysinlikethisisdamnedtohell. Peoplewill try todenythat,butPaulwarnsnot to listento them.Letnoonedeceiveyouwith emptywords, tellingyou that sin is tolerable and thatGodwillnotexcludeunrepentantsinnersfromHiskingdom.Emptywordsarefulloferror,devoidoftruth,andthereforetheydeceive. Itisbecauseofthesethings,thatis,becauseofthesinslistedhereandtheliesofemptywords,thatthewrathofGodcomesuponthesonsofdisobedience.Such people are called sons of disobedience (see also 2:2) because it is theirnatureistodisobeyandtheyare“childrenofwrath”(2:3;cf.2Thess.1:8-10),thetargetsforGod’sgunsofjudgment. God’sattitudetowardpervertedloveandsexualsinisseenclearlyinNumbers25:1-9, where the Israelites had relations with Moabite women and Godslaughtered24,000ofthem.Hisattitudetowardsexualsinhasnotchanged,andpervertedloveattractsGod’swrathlikeafully-litcityattractsenemybombers. In a final warning, Paul says, Therefore do not be partakers with them.“Don’t join the world in its evil,” he says. “Don’t be partners with them inwickedness.BepartnerswithChrist in righteousness.Don’t imitate theworld,butratherbeimitatorsofGod,asbelovedchildren”(v.1).

LivinginLight

16

foryouwereformerlydarkness,butnowyouarelightintheLord;walkaschildren of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness andrighteousnessandtruth),tryingtolearnwhatispleasingtheLord.Anddonotparticipateintheunfruitfuldeedsofdarkness,butinsteadevenexposethem; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the thingswhich are done bytheminsecret.Butallthingsbecomevisiblewhentheyareexposedbythelight, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says,“Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, andChristwill shine on you.”(5:8-14)Thispassagecontinuestheemphasisonbelievers’being“imitatorsofGod,asbeloved children” (5:1). The first way we are to imitate God is in His love,which Paul shows both in its true and in its counterfeit forms, with ChristHimself being our divine pattern (vv. 2-7). In verses 8-14 the focus is on ourimitatingGodinrelationtolight. Scripture speaksofGod as our “light and…salvation” (Ps. 27:1) and as “aneverlasting light” (Isa. 60:19).HisWord is called “a lamp to [our] feet, and alight to [our] path” (Ps. 119:105; cf. v. 130). Christ is called “a light of thenations”(Isa.49:6),“thetruelightwhich…enlightenseveryman”(John1:9),and“thelightoftheworld”(John8:12).ForabelievertoimitateGod,therefore,heobviouslymustshareinandreflectGod’slight. InScripturethefigurativeuseoflighthastwoaspects,theintellectualandthemoral. Intellectually it represents truth,whereasmorally it represents holiness.To live in light thereforemeans to live in truth and in holiness.The figure ofdarkness has the same two aspects. Intellectually it represents ignorance andfalsehood,whereasmorallyitconnotesevil. The intellectual aspect of both figures pertains to what a person knows andbelieves, and the moral aspect pertains to way he thinks and acts. In 2CorinthiansPaulspeaksabouttheintellectualaspectwhenhesays,“Thegodofthisworldhasblindedthemindsoftheunbelieving,thattheymightnotseethelight of the gospel of the glory ofChrist,who is the image ofGod” (4:4; cf.Rom.1:21;Eph.4:18).InIsaiah5theprophetspeaksofboththeintellectualand

themoral aspectswhen he says, “Woe to thosewho call evil good, and goodevil;whosubstitutedarknessfor lightandlightfordarkness”(v.20).Boththeteachingandthepracticeofthosepeoplewerecorrupt.Paulspeaksofthemoralaspectwhenhepleadswithbelieversto“layasidethedeedsofdarknessandputon the armor of light” (Rom. 13:12), and in the following verse he specifiessome of the deeds of darkness: carousing, drunkenness, sexual promiscuity,sensuality,strife,andjealousy. But everyone who belongs to God walks in light, both intellectually andmorally.“Thisis themessagewehaveheardfromHimandannouncetoyou,”Johnsaidunequivocally,“thatGodis light,andinHimthere isnodarknessatall.IfwesaythatwehavefellowshipwithHimandyetwalkinthedarkness,welieanddonotpracticethetruth;butifwewalkinthelightasHeHimselfisinthelight,wehavefellowshipwithoneanother,andthebloodofJesusHisSoncleansesusfromallsin”(1John1:5-7). In verses 8-14 Paul mentions five practical features we should recognize inorder to faithfullywalk inGod’s light.He gives the contrasts, characteristics,command,commission,andcallofChristiansasGod’sownchildrenoflight.

THECONTRAST

foryouwereformerlydarkness,butnowyouarelightintheLord;walkaschildrenoflight(5:8)Paul here contrasts what every believer’s life was like before salvationwithwhatGodintendsittobelikeaftersalvation.Iiidoingsohesimplystateswhatshould be obvious:A personwho has been saved from sin should be throughwithsinandshouldliveasaredeemedandpurifiedchildofGod.Toillustratethatpointtheapostleusesthecommonbiblicalfiguresofdarknessandlight.WHATWEWERE

The verb form ofwere reveals two important realities. First, the past tenseindicates a condition that no longer exists, and that truth is reinforced byformerly.Earlierintheletter,Paulsaysthatwe“weredeadin[our]trespassesand sins,” that we “formerly walked according to the course of this world,according to theprinceof thepowerof theair,”and that “we tooall formerlylivedinthelustsofourflesh,indulgingthedesiresofthefleshandofthemind,andwerebynaturechildrenofwrath,evenastherest”(2:1-3,emphasisadded).ForChristians,both intellectualandmoraldarknessarea thingof thepast (cf.4:17-20). Second,theverbisnotmodifiedbyapronoun,suchasinorof.InotherplacesScripture speaks of a person’s being in or of darkness, but here it says wewere…darkness. Beforewe came toChrist our total existence—our being aswellasourbehavior—wascharacterizedbydarkness.Theirwasnootheraspectto our spiritual life than that of darkness.We were children of darkness and“sons of disobedience” (Eph. 5:6). We were not simply victims of Satan’ssystembutwerecontributors to it.Wewerenotmerely insin;ourverynaturewascharacterizedbysin. Scripture gives four basic characteristics of that spiritual darkness.First, it istheworkofSatan.Thosewho are not the childrenofGod are the childrenoftheir“father thedevil,and[they]want todothedesiresof[their]father,”who“was amurderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, becausethereisnotruthinhim”(John8:44;cf.vv.38,41). It isdifficult even forChristians to imagine that the law-abiding,decent, andpleasant unbelievers we run into every day are children of Satan. Yet every

personiseitherachildofthedevilorachildofGod.Therearenootherkindsofspiritualchildhood,althoughthereobviouslyaredegreesinbothkindsasfaraslife-style is concerned. But the unbelieving, well-dressed, sophisticatedphilanthropistwillspendeternityapartfromGodinthesamehellasthedemon-servingwitchdoctor. Second, spiritualdarknessnotonly is theworkbut thedomainofSatan.TheunbelieverdoesSatan’sworkbecauseheisunderSatan’scontrol(inLuke22:53heiscalled“thepowerofdarkness”)asacitizenofhis“dominionofdarkness”(Col.1:13;cf.Eph.6:12;lJohn5:19).Thatiswhyitissofoolishforpeopletorejecttheclaimsofthegospelbecausetheyimaginetheywouldhavetogiveuptheir freedomandcomeintoa forcedandunwantedobedience toGod.OneofSatan’smostdeceptiveanddestructive lies is the idea thatapersonapartfromGod is free.The unbeliever is totally bound and imprisonedbySatan throughsin.HecannotdoanythingbutsinandhecannotobeyanyonebutSatan.Fallenman thinkshe is freeonlybecausewhathewants socloselyagreeswithwhatSatanwants.But thebeliever’sobedienceis thedeepestdesireofhisheart(cf.Rom.6:17-18,22;7:22;Ps.119). Third,spiritualdarknessbringsGod’spenalty.AsPaulhasjustdeclared,“thewrath ofGod comes upon the sons of disobedience” (Eph. 5:6),who are “bynaturechildrenofwrath”(2:3).In thebookofRomanshesays,“ThewrathofGod is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness ofmen,whosuppressthetruthinunrighteousness”(1:18). Fourth, spiritual darkness leads to the ultimate destiny of eternal darkness.ThosewhodonotbelieveinJesusChristasLordandSavior,whethertheyareJeworGentile,“shallbecastoutintotheouterdarkness;inthatplacethereshallbe weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 8:12; cf. 1 Sam. 2:9; 2 Pet. 2:17).Those who reject Christ do so because they are content with darkness. Andbecausetheychoosedarknessratherthanlight,theywillforeverhavedarknessratherthanlight.Eternitysimplycrystallizesthechoiceintopermanence. Thattheworldisconfused,unjust,wicked,corrupt,andhopelessistestifiedtoby every sensible observer, believer and unbeliever alike. There is constantcompulsiontodeceive,lie,steal,commitimmorality,kill,andtodoeveryotherkindofevil.Justasobviousas theworld’spropensitytosinis theinescapablereality that reality cannot be foundwheremen keep looking for it. Yet whenGod’s supreme reality is offered in Jesus Christ, men turn away because therealityofHisrighteousnessandgoodnessalsorevealstherealityoftheirownsinandwickedness.Jesussaid,“Andthisisthejudgment,thatthelightiscomeintotheworld,andmenlovedthedarknessratherthanthelight;fortheirdeedswere

evil.Foreveryonewhodoesevilhatesthelight,anddoesnotcometothelight,lest his deeds shouldbe exposed.Buthewhopractices the truth comes to thelight,thathisdeedsmaybemanifestedashavingbeenwroughtbyGod”(John3:19-21). Itisasifapersonwerelostinanabandonedmine.Themorehetriestofindhiswayout,thefartherhegoesintothemine.Everytunnelhetakesleadseithertoadeadendortoanothertunnel.Hehasnoideawhereheisorwhichwaytogo.Hiseyesarewideopenbutallhecanseeisoppressiveblackness.Afteraweekofgropingaboutthecold,dirtytunnelsandshaftshenoticesafaintlight.Withallhisremainingenergyhemakeshiswaytowardthatlightandeventuallyfindshiswaytotheoutside.Butbecausethelightissobrightandhurtshiseyes,hebegins towonder if he is really better off.He remembers a few things in themine that gave him temporary enjoyment by distracting his attention fromhisplight.Andhegoesbackintotheminetolive. Thatstory,strangeandunlikelyasitis,isrepeatedcountlesstimeseverydayinaninfinitelymoretragicway—aspeopleseethegospeloflightandlifeandturnbacktotheoldwayofdarknessanddeath.WHATWEARE

Thesecondverbinverse8(are)alsotellsustwoimportantthings.Thepresenttense indicatesournewspiritualcondition, incontrast towhatwewerebeforetrustingChrist.Now [we]arelightintheLord.Christ“deliveredusfromthedomainofdarkness,andtransferredustothekingdomofHisbelovedSon”(Col.1:13),andHehas“called[us]outofdarknessintoHismarvelouslight”(1Pet.2:9). Like were, the verb are is not modified. Scripture sometimes speaks ofbelieversbeinginandofthelight,butherewearesaidtobelight.“Youarethelightoftheworld,”Jesussaid(Matt.5:14).BecausewenowshareChrist’sownnature,weshareinHislight.JustasHeisthe“lightoftheworld”(John8:12),Hispeoplearealso“thelightoftheworld”(Matt.5:14).BecauseweareintheLord,wewhowereoncechildrenofdarknessarenowchildrenoflight,anditisassuchchildrenthatweshouldwalk.

THECHARACTERISTICS

(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness andtruth),tryingtolearnwhatispleasingtheLord.(5:9-10)Inwhatappearstobeaparentheticalstatement,themanifestcharacteristicsofthechildrenoflightaregiveninwhatPaulherecallsthefruitofthelight.(ThebetterGreekmanuscriptshave“the fruitof the light,”ashere, rather than“thefruit of the Spirit,” as in the Authorized Version.) The three supremecharacteristics, or fruit, of our walk as children of light are all goodness andrighteousnessandtruth. Thesearethetestsoftruefaith,ofatruesavingrelationshiptotheLordJesusChrist. A “decision” for Christ, church membership, faithful attendance atworshipservices,beingbaptized,financialsupportoftheLord’swork,andmanyothersuchthingsareoftenusedasevidenceofsalvation.ThefaithfulChristianshoulddoallof thosethings,but theyarebehaviors thatareeasilydoneinthefleshandarethereforeunreliableinthemselvesasevidence.Ontheotherhand,the three characteristics Paulmentions here are spiritualworks that cannot beachievedintheflesh.Theallreflectstheperfectionofthedivinestandard. Thefirstcharacteristic isallgoodness(cf.“allmalice” in4:31).AnumberofGreekwordsaretranslated“good”or“goodness”intheNewTestament.Kalosdenotes that which is intrinsically right, free from defects, beautiful, andhonorable.Both John theBaptist and Jesus used the term for the “good fruit”withoutwhichatree“iscutdownandthrownintothefire”(Matt.3:10;7:19).Paul uses the termwhen he tells Timothy that “everything created byGod isgood”(1Tim.4:4).Itisalsousedofthatwhichismorallygood(seeGal.4:18;1Tim. 5:10, 25;Titus 2:7, 14).Chrēstos, also often translated “good,” refers tothatwhichispleasant,useful,suitable,orworthy.Paulusesthiswordwhenhedeclaresthat“badcompanycorruptsgoodmorals”(1Cor.15:33). But in the present passage Paul uses agathōsunē, which refers to moralexcellence, to being good in both nature and effectiveness. Like agapē love,agathōsunē goodness finds its fullest and highest expression in that which iswillinglyandsacrificiallydoneforothers.“Alwaysseekafterthatwhichisgoodforoneanotherandforallmen,”PaultoldtheThessalonians(1Thess.5:15).Inhis next letter to that church the apostle prays “that our Godmay count youworthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and thework offaithwithpower”(2Thess.1:11,emphasisadded).Thisgoodnessthatisafruit

oflightisalsoafruitoftheSpirit(Gal.5:22). Thesecondresult,orfruit,ofourwalkaschildrenoflightisrighteousnessandhas to do first of allwith our relationship toGod. “To the onewho does notwork, but believes inHimwho justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned asrighteousness”(Rom.4:5;cf.Eph.4:24;Phil.3:9).Butrighteousnessalsohastodowithhowwelive.Thosewhoaremaderighteousarecommandedtoliverighteously, to present themselves “to God as those alive from the dead, and[their]membersas instrumentsofrighteousnesstoGod”(Rom.6:13).BecauseChristhasgivenusHisownrighteousnature,weareto“pursuerighteousness”(1 Tim. 6:11). Because we know that Christ is righteous, John says, we also“know thateveryonealsowhopractices righteousness isbornofHim” (l John2:29). Thethirdfruitofthelightistruth.Truthhastodowithhonesty,reliability,trustworthiness, and integrity—in contrast to the hypocritical, deceptive, andfalsewaysoftheoldlifeofdarkness. We see therefore that goodness pertains primarily to our relationship withothers,righteousnessprimarilytoourrelationshiptoGod,andtruthprimarilytopersonal integrity. In those three thingsandin those threewaysthefruitofthelightconsists. WithoutthatfruitthereisnoevidenceofthelifeofGod.“Bewareofthefalseprophets,whocometoyouinsheep’sclothing,”Jesuswarned,“butinwardlyareravenouswolves.Youwillknow themby their fruits.Grapesarenotgatheredfrom thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they?” (Matt. 7:15-16). Everyperson bears fruit of some kind. Those who are darkness bear bad fruit, andthosewho are light bear good fruit. The person, therefore,who does not bearsomefruitofrighteousnessinhislifehasnoclaimonChrist.ThereisnosuchthingasafruitlessChristian.Wherethereislife,thereisevidenceoflife,justaswherethereisdeath,therewillbeevidenceofdeath.Thechildoflightproducesthefruitofthelightandiscalledtoincreaseinthatproduction(Col.1:10). A Christian can fall into sin, and when he does the fruitfulness of his lifesuffers.Righteous fruit cannot flourish from sin.But the complete absence ofany fruit of goodness and righteousness and truth proves the completeabsenceofsalvation(cf.2:10). TheChristian life, just as every other kind of life, is only healthywhen it isgrowing.Asfarasthewalkofthebelieverisconcerned,theprimaryfocusistobeaconcernaboutcontinuallytryingtolearnwhatispleasingtotheLord.Asweareobedient towhatweknow,ourknowledgeof theLordandofHiswill

increasesanddeepens.Aswearefaithfultothelight,wearegivenmoreofthislight. Dokimazō(fromwhichcomestryingtolearn)alsocarriestheideaofprovingor testing.AsChristians learn and grow ingoodness and righteousness andtruth,theywillgiveverificationorevidencethattheyarewhotheyclaimtobe,children of God and of light. The child of God will bear resemblance to theheavenlyFather,whoishis“lightand…salvation”(Ps.27:1). Assuranceofsalvationcannotbereliablydeterminedbywhathashappenedinthepast,nomatterhowdramaticormeaningfulatthetime.Itcanonlybebasedwithcertaintyontheevidenceofpresentfruitbeingproducedbyaspirituallife(see2Pet.1:5-11). Because they are not carrying weapons, hand grenades, explosives, or otherillegal items,mostpeoplehavenofearofsending their luggage throughanX-ray machine at the airport. In the same way, as Christians we should not beafraidtobescrutinizedeitherunderthelightofGod’sWordorunderthecriticaleye of a world that is constantly looking for inconsistencies between ourprofessionandourlife-style.Weshouldhavenothingtohide.

THECOMMAND

Anddonotparticipateintheunfruitfuldeedsofdarkness,(5:11a)Sunkoinōneō(toparticipatein)mayalsobetranslated“tobecomeapartakertogetherwithothers.”Thechildoflightshouldnotbecomeinvolvedinevilevenby association.We cannot witness to the world if we do not go out into theworld; andwe cannot go far into theworld before coming in contactwith allsortsofwickedness.Butwearenevertoidentifywiththatwickednessorgiveitopportunity to takehold inourownlife.TocompromiseGod’sstandards is toweaken our witness as well as our character. No act of unrighteousness ispermissible. We are not even to have contact at allwith a fellow believerwho is openlysinning.“Iwroteyou inmy letternot toassociatewith immoralpeople,”Paulsaid to theCorinthians. “Ididnotat allmeanwith the immoralpeopleof thisworld,orwiththecovetousandswindlers,orwithidolaters;forthenyouwouldhavetogooutoftheworld.Butactually,Iwrotetoyounottoassociatewithanyso-calledbrotherifheshouldbeanimmoralperson,orcovetous,oranidolater,ora reviler,oradrunkard,oraswindler—noteven toeatwithsuchaone” (1Cor.5:9-11;cf.2Thess.3:6,14). Paul’s command is direct and simple: Christians who are to produce therighteousfruitoflightaretohavenothingatalltodowiththeunfruitfuldeedsofdarkness.Theseunspecifieddeedsofdarknessare typifiedby thespecificsins he has alreadymentioned in chapters 4 and5—lusts of deceit, falsehood,stealing,unwholesomespeech,bitterness,wrath,anger,clamor,slander,malice,immorality, impurity, greed, filthiness, silly talk, coarse jesting, covetousness,andidolatry.Thoseandeveryotherkindanddegreeofsinaretobeavoidedbythebeliever,becausetheybringnobenefittomanorglorytoGod.

THECOMMISSION

butinsteadevenexposethem;foritisdisgracefuleventospeakofthethingswhicharedonebythemin secret.Butall thingsbecomevisiblewhentheyareexposedbythelight,foreverythingthatbecomesvisibleislight.(5:11b-13)TheChristian’s responsibility goes further thannot participating in the sinfulways of the world; he is instead even to expose them. To ignore evil is toencourageit;tokeepquietaboutitistohelppromoteit.Theverbheretranslatedexpose(fromelegchō)canalsocarrytheideaofreproof,correction,punishment,ordiscipline.Wearetoconfrontsinwithintolerance. Sometimessuchexposureandreproofwillbedirectandatothertimesindirect,butitshouldalwaysbeimmediateinthefaceofanythingthatissinful.Whenweare living in obedience to God, that fact in itself will be a testimony againstwrong. When those around us see us helping rather than exploiting, hear ustalkingwithpurityinsteadofprofanity,andobserveusspeakingtruthfullyratherthandeceitfully,ourexamplewillitselfbearebukeofselfishness,unwholesometalk, and falsehood. Simply refusing to participate in a dishonest business orsocialpracticewillsometimesbesuchastrongrebukethatitcostsusourjobora friendship. Dishonesty is terribly uncomfortable in the presence of honesty,evenwhenthereisnoverbalorotherdirectopposition. Often,ofcourse,openrebukeisnecessary.Silenttestimonywillonlygosofar.Failure tospeakoutagainstandtopracticallyopposeevil thingsisafailure toobeyGod.Believers are toexpose them inwhatever legitimate, biblicalwaysarenecessary.Love thatdoesnotopenlyexposeandopposesin isnotbiblicallove.Lovenotonly“doesnotactunbecomingly”itselfbutit“doesnotrejoiceinunrighteousness”whereveritmightbefound(1Cor.13:5-6).OurLordsaid,“Ifyourbrothersins,goandreprovehiminprivate.…Ifhedoesnotlistentoyou,takeoneor twomorewithyou.…Ifherefuses to listen to them, tell it to thechurch”(Matt.18:15-17).ThisistheresponsibilityofeveryChristian(cf.1Tim.5:1,20;2Tim.4:2;Titus1:13;2:15). Unfortunately,manyChristians are sobarely able tokeep their own spiritualandmoralhousesinorderthattheydonothavethediscernment,inclination,orpower to confront evil in the church or in society at large.We should be somature in biblical truth, and in obedience, holiness, and love that part of thenatural courseofour life is to expose, rebuke, andoffer the remedy for every

kindofevil. Many Christians do not expose and rebuke evil because they do not take itseriously.They laughand jokeabout things thatareunadulteratedwickedness,thatare immoralandungodly in theextreme.Theyrecognize thesinfulnessofthose things and would likely never participate in them; but they enjoy themvicariously from a distance. In so doing, they not only fail be an influenceagainst theevilbutare instead influencedby it—contaminatedby it to thefullextentthattheythinkandtalkaboutitwithoutexposingandrebukingit. Paulgoesontosaythatitisdisgracefuleventospeakofthethingswhicharedonebytheminsecret.Somethingsaresovilethattheyshouldbediscussedinas little detail as possible, because even describing them is morally andspirituallydangerous. Somediseases,chemicals,andnuclearby-productsaresoextremelydeadlythateven themosthighly trainedandbest-protected technicians and scientistswhoworkwiththemareinconstantdanger.Nosensiblepersonwouldworkaroundsuchthingscarelesslyorhaphazardly. Inthesameway,somethingsaresospirituallydisgracefulanddangerousthatthey should be sealed off not only from direct contact but even fromconversation.Theyshouldbeexposedonlytotheextentnecessarytoberidofthem. SomebooksandarticleswrittenbyChristiansonvariousmoral issuesare soexplicit that theyalmostdoasmuch tospreadas tocure theproblem.WecangiveGod’sdiagnosisandsolutionforsinswithoutportrayingeverysordiddetail. Our resource for exposing evil is Scripture, which is the light (Ps. 119:105,130;Prov.6:23;Heb.4:13-13) and is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, forcorrection, for training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). All things becomevisiblewhentheyareexposedbythelightofGod’sWord.OurcommissionaschildrenoflightistoholdeverythinguptothelightofScripture,toexposeandseektoremedywhateverisevil. Because they have nowindows and are built side-by-side on narrow streets,mostshopsinMiddleEasterncitiesarequitedarkinside.Togetagoodlookatwhatheisbuyingacustomermusttakethemerchandiseoutintothesunshine.Inthatbright light thearticlecanbeseenforwhat it really is,andanyflawsandimperfectionswillbeobvious. Thephraseforeverythingthatbecomesvisibleislightisapartofverse14inthe bestGreekmanuscripts, and is better translated, “for it is light thatmakeseverythingvisible”(NIV).Lightisthatwhichmakesthingsmanifest,thatwhich

shows them to be as they actually are. When sin is revealed, it loses its“hiddenness”andisseenfortheuglinessitis.

THECALL

Forthisreasonitsays,“Awake,sleeper,andarisefromthedead,andChristwillshineonyou.”(5:14)Paulhereoffersaninvitation,acallforthosewhoarenotchildrenoflighttocometothelightandbesaved. Thewordsareadapted fromIsaiah60:1,which reads,“Arise, shine; foryourlighthascome,andthegloryof theLordhasrisenuponyou.”Paulshowsthepropheticmeaningofthosetextsbydeclaringthat“thegloryoftheLord[that]hasrisen”isnoneotherthanJesusChrist,theMessiahforwhomandinwhomIsaiahandeveryothergodlyJewhadsolongedhoped. Manycommentatorsbelieveverse14istakenfromanEasterhymnsungbytheearlychurchandusedasaninvitationtounbelieverswhomighthavebeeninthecongregation.Thewordsareacapsulesummaryofthegospel.Awake,sleeperdescribesthesinnerwhoisasleepinthedarknessofsinandunawareofhislostcondition and tragic destiny. Like a spiritual Rip Van Winkle, he will sleepthroughGod’s time of grace unless someone awakens him to his predicamentandneed.Arisefromthedeadisasummonstorepentance,anappealtoturnawayfromthedeadwaysofsin.Christwillshineonyou isthegoodnewsthatGodhasprovideda remedy foreverysinfulpersonwhowill come toHim throughHisblessedSon,theSaviorofmankind.(SeeIsa.55:6-7forasimilarOldTestamentinvitation.) ThestoryistoldofagreatfireinEdinburgh,Scotland,inwhichpeoplehurriedto exit thebuilding throughapassage that led to the street.Theywere almostsafewhenarushofsmokemetthem,blowingintothepassagefromtheoutside.Instead of running through the smoke, they entered a door into a room thatseemedsafe.Butsoonall theoxygenwasexhaustedandtheyallsuffocated.Ifonlytheyhadseenthelighttheymighthavelived. HoratiusBonarwrote:

IheardthevoiceofJesussay,“Iamthisdarkworld’slight;LookuntoMe,thymornshallrise,Andallthydaybebright.”

IlookedtoJesus,andIfoundInHimmystar,mysun;AndinthatlightoflifeI’llwalk,Tilltravelingdaysaredone.

Proverbs4:18sumsupthewordsoftheapostle:“Thepathoftherighteousislikethelightofdawn,thatshinesbrighterandbrighteruntilthefullday.”

WalkinginWisdom

17

Thereforebecarefulhowyouwalk,notasunwisemen,butaswise,makingthemostofyourtime,becausethedaysareevil.Sothendonotbefoolish,butunderstandwhatthewilloftheLordis.(5:15-17)The word fool commonly refers to a person who acts unintelligently andirresponsibly.But Scripture defines a fool as a personwho says “in his heart,‘ThereisnoGod’”andwhoismorallycorrupt,doing“abominabledeeds”(Ps.14:1).ThefoolisthepersonwholivesapartfromGod—eitherasatheologicalorpracticalatheistorasboth,denyingGodbyhisactionsaswellashiswords.Thesupremefoolisthepersonwhohasanti-Godthinkingandlivingpatterns. Becausemen are born separated fromGod andwith hearts that are naturallyagainst Him (Rom. 5:8, 10; Eph. 2:3; Col. 1:21), they are born spirituallyfoolish. “Foreven though theyknewGod, theydidnothonorHimasGod,orgivethanks;buttheybecamefutileintheirspeculations,andtheirfoolishheartwas darkened. Professing to bewise, they became fools” (Rom. 1:21-22). “Anatural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they arefoolishnesstohim,andhecannotunderstandthem,becausetheyarespirituallyappraised”(1Cor.2:14).Thenaturalmanhasthemostimportantthingsinlifeexactlyreversed.Consequently,hethinksfoolishnessiswisdomandwisdomisfoolishness. Nomancan livewithoutagodofsomesort,and thespiritual fool inevitablysubstitutes a false god for the true God. He creates gods of his own making(Rom. 1:21-23) and, in effect, becomes his own god, his own authority in allthings.“Thewayofafoolisrightinhisowneyes”(Prov.12:15),andthereforehedeterminesrightandwrongandtruthandfalsehoodentirelybyhisownfallenthinkingandsinfulinclination. Whenthefoolsetshimselfupashisowngod,hewillnaturally“mockatsin”(Prov. 14:9). Sin is that which is against God, and since the fool does notrecognize God, he does not recognize sin. The spiritually self-sufficient foolmakeshisownrulesandjustifieshisownbehavior,andindoingsoherefusestoacknowledgesinanditsconsequences. Thefoolcannothelpspreadinghisfoolishness.Themoreheisconvincedofthe

wisdomofhisfolly,themorehewillseektopropagateit.Bywhathesaysandby what he does he gives continual testimony to his denial of God, to hisbecoming his own god, and to his mocking of sin. No matter what hisintellectual level, academic achievements, talents, wealth, or reputation, themouthofthenaturalmancanspirituallydonothingbutspoutfolly(Prov.15:2). The unregenerate person is a fool because he denies God by belief and bypractice.Heisafoolbecausehebecomeshisowngod.Heisafoolbecausehemockssin.Andheisafoolbecausehecontaminatestherestofsocietywiththeungodly foolishness that damns his own soul. He bequeaths his legacy offoolishness tohis children,his friends, andhis society—toeveryonewho fallsundertheinfluenceofhisfolly. “Becausetheyhatedknowledge,anddidnotchoosethefearoftheLord,”thewriterofProverbssaysoffools,“theyshalleatofthefruitoftheirownway,andbe satiatedwith theirowndevices, for thewaywardnessof thenaive shallkillthem,andthecomplacencyoffoolsshalldestroythem”(Prov.1:29-32). The knowledge that the ungodly person hates is not practical, factualknowledge.Onthecontrary,heprideshimselfinhowmuchheknows.Someonehasestimatedthat,ifallofman’saccumulatedknowledgefromthebeginningofrecorded history to 1845were represented by one inch,what he learned from1845until1945wouldamount to three inchesandwhathe learned from1945until1975wouldrepresenttheheightoftheWashingtonMonument!Sincethenithasprobablydoubled.Fewpeople,however,wouldargue that the incredibleleap in scientific, technological, andother suchknowledgehasbeenparalleledbyacorrespondingleapincommonsensewisdom,nottomentionspiritualandmoralwisdom. If anything,man’s understanding ofwhat he is and doing andwhyheisdoingitseemstodecreaseashispracticalknowledgeincreases.Themorelearnedhebecomesinthatsuperficialkindofknowledge,thelessneedheseesfortheknowledgethatcomesonlyfromGod. Therefore the ultimate destiny of fools is that they are “always learning andneverabletocometotheknowledgeofthetruth”(2Tim.3:7)andthey“dieforlackofunderstanding”(Prov.10:21)evenwhileaccumulatinggreatamountsofinformation. They become smarter and more foolish at the same time.Foolishness comes from trusting in purely human knowledge and excludingdivineknowledge.Men’sfoolishnessincreaseswiththeirknowledgeonlywhentheir self-reliance increases. The natural, unregenerate man suffers from hiscongenital and terminal foolishness because he will not submit to God. Heaccumulates vast knowledge apart from God, but spiritual understanding anddivinewisdomeludehim.Hehatesthetruthaboutsinandsalvation.

Wisdom begins with fear of the Lord (Prov. 1:7) and continues byacknowledgingHistruthandways.“Righteousmen,wisemen,andtheirdeedsareinthehandofGod”(Eccles.9:1).ThewaytowisdomandthewaytolifeisthewayofGod.Theonlypowerthatcanovercomeaman’sfoolishnessandturnhimtowisdomissalvation,turningtoGodthroughJesusChrist.Turningfromfoolishness towisdomis turning fromself toGod.And it isGod’sownWordthatis“abletogive[us]thewisdomthatleadstosalvationthroughfaithwhichisinChristJesus”(2Tim.3:15). ThekindofwisdomtheBiblepraisesisnotthatprizedbytheancientGreekswhowerePaul’scontemporaries.Theirwisdomwascharacterizedbyphilosophyandsophistry, theendlessspinninganddiscussionoftheoriesthathavenorealrelationtolife, thathavenobearingonGodoronpractical living.TheGreekscould,andoftendid,gofromphilosophy tophilosophywithoutchanging theirbasicattitudesortheirbasicwayoflife.Theyweresimplyplayingthegameofphilosophy, with the sort of wisdom that does not want to come to theknowledge of the truth, because—unlike hypotheses and speculations—truthdemandsrecognition,acceptance,andchange. InScripture,ontheotherhand,wisdomiscenteredinconvictionandbehavior,specifically in recognizing and obeying God. When a person is saved he ismovedfromtherealmoffoolishnessintotherealmofwisdom.Justashisbeinga Christian leads him towalkworthily (4:1), humbly (4:2), in unity (4:3-16),separatedfromtheworld’sways(4:17-32),inlove(5:1-7),andinlight(5:8-14),italsoleadshimtowalkinwisdom(5:15-17). In the present passage, Paul mentions three things that the Lord’s wisdomteaches His child. The wise believer knows his life principles, his limitedprivileges,andhisLord’spurposes.

THEBELIEVER’SLIFEPRINCIPLES

Thereforebecarefulhowyouwalk,notasunwisemen,butaswise,(5:15)TheliteralmeaningoftheGreektermtranslatedbeis“look,orobserve,”andPaul’scommandforbelieverstoseethattheywalkcarefullyisbasedonwhathehas just been teaching.Therefore refers immediatelyback to the apostle’s callforbelieverstowalkasthosewhohavebeenraisedfromthedeadandarelivinginChrist’slight(v.14).ItalsoreachesevenfurtherbacktobuilduponhiscallforbelieverstobeimitatorsoftheirheavenlyFather(5:1).Christiansaretowalkwisely rather than unwisely because they are God’s beloved children, savedthroughthesacrificeofHisbelovedSon(5:1-2).Onlythewisewalkbefits thechildrenofGod. Paul commandsbelievers towalk…aswisemen. Just as theyare towalk inhumility, unity, separation, love, and light (4:1-5:14), they are also towalk inwisdom.Inotherwords, theyare to live like thepeople theyare. InChristweare one, we are separated, we are love, we are light, andwe are wise—andwhatwedoshouldcorrespondtowhatweare. Atsalvationeverybelieverhasbeenmadewise.PaulwrotetoTimothy:“Youhaveknownthesacredwritingswhichareabletogiveyouthewisdomthatleadsto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15). By God’sgrace,thesaved“areinChristJesus,whobecametouswisdomfromGod,andrighteousnessandsanctification,andredemption”(1Cor.1:30).JustasinChristGodmiraculouslymakesusimmediatelyrighteous,sanctified,andredeemed,Healso makes us immediately wise. The moment we were saved we became arepository ofwisdom that henceforth renders us responsible for our behavior.Because we are in Christ, “the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” that arehiddeninHim(Col.2:3)arethereforealsohiddeninus.JohnwroteoftheHolySpirit, the resident truth teacher in the life of every saint: “But you have ananointing from the Holy One, and you all know. I have not written to youbecauseyoudonotknowthetruth,butbecauseyoudoknowit”(1John2:20-21).Further,he said, “Youhavenoneed for anyone [anyhuman teacherwithsimplyhumanwisdom]toteachyou,”because“Hisanointingteachesyouaboutallthings,andistrue”(v.27).WecannothavesalvationwithoutGod’swisdomanymore thanwecanhave salvationwithouthis righteousness, sanctification,andredemption. “Easy-believism”isabaneof thecontemporarychurchbecause,amongother

things,itpurportstooffersalvationinsegments.FirstitisclaimedthatmenarebornagainbyacceptingChristasSavior.Then,astheygrowingrace,theymayrenounce sin; start pursuing righteousness, sanctification, and wisdom; andreceive Him as Lord. But Paul said, “For the grace of God has appeared,bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldlydesires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age” (Titus2:11-12). The very first instruction of the gospel to the saved person is torenounceandforsakesinandtoliveagodly,righteouslife.Thatinstruction,orwisdom,isapartofthenewbirth,notsomethingsubsequenttoit. As Jesus made clear in the Beatitudes, among the first and most necessarymarks of salvation are mourning over sin and hungering and thirsting forrighteousness(Matt.5:4,6).AsPaulmadeclear inthebeginningof this letter,“In allwisdomand insight [God]madeknown to us themystery ofHiswill”(Eph.1:8-9). ItisnotthatwedonotgrowinwisdomaswematureintheChristianlife.Weare specifically commanded to “grow in thegraceandknowledgeofourLordandSaviorJesusChrist”(2Pet.3:18).AswebecomemoreandmoreconformedtoourLordandSavior,wewillgrowmoreandmoreinHislove,joy,peace,andin every other fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). In another of God’s divineparadoxes,wegrowinwhatwehavealreadybeengiven in fullness.Wegrowpracticallyinwhatwealreadypossesspositionally.EvenJesus“keptincreasinginwisdom”(Luke2:52),andsomebelieversintheJerusalemchurchwere“fullof…wisdom”(Acts6:3). Speakingtobelievers,Jamessaid,“Ifanyofyoulackswisdom,lethimaskofGod,whogivestoallmengenerouslyandwithoutreproach,anditwillbegiventohim” (James1:5).Paulprayed that theColossianbelieverswould“be filledwith theknowledgeofHiswill inallspiritualwisdomandunderstanding”andthat they would “let the word of Christ richly dwell within [them], with allwisdom teaching and admonishingone another” (Col. 1:9; 3:16).ThebelieverbeginshisnewlifeinChristwithallthewisdomnecessarytoliveforHisLord,butheisalsotocontinuallygrowinwisdom,thathecanbeevenmoremature,morefaithful,andmoreproductiveinHisservice. Akribōs(careful)hasthebasicmeaningofaccurateandexact,andcarriestheassociated idea of looking, examining, and investigating somethingwith greatcare.Italsocarriestheideaofalertness.Asbelieverswalkthroughthespiritualminefieldoftheworld,theyaretobeconstantlyalerttoeverydangerthatSatanputsintheirway.ThatiswhyJesuswarnedthat“thegateissmall,andthewayisnarrowthatleadstolife”(Matt.7:14).

If ithadnotbeenwrittencenturiesbeforethetimeofPaul,Proverbs2wouldappeartobeacommentaryonEphesians5:15.Throughoutthechapterthewriterof Proverbs speaks of walking in thewise path and thewise way and of notgoing into thewayof thewickedor straying into thecompanyofevilpeople.Similarly, the firstPsalmspeaksof theblessedmanas theone“whodoesnotwalkinthecounselofthewicked,norstandinthepathofsinners,norsitintheseatofscoffers”(v.1). TheideaofwalkingcarefullyandaccuratelyinGod’swayisthethemeofJohnBunyan’sPilgrim’sProgress.Every incident, conversation, andobservation inthat great classic of Christian literature focuses on obeying or disobeying,heedingorignoring,followingordepartingfromGod’sdivinepathforChristianliving. WhenIwasayoungboyIoncewalkedacrossanarrowstreamona log thathadnumeroussmallbranchesstickingoutofit.WhenafriendcalledtomeIwasmomentarilydistractedandtrippedononeofthebranches.IwasalreadypastthewaterandIfellintoabushofnettlesontheshore.BecauseIhadononlyaswimsuit, Iwas scratched ratherpainfullyand theplant’smicroscopicneedleswereembeddedoveralargepartofmybody.ThatisapictureofwhatcanhappentoabelieverwhenHeisdistractedfromGod’sway. WhenChristianssinandfallintoSatan’straps,theydosobecausetheyliveasunwisemen,ratherthanaswise.Theyreverttofollowingthewisdomoftheirold lives, which was really foolishness. “For we also once were foolishourselves,” Paul said, “disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts andpleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another”(Titus3:3).That is thekindof livingfromwhichGod’swisdomis toseparateus.“WhenthekindnessofGodourSaviorandHisloveformankindappeared,Hesavedus,notonthebasisofdeedswhichwehavedoneinrighteousness,butaccording toHismercy, by thewashing of regeneration and renewing by theHoly Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ ourSavior”(vv.4-6).OurchangeinrelationshiptoGodismeanttobringachangeindaily living,asPaulwenton toexplain toTitus:“Concerningthese thingsIwantyoutospeakconfidently,sothatthosewhohavebelievedmaybecarefultoengageingooddeeds.Thesethingsaregoodandprofitableformen”(v.8). After David had twice spared his life, the jealous and hypocritical Saulconfessedthathehad“playedthefooland[had]committedaseriouserror” inseeking to take David’s life (1 Sam. 26:21). Some years later, after Davidhimselfhadbecomeking,heproudlydecidedtotakeacensusofhispeople.But

“David’shearttroubledhimafterhehadnumberedthepeople.SoDavidsaidtotheLord, ‘Ihavesinnedgreatly inwhatIhavedone.Butnow,OLord,pleasetakeawaytheiniquityofThyservant,forIhaveactedveryfoolishly.’”(2Sam.24:10). AswelearnfromDavidandfrommanyothers inScripture,believersarenotimmunefromrevertingtofoolishness.Thefirstwayabelieverplaysthefoolisby not believingGod completely.He believesGod for salvation but does notcontinue to believe Him in and for everything else. Jesus told the twodishearteneddisciplesontheroadtoEmmaus,“Ofoolishmenandslowofhearttobelieveinallthattheprophetshavespoken”(Luke24:25).TotheextentthatwedonotacceptanypartofGod’sWord,tothatextentwearefoolish. Abelieveralsoplaysthefoolwhenheisdisobedient.“YoufoolishGalatians,”Paulsaid;“whohasbewitchedyou,beforewhoseeyesJesusChristwaspubliclyportrayedas crucified?…Areyou so foolish?Havingbegunby theSpirit, areyounowbeingperfectedbytheflesh?”(Gal.3:1,3).Byfailingtoholdfirmlytothedoctrineofsalvationbyfaithalone,theGalatiansfellpreytotheheresythataGentilemustbecomeaceremonialJewbeforehecouldbecomeaChristian. Believers also play the foolwhen they put their hearts on thewrong things.Paul told Timothy, for example, that “those who want to get rich fall intotemptationandasnareandmanyfoolishandharmfuldesireswhichplungemeninto ruin and destruction” (1 Tim. 6:9). It is tragic that so many ChristiansfoolishlydonottakeGodatHiswordineverythingHesays,donotobeyHimineverything He commands, and desire so many things that He warns against.ThereisnoexcuseforChristianstolivefoolishlywhenGod’swisdombelongsto them. “If anyman iswilling todoHiswill, he shall knowof the teaching,whether it is ofGod, “Jesus said to the Jews (John 7:17). TheChristianwhogenuinelywants toknowGod’s truthwillneverbe indoubt,either.Hehasalltheresourcesheneeds“tobewiseinwhatisgood,andinnocentinwhatisevil”(Rom.16:19). Manypeopleintheworldarefanaticallydedicatedtoanideology,areligion,ora fad. The devotedCommunist sacrifices everything for the party. The cultistwillgiveallhisearningstohisguru.Thephysicalfitnessenthusiastwillnevermiss an exercise class or eat an extra calorie. By means of incredible self-discipline,menseekingacceptancewiththeirdeitieshavetrainedthemselvestowalk on beds of coals and lie on beds of nails as evidence of their religiouscommitment. SomeyearsagoImetarecentlyconvertedyoungwomanwhowasanationally

rankeddistancerunner.Tokeepinshapesheranfifteenmilesaday.Amonthorso later she came up to me after a morning worship service and asked if Irememberedher.Sheseemedfamiliarbuthadchangedsomuchduringthatbrieftimethat Ididnot recognizeher.She toldmewhoshewasandexplained thatshehadcontractedadiseasethat thedoctorshadnotyetbeenabletodiagnoseand that left herbarely able towalk.Rather thanbeingdiscouraged,however,she said that shewas determined to channel the discipline that hadmade hersuchafineathleteintodisciplineforthethingsoftheLord.ThatisthemarkofawiseChristian.

THEBELIEVER’SLIMITEDPRIVILEGES

makingthemostofyourtime,becausethedaysareevil.(5:16)It is common not to finish what we begin. Sometimes a symphony isunfinished, a painting uncompleted, or a project left half-done because themusician,painter,orworkerdies.Butusuallyitissimplythedeathofaperson’scommitment that causes the incompletion. Dreams never become reality andhopesnevermaterializebecause thoseworking toward themnever get beyondthe first few steps. Formany people, includingmanyChristians, life can be aseriesofunfinishedsymphonies.EveninthefamiliaropportunitiesofeverydayChristian living, those who are truly productive havemastered the use of thehoursanddaysoftheirlives. Whetherintheartistic,business,personal,orspiritualrealm,noonecanturnadreamintorealityorfullytakeadvantageofopportunityapartfrommakingthemostof[his]time. Pauldidnothereusechronos,thetermforclocktime,thecontinuoustimethatis measured in hours, minutes, and seconds. He rather used kairos, whichdenotesameasured,allocated,fixedseasonorepoch.TheideaofafixedperiodisalsoseenintheuseofthedefinitearticleintheGreektext,whichreferstothetime,aconceptoftenfoundinScripture(cf.Ex.9:5;1Pet.1:17).Godhassetboundariestoourlives,andouropportunityforserviceexistsonlywithinthoseboundaries.ItissignificantthattheBiblespeaksofsuchtimesbeingshortened,but never of their being lengthened.A personmay die or lose an opportunitybefore the end of God’s time, but he has no reason to expect his life or hisopportunitytocontinueaftertheendofhispredeterminedtime. Having sovereignly bounded our lives with eternity, God knows both thebeginning and end of our time on earth. As believers we can achieve ourpotentialinHisserviceonlyaswemaximizethetimeHehasgivenus. AnancientGreekstatuedepictedamanwithwingsonhisfeet,alargelockofhair on the front of his head, and no hair at all on the back.Beneathwas theinscription:“Whomadethee?Lysippusmademe.Whatisthyname?MynameisOpportunity.Whyhastthouwingsonthyfeet?ThatImayflyawayswiftly.Whyhastthouagreatforelock?ThatmenmayseizemewhenIcome.Whyartthoubaldinback?ThatwhenIamgoneby,nonecanlayholdofme.” Exagorazō(makingthemostof)hasthebasicmeaningofbuying,especially

ofbuyingbackorbuyingout.Itwasusedofbuyingaslaveinordertosethimfree;thustheideaofredemptionisimpliedinthisverse.Wearetoredeem,buyup, all the time that we have and devote it to the Lord. The Greek is in themiddlevoice, indicating thatweare tobuy the timeup forourselves—forourownusebutintheLord’sservice. Paulpleads forus tomake themostofour time immediatelyafterhepleadsforus towalkwiselyrather thanfoolishly.OutsideofpurposefuldisobedienceofGod’sWord,themostspirituallyfoolishthingaChristiancandoistowastetimeandopportunity,tofritterawayhislifeintriviaandinhalf-heartedserviceoftheLord. Shakespearewrote,

Thereisatideintheaffairsofmen,Which,takenattheflood,leadsontofortune;Omitted,allthevoyageoftheirlifeIsboundinshallowsandinmiseries.(JuliusCaesar,4.3.217)

Napoleon said, “There is in the midst of every great battle a ten to fifteenminuteperiodthatisthecrucialpoint.Takethatperiodandyouwinthebattle;loseitandyouwillbedefeated.” Whenwewalkobedientlyinthenarrowwayofthegospel,wewalkcarefully,making themost of our time.We take full advantage of every opportunity toserveGod,redeemingourtimetouseforHisglory.Wetakeeveryopportunityto shun sin and to follow righteousness. “So then,”Paul said, “whilewehaveopportunity, let us dogood to allmen, and especially to thosewho are of thehouseholdofthefaith”(Gal.6:10). ForHisownreasons,GodallowssomeofHischildrentoliveandservefarintooldage.OthersHegrantsonlyafewyearsorevenafewweeks.Butnoneofusknowshowlongorshorthisownallocationoftimewillbe. WhenIwasaboyIhadafriendwho,likemyself,plannedtobeapastor.Heoftentoldmeofhisplanstofinishhighschool,gotocollegeandseminary,andenterthepastorate.Butinthetwelfthgrademyfriendwasdrivinghiscanvas-topcoupedownastreetandthebrakessuddenlylocked,catapultinghimthroughthecar topandonto thestreet.Hestruckhisheadagainst thecurbandwaskilledinstantly.

The great sixteenth-century reformer Philipp Melanchthon kept a record ofeverywastedmomentandtookhislist toGodinconfessionattheendofeachday.ItissmallwonderthatGodusedhiminsuchgreatways. Many biblical texts stand as warning beacons to those who think they willalwayshavetimetodowhattheyshould.WhenNoahandhisfamilyenteredthearkandshutthedoor,theopportunityforanyotherpersontobesavedfromthefloodwasgone.BecauseKingAhabdisobeyedGodby sparing the lifeof thewickedBen-hadad,hewastoldbyaprophet,“ThussaystheLord,‘Becauseyouhave let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction,thereforeyourlifeshallgoforhislife,andyourpeopleforhispeople’”(1Kings20:42). Thefive foolishvirginswho let theiroil runoutbefore thebridegroomcamewereshutoutfromtheweddingfeast(Matt.25:8-10).“WemustworktheworksofHimwhosentMe,aslongasitisday,”Jesussaid;“nightiscoming,whennomancanwork” (John9:4).To theunbelievingPhariseesHe said, “I go away,andyoushallseekMe,andshalldieinyoursin;whereIamgoing,youcannotcome”(John8:21).AftercenturiesofGod’sofferingHisgrace to Israel,Jesuslamented,“OJerusalem,Jerusalem,whokillstheprophetsandstonesthosewhoaresenttoher!HowoftenIwantedtogatheryourchildrentogether,thewayahengathersherchicksunderherwings,andyouwereunwilling”(Matt.23:37).Judas, themost tragic exampleofwastedopportunity, spent threeyears in theverypresenceof theSonofGod,asoneof theinnercircleofdisciples,yethebetrayedHisLordandforfeitedhissoulforthirtypiecesofsilver. Petersaid,“IfyouaddressasFathertheOnewhoimpartiallyjudgesaccordingto each man’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stayupon earth” (1 Pet. 1:17). In his farewell remarks to the Ephesian elders atMiletus,Paulsaid,“Idonotconsidermylifeofanyaccountasdeartomyself,inorder that Imay finishmycourse, and theministrywhich I received from theLordJesus”(Acts20:24).Paul’scoursewasprescribedbyGod,andwithinthatcoursehewouldministertotheutmostuntilhislastbreath.Hewasdeterminedtorunwithendurance therace thatwassetbeforehim(seeHeb.12:1).At theend of his life he therefore could say, “I have fought the good fight, I havefinishedthecourse,Ihavekeptthefaith”(2Tim.4:7). David had a great awareness of time. He prayed, “How long, O Lord?WiltThouhideThyself forever?…Rememberwhatmy spanof life is” (Ps. 89:46-47).Inthemidstofhisdistress,anxiety,andpainhefeltdivertedfromwhatheought to bedoing anddesertedbyGod.He therefore askedGodhow longhe

would be sidetracked. He knew that he would live for only so long and thatwhateverhedidfortheLordwouldhavetobedoneduringthattime.Onanotheroccasionheprayed,“Lord,makemetoknowmyend,andwhatistheextentofmydays,letmeknowhowtransientIam.Behold,Thouhastmademydaysashandbreadths,andmylifetimeasnothinginThysight”(Ps.39:4-5). Paul spoke to the Corinthians about the time having been shortened (1 Cor.7:29), and Jameswarned, “Comenow,youwhosay, ‘Todayor tomorrow,weshallgotosuchandsuchacity,andspendayearthereandengageinbusinessandmakeaprofit.’Yetyoudonotknowwhatyourlifewillbeliketomorrow.You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away”(James4:13-14). KefaSempangi(whosestoryistoldinthebookADistantGrief,RegalBooks)wasanationalpastor inAfricaandbarelyescapedwithhis family frombrutaloppressionand terror inhishomecountryofUganda.Theymade theirway toPhiladelphia,where a group ofChristians began caring for them.One day hiswifesaid,“TomorrowIamgoingtogoandbuysomeclothesforthechildren,”andimmediatelysheandherhusbandbrokeintotears.Becauseoftheconstantthreat of death underwhich they had so long lived, thatwas the first time inmanyyearstheyhaddaredevenspeakthewordtomorrow. Theirterrifyingexperiencesforcedthemtorealizewhatistrueofeveryperson:there isnoassuranceof tomorrow.Theonly timewecanbe sureofhaving iswhat we have at themoment. To the self-satisfied farmerwho had grandioseplans to build bigger and better barns to store his crops, the Lord said, “Youfool!Thisverynightyoursoulisrequiredofyou”(Luke12:20).Hehadalreadylivedhislasttomorrow. TheexperienceofthatAfricanfamilyalsodramaticallypointsupthetruththatthedaysareevil.WearetomakethemostofouropportunitiesnotonlybecauseourdaysarenumberedbutbecausetheworldcontinuallyopposesusandseekstohinderourworkfortheLord.Wehavelittletimeandmuchopposition. Becausethedaysareevil,ouropportunitiesforfreelydoingrighteousnessareoftenlimited.Whenwehaveopportunity todosomethingforHisname’ssakeandforHisglory,weshoulddosowithallthatwehave.HowGod’sheartmustbebroken toseeHischildren ignoreorhalfheartedly takeupopportunityafteropportunitythatHesendstothem.Everymomentofeverydayshouldbefilledwiththingsgood,thingsrighteous,thingsglorifyingtoGod. By the daysareevilPaulmayhave specificallyhad inmind thecorrupt anddebauched living that characterized the city of Ephesus. The Christians there

weresurroundedbypaganismand infiltratedbyheresy (see4:14).Greediness,dishonesty,andimmoralitywereawayoflifeinEphesus,awayinwhichmostof the believers had themselves once been involved and to which they weretemptedtorevert(4:19-32;5:3-8). Less than a hundred years after Paul wrote the Ephesian epistle Rome waspersecutingChristianswithgrowingintensityandcruelty.Believerswereburnedalive, thrown to wild beasts, and brutalized in countless other ways. For theEphesian church the evil times were going to become more and more evil.SeveraldecadesafterPaulwrotethisepistle,theLordcommendedthechurchatEphesusforitsgoodworks,perseverance,andresistancetofalseteaching.“ButIhavethisagainstyou,”Hecontinued,“thatyouhaveleftyourfirstlove”(Rev.2:2,4).BecausethechurchcontinuedtolanguishinitsdevotiontotheLord,itslampstandwas removed, asHe hadwarned it would be if the believers therefailedto“repentanddothedeeds[they]didatfirst”(v.5).Sometimeduringthesecondcentury thechurch inEphesusdisappeared,and therehasneverbeenacongregation there since. Because the church at Ephesus did not heed Paul’sadviceandtheLord’sownspecificwarning,itceasedtoexist.Insteadofhelpingredeemtheevildaysinwhichitexisted,thechurchfellpreytothem. Ifasenseofurgencywasnecessaryinthedaysoftheapostles,howmuchmoreisitnecessarytoday,whenwearesomuchnearertheLord’sreturnandtheendofopportunity(seeRom.13:11-14)? WhenpastorKefaSempangi,mentionedabove,beganministeringathischurchinUganda,growthwassmallbutsteady. IdiAminhadcome intomilitaryandpoliticalpowerandthepeopleexpectedconditionsintheircountrytoimprove.Butsoonfriendsandneighbors,especiallythosewhowereChristians,begantodisappear.OnedaypastorSempangivisitedthehomeofafamilyandfoundtheiryoungsonstandingjustinsideinthedoorwaywithaglazedlookedonhisfaceandhisarmstransfixedintheair.Theydiscoveredhehadbeeninthatstateofrigid shock for days, after being forced to witness the inexpressibly brutalmurderanddismemberingofeveryoneelseinhisfamily. Facedwithatotallyunexpectedandhorribledanger,pastorSempangi’schurchimmediatelyrealizedthat lifeas theyhadknownitwasatanend,andthat thevery existence of the Lord’s people and the Lord’s work in their land wasthreatenedwithextinction.Theybegancontinuousvigilsofprayer,takingturnspraying for long hours at a time. When they were not praying they werewitnessingto theirneighborsandfriends,urgingthemtoreceiveChristandbesaved.Thechurchstandstodayandithasnotdied.Inmanywaysitisstrongerthanever.Its lampstandisstillverymuchinplaceandshiningbrightlyforthe

Lord,becauseHispeoplemadethemostofthetime,didnotsuccumbtotheevildays inwhich they lived, andwouldnot leave their first love. It costmanyofthemdearly,but theyprovedagain that thebloodof themartyrs is theseedofthechurch.

THELORD’SPURPOSES

Sothendonotbefoolish,butunderstandwhatthewilloftheLordis.(5:17)DonotbefoolishrepeatsandreinforcesPaul’spreviouspleaforbelieversnottobeunwise,andunderstandwhatthewilloftheLordisexpandsandmakesmoreexplicithispleatowalkwisely(v.15). Inlightoftheurgencytomakethemostofourtime,notbeingfoolishincludes,amongotherthings,notbecominganxiousorpanicked.WhenwelookaroundatthepervasivenessofevilandattheunendingneedsforevangelismandservicetoothersinChrist’sname,itiseasytobeoverwhelmed.Wearetemptedeitherto give up andwithdraw or to become hyperactive, losing precision, purpose,andeffectivenessinafrenzyofsuperficialactivity. Thepropersenseofurgency,however,drives thewisebeliever towantmorethanever tounderstandwhat thewillof theLord is,becauseheknows thatonly in the Lord’s will and power can anything good and lasting beaccomplished.Hewillnotbefoolishbyrunningfreneticallyineverydirectiontryingtoseehowmanyprogramsandprojectshecanbecomeinvolvedin.Suchactivityeasilybecomesfutileandleadstoburnoutanddiscouragement,becauseitworksinthepowerofthefleshevenwhenitiswell-intentioned.TryingtorunaheadofGodonlyputsusfurtherbehindinHiswork. Theworkofmanychurcheswouldbegreatlystrengthenedifthenumberofitssuperfluous programs and activities were cut back and the Lord’s will weresoughtmore carefully and the principles ofHisWord appliedmore faithfully.WhenourprioritiesareGod’spriorities,Heisfreetoworkinusandthroughustoaccomplishgreatthings;butwhenourprioritiesarenotHisprioritiesHecandolittlewithusbecauseHehaslittleofus. The unwise believerwho behaves in a foolishmanner tries to function apartfromGod’swill,andis inevitablyweak,frustrated,andineffective,bothinhispersonal lifeand inhisworkforGod.Theonlycureforsuchfoolishness is tofindandtofollowthewilloftheLord. God’sbasicwillis,ofcourse,foundinScripture.HerewefindHisperfectandsufficientguidelinesforknowinganddoingwhatispleasingtohim.Butthewillof which Paul seems to be speaking here is the Lord’s specific leading ofindividualbelievers.AlthoughHisplansanddirectionsforeachbelieverarenotfoundinScripture,thegeneralprinciplesforunderstandingthemarethere.God

doesnotpromise toshowusHiswill throughvisions,strangecoincidences,ormiracles.Nor doesHe play a divine guessing gamewith us, seeing ifwe cansomehowstumbleontoHiswilllikeasmallchildfindsaneggatanEasteregghunt.God’sdeepestdesireforallofHischildrenisthattheyknowandobeyHiswill,andHegivesuseverypossiblehelpbothtoknowandtoobeyit. God’swillforourlivesisfirstofalltobelongtoHimthroughJesusChrist.HisfirstandprimarywillforeverypersonisthathebesavedandbroughtintothefamilyandkingdomofGod(1Tim.2:3-4).God’swillisalsothatwebeSpirit-filled.AsPaulwentontoteachinthefollowingverse,wearenotto“getdrunkwithwine,forthatisdissipation,butbefilledwiththeSpirit”(Eph.5:18). WeexperienceGod’swillbybeingsanctified.“This is thewillofGod,yoursanctification”(1Thess.4:3),Paulsaid.AndweenjoyHiswillthroughpropersubmissiontoothermen.“SubmityourselvesfortheLord’ssaketoeveryhumaninstitution,whethertoakingastheoneinauthority,ortogovernorsassentbyhimfor thepunishmentofevil-doersandthepraiseof thosewhodoright.Forsuch is thewill ofGod that by doing right youmay silence the ignorance offoolishmen”(1Pet.2:13-15).Likewisewearetobesubmissivetoleadersinthechurch:“Obeyyourleaders,andsubmittothem;fortheykeepwatchoveryoursouls,asthosewhowillgiveanaccount”(Heb.13:17). God’swillmayincludesuffering.“Ifwhenyoudowhatisrightandsufferforityoupatientlyendureit,thisfindsfavorwithGod”(1Pet.2:20;cf.3:17;5:10).God’swillculminatesinbelievers’givingthanksnomatterwhat.“Ineverythinggivethanks;forthisisGod’swillforyouinChristJesus”(1Thess.5:18). Whenaperson is saved, sanctified, submissive, suffering, and thankful,he isalready inGod’swill.“Delightyourself in theLord;andHewillgiveyou thedesires of your heart” (Ps. 37:4),David tells us. In otherwords,whenwearewhatGodwantsustobe,HeisincontrolandourwillismergedwithHiswill,andHethereforegivesusthedesiresHehasplantedinourhearts. Jesus isoursupremeexamplefor fulfilling thecommandsofEphesians5:15-17.Healwaysfunctionedaccording to thedivineprinciplesestablishedbyHisFather:“Truly,truly,Isaytoyou,theSoncandonothingofHimself,unlessitissomethingHeseestheFatherdoing;forwhatevertheFatherdoes,thesethingstheSonalsodoesinlikemanner”(John5:19;cf.v.30).Second,JesusknewthatHis time of earthlyministrywas short andwould soon be cut off, as seen infrequentsayingssuchas“Mytimehasnotyetcome”and“Mytimehascome.”HealwaysfunctionedaccordingtoHislimitedprivilegeoftimeandopportunity,using every moment of His life in His Father’s work. Third, Jesus always

functionedaccordingtotheHisFather’spurposes.“MyfoodistodothewillofHimwhosentMe,andtoaccomplishHiswork”(John4:34). “Therefore,”Petersaid,“sinceChristhassufferedintheflesh,armyourselvesalsowiththesamepurpose,becausehewhohassufferedinthefleshhasceasedfromsin,soastolivetherestofthetimeinthefleshnolongerforthelustsofmen,butforthewillofGod”(1Pet.4:1-2). ThewordsofDavidsumuptheproperreactiontothisteaching:“Iwillsingofmercyandjudgment:untothee,OLord,willIsing.Iwillbehavemyselfwiselyinaperfectway”(Ps.101:1-2,KJV).

DoNotGetDrunkwithWine

18

Anddonotgetdrunkwithwine,forthatisdissipation,(5:18a)TheversewhichthesewordsintroduceisoneofthemostcrucialtextsrelatingtoChristian living, towalking “in amannerworthy of the callingwithwhich[we]havebeencalled”(4:1).Beingcontrolledby theHolySpirit isabsolutelyessential for living theChristian lifebyGod’sstandards.God’swaycannotbeproperlyunderstoodorfaithfullyfollowedapartfromtheworkingoftheSpiritinthelifeofabeliever. But before Paul commanded us to “be rilled with the Spirit” and gave thecharacteristics of the Spirit-filled life (vv. 18b-21), he first gave a contrastingandnegativecommand,Anddonotgetdrunkwithwine.Gettingdrunkwithwinenotonlyisahindranceto,butacounterfeitof,beingfilledwiththeSpirit.In lightof theapostle’sprecedingcontrastsbetween lightanddarkness (vv.8-14) and between wisdom and foolishness (vv. 15-17), his point here is thatgettingdrunkisamarkofdarknessandfoolishnessandthatbeingfilledwiththeSpiritisthesourceofabeliever’sbeingabletowalkinlightandwisdom. There have been few periods of church history in which the drinking ofalcoholic beverages has not been an issue of disagreement and debate.Evangelicalchurchesandgroupsinourowndayhavewidelydifferingviewsonthesubject.Denominationsandmissionsorganizationssometimeshavedifferingviewsevenwithintheirownconstituenciesfromcountrytocountry. We must be clear that drinking or not drinking is not in itself a mark, andcertainlynotameasure,ofspirituality.Spiritualityisdeterminedbywhatweareinside,ofwhichwhatwedoontheoutsideisbutamanifestation. Manyreasonsaregivenfordrinking,oneofthemostcommonofwhichisthedesire to be happy, or at least to forget a sorrow or problem. The desire forgenuinehappiness isbothGod-givenandGod-fulfilled. InEcclesiasteswearetoldthereis“atimetolaugh”(3:4)andinProverbsthat“ajoyfulheartisgoodmedicine”(17:22).Davidproclaimedthat in theLord’s“presence is fulnessofjoy”(Ps.16:11).Jesusbeganeachbeatitudewiththepromiseofblessedness,orhappiness,forthosewhocometotheLordintheLord’sway(Matt.5:3-11).Theapostle John wrote his first letter not only to teach and admonish fellow

believers but that his own joy might “be made complete” (1:4). Paul twicecounselledthePhilippianChristiansto“rejoiceintheLord”(3:1;4:4).AtJesus’birththeangelannouncedtotheshepherds,“Donotbeafraid;forbeholdIbringyougoodnewsofagreatjoywhichshallbeforallthepeople”(Luke2:10).Godwants all men to be happy and joyful, and one of the great blessings of thegospelistheunmatchedjoythatChristbringstotheheartofeverypersonwhotrustsinHim. The problem with drinking in order to be happy is not the motive but themeans. It brings only artificial happiness at best and is counterproductive tospiritual sensitivity. It is a temporary escape that often leads to even worseproblemsthantheonesthatpromptedthedrinkinginthefirstplace.Intoxicationis never a remedy for the cares of life, but it has few equals in its ability tomultiplythem.

SCRIPTUREALWAYSCONDEMNSDRUNKENNESS

Drinkingtothepointofdrunkenness,ofcourse,hasfewsanedefenderseveninthesecularworld.Ithascausedthelossoftoomanybattles,thedownfalloftoomany governments, and the moral corruption of too many lives and wholesocietiestobeconsideredanythinglessthanthetotalevilthatitis.TheUnitedStatesalonepresentlyhasovertwentymillionalcoholics,almostthreeandahalfmillionofwhichareteenagers.Andalcoholisakiller. Drunkennessisthecloudingordisruptionbyalcoholofanypartofaperson’smindsothatitaffectshisfaculties.Apersonisdrunktotheextentthatalcoholhas restricted ormodified any part of his thinking or acting.Drunkenness hasmanydegrees,butitbeginswhenitstartstointerruptthenormalfunctionsofthebodyandmind. BoththeOldandNewTestamentsunequivocallycondemndrunkenness.EverypictureofdrunkennessintheBibleisapictureofsinanddisaster.ShortlyaftertheFlood,Noahbecamedrunk and acted shamelessly.Lot’s daughters causedhimtobecomedrunkandtocommitincestwiththem,asafoolishandpervertedmeans of having children. Ben-hadad and his allied kings became drunk andwere all slaughtered except Ben-hadad, who was spared only by thedisobedience of Israel’s King Ahab (1 Kings 20:16-34). Belshazzar held adrunkenfeastinwhichheandhisguestspraisedthegodsofgold,silver,bronze,iron, wood, and stone. And during the very midst of the drunken brawl thekingdomwastakenfromBelshazzar(Dan.5).SomeoftheCorinthianChristiansbecame drunk while at the Lord’s table, and God caused some of them tobecomeweakandsickandotherstodiebecauseoftheirwickeddesecration(1Cor.11:27-30). ThebookofProverbshasmanywarningsaboutdrinking.Speakingasafather,thewritersaid,“Listen,myson,andbewise,anddirectyourheartintheway.Donotbewithheavydrinkersofwine,orwithgluttonouseatersofmeat;fortheheavydrinkerandthegluttonwillcometopoverty,anddrowsinesswillclotheamanwithrags”(Prov.23:19-21).OurskidrowstodayarefilledwithmoremenclothedinragsbecauseofdrunkennessthantheancientwriterofProverbscouldever have imagined. A few verses later he asked, “Who has woe? Who hassorrow?Whohascontentions?Whohascomplaining?Whohaswoundswithoutcause?Whohasrednessofeyes?Thosewholinger longoverwine, thosewhogototastemixedwine.Donotlookonthewinewhenitisred,whenitsparkles

inthecup,whenitgoesdownsmoothly”(vv.29-31).Wineisenticingtolookat,with its bright color, sparkling bubbles, and smooth taste—just as moderncommercialsvividlyportray it.What thecommercialsarecarefulnot to say isthat “at last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper.Your eyeswill seestrangethings,andyourmindwillutterperversethings”(vv.32-33). Wealsoread inProverbs that“wine isamocker,strongdrinkabrawler,andwhoeverisintoxicatedbyitisnotwise”(20:1).Drunkennessmocksapersonbymakinghimthinkheisbetteroffinsteadofworseoff,smarterinsteadofmorefoolish,andhappierinsteadofsimplydazed.ItisafavoritetoolofSatanfortheveryreasonthatitdeceiveswhileitdestroys.Surelyitpresentsvulnerabilitytodemons. The drunk does not learn his lesson and is deceived over and overagain.Evenwhenheiswaylaid,beaten,andfinallyawakensfromhisdrunkenstuporhe“willseekanotherdrink”(23:35). Betweenthosetwowarningsaboutdrunkennesswearetold,“Aharlotisadeeppit,andanadulterouswomanisanarrowwell.Surelyshelurksasarobber,andincreases the faithless among men” (vv. 27-28). The revered Old Testamentscholar Franz Delitzsch commented, “The author passes from the sin ofuncleanness to that of drunkenness; they are nearly related, for drunkennessexcitesfleshlylust;andtowallowwithdelightinthemireofsensuality,amancreated in the image of God must first brutalize himself by intoxication.”(Johann K. F. Keil and Franz Julius Delitzsch, vol. 4 of Old TestamentCommentaries[GrandRapids:AssociatedPublishersandauthors,n.d.],750.) Isaiah warned, “Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they maypursue strong drink; who stay up late in the evening that wine may inflamethem!”(Isa.5:11).Analcoholiccharacteristicallybeginsdrinkinginthemorningandcontinuesthroughthedayandevening.Againtheprophetportrayedavividscene when he said, “And these also reel with wine and stagger from strongdrink: the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are confused bywine,theystaggerfromstrongdrink;theyreelwhilehavingvisions,theytotterwhen rendering judgment.For all the tables are full of filthyvomit,without asinglecleanplace”(28:7-8). Scripture shows drunkenness in its full ugliness and tragedy, as alwaysassociated with immorality, dissolution, unrestrained behavior, wild, recklessbehavior,andeveryotherformofcorruptliving.ItisoneofthesinfuldeedsofthefleshthatareinoppositiontotherighteousfruitoftheSpirit(Gal.5:19-23).Drunkenness is firstofallasin. Itdevelopsattendantdiseaseas it ravages themind and body, but it is basically a sin, amanifestation of depravity. Itmustthereforebeconfessedanddealtwithassin.

PetertoldbelieverstoforsakethewayoftheGentiles,whopursued“acourseof sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousals, drinking parties and abominableidolatries”(1Pet.4:3).PauladmonishedtheThessalonians,“Letusnotsleepasothersdo,butletusbealertandsober.Forthosewhosleepdotheirsleepingatnight,and thosewhogetdrunkatnight.Butsinceweareof theday, letusbesober,havingputonthebreastplateoffaithandlove,andasahelmet,thehopeof salvation” (1 Thess. 5:6-8; cf. Rom. 13:13). He warned the Corinthianbelievers that theywerenoteven“toassociatewithanyso-calledbrother ifheshould be an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or adrunkard,oraswindler—noteventoeatwithsuchaone”(1Cor.5:11).Inthenext chapter hewent on to say, “Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, noridolaters,nor adulterers,nor effeminate,norhomosexuals,nor thieves,nor thecovetous,nordrunkards,norrevilers,norswindlers,shallinheritthekingdomofGod”(6:9-10). It ispossibleforaChristiantobecomedrunk, justas it ispossibleforhimtofall into other sins. But his life will not be continually characterized bydrunkennessoranyoftheothersinsmentionedbyPeterandPaul. In lightof theEphesian situation,however, itmustbe recognized thatPaul’sprimaryconcerninthepresentpassageisreligious,notmoral.TotheEphesians,as to most pagans and former pagans of that day, drunkenness was closelyassociatedwith the idolatrous rites and practices that were an integral part oftempleworship. In themystery religions,whichbegan inancientBabylonandwere copied andmodified throughout theNearEast and inGreek andRomancultures, the height of religious experience was communion with the godsthrough various forms of ecstasy. To achieve an ecstatic experience theparticipants would use self-hypnosis and frenzied dances designed to workthemselves up to a high emotional pitch. Heavy drinking and sexual orgiescontributedstillfurthertothesensualstuporthattheirpervertedmindsledthemtothinkwascreatingcommunionwiththegods. Themoderndrugandhardrockcultureislittledifferentfromthosepaganrites.Drugs, psychedelic lighting, ear-pounding music, and suggestive lyrics andantics all combine to produce near-hysteria in many of the performers andspectators. It is significant thatmuch of this subculture is directly involved inone or more of the Eastern, mystical religions that teach greater spiritualawarenessthroughescapeintosupposedhigherlevelsofconsciousnessinducedbydrugs,repetitionofprescribednamesorwords,andothersuchsuperstitiousanddemonicmeans.

The greatest god of ancient mythology was known as Zeus (Greek), Jupiter(Roman),andbyothernamesinvariousregionsandtimes.Inwhatwecannowsee as a Satanic counterfeit of Jesus’ conception by the Holy Spirit, mythclaimed that Zeus somehow caused the goddess Semele to become pregnantwithouthavingcontactwithher.Semeledecidedthatshehadarighttoseethefatherofherchild,andwhileitwasstillinherwombsheapproachedZeus,onlyto be instantly incinerated by his glory. Before it could be destroyed, Zeussnatchedtheunbornchildfromherwombandsewedit intohisthigh,whereitcontinuedtodevelopuntilbirth.TheinfantgodwasnamedDionysiusandwasdestinedbyZeustobecomeruleroftheearth. The legend further told that when the Titans, who then inhabited the earth,heardofZeus’splantheystolethebabyDionysiusandtorehimlimbfromlimb.Again the child was rescued by his father Zeus, who swallowed Dionysius’sheartandmiraculouslyrecreatedhim.ZeusthenstrucktheTitanswithlightning,reducingthemtoashesfromwhichwasraisedthehumanrace.Asrulerofthisnewrace,Dionysiusdevelopedareligionofascendancy,wherebyhumanbeingscould rise to a level of divine consciousness. Themystical system he devisedwas comprised of wild music, frenzied dancing, sexual perversion, bodilymutilation, eating of the raw flesh of sacrificial bulls, and drunkenness.Dionysius became known as the god of wine, the intoxicating drink that wasintegral to the debauched religion that centered around him. His Romancounterpart was Bacchus, from whose name we get bacchanalia, the Romanfestivalcelebratedwithwilddancing,singing,drinking,andrevelrythathasforovertwothousandyearsbeensynonymouswithdrunkendebaucheryandsexualorgy. ThecityofBaalbek,ineasternLebanon,containssomeofthemostfascinatingruinsoftheancientworld.ItisthesiteofpagantemplesfirsterectedinthenameofvariousCanaanitegods,andlaterrededicatedinthenamesofcorrespondingGreek and then Roman deities when it was conquered by those empires. Thecentral temple was that of Bacchus, the columns and parapets of which areintricatelyandprofuselydecoratedwithcarvingsofgrapevines—symbolicoftheexcessiveuseofwinethatcharacterizedtheirorgiasticworship. ThatispreciselythetypeofpaganworshipwithwhichtheEphesianswerewellacquaintedandinwhichmanybelievershadoncebeeninvolved.ItwasalsothetypeofworshipandassociatedimmoralityandcarnalityfromwhichmanyoftheCorinthian believers had such a difficult time divorcing themselves and forwhichPaulrebukedthemstrongly.“IsnotthecupofblessingwhichweblessasharinginthebloodofChrist?Isnotthebreadwhichwebreakasharinginthe

body of Christ? … I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, theysacrificetodemons,andnottoGod;andIdonotwantyoutobecomesharersindemons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; youcannotpartakeofthetableoftheLordandthetableofdemons”(1Cor.10:16,20-21).Laterintheletterhegaveasimilarrebuke:“Thereforewhenyoumeettogether,itisnottoeattheLord’sSupper,forinyoureatingeachonetakeshisownsupperfirst;andoneishungryandanotherisdrunk”(11:20-21).Satanisathiefandaliar,andherevelsinstealingthemostbeautifulandsacredthingsoftheLordandcounterfeiting them insensuallyattractiveperversions thatenticemenintosinanddeceivethemaboutthetruth. InEphesians 5:18, Paulwas therefore not simplymaking amoral but also atheologicalcontrast.Hewasnotonlyspeakingof themoralandsocialevilsofdrunkenness,butof thespirituallyperverteduseofdrunkennessasameansofworship. Christians are not to seek religious fulfillment through such paganmeansasgettingdrunkwithwine,butare tofindtheirspiritualfulfillmentandenjoyment by being “filledwith the Spirit.” The believer has no need for theartificial, counterfeit,degrading,destructive, and idolatrouswaysof theworld.HehasGod’sownSpiritindwellinghim,theSpiritwhosegreatdesireistogivebelieversthefullestbenefitsandenjoymentoftheirhighpositionaschildrenofGod. Thecontextof thispassagefurther indicates thatPaulwasspeakingprimarilyabout the religious implications of drunkenness. The frenzied, immoral, anddrunken orgies of pagan ceremonies were accompanied by correspondinglycorrupt liturgies. In verses 19-20 Paul showed the kind of liturgy that pleasesGod:Spirit-filledbelievers“speaking tooneanother inpsalmsandhymnsandspiritualsongs,singingandmakingmelodywithyourhearttotheLord;alwaysgivingthanksforallthingsinthenameofourLordJesusChristtoGod,eventheFather.”

SCRIPTURESOMETIMESCOMMENDSWINE

Despiteitsmanywarningsaboutthedangersofwine,thedrinkingofitisnottotallyforbiddeninScriptureandis,infact,sometimesevencommended.DrinkofferingsofwineaccompaniedmanyoftheOldTestamentsacrifices(Ex.29:40;Num.15:5;cf.28:7).ItislikelythatasupplyofwinewaskeptintheTempleforthatpurpose.Thepsalmistspokeof“winewhichmakesman’sheartglad”(Ps.104:15),andthewriterofProverbsadvisedgiving“strongdrinktohimwhoisperishing, andwine to himwhose life is bitter” (31:6). In speaking of God’sgracious invitation to salvation, Isaiah declared, “Ho! Every one who thirsts,cometothewaters;andyouwhohavenomoneycome,buyandeat.Come,buywineandmilkwithoutmoneyandwithoutcost”(Isa.55:1). PauladvisedTimothy,“Nolongerdrinkwaterexclusively,butusealittlewineforthesakeofyourstomachandyourfrequentailments”(1Tim.5:23).Jesus’firstmiraclewasturningwaterintowineattheweddingfeastatCana(John2:6-10).HealsospokefavorablyofwineintheparableoftheGoodSamaritan,whopouredoilandwineonthewoundsofthemanhefoundbeatenbytheroadside(Luke10:34). Likemanyotherthings,thekindofwineofwhichScripturespeaks(discussedbelow)hasthepotentialeitherforevilorgood.Ibelievetherewasatimewhenthejuiceofthegrape,likeeveryotherthingGodcreated,wasonlygoodanddidnothaveeven thepotential forevil.Fermentation,a formofdecay, likelywasmadepossiblebythecorruptionofnatureattheFallandactuallybeganwiththevastenvironmentalchangecausedbytheFloodandtheaccompanyingremovalofthevaporcanopyovertheearththathadprotecteditfromdirectsunlight.Itisnotunreasonabletobelievethatinthemillennialkingdomtheprocesswillagainbereversed,whenthecurseisremovedandnatureisrestoredtoitsoriginalstateofperfectgoodness.

GUIDELINESFORCHRISTIANS

InlightofthefactthatScripturegivesmanywarningsaboutdrinkingwine,yetdoes not forbid it and even commends it in certain circumstances, how can abelieverknowwhattodo?Followingareeightsuggestions,givenintheformofquestions,whichifansweredhonestlyinlightofScripturewillserveashelpfulguidelines.ISTODAY’SWINETHESAMEASTHATINBIBLETIMES?

Our first task inanswering thisquestion is todetermineexactlywhatkindofwine is referred to in theBible, and the second is todeterminehow thatwinecompares towhat is produced anddrunk today.Many sincere,Bible-honoringChristians justify their drinking wine on the basis of its being an acceptablepracticebothintheOldandNewTestaments.Butifthekindofwineusedthenwas different from that used today, then application of the biblical teachingconcerningwinewillalsobedifferent. Onekindofwine,calledsikerainGreek(seeLuke1:15)andshekarinHebrew(seeProv.20:1;Isa.5:1),isusuallytranslated“strongdrink”becauseofitshighalcoholcontentandconsequentrapidintoxicationofthosewhodrankit. Asecondkindofwinewascalledgleukos(fromwhichwegetourEnglishtermglucose) and referred to newwine, which was especially sweet. Some of theonlookersatPentecostaccusedtheapostlesofbeingdrunkonthiskindofwine(Acts2:13).ThecorrespondingHebrewwordistîrôsh(seeProv.3:10;Hos.9:2;Joel 1:10). Because freshly-squeezed juice would ferment rapidly and couldcauseintoxicationevenwhennotfullyaged,itwasgenerallymixedwithwaterbeforedrinking. Athirdkindofwine,however,istheonemostoftenreferredtoinboththeOldandNewTestaments.TheHebrewword for thatwine isyayin,whichhas therootmeaning of bubbling or boiling up. The figure of bubbling did not comefrom the pouring of thewine but from the boiling of the fresh grape juice toreduceittoaheavysyrup,sometimesevenathickpaste,thatmadeitsuitableforstoragewithoutspoiling.Becauseboilingremovesmostofthewaterandkillsallthe bacteria, the concentrated state of the juice does not ferment. Yayin mostoftenreferredtothesyruporpastemixedwithwaterandusedasadrink(cf.Ps.75:8;Prov.23:30).Evenwhenthereconstitutedmixturewasallowedtoferment,

itsalcoholcontentwasquitelow. Themost commonNewTestamentGreekword for this thirdkindofwine isoinos, and in itsmost general sense simply refers to the juice of grapes.AnyaccurateJewishsourcewillpointoutthatyayin,mixedwine,oroinos,doesnotreferonlytointoxicatingliquormadebyfermentation,butmoreoftenreferstoathicknonintoxicating syrupor jamproducedbyboiling tomake it storable. InJesus’ illustration of putting new wine (oinos, not gleukos) only into newwineskins, He was possibly saying that it was thereby “preserved” fromfermentationaswellasfromspillage(Matt.9:17). Thepracticeofreducingfreshgrapejuicetoasyrupbyboilingorevaporationwaswidespread in the biblicalNear East aswell as in theGreek andRomancultures of that day—and is not uncommon in Palestine, Syria, Jordan, andLebanoninourownday.Inadditiontobeingdilutedforuseasabeverage,theheavy syrup was used as a flavoring and as a jam-like spread on bread andpastries. Both the syrup andmost of the drinkmade from it were completelynonintoxicating. The JewishMishnah—theancientoral and laterwritten interpretationsof theMosaiclawthatprecededtheTalmud—statesthattheJewsregularlyusedboiledwine, that is, grape juice reduced to a thick consistency by heating. AristotledescribedthewineofArcadiaasbeingsothickthatithadtobescrapedfromtheskinbottlesinwhichitwasstoredandthescrapingsdilutedwithwaterinordertomake a drink. TheRoman historian Pliny often referred to nonintoxicatingwine.TheRomanpoetHoracewrotein35B.C.“Hereyouquaffunderashade,cupsofunintoxicatingwine.” In theninthbookofhisOdysseyHomer toldofUllysesputtinginhisboatagoatskinofsweetblackwinethatwasdilutedwithtwenty parts of water before being drunk. In A.D. 60 the Greek biographerPlutarchcommentedthat“filteredwineneitherinflamesthebrainnorinfectsthemindandthepassions,andismuchmorepleasanttodrink.” WritinginChristianityTodaymagazine0une20,1975),RobertSteinexplainsthat the ancient Greeks kept their unboiled, unmixed, and therefore highly-alcoholicwineinlargejugscalledamphorae.Beforedrinkingtheywouldpouritintosmallervesselscalledkratersanddiluteitwithwaterasmuchastwentytoone.Onlythenwouldthewinebepouredintokillits,thecupsfromwhichitwasdrunk. Itwas thisdiluted form thatwas commonly referred to simply aswine(oinos).Theundilutedliquidwascalledakratesteron,or“unmixedwine,”winethathadnotbeendilutedinakrater.Evenamongthecivilizedpagans,drinkingunmixedwinewasconsideredstupidandbarbaric.Mr.SteinquotesMnesitheusofAthens:

Thegodshaverevealedwinetomortals,tobethegreatestblessing

forthosewhouseitaright,butforthosewhouseitwithoutmeasure,thereverse.Foritgivesfoodtothemthattakeitandstrengthinmindandbody.Inmedicineitismostbeneficial;itcanbemixedwithliquidand drugs and it brings aid to thewounded. In daily intercourse, tothosewhomixanddrinkitmoderately,itgivesgoodcheer;butifyouoverstepthebounds, itbringsviolence.Mixithalfandhalf,andyougetmadness;unmixed,bodilycollapse.

Froman earlyChristianvolume calledTheApostolicTraditionwe learn thattheearlychurch followed thecustomofusingonly suchmixedwine,whethermadefromasyruporfromtheunmixedliquid. Naturally fermented wine has an alcoholic content of from nine to elevenpercent.For an alcoholic beverage such as brandy tohave ahigher content, itmustbeartificiallyfortifiedbydistillingalready-fermentedwine.Theunmixedwineoftheancientsthereforehadamaximumalcoholcontentofelevenpercent.Even mixed half and half (a mixture which Mnesitheus said would bringmadness), the wine would have had less than five percent alcohol. Since thestrongestwinenormallydrunkwasmixedatleastwiththreepartswatertooneofwine,itsalcoholcontentwouldhavebeeninarangenohigherthan2.25-2.75percent—wellbelowthe3.2percentthattodayisgenerallyconsiderednecessarytoclassifyabeverageasalcoholic. It is clear, therefore, that whether the yayin or oinos mentioned in Scripturereferstothethicksyrupitself,toamixtureofwaterandsyrup,ortoamixtureofwaterandpurewine,thewinewaseithernonalcoholicoronlyslightlyalcoholic.Togetdrunkwithmixedwine(oinos)wouldhaverequiredconsumingalargequantity—asissuggestedinotherNewTestamentpassages.“Addictedtowine”(1Tim.3:3;Titus1:7)translatesoneGreekword(paroinos)andliterallymeans“at,orbeside,wine,”andcarries the ideaofsittingbeside thewinecupforanextendedperiodoftime. Theanswertothefirstquestionisclearlyno.ThewineofBibletimeswasnotthesameastheunmixedwineofourownday.EventhemorecivilizedpagansofBibletimeswouldhaveconsideredthedrinkingofmodernwinestobebarbaricandirresponsible.ISITNECESSARY?

The second question that helps us determinewhether or not a believer todayshoulddrinkwineis,“Isdrinkingwinenecessaryforme?”InBibletimes,asinmanypartsof theworldtoday,gooddrinkingwatereitherdidnotexistorwasscarce. The safest drink was wine, and wine that had alcoholic content wasespeciallysafebecauseoftheantisepticeffectofthealcohol.Itactuallypurifiedthewater. Yet it seems hard to believe that the wine Jesus miraculously made at thewedding feast in Cana or that He served at the Lord’s Supper and on otheroccasionswas fermented.HowcouldHehavemadeor served thatwhich hadeventhepotentialformakingapersondrunk?WhenHemadethewineatCana,Hefirstinstructedtheservantstofillthejarswithwater,asiftotestifythatthewine He was about to create was obviously mixed. The wedding guestscommentedonthehighqualityofthewine(John2:10),andbecausetheycalleditoinos,itobviouslywaslikethemilddrinktheywereaccustomedtomakingbyaddingwatertoboiled-downsyrup. Even though circumstances often required ormade advisable the drinking ofwinethatcontainedalcohol,thepreferredwineeveninBibletimeshadlittleornone.Modernbelieversthereforecannotappealtothebiblicalpracticetojustifytheir owndrinking, because somany alternatives are now readily and cheaplyavailable. Drinking alcoholic beverages today is an extremely rare necessity;mostoftenitissimplyamatterofpreference. Norisdrinkingnecessaryinordertopreventembarrassingoroffendingfriends,acquaintances, or business associates. A Christian’s witness is sometimesresentedandcostly,butmostpeopleareinclinedtorespectourabstinencewhenit is done out of honest conviction and is not flaunted self-righteously orjudgmentally.Theargumentofnotwantingtooffendothersismorelikelytobebasedonconcernforourownimageandpopularitythanongenuineconcernfortheir feelings andwelfare. Some feel that drinking is sometimes necessary forthe sake of establishing a relationshipwith an unsaved personwith a view tobringinghim tosaving faith.Butsuchaviewofevangelismfailsmiserably inunderstandingthesovereignworkofGodandthepowerofthegospelapartfromhumandevices.ISITTHEBESTCHOICE?

BecausedrinkingofwineisnotspecificallyandtotallyforbiddeninScriptureandbecauseit isnotanecessityforbelieversinmostpartsoftheworldtoday,thedrinkingof it isamatterofchoice.Thenextquestionis therefore,Is it the

bestchoice? ThroughoutthehistoryofGod’speopleHehasgivenhigherstandardsforthosein positions of greater responsibility. Under the sacrificial system institutedunderMosesanddescribedinLeviticus4-5,theordinarypersonwasrequiredtogive a female goat or a lamb as a sin offering—or two pigeons or two doves(5:7),orevenameal(grain)offering(5:11),ifhewasverypoor.Butarulerhadtoofferamalegoat,and thecongregationasawholeor thehighpriesthad toofferabull. Aaron and all succeeding high priests were also given higher personalstandardsbywhichtolive.Theywerecommanded,“Donotdrinkwineorstrongdrink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent ofmeeting, so that you may not die—it is a perpetual statute throughout yourgenerations” (Lev. 10:9).Because the high priestwas called apart to a higheroffice,hewasalsocalledtoahighercommitmenttoGodandtoahigherqualityofliving.Whethertheirdrinkrestrictionpertainedtotheirtotallivingoronlytothe time while they were actually serving in the Tabernacle or Temple, theirministry for theLordwas to bemarked by total abstinence from all alcoholicbeverage. Theirminds and bodieswere to be clear, pure, and fully functionalwhentheyministered in theLord’sname.Therewas tobenoriskofmoralorspiritualcompromiseinsacredministry. The same high standard applied to rulers in Israel. “It is not for kings, OLemuel,itisnotforkingstodrinkwine,orforrulerstodesirestrongdrink,lesttheydrinkandforgetwhatisordered,andperverttherightsofalltheafflicted”(Prov. 31:4-5). Their judgmentwas not to be clouded even by the amount ofalcoholfoundinwine(yayin),muchlessbythemuchhigheramount instrongdrink(shekar).Strongdrinkwastobegivenonly“tohimwhoisperishing,”asasedative toeasehispain(v.6).Anyotheruseof itwasnotcondoned.Normalmixedwinecouldbegivenforenjoyment“tohimwhoselifeisbitter.Lethimdrinkandforgethispoverty,andrememberhistroublenomore”(vv.6-7).Butthe high priests and the rulers of the people were to drink neither yayin norshekar. AnypersoninIsraelcouldchoosetosethimselfapartforGodinaspecialwaybytaking theNaziritevow.“Whenamanorwomanmakesaspecialvow, thevowof aNazirite, todedicatehimself to theLord, he shall abstain fromwineandstrongdrink;heshalldrinknovinegar,whethermadefromwineorstrongdrink,neithershallhedrinkanygrapejuice,noreatfreshordriedgrapes.Allthedays of his separation he shall not eat anything that is produced by the grapevine,fromtheseedseventotheskin”(Num.6:2-4).ANaziritealsovowednot

to shave his head or to ceremonially contaminate himself by touching a deadbodyaslongashisvowwasineffect(vv.5-7). ThenameNaziritecomesfromtheHebrewnezîr,whichmeans“separated,orconsecrated.”Such separationwas voluntary and could last from30days to alifetime. But while the person, man or woman, was set apart in that way forspecialservicetotheLord,hislifewastobemarkedbyspecialpurity,includingabstentionfromanythingevenassociatedwithalcoholicdrink.TheNaziritewas,inasense,steppinguptothelevelofarulerorhighpriestbyhisactofspecialconsecrationandseparation. ScripturenamesonlythreemenwhowereNaziritesforlife—Samson,Samuel,andJohntheBaptist.AllthreeweresetapartasNaziritesbeforetheywereborn,Samuel by hismother (1Sam. 1:11) andSamson and John theBaptist by theLord Himself (Judg. 13:3-5; Luke 1:15). The mothers of both Samson andSamuel also abstained fromwine and strong drink (Judg. 13:4; 1 Sam. 1:15),Samson’smotherbythedirectcommandoftheangel. Thoughwe do not know their identities,many otherNazirites lived in IsraelandservedtheLordthroughtheirspeciallyconsecratedlives(seeLam.4:7,Aybut see also NASB; Amos 2:11). Unfortunately, many of themwere forciblycorruptedbytheirfellowIsraelites,who“madetheNaziritesdrinkwine”(Amos2:12;cf.Lam.4:8).Theworldresentsthosewhosehighstandardsarearebuketo low living. Instead of trying to attain a higher level for themselves, peoplewhoareworldlyandfleshly—includingworldlyandcarnalChristians—seektobringthosewholivepurelydowntotheirowncorruptlevel. InJeremiah’sdaytheentireclanoftheRechabiteshadtakenavownottodrinkwine, andhad remained faithful to thatvow.Becauseof their faithfulness, theLordhadJeremiahset themupasastandardof righteous living, incontrast tothecorruptunfaithfulnessofJudah,onwhomHewasabout tobring judgment(Jer.35:1-19). The most outstanding Nazirite was John the Baptist, of whom Jesus said,“Truly, I say toyou,among thosebornofwomen therehasnotarisenanyonegreater”(Matt.11:11).BeforeJohnwasborn,theangelsaidofhim,“Hewillbegreat in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine (oinos) or liquor(sikera); and hewill be filledwith theHoly Spirit, while yet in hismother’swomb”(Luke1:15). YetJesuswentontosayinregardtoJohntheBaptistthat“hewhoisleastinthekingdomofheavenisgreaterthanhe”(Matt.11:11).InJesusChrist,everybeliever ison thespiritual levelofahighpriest,a ruler,andaNazirite.Christ

lovesusandhas“releasedusfromoursinsbyHisblood,andHehasmadeustobe a kingdom, priests to His God and Father” (Rev. 1:5-6). Christians are a“chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s ownpossession”(1Pet.2:9;cf.v.5).EveryChristianisspeciallysetapartforGod,and everyChristian is to be separated fromeverything that is unclean (2Cor.6:17). “Therefore, having these promises, beloved,” Paul continued, “let uscleanseourselves fromalldefilementof fleshandspirit,perfectingholiness inthefearofGod”(7:1). Goddid not lowerHis standards forNewTestament saints,who are greater,Jesus said, even than John the Baptist. In both the Old and New TestamentsdrinkingwineorstrongdrinkdisqualifiedapersonfromtheleadershipofGod’speople.Christianleaders,likethoseoftheOldTestament,areheldtospeciallyhighstandards.Overseers,orbishops,whoare the sameaseldersandpastors,mustnotbe“addictedtowine,”which,asmentionedabove,translatesoneword(paroinos) and literallymeans “at, or by,wine.”A leader in the church is noteventobebesidewine.“Must”(1Tim.3:2)isfromtheGreekparticledei,andcarries the meaning of logical necessity rather than moral ought. Paul istherefore saying that leaders in the church of Jesus Christ not only ought but“mustbe…notaddictedtowine”(vv.2-3). Jamessaid,“Letnotmanyofyoubecometeachers,mybrethren,knowingthatassuchweshall incura stricter judgment” (James3:1),andJesussaid,“Fromeveryonewho has been givenmuch shallmuch be required” (Luke 12:48). IfOld Testament high priests, Nazirites, kings, judges, and other rulers of thepeopleweretobeclear-mindedatalltimes,theLordsurelydoesnothavelowerstandardsfor leaders in thechurch,which is thepresent incarnateBodyofHisownSon,JesusChrist.Fordeacons,whoseresponsibilityistoserveratherthantogiveleadership,thestandardislessstringent.Theyareallowedtodrinkwinebut are not to be “addicted,” which is from a different Greek word(prosechontas), meaning “to be occupied with.” Such allowance still forbidsdrunkenness, and it reflects thedistinctplaceof the elder,pastor,bishop,whoshouldtotallyavoidanypossibilityofhavinghisthinkingclouded.ThethrustofPaul’smessagehereseems tobe that,becauseof theneedforclearmindsandpureexample, thedecision-making leadersof thechurch,are tobeheld to thehighest possible standards of conduct, including abstinence from all alcoholicbeverages, and that deacons,who are not in such critical roles, are allowed todrinkwineinmoderation. That Paul advised Timothy to “no longer drink water exclusively, but use alittle wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments” (1 Tim.

5:23) indicates that, consistent with his leadership abstinence, Timothypreviously had drunk no wine at all and that Paul’s recommendation to startdrinking“alittlewine”waspurelyformedicinalpurposes.Everybelieveristopresenthisbody“alivingandholysacrifice,acceptabletoGod”(Rom.12:1),intotalconsecrationtoHim.ISITHABITFORMING?

Afourthareaofconcernforbelieversshouldbethematterofaddiction.Manythingsbecomehabitual,andmanyofthehabitsweformarebeneficial.Ontheotherhand,manyotherhabitsareharmfulandaredifficulttobreak. Paul’sprinciple that thoughall things forhimwere lawful,hewould“notbemastered by anything” (1 Cor. 6:12) clearly applies to the danger of alcoholaddiction.Alcoholeasilyproducesoverpoweringdependency.Inadditiontothealcohol’s direct clouding of the brain and disruption of bodily functions, thedependencyitselfdistractstheattentionandinterfereswiththejudgmentoftheonewhoisaddicted. AChristiannotonlymust avoid sinbutmust avoid thepotential for sin.Weshould not allow ourselves to get under the influence or control of anyone oranythingthatleadsusawayfromthethingsofGodeventoasmallextent.ThesafestandwisestchoiceforaChristianistoavoideventhepotentialforwronginfluence. Evenwhensomethingisnothabit-formingforus,itmaybeforsomeonewhois looking at and following our example. Because alcohol is universallyacknowledged to be highly addictive, a Christian’s drinking unnecessarilycreatesthepotentialforthealcoholaddictionofsomeoneelse.ISITPOTENTIALLYDESTRUCTIVE?

A fifth concern should be for alcohol’s potential destructiveness. The paganwriter Mnesitheus, already quoted, spoke of wine mixed with half water ascausingmadnessandofunmixedwine’sbringingbodilycollapse.Themental,physical, and social destructiveness of alcohol is too evident to need muchdocumentation. Over40percentofallviolentdeathsarealcoholrelated,andatleast50percentof all traffic fatalities involvedrinkingdrivers. It is estimated that at leastonefourth of all hospitalized psychiatric patients have a problem with alcohol.Heavyconsumptionofalcoholcausescirrhosisof the liverandcountlessother

physicaldisorders.Alcohol-relatedproblemscostbillionsofdollarseachyearinlostincometoemployersandemployees,insettlementsbyinsurancecompaniesandinhigherpremiumsfortheircustomers,andinmanyotherlessdirectways. Dissipation, to which drunkenness inevitably leads, is from asetia, whichliterallymeans“thatwhichisunabletobesaved.”Itwasusedofapersonwhowashopelesslyandincurablysickandalsowasusedofloose,profligateliving,as in thatof theprodigal son (Luke15:13).Dissipation is thereforea formofself-destruction. As mentioned earlier in the chapter, the Old Testament gives many vividaccountsof thecloseassociationofheavydrinkingwith immorality, rebellion,incest, disobedience to parents, and corrupt living of every sort.Violence is anaturalcompanionof strongdrink (Prov.4:17), and“wine isamocker, strongdrinkabrawler”(20:1). TheprophetJoelcried,“Awake,drunkards,andweep;andwail,allyouwinedrinkers, on account of the sweetwine that is cut off fromyourmouth” (Joel1:5). Later in his message he said, “They have also cast lots forMy people,traded a boy for a harlot, and sold a girl forwine that theymay drink” (3:3).Habakkukwarned, “Woe to youwhomakeyour neighbors drink,whomix inyourvenomeventomakethemdrunksoastolookontheirnakedness!Youwillbe filledwith disgrace rather than honor.Nowyou yourself drink and exposeyourownnakedness.ThecupintheLord’srighthandwillcomearoundtoyou,andutterdisgracewillcomeuponyourglory”(Hab.2:15-16). The Christian must ask himself if it is wise for him to have any part ofsomethingthathassuchgreatpotentialfordestructionandsin.WILLITOFFENDOTHERCHRISTIANS?

In speakingof food sacrificed to idols,Paul said, “Weknow that there is nosuchthingasanidolintheworld,andthatthereisnoGodbutone.Howevernotallmenhavethisknowledge;butsome,beingaccustomedtotheidoluntilnow,eat foodas if itwere sacrificed toan idol; and their consciencebeingweak isdefiled.ButfoodwillnotcommendustoGod;weareneithertheworseifwedonot eat, nor the better if we do eat. But take care lest this liberty of yourssomehowbecomeastumblingblocktotheweak….Forthroughyourknowledgehewhoisweakisruined,thebrotherforwhosesakeChristdied”(1Cor.8:4,7-9,11). AChristianwhohimselfisperfectlyabletodrinkinmoderationisnotableto

guarantee that his example will not cause a weaker fellow Christian to trydrinkingandbecomeaddicted.Notonlythat,butjustasinPaul’sday,aformerdrunkwhobecomesaChristianwilloftenassociatemanyimmoralandcorruptactivitieswithdrinking,andtoseeafellowChristiandrinkislikelytooffendhisconscience. Our freedom in Christ stops where it begins to harm others,especially fellow believers.We have no right to “destroy with [our] food [ordrink]himforwhomChristdied”(Rom.14:15).Wecannotbeabsolutelycertainevenofourownabilitytoalwaysdrinkinmoderation,andevenlesscertainthatour example will not cause others—including our children—to drink beyondmoderation. “Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food,” Paulcontinued.“All things indeedareclean,but theyareevilfor themanwhoeatsandgivesoffense.Itisgoodnottoeatmeatortodrinkwine,ortodoanythingbywhichyourbrotherstumbles”(vv.20-21).OurownfreedominChristshouldnot be cherished above the welfare of even one other believer.We are to dothosethings“whichmakeforpeaceandthebuildingupofoneanother”(v.19).WILLITHARMMYCHRISTIANTESTIMONY?

To exercise our liberty in a way thatmight harm a brother in Christ cannotpossibly enhance our testimony to unbelievers.Drinkingmightmake usmoreacceptableinsomecircles,butourlackofconcernforfellowChristianswouldwork against any positive witness we might give. It would also hinder ourtestimony before many other Christians, who, though they might not beconcerned about our influence hindering their own living for the Lord,wouldnevertheless be concerned about how it might harmfully influence otherChristians. Paul’sstandardgiventotheCorinthiansindicatesthatthebesttestimonyistorefuse a pagan host so as not to offend a brother: “If one of the unbelieversinvites you, and you wish to go, eat anything that is set before you, withoutaskingquestionsforconscience’sake.Butifanyoneshouldsaytoyou,‘Thisismeatsacrificedtoidols,’donoteatit,forthesakeoftheonewhoinformedyou,andforconscience’sake;Imeannotyourownconscience,buttheotherman’s;forwhyismyfreedomjudgedbyanother’sconscience?”(1Cor.10:27-29).ThewitnessismosteffectiveifthepaganhostcanseehowmuchyouloveandcareforyourChristianbrother. “Notoneofuslivesforhimself,andnotonediesforhimself;forifwelive,welivefortheLord,orifwedie,wediefortheLord;thereforewhetherweliveordie,wearetheLord’s”(Rom.14:7-8).BecauseeverythingaChristianisandhas

istheLord’s,theapostlealsosaid,“Whether,then,youeatordrinkorwhateveryoudo,doalltothegloryofGod.GivenooffenseeithertoJewsortoGreeksortothechurchofGod;justasIalsopleaseallmeninallthings,notseekingmyownprofit,but theprofitof themany, that theymaybesaved”(1Cor.10:31-33). Ifwewanttoreachpeoplewhoarenotsaved,aswellasgiveanencouragingexample to those who are, we will not exercise our liberty to drink or to doanythingelsethatwouldcausethemtobespirituallyoffendedormisled.ISITRIGHT?

Inlightofalltheabovequestions,theChristianshouldfinallyask,Isitrightformetodrinkatall?Wehaveseenthattheanswertothefirstquestionisclearlyno—thewinedrunk inBible times isnot thesameascontemporarywine.Theanswers to the second and third questions are also no for the majority ofbelieverstoday—itisgenerallyunnecessarytodrinkwineandisseldomthebestchoice. The answer to the next four questions is yes in at least some degree.Drinking isclearlyhabit formingandpotentiallydestructive,and it is likely tooffendotherChristiansandcouldharmourtestimonybeforeunbelievers. A man once said to me, “I have a beer with the boys sometimes. Is thatwrong?”Ireplied,“Whatdoyouthinkaboutit?”“Well,Idon’tthinkit’swrong;butitbothersme.”“Doyoulikebeingbothered?”Iasked.“No,Idon’t,”hesaid.“You knowhow to stop being bothered don’t you?” I continued, towhich hegavetheobviousanswer,“Yes.Stopdrinking.” Paul explicitly said, “He who doubts is condemned if he eats, because hiseating is not from faith; andwhatever is not from faith is sin” (Rom. 14:23).Evenifwebelievethatsomethingisnotsinfulinitself,ifwecannotdoitwithacompletely free conscience, we sin because we do it against our conscience.Going against our conscience will push us into self-condemnation and self-imposed guilt. Conscience is a God-given alarm to guard against sin, andwhenever we go against it we weaken it and make it less sensitive and lessreliable, thereby training ourselves to reject it. To continually go againstconscienceistocauseittobecome“seared…aswithabrandingiron”(1Tim.4:2) and to become silent.When that happens,we lose a very powerful agentGodhasgiventoleadus(cf.1Tim.1:5,19). As we ask ourselves questions about drinking, the final one is the mostimportant:CanIdoitbeforeothersandbeforeGodintotalfaithandconfidence

thatitisright?

BeFilledwiththeSpirit—part1

19

butbefilledwiththeSpirit,speakingtooneanotherinpsalmsandhymnsand spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to theLord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord JesusChristtoGod,eventheFather;andbesubjecttooneanotherinthefearofChrist.(5:18b-21)Apartfromthetruthinverse18,whichistheheartofPaul’smessage,thebookof Ephesianswould appear to be legalistic. Every exhortation he giveswouldhavetobefulfilledthroughthepoweroftheflesh.BelieverswouldneedtorelyontheirownresourcesandstrengthtofollowthegreatroadmapoftheChristianlife that the apostle presents in chapters 4-6—and would, of course, findthemselves completely deficient. Christians cannot walk in humility, unity,separation,light,love,andwisdomapartfromtheenergizingoftheHolySpirit.TowalkwithouttheSpiritistowalkunwiselyandfoolishly(seevv.15-17).Wecan“beimitatorsofGod,asbelovedchildren”(5:1)onlyaswearefilledwiththeSpirit(cf.John15:5). In5:18-21PaulfirstpresentsthecontrastofthewayofthefleshwiththewayoftheSpirit.Asseenintheprecedingdiscussionofv.18a,thewayofthefleshis characterized by the pagan religion out of which many of the Ephesianbelievershadcome,areligionthatcenteredarounddrunken,immoralorgiesofsupposedecstasy, inwhichaperson tried toprogressivelyelevatehimself intocommunion with the gods. It is the way of self, pride, immorality, greed,idolatry,confusion,deception,fantasy,falsehood,andevendemonism.Itisthewayofdarknessandfoolishness(see5:3-17). Invv.18b-21theapostlegivestheothersideofthecontrast—thegodlywalkofGod’schildren that expresses itself in theSpirit-controlled life andworshipofbeautyandholiness.Hefirstgivesthecentralcommandoftheepistle(whichisthefocalpointoftheNewTestamentforbelievers)andfollowsitwithanoutlineoftheconsequencesofobediencetothatcommand.

THECOMMAND

butbefilledwiththeSpirit,(5:18b)Although Paul was not present when the Holy Spirit manifested Himself sopowerfully at Pentecost, hemust have had that event inmind as hewrotebefilled with the Spirit. Pentecost obviously occurred while he was still anunbelieverandbeforehebeganpersecutingthechurch.ButwithoutPentecostheandotherunbelieverswouldhavehadnoreasontopersecutethechurch,becauseitwouldhavebeentooweakandpowerless to threatenSatan’sdomain. Itwasthere that the other apostles heard the heavenly “noise like a violent, rushingwind,”saw“tonguesasoffiredistributingthemselves”andresting“oneachoneof them,”andwere“filledwith theHolySpirit andbegan to speakwithothertongues,astheSpiritwasgivingthemutterance”(Acts2:2-4).Itwasalsotherethat someof the crowd accused the apostles of being “full of sweetwine” (v.13), probably expecting them to break out into the typical frenzied antics ofmysticalpaganworship. Thoughothers(suchasMoses,Ex.31:3;35:31)hadbeenfilledwiththeSpiritforspecialpurposes,itwasatPentecostthatallbelieversinthechurchwerefirstfilledwiththeHolySpirit.EverypromisethatJesusgavetoHisdisciplesonthelastnightHewaswiththemwasfulfilledinsomesensebythecomingtheHolySpiritonthatday.Infact,itwasthecomingoftheHolySpiritthatmaderealallthepromisesofJesusChrist. Jesussaid,“AndIwillasktheFather,andHewillgiveyouanotherHelper,thatHemaybewithyouforever;thatistheSpiritoftruth,whomtheworldcannotreceive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Himbecause He abides with you, and will be in you” (John 14:16-17). The HolySpirit’spermanentlyindwellingallbelievers—ratherthanonlybeingwithsomeofthem,aswastruebeforePentecost—isoneofthegreatdispensationaltruthsoftheNewTestament.Inthenewage,thechurchage,theSpiritofGodwouldnotbejustbealongsideHispeoplebutinthemall(cf.1Cor.3:16;6:19).It isthisresidenceoftheHolySpiritinbelieversthatmakespossiblethefulfillmentof all Jesus’ other promises toHispeople, and inEphesians1:13He is called“theHolySpiritofpromise.” The Holy Spirit is our divine pledge and security that Jesus’ promises arefulfilled (2 Cor. 5:5). Among many other things, He guarantees and givesassurance that we will have a heavenly dwelling place in the Father’s house

(John14:2-3);thatwewilldogreaterworks,notinkindbutinextent,eventhanHedid(14:12;cf.Matt.28:18-20;Acts1:8);thatwhateverweaskinHisnamehewilldo (John14:13-14); thatwewillhaveChrist’sownpeace(14:27); thatthefullnessofHisjoywillbeinus(15:11).TheHolySpiritassuresusthatJesusChristandtheFatherareone(14:20);thatweareindeedGod’schildren(Rom.8:16); that hewill intercede forus,makingourprayers effective (Rom.8:26);andthatHewillbearfruitinourlives(Gal.5:22-23). But thework of theHolySpirit in us andon our behalf can be appropriatedonly asHe fills us. EveryChristian is indwelt by theHoly Spirit and has thepotentialofreceivingthefulfillmentofallChrist’spromisestothosewhobelongtoHim.ButnoChristianwillhavethosepromisesfulfilledwhoisnotunderthefull controlof theHolySpirit.Wehave just claim toallChrist’spromises themomentwebelieveinHim,butwecannothavetheirfulfillmentuntilweallowHisSpirittofillusandcontrolus.UnlessweknowwhatitistobedirectedbytheHolySpirit,wewillneverknowtheblissoftheassuranceofheaven,orthejoyofeffectiveworkfortheLord,ofhavingourprayersansweredconstantly,orofindulginginthefullnessofGod’sownlove,joy,andpeacewithinus.THEMEANINGOFBEINGFILLED

BeforewelookspecificallyatwhatthefillingoftheSpiritis,weshouldclarifysome of the things it is not. First, being filled with the Holy Spirit is not adramatic,esotericexperienceofsuddenlybeingenergizedandspiritualizedintoapermanentstateofadvancedspiritualitybyasecondactofblessingsubsequentto salvation.Nor is it some temporary “zap” that results in ecstatic speech orunearthlyvisions. Second, being filledwith the Spirit is not the notion at the other extreme—simply stoically trying to dowhatGodwants us to do,with theHolySpirit’sblessingbutbasicallyinourownpower.It isnotanactofthefleshwhichhasGod’sapproval. Third,beingfilledisnotthesameaspossessing,orbeingindweltby,theHolySpirit,becauseHeindwellseverybelieverat themomentofsalvation.AsPaulplainly states in the book of Romans, “If anyone does not have the Spirit ofChrist,hedoesnotbelongtoHim”(8:9;cf.John7:38-39).Apersonwhodoesnot have theHolySpirit does not haveChrist. Even to the immature,worldlyCorinthianbelievers,Paulsaid,“ForbyoneSpiritwewereallbaptizedintoonebody,… andwewere allmade to drink of one Spirit” (1Cor. 12:13).Unlikebelievers before Pentecost, onwhom theHoly Spiritwould come temporarily

(Judg. 13:25; 16:20; 1 Sam. 16:14; Ps. 51:11), all Christians are permanentlyindweltbytheSpirit. Fourth,beingfilledwiththeSpiritdoesnotdescribeaprocessofprogressivelyreceivingHim by degrees or in doses. EveryChristian not only possesses theHolySpiritbutpossessesHiminHisfullness.GoddoesnotparcelouttheSpirit,asifHecouldsomehowbedividedintovarioussegmentsorparts.“HegivestheSpiritwithoutmeasure,”Jesussaid(John3:34). Fifth,itisalsoclearfrom1Corinthians12:13thatthefillingwiththeSpiritisnot the same as the baptism of the Spirit, because every believer has beenbaptizedwithand received theSpirit.Although its results areexperiencedandenjoyed,baptismbyandreceptionoftheSpiritarenotrealitieswecanfeel,andarecertainlynotexperiencesreservedonlyforspecially-blessedbelievers.Thismiracle is a spiritual reality—whether realized or not—that occurs in everybeliever themoment he becomes aChristian and is placed byChrist intoHisBodybytheHolySpirit,whothentakesupresidenceinthatlife. PauldidnotaccusetheCorinthiansofbeingimmatureandsinfulbecausetheydidnotyethavetheHolySpiritorthebaptismintheBodyandthenexhortthemtoseektheSpiritinordertoremedythesituation.RatherheremindedthemthateachoneofthemalreadypossessedtheHolySpirit.Earlierintheletterhehadpleadedwith them to “flee immorality.Everyother sin that amancommits isoutsidethebody,buttheimmoralmansinsagainsthisownbody.Ordoyounotknow thatyourbody is a templeof theHolySpiritwho is inyou,whomyouhave from God, and that you are not your own?” (6:18-19). They were notsinning because of theHoly Spirit’s absence but in spite of theHoly Spirit’spresence.EvenwhenaChristiansinsheisstillindweltbytheHolySpirit,anditis that very fact thatmakes his sin evenworse.When aChristian grieves theSpirit(Eph.4:30)orquenchestheSpirit(1Thess.5:19),hegrievesorquenchestheSpiritwhoresideswithinhimself. Finally, the fillingwithSpirit isnot the sameasbeing sealed,or secured,byHim. That is an accomplished fact (see on 1:13). Nowhere are believerscommanded or exhorted to be indwelt, baptized, or sealed by theHoly Spirit.Theonlycommandistobefilled. Be filled translates the present passive imperative of pleroo, and is moreliterallyrenderedas“bebeingkeptfilled.”Itisacommandthatincludestheideaofconsciouscontinuation.BeingfilledwiththeHolySpiritisnotanoptionforbelievers but amandate. No Christian can fulfill God’s will for his life apartfrombeing filledwithHisSpirit. Ifwedonotobey thiscommand,wecannot

obey any other—simply because we cannot do any of God’s will apart fromGod’s Spirit. Outside of the command for unbelievers to trust in Christ forsalvation, there isnomorepractical andnecessary command inScripture thantheoneforbelieverstobefilledwiththeSpirit. Commandssuchasthisoneremindusofthefactthatbelieversaresubjecttodivine authority and are called to obedience as the most basic element ofChristian living. In someChristian circles, themanner of living, and even theactualteaching,reflectsthenotionthatjustbeinginthekingdomisallthatreallymatters.AnythingonemightdoinobediencetotheLordafterthatisconsideredto be simply a kind of spiritual “extra credit.” Somewould say that inChristthereissafetyfromhell,andthatevenifallworksareburnedupandnorewardsaregiven,onewill stillgo toheaven.Even themostobscurecornerofheavenwillstillbeheaven,itisargued,andallbelieverswilllivethereineternalbliss. That sort of thinking is totally out of harmonywith the teachingof theNewTestament.Itcomesfromspiritualhardnessofheartandtendstoproducealifethat is careless and indifferent, and often immoral and idolatrous. The personwithsuchanunscripturalattitudetowardthethingsofGodiseitherwalkingindirectoppositiontotheSpiritorelsedoesnotpossesstheSpiritatall—inwhichcasehe isnotaChristian.Submission to thewillofGod, toChrist’s lordship,and to the guiding of theSpirit is an essential, not an optional, part of savingfaith.Anew,untaughtbelieverwillunderstandlittleof thefull implicationsofsuch obedience, but the spiritual orientation of his new nature in Christ willbringthedesireforsubmissiontoGod’sWordandGod’sSpirit.Apersonwhodoesnothavethatdesirehasnolegitimateclaimonsalvation. ToresistthefillingandcontroloftheHolySpiritisflagrantdisobedience,andto deny or minimize its importance is to stand rebelliously against the clearteachingofGod’sownWord.EveryChristianfallsshortofGod’sstandardsandwill sometimes fall into sin and indifference. But he cannot be continuallycontentinsuchastate,becausetheexperienceofsinandindifferencewillbeina constant struggle with his new nature (see Rom. 7:14-25). He knows theycannotbejustifiedorinanywayreconciledwithGod’swill. Aswe learn fromPaul’sdealingwith theChristians atCorinth, it ispossiblethat for a time a believermay become and even remain carnal, or fleshly, tosome extent (1 Cor. 3:1), but that will never be a true believer’s basicorientation. The terms carnal or fleshly are most often used in the NewTestamentofunbelievers.“Themindsetonthefleshisdeath,”Paulsaid,“butthemindsetontheSpiritislifeandpeace,becausethemindsetonthefleshishostiletowardGod;foritdoesnotsubjectitselftothelawofGod,foritisnot

evenabletodoso”(Rom.8:6-7).ApersonwhosemindisregularlysetonthethingsofthefleshcannotbeaChristian,becauseaChristianis“notinthefleshbutintheSpirit,ifindeedtheSpiritofGoddwellsin[him]”(v.9).AprofessedChristianwhocontinuallylongsforthethingsoftheworldandthefleshneedstoexamine his heart carefully to seewhether his carnality is that described in 1Corinthians3:1-3orinRomans8:6-8(cf.1John2:15-17;James4:4). AlthougheveryChristianisindwelt,baptized,andsealedbytheSpirit,unlesshe isalsofilledwiththeSpirit,hewill live inspiritualweakness, retardation,frustrationanddefeat. Thecontinuousaspectofbeingfilled(“bebeingkeptfilled”)involvesday-by-day,moment-by-momentsubmissionto theSpirit’scontrol.Thepassiveaspectindicatesthatitisnotsomethingwedobutthatweallowtobedoneinus.ThefillingisentirelytheworkoftheSpiritHimself,butHeworksonlythroughourwillingsubmission.Thepresentaspectofthecommandindicatesthatwecannotrelyonapastfillingnorliveinexpectationoffuturefilling.Wecanrejoiceinpastfillingsandhopeforfuturefillings,butwecanliveonlyinpresentfilling. The mark of a good marriage relationship is not the love and devotion thehusbandandwifehavehad in thepast—asmeaningfuland lovelyas thatmayhavebeen—norisittheloveanddevotiontheyhopetohaveinthefuture.Thestrengthoftheirmarriageisintheloveanddevotiontheyhaveforeachotherinthepresent. Plerooconnotesmorethanfillingsomethingup,aswhensomeonepourswaterin a glass up the rim. The termwas used in three additional senses that havegreatsignificanceforPaul’suseof ithere.First, itwasoftenusedof thewindfillingasailandtherebycarryingtheshipalong.TobefilledwiththeSpiritistobemovedalonginourChristianlifebyGodHimself,bythesamedynamicbywhichthewritersofScripturewere“movedbytheHolySpirit”(2Pet.1:21). Second, pleroo carries the idea of permeation, and was used of salt’spermeatingmeatinordertoflavorandpreserveit.GodwantsHisHolySpirittosopermeatethelivesofHischildrenthateverythingtheythink,say,anddowillreflectHisdivinepresence. Third,pleroohastheconnotationoftotalcontrol.Thepersonwhoisfilledwithsorrow(seeJohn16:6)isnolongerunderhisowncontrolbutistotallyunderthecontrolofthatemotion.Inthesameway,someonewhoisfilledwithfear(Luke5:26),anger(Luke6:11),faith(Acts6:5),orevenSatan(Acts5:3)isnolongerunderhisowncontrolbutunder thetotalcontrolof thatwhichdominateshim.Tobefilledinthissenseistobetotallydominatedandcontrolled,anditisthe

most importantsenseforbelievers.Aswehavealreadyseen, tobefilledwiththeSpiritisnottohaveHimsomehowprogressivelyaddedtoourlifeuntilweare full ofHim. It is to be underHis total domination and control. This is indirectcontrasttotheuncontrolleddrunkennessanddissipationintheworshipofDionysiusthatwasalludedtointhefirsthalfoftheverse. We see the controllingwork of theHoly Spirit even in Jesus’ lifewhileHeministered in the flesh. The Holy Spirit led Him “into the wilderness to betemptedby thedevil” (Matt. 4:1).We learn from theparallel passage inLukethat itwas Jesus’being“full of theHolySpirit” thatpreparedHim tobe “ledaboutbytheSpirit in thewilderness”(4:1).Theaccount inMarkusesanevenstrongerterm,sayingthat“theSpiritimpelledHimtogooutintothewilderness”(1:12).ItwasnotthatJesusresistedorhadtobecoerced,becauseHisgreatestjoy was to do His Father’s will (John 4:34), but that He submitted Himselfentirely to the Spirit’s control. Because He was full of the Spirit He wascontrolledbytheSpirit. TheChristianwho is filledwith theHolySpirit canbecompared toaglove.Untilitisfilledbyahand,agloveispowerlessanduseless.Itisdesignedtodowork,butitcandonoworkbyitself.Itworksonlyasthehandcontrolsandusesit.Theglove’sonlyworkisthehand’swork.Itdoesnotaskthehandtogiveitan assignment and then try to complete the assignmentwithout the hand.Nordoes it gloat or brag about what it is used to do, because it knows the handdeservesallthecredit.AChristiancanaccomplishnomorewithoutbeingfilledwith the Holy Spirit than a glove can accomplish without being filled with ahand.Anythinghemanages todo isbutwood,hay,andstraw thatamounts tonothing andwill eventuallybeburnedup (1Cor. 3:12-15).Functioning in thefleshproducesabsolutelynothingofspiritualvalue. When the church at Jerusalemwantedmen to free the apostles for themoreimportant work of prayer andministering theWord, they chose men such asStephen,whowas “full of faith andof theHolySpirit” (Acts 6:4-5).BecauseStephen continued in the fullness of theSpirit, “he gazed intently into heavenandsawthegloryofGod,andJesusstandingattherighthandofGod,”evenashe was about to be stoned to death (Acts 7:55). Being filled with the Spiritdetachesusfromthedesires,thestandards,theobjectives,thefears,andtheverysystemofthisworldandgivesusavisionofGodthatcomesinnootherway.BeingfilledwiththeSpiritmakeseverythingelseofsecondaryimportance,andoftenofnoimportanceatall. AlthoughPeterwasfirstfilledwiththeHolySpiritatPentecostalongwithalltheotherdisciples,somewhilelaterhespoketotheassembledJewishleadersin

Jerusalemanditisagainsaidthathewas“filledwiththeHolySpirit”(Acts4:8). BeforeGodcoulduseSaul,wholaterbecamePaul,asapostletotheGentiles,HehadAnanias layhis handsonSaul’s head and tell him, “BrotherSaul, theLord Jesus,whoappeared toyouon the roadbywhichyouwerecoming,hassentmeso thatyoumay regainyour sight, andbe filledwith theHolySpirit”(Acts9:17).Without theyieldedness thatallowed thefillingof theSpirit,PaulwouldhavebeenofnomoreusetotheLordthanweretheworldlymembersatCorinthamongwhomhewouldlaterminister. When the church at Jerusalem needed a man to help with the ministry toGentilesinAntioch,“theysentBarnabas…forhewasagoodman,andfulloftheHolySpirit” (Acts11:22,24).Weread thatPaulwas“filledwith theHolySpirit”asheconfrontedthedeceitfulmagiciannamedElymas(Acts13:9),andthat “the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit”whilebeingridiculedandpersecuted(13:52). The concern we often hear about recapturing the dedication, zeal, love, andpower of the early church is commendable. But we cannot have the earlychurch’sspiritualpowersimplybytryingtocopyitsmethodsofoperation.Wecanexperiencethosebelievers’spiritualpoweronlywhenwearesurrenderedtotheHoly Spirit’s control as theywere. Itwas not theirmethodology but theirSpirit-filledlivesthatempoweredbelieverstoturntheworldupsidedowninthefirstcentury(Acts17:6).THEMEANSOFBEINGFILLED

GodcommandsnothingforwhichHedoesnotprovidethemeanstoobey.AndifGodcommandssomethingofus,wedonotneedtoprayfor it,becauseit isobviouslyHiswillandintentforustodoit.ItisGod’sdeepestdesirethateachofHischildrenbefilledwithHisSpirit.WeonlyneedtodiscovertheresourcesHehasprovidedtocarryoutthatobedience. To be filled with the Spirit involves confession of sin, surrender of will,intellect, body, time, talent, possessions, and desires. It requires the death ofselfishnessandtheslayingofself-will.Whenwedietoself,theLordfillswithHisSpirit.TheprinciplestatedbyJohntheBaptistappliestotheSpiritaswellastoChrist:“Hemustincrease,butImustdecrease”(John3:30). Paul’scommandtotheColossians,“LetthewordofChristrichlydwellwithinyou,”was followed by a series of subsequent and dependent commands (Col.3:16-25) thatexactlyparalleled thosePaulgave inEphesians5:19-33asbeing

results of the filling of the Spirit. In both cases we see that singing, givingthanks, and submissiveness follow being filled with the Spirit and letting thewordofChristdwellinus.ItisthereforeeasytoconcludethatthefillingoftheSpirit is not an esoteric, mystical experience bestowed on the spiritual elitethroughsomesecretformulaorothersuchmeans.ItissimplytakingtheWordofChrist(Scripture)andlettingitindwellandinfuseeverypartofourbeing.Tobe filledwithGod’sSpirit is tobe filledwithHisWord.Andasweare filledwithGod’sWord,itcontrolsourthinkingandaction,andwetherebycomemoreandmoreunder theSpirit’s control.AsCharlesSpurgeon said, theChristian’sblood should be “bibline,” bleeding Scripturewherever hemay be pricked orcut. Peter’sstrengthlayinhisalwaysseekingtobenearJesus.WhenJesuswalkeddownaroad,PeterwaswithHim.WhenHewentuptothemountainoroutinaboat,PeterwentwithHim.Petergot into troubleonlywhenhegotawayfromHis Lord. When he stayed near the Lord, he did the miraculous, said themiraculous,andhadmiraculouscourage. WhenPetersawJesusstandingon thewatersomedistance fromtheboat,hesteppedouton thewaterhimselfwhenJesussaid,“Come!”andfoundhimselfwalkingonthewaterjustliketheLord—untilhisattentionturnedfromJesustohimself and his circumstances (Matt. 14:27-31). On another occasion, whenJesusaskedHisdisciples,“Butwhodoyousay that Iam?”Peter immediately“answeredandsaid,‘ThouarttheChrist,theSonofthelivingGod.’AndJesusansweredandsaidtohim,‘Blessedareyou,SimonBarjona,becausefleshandblooddidnotrevealthistoyou,butMyFatherwhoisinheaven’”(Matt.16:15-17).BecausehismindandspiritwerecenteredonChrist,PeterwasusedbyGodtomakethatgreat testimonytoJesus’messiahshipanddivinesonship.Ashortwhilelater,however,PeterpittedhisownunderstandingagainsttheLord’s,anddiscoveredthathethenspokeforSatanratherthanforGod(16:22-23). WhenthesoldierscametoarrestJesusintheGardenofGethsemane,theydrewbackandfelltothegroundwhenJesusidentifiedHimselfastheOnetheywereseeking.Perhapstakingcouragefromthatreaction,PetertookouthisswordandcutofftherightearofMalchus,aslaveofthehighpriest,andprobablywouldhavecontinuedfightingtothedeathhadnotJesusrestrainedhim(John18:3-11;cf.Luke22:47-51).WhenhewasneartheLord,hefearednoone.ButwhenashortwhilelaterhefoundhimselfseparatedfromtheLord,hedidnothavethecourageeventoadmitknowingJesus(John18:15-27). AftertheascendedLordsentHisHolySpirittoindwellandfillHisdisciplesasHehadpromised,Peterfoundhimselfagainable tosayanddothemiraculous

andtohavemiraculouscourage.HehadthecouragetofearlesslyproclaimHisrisen Lord in the place where, a few months earlier, He had been arrested,beaten, and crucified—and found his message miraculously empowered andblessed, with some three thousand coming to salvation from that one sermon(Acts2:14-41).When the lamemannear theTempleaskedPeterandJohnforalms,Peterreplied,‘”Idonotpossesssilverandgold,butwhatIdohaveIgivetoyou: In thenameof JesusChrist theNazarene—walk!’Andseizinghimbytherighthand,heraisedhimup;andimmediatelyhisfeetandhisankleswerestrengthened” (Acts 3:1-7). When he was arrested by the Sanhedrin andquestioned about the healing, Peter was “filled with the Holy Spirit” andproclaimed that he had healed by the power of Jesus Christ, whom they hadcrucified.BecausetheycouldnotdenythemiracleandwereafraidofthemanypeoplewhoglorifiedGodbecauseof it, theJewishleaderssimplycommandedPeterandJohntonolongerpreachinJesus’name.Peterresponded,“Whetheritis right in thesightofGod togiveheed toyourather than toGod,yoube thejudge;forwecannotstopspeakingwhatwehaveseenandheard”(Acts4:1-22). To be filled with the Spirit is to live in the consciousness of the personalpresenceoftheLordJesusChrist,asifwewerestandingnexttoHim,andtoletHisminddominateourlife.ItistofillourselveswithGod’sWord,sothatHisthoughtswillbeourthoughts,Hisstandardsourstandards,Hisworkourwork,andHiswillourwill.AsweyieldtothetruthofChrist,theHolySpiritwillleadus to say, do, and be what God wants us to say, do, and be. “We all, withunveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are beingtransformedintothesameimagefromglorytoglory,justasfromtheLord,theSpirit”(2Cor.3:18).ChristconsciousnessleadstoChristlikeness. Perhaps thebestanalogyofmoment-by-momentyielding to theHolySpirit’scontrol is the figure of walking, the figure Paul introduced in Ephesians 4:1.Walkinginvolvesmovingonestepatatime,andcanbedoneinnootherway.BeingfilledwiththeSpiritiswalkingthoughtbythought,decisionbydecision,actbyactundertheSpirit’scontrol.TheSpirit-filledlifeyieldseverysteptotheSpiritofGod.“WalkbytheSpirit,andyouwillnotcarryout thedesireoftheflesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against theflesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that youmay not do thethingsthatyouplease”(Gal.5:16-17).Ourfleshisthebeachheadofsin,theyetunredeemedpartofourhumanness that is exposed toand inclined toward sin.EvenasChristians,asnewcreaturesinChrist,ourspiritualandmoralAchilles’heel is the flesh, the remnant of the old self that seeks to drag us down frombehaviorconsistentwithourheavenlycitizenship.Paulspokeofitas“adifferent

lawin themembersofmybody,wagingwaragainst the lawofmymind,andmakingmeaprisonerofthelawofsinwhichisinmymembers”(Rom.7:23).The only way to override that residual sinfulness, our evil desires, and thetemptationsofSatanistofunctionintheSpirit. Not tobe filledwith theSpirit is to fall back into “thedeedsof the flesh…which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife,jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envyings,drunkenness,carousings,andthingslikethese”(Gal.5:19-21).Wedonothavetoconsciouslychoosetodothedeedsoftheflesh.IfwearenotlivingunderthecontrolofGod’sWordandSpirit,thedeedsoftheflesharetheonlythingswecando,becausethefleshistheonlyresourcewehaveinourselves. Thesoledefenseagainstthenegativepoweroftemptation,sin,andSatanisthepositivepoweroftheHolySpirit.Wehavenopoweroverthoseevils,andtotrytocombattheminourownstrengthistotrytowalkonwaterbyourownpower.WewinspiritualvictoriesonlywhenGod’sHolySpiritdoesbattleforus. ButwhenwesurrendertothecontrolofGod’sSpirit,wefindHimproducingamazing things in us, thingswhich are entirely ofHis doing. Paul calls thesemarvelous blessings the fruit of the Spirit, and they are: “love, joy, peace,patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23).Thepersonwho isSpirit-controlledandwhobears theSpirit’s fruit is thepersonwhobelongstoChristandwhohas“crucifiedthefleshwithitspassionsanddesires. Ifwe liveby theSpirit,”Paul continued, “letus alsowalkby theSpirit”(Gal.5:24-25).TowalkintheSpiritistofulfilltheultimatepotentialandcapacityofourlifeonearthasGod’schildren.

BeFilledwiththeSpirit—part2

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butbefilledwiththeSpirit,speakingtooneanotherinpsalmsandhymnsand spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to theLord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord JesusChristtoGod,eventheFather;andbesubjecttooneanotherinthefearofChrist.(5:18b-21)FollowingHiscommandtobefilledwiththeSpirit,Paulgaveasummaryoftheconsequencesofobediencetothatcommand.

THECONSEQUENCES

speaking tooneanother inpsalmsandhymnsandspiritual songs, singingandmakingmelodywithyourhearttotheLord;alwaysgivingthanksforallthingsinthenameofourLordJesusChristtoGod,eventheFather;andbesubjecttooneanotherinthefearofChrist.(5:19-21)Consequencesof theSpirit-filled life (whichgreatlyenrichourunderstandingofitsnature)arementionedthroughouttheremainderoftheepistle,andintheseverseswe aregiven threeof themost significant ones: singing, giving thanks,and submission.WhenGod’sSpirit controls ushewill put a song inourownheartsandonourlips,giveusthankfulnesstoGod,andmakeussubmissivetoothers.The first is initially inward, the secondupward, and the third outward.ThefillingoftheHolySpiritmakesusrightlyrelatedtoourselves,toGod,andtoothers.THECONSEQUENCEWITHOURSELVES:SINGING

speaking tooneanother inpsalmsandhymnsandspiritual songs, singingandmakingmelodywithyourhearttotheLord;(5:19)TheSpirit-filled lifeproducesmusic.Whetherhehasagoodvoiceor cannotcarry a tune, theSpirit-filledChristian is a singingChristian.Nothing ismoreindicative of a fulfilled life, a contented soul, and a happy heart than theexpressionofsong. The first consequence of the Spirit-filled life that Paul mentioned was notmountain-moving faith, an ecstatic spiritual experience, dynamic speakingability, or any other such thing. It was simply a heart that sings. When thebelieverwalks in theSpirit,hehasan inside joy thatmanifests itself inmusic.Godputsmusic in the souls and thenon the lipsofHis childrenwhowalk inobedience. When missionaries began evangelistic work among an Indian tribe I visitedhigh in theAndes ofEcuador, theywere frustrated formanyyears by lackofresults.SuddenlytheSpiritofGodbegantomoveandalargenumberofIndianswereconvertedwithinashorttime.InadditiontoahungerforGod’sWord,oneof the first evidencesof theirnew life inChristwasagreatdesire to singHispraises.Ilistenedastheystoodforhoursintheirthatched-roofchurchandsang

hymn after hymn. The song from their hearts was the most inescapablecharacteristic that set those believers apart from everyone else in their paganvillage. The Spirit’smusic is not hindered by amonotone or enhanced by amusicaldegreeormagnificentvoice.Spiritual joywill shine througha songsungwiththeraspy,off-pitchvoiceofasaintwhoisrejoicingintheLord,anditwillbeabsent from the song sungwith technical skill and accuracy, butwith a voicethatrejoicesonlyinself. OneofthegreatestdistinctionsofChristianityshouldbeinitsmusic,becausethemusicGodgivesisnotthemusictheworldgives.InScripture,thewordnewisusedmorefrequentlyinrelationtosongthantoanyotherfeatureofsalvation.GodgivesHisnewcreaturesanewsong,adifferentsong,adistinctivesong,apurersong,andamorebeautifulsongthananythingtheworldcanproduce. “SingforjoyintheLord,Oyourighteousones,”saysthepsalmist;“praiseisbecomingtotheupright”(Ps.33:1).Itisbecausewehavebeenmaderighteous,purified from sin, and have become partakers of God’s own holiness that wesing.NoonebutaChristianhasanylegitimatereasontosing.GodHimselfputsasonginourmouths,“asongofpraisetoourGod”(Ps.40:3).Becausewehavesalvationwesingsongsofsalvation.“SingtotheLordanewsong;singtotheLord,all theearth.Sing to theLord,blessHisname;proclaimgood tidingsofHissalvationfromdaytoday”(Ps.96:1-2;cf.149:1). One day the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders will fall downbeforeJesusChrist,theLamb,andsing“anewsong,saying,‘WorthyartThoutotakethebook,andtobreakitsseals;forThouwastslain,anddidstpurchaseforGodwithThybloodmenfromeverytribeandtongueandpeopleandnation”(Rev.5:8-9).God’snewsongisthesongofredemption. WhenGoddeliveredIsraeloutofEgypt,allthepeoplecametogetherandsangasongtotheLord(Ex.15:1-18).Aftertheyfinished,Moses’sister,Miriam,ledthewomeninfurthersinginganddancing(vv.20-21).AfterDeborahandBarakdeliveredIsraelfromtheCanaanites,they“sangonthatday”(Judg.5:1).Ofthe38,000 people who ministered at the Temple in Jerusalem, 4,000 weremusicians; and in Nehemiah we read of antiphonal choirs (Neh. 12:31, 38).ThroughouttheOldTestament,andparticularlyinthePsalms,wereadofmanykindsofmusicalinstrumentsthatGod’speopleusedtopraiseHim. The last thingJesusandHisdisciplesdidafter theLastSupperwas tosingahymn before they went out to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus wasarrested(Matt.26:30).WhiletheywereimprisonedinPhilippi,“aboutmidnight

Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and theprisonerswerelisteningtothem”(Acts16:25).OntheheavenlyMountZionthe144,000whowill have been purchased from the earth will sing “a new songbeforethethrone”ofChrist(Rev.14:3). In Ephesians 5:19 Paul explains among whom, from where, with what, towhom,andhowSpirit-filledbelieversaretosing. Amongwhomdobelieverssing?Theprimaryaudienceforoursingingistobefellowbelievers,oneanother.ThroughoutScripturethesingingofGod’speopleisshowntobewithinthefellowshipofbelievers.NomusicintheBibleisevercharacterized as beingor intended tobe evangelistic.Godmayuse thegospelcontentsettomusictobringthetruthtothelostandthusleadthemtoHimself.Sincethemessageissopowerful, theopenheartmayreceiveiteventhoughitcomeswithamelody.Butthatisnottheintentformusic,andwhenemotionsareplayedonwithoutaclearorcompletepresentationofGod’s truth to themind,suchmusiccanbecounterproductivebyproducinga feelingofwell-beingandcontentment that is a counterfeit of God’s peace and that serves to furtherinsulateanunbelieverfromthesavinggospel. Itshouldbenotedthatthemanycontemporaryentertainerswhothinktheyareusingtheirrock-stylemusictoevangelizethelostareoftendoingnothingmorethan contributing to the weakening of the church. Evangelizing withcontemporary music has many serious flaws. It tends to create pride in themusicians rather than humility. It makes the gospel amatter of entertainmentwhen there isnotone thing in it that isat all entertaining. Itmakes thepublicproclaimers of Christianity thosewho are popular and talented in theworld’seyes,ratherthanthosewhoaregodlyandgiftedteachersofGod’struth.Inusingtheworld’sgenresofmusic,itblursthegapbetweenworldlySatanicvaluesanddivineones. It tends todeny thepowerof thesimplegospeland thesovereignsavingworkof theHolySpirit. Itcreatesawidegenerationgap in thechurch,thus contributing to the disunity and lack of intimacy in the fellowship of allbelievers. It leads to the propagation of bad or weak theology and drags thename of the Lord down to the level of theworld. Themusic of the gospel iscertainlynotalegitimatemeansformakingmoneyorseekingfame,anditmustneverbeallowedtocheapenwhatispriceless,ortrivializewhatisprofound. The songs of faith are not for the world to sing or really even to hear. Theunsavedpersonhasnocomprehensionofthepraiseswesing,becausehehasnopresence of God’s Spirit within him. He cannot sing the song of redemptionbecauseheisnotredeemed.Christiansingingisanexpressionofindividualandcorporateworship,ofcelebratinglifetogetherinJesusChrist.

For over a thousand dark years of its history (c. 500-1500) the church ingeneral did not sing. From shortly after New Testament times until theReformation,whatmusicthechurchhadwasusuallyperformedbyprofessionalmusicians.Themusictheypresentedcouldnotbeunderstoodorappreciatedbytheaveragechurchmember.Inanycase,theycouldonlysitandlisten,unabletoparticipate. But when the Bible came back into the church during theReformation, singing came with it. Martin Luther and some of the otherReformation leaders are among the greatest hymn writers of church history.Where the truegospel isknownandbelieved,music is lovedandsung.God’sSpiritintheheartputsmusicintheheart. How do believers sing?When they are filled with the Spirit, they are to bespeaking…inpsalmsandhymnsandspiritualsongs,singingandmakingmelody.Speaking comes from laleo, isanonomatopoeicword thatoriginatedfrom chatter or babble, probably of little children first learning to talk, sayingsoundssuchas“la,la,la.”Itwasalsousedofthechirpofbirdsorthegruntsandothernoisesofanimals.Initsmostbasicsense,thetermsimplymeanttomakeasound. Trumpets(Rev.4:1)andevenpealsofthunder(10:4)aresaidtobespeaking.The psalmist calledGod’s people to join all the earth in shouting “joyfully toGod”(Ps.66:1).SpeakinghereincludesanysoundofferedtoGodfromaSpirit-filledheart.ThemusicfromanorganorchoirisnomoreacceptabletoGodthanthe soundsof a guitar or home-made flute.The sound that pleasesHim is thesoundthatcomesasaresultofaheartsubmissivetoHisSpiritandthatsingsorplaystoHisglory. PsalmsrefersprimarilytotheOldTestamentpsalmsputtomusic,butthetermwasalsousedofvocalmusicofanysort,suchassolosandanthems.Theearlychurch didmost of its singing directly from the psaltery, using various tunesfamiliartothecongregation—apatternfollowedforhundredsofyearsbymanyEuropean andAmerican churches, and still used in somecongregations today.ThepsalmsprimarilyspeakaboutthenatureandworkofGod,especiallyinthelivesofbelievers.Aboveeverythingelse,theymagnifyandglorifyGod. Hymns refers primarily to songs of praise, which in the early church wereprobably distinguished from the psalms, which exalted God, in that theyspecifically praised the Lord Jesus Christ.Many biblical scholars believe thatvariousNewTestamentpassages(suchasCol.1:12-16)wereusedashymnsintheearlychurch.Spiritualsongswereprobablysongsoftestimonythatcoveredabroadcategorythatincludedanymusicexpressingspiritualtruth.

In the church today we could classify renditions of Psalms 23 and 84 aspsalms, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” and “The Old Rugged Cross” ashymns, and “OHowHeLovesYou andMe” and “I’dRatherHave Jesus” asspiritualsongs.Theintentofthewriterhere,however,issimplytogivelatitudeforallkindsofmusicalexpressiontoexalttheLord. Singing is fromado,which simplymeans to singwith the voice.But in theNewTestamentitisalwaysusedinrelationtopraisingGod(seealsoCol.3:16;Rev.5:9;14:3;15:3). The human voice is the most beautiful of all instruments. Its various tones,inflections,andmoodsseemalmost limitless.Becauseit is itselfhuman, itcanspeaktousasnootherformofmusic. Yet the soundGod is looking for inHis children is the soundmadeoutof aSpirit-filled heart—whether the voice that makes the sound is rough andunpolishedor smoothandhighly trained.That iswhyeverybeliever is just ascapableasanyotherbelieverofsingingthepraisesthatGodputsinhisheart. Thegiftofagoodvoiceorofothermusicaltalentdoesnotdemand,asmanyargue, that it should necessarily be used for performing special music in thechurch.Thegiftofmusicnomoredemandspublicdisplaythandoesthegiftofcarpentry,cooking,medicine,oranyother.ThatwhichisdonetoglorifyGodisdoneforthatpurposealone,anditsbeingnoticedorunnoticedissecondaryandincidental.Whetherwesingalone inourhomeorcar, singwitha few friendsaround the piano orwith guitars, or sing in a large choir leading hundreds ofpeopleinworship,weshoulddoitfromaSpirit-filledheartthatseeksnoglorybutGod’s. Psallo (makingmelody) is related to the termfromwhichwegetpsalm andliterallymeans to pluck on a stringed instrument, particularly a harp,with thefingers.Theword,however,came to represent themakingofany instrumentalmusic.TheSpirit-filledheartexpressesitselfinanysortofvocalorinstrumentalmusic,inbothsingingandmakingmelody. MuchmusicinthechurchtodaytrulyhonorsGodandblessesthosewhohearit.Andwhethergiven aspsalms aboutGod’sgreatness, ashymns ofChrist’sredemption,orasspiritualsongsoftestimonyofGod’spower,help,orcomfort,such music is to be an expression of the Spirit-filled church. Whether giventhroughthevoiceinsingingor throughinstrumentsinmakingmelody, that isthemusicthathonors,glorifies,andpleasesGod. Our Lord Himself will sing one day, and in our verymidst. He said to HisFather, “I will proclaim Thy name to My brethren, in the midst of the

congregationIwillsingThypraise”(Heb.2:12).Butevennow,whenourheartsarefilledwiththeHolySpirit,JesussingssongsofpraisetotheFatherthroughus.Thereforewhenwequench theSpirit,wequench the songofChrist to theFatherinourlife. From where do believers sing? The songs of salvation originatewith yourheart.TheGreekformof thisphraseallowsforseveralmeanings.There isnoprepositionhereintheGreek,andinsuchcasestheprepositionisdeterminedbythe case of the noun—which here has several possibilities, all ofwhich seemappropriate to the context. If the case ofheart is taken as an instrumental ofcause,theideaisthatourheartscauseustosingandmakemelodytoGod.Asaninstrumentalofmeans,theideaisthatourheartsarethechannelsthroughwhichwe sing praises. As a locative, the idea is that the singing is centered in ourhearts. Apersonwhodoesnothaveasonginhisheartcannotsingfromhisheartorwith his heart. He can only sing with his lips, and neither his music nor hismessagewillhavethepoweroftheSpirittoblessothersinChrist’sname. Even asChristianswewill not have a true song in our hearts unlesswe areundertheSpirit’scontrol.Itispossibletosingforpride,tosingforacclaimandfame, and to sing formoney—but such singing isSpiritless singing.ApersonwhocomestoworshipwhilebittertowardGod,angrywithalovedoneorfriend,orinanyotherwayisoutofharmonywithGod’sSpiritshouldnotparticipateinsingingGod’spraises.HypocrisycanneitherpraisenorpleasetheLord.Whenpeoples’heartsarenotrightwithGod,Hehasawayofturningtheir“festivalsintomourning” and their “songs into lamentation” (Amos 8:10). Through thesameprophetGodsaid,“TakeawayfromMethenoiseofyoursongs;Iwillnotevenlistentothesoundofyourharps.Butletjusticerolldownlikewatersandrighteousnesslikeaneverflowingstream”(5:23-24).“Stopyoursongsuntilyourheartsareright,”hewassaying. Ourmusiccannotbelikethemusicoftheworld,becauseourGodisnotliketheir gods. Most of the world’s music reflects the world’s ways, the world’sstandards,theworld’sattitudes,theworld’sgods.Toattempttousesuchmusicto reach theworld is to lower the gospel in order to spread the gospel. If theworld hears that our music is not much different from theirs, it will also beinclined to believe that the Christian way of life is not much different fromtheirs. Christians cannot honestly sing the world’s philosophies nor can theworld honestly sing the Christian’s message, because they sing from utterlydifferent hearts. The Christian’s heart and music belong to God and Hisrighteousness, while the world’s heart and music belong to Satan and his

unrighteousness. Because the Christian’s music is God’s music, it will be sung in heaventhroughout all the ages to come. And because the world’s music is Satan’smusic,itwillonedaycease,nevertobeheardagain.Thesoundsoftheworld’s“harpists andmusicians and flute-players and trumpeterswill not be heard…any longer” (Rev. 18:22). To those who make music that is not His, Goddeclares, “Iwill silence the soundofyour songs, and the soundofyourharpswill beheardnomore” (Ezek.26:13). Inhell, theungodlywill not evenhavetheirownmusic. The pulsating rhythms of native African music mimics the restless,superstitious passions of their culture and religion.Themusic of theOrient isdissonant andunresolved, going fromnowhere tonowhere,withnobeginningandnoend—justastheirreligionsgofromcycletocycleinendlessrepetitionsofmeaninglessexistence.Theirmusic, like theirdestiny, iswithout resolution.The music of much of the Western world is the music of seduction andsuggestiveness, a musical counterpart of the immoral, lustful society thatproduces,sings,andenjoysit. Rockmusic,withitsbombasticatonalityanddissonance,isthemusicalmirrorof thehopeless,standardless,purposelessphilosophythat rejectsbothGodandreasonandfloatswithoutorientationinaseaofrelativityandunrestrainedself-expression. The music has no logical progression because it comes from aphilosophy that renounces logic. It violates the brain because its philosophyviolates reason. It violates the spirit, because its philosophy violates truth andgoodness. And it violates God, because its philosophy violates all authorityoutsideofself. Notonlythetitlesandlyricsofmanyrocksongsbutthenamesofmanyrockgroups shamelessly flaunt a godless, immoral, and often demonic orientation.Theassociationofhardrockwithviolence,blasphemy,sadomasochism,sexualimmorality and perversion, alcohol and drugs, and Easternmysticism and theoccultarenotaccidental.Theyarefedfromthesameungodlystream.Aleadingrock singer once said, “Rock has always been the devil’smusic. It lets in thebaserelements.”Another testified,“I findmyselfevil. Ibelieve in thedevilasmuch as God. You can use either to get things done.” Putting a Christianmessage in such musical form does not elevate the form but degrades themessagetothelevelalreadyestablishedintheculturebythatform. Agreatmajority of youngpeople inmodernWestern society are continuallyassaulted with a philosophy set to music that simultaneously destroys their

bodies, short-circuits theirminds, andperverts their spirits.Ayoungmanwhowasconvertedoutofthatinvolvementoncesaidtome,“WheneverIhearrockmusic, I feel a tremendous urge to get drunk or go back on drugs.” Theassociation was so strong that simply hearing the music triggered his oldaddictions. Manyofthephysicalandemotionaleffectsofrockmusiccanbedemonstratedscientifically. Howard Hansen of the Eastman School of Music once wrote,“First,everythingelsebeingequal,thefurtherthetempoisacceleratedinmusicfrom the pulse rate toward the upper limit of practical tempo, the greaterbecomes the emotional tension.” He says further that “as long as thesubdivisions of themetric units are regular and the accents remain strictly inconformitywiththebasicpatterns,theeffectmaybeacceleratedbutwillnotbedisturbing.Rhythmictensionisheightenedbyincreaseindynamicpower.” SeveralyearsagoacollegeinColoradomadeastudyoftheeffectsofmusiconplants.Plantsexposedtobeautiful,soothingmusicthrivedandturnedtowardthespeaker.Inanotherwiseidenticalenvironment,anothergroupofthesametypeofplantwasexposed toacid rock.Thoseplants turnedaway from thespeakerandwithin three days had shriveled and died. Further experimentation provedthatthesoundwavesoftherockmusichadactuallydestroyedtheplants’cells. Whetherornothumancellsaredestroyedbyrockmusic,thingsofevengreatervalue are destroyed. When fast tempo, unrhythmical beat, high volume, anddissonance are coupled with wild shrieks, blasphemous and lewd lyrics, andsuggestive bodymovements, the brain is bypassed, the emotions aremangled,theconscienceishardened,andSatanhasanopendoor.EventheancientpaganAristotlewiselyobserved:“Musicrepresentsthepassionsofthesoul,andifonelistenstothewrongmusichewillbecomethewrongkindofperson.” Scripture’s admonition that “all things be done properly and in an orderlymanner” (1 Cor. 14:40) applies to music as well as to everything else. Godcreatedanorderlyuniverse,andanythingthatisconfusedanddisorderlyisoutofharmonywiththeuniverseandwithitsMaker.“Watchoveryourheartwithdiligence, for from it flow the springs of life” (Prov. 4:23). Paul commandedbelievers:“Whateveristrue,whateverishonorable,whateverisright,whateverispure,whateverislovely,whateverisofgoodrepute,ifthereisanyexcellenceandifanythingworthyofpraise,letyourminddwellonthesethings”(Phil.4:8). The Spirit-filled Christian is happy, peaceful, assured, and productiveregardlessofthecircumstances.Whetherheisfreelyworshipingamongfellowbelievers on Sunday morning or sitting in painful stocks in a dungeon at

midnight likePaul andSilas (Acts16:24-25),hisheartwill alwaysbesingingandmakingmelody. In his great allegoryPilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan pictured the pilgrim,Christian, falling into thesloughofdespond,straying intodoubtingcastle,andenduring many other hardships, frustrations, and failures. And though theexpression“filledwiththeSpirit”isnotusedinthestory,eachtimeChristianisdeliveredweseehimgoingonhiswaysinging.EverytimehecamebackundertheSpirit’scontrolhehadasonginhisheart. Towhomdobelieverssing?Althoughbelieverssingamongthemselves, theirsongsaretobedirectedtotheLord.Oursingingandmakingmelodyisnotforthe purpose of drawing attention to ourselves or of entertaining others but ofrejoicing in and praisingGod.Whetherwe are singing a solo, singingwith achoir,orsingingwiththecongregation,ourfocusshouldbeontheLord,notonourselvesorotherpeople.Heistheaudiencetowhomwesing. AtthededicationofthefirstTemple,“alltheLeviticalsingers,Asaph,Heman,Jeduthun,andtheirsonsandkinsmen,clothedinfinelinen,withcymbals,harps,and lyres, standing east of the altar, and with them one hundred and twentypriestsblowingtrumpetsinunisonwhenthetrumpetersandthesingersweretomake themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the Lord” (2Chron. 5:12-13). Because the Lord was pleased with their heart-felt andharmoniousworship,“thehouseoftheLordwasfilledwithacloud,sothatthepriestscouldnotstandtoministerbecauseofthecloud,forthegloryoftheLordfilled the house of God” (vv. 13-14). It should be the heart desire of allChristians that their praise of God in music, and in every other way, be “inunison” and that they “make themselves heard with one voice to praise andglorify the Lord”—because that is the onlywayGod’s people can acceptablypraiseandglorifyHim. JohannSebastianBach,probably thegreatestmusicianofall time,said,“Theaim of all music is the glory of God.” In his own life and work the greatcomposer and organist sought to live out that aim, and through themusic hededicatedsolelytoGodcountlessgenerationsofbelievershavebeenblessed. ThewordsofeveryChristiansongshouldbebiblical—distinctly,clearly,andaccurately reflecting the teachingofGod’sWord. It is tragic thatmuchmusicthatgoesunderthenameofChristianisatheologicalmishmash,oftenreflectingasmuchof theworld’sphilosophyasofGod’s truth.Much is littlemore thanpersonalsentimentalitycoloredwithChristianwords. MusicthathonorstheLordalsoblesseshispeople.Abeautiful,soothingpiece

ofmusiccancalmnerves,removefearandanxiety,reducebitternessandanger,and help turn our attention from ourselves and the cares and problems of theworldtoGod. David not only was aman of God but a skillfulmusician.We are told that“whenevertheevilspiritfromGodcametoSaul,Davidwouldtaketheharpandplayitwithhishand;andSaulwouldberefreshedandbewell,andtheevilspiritwoulddepartfromhim”(1Sam.16:23).ThemusicblessedSaulemotionally(hewas “refreshed”), physically (he was made “well”), and spiritually (“the evilspiritwoulddepartfromhim”). Seventeenth- and eighteenth-century physicians often prescribed music formentallydisturbedpatients.Theyevenrecommendedcertain typesofmusic totreat certain types of disorders.Music does have “charms to soothe a savagebreast.”Workingfromamorescientificbasis,modernbehavioristshaveprovedthose ideas to be sound. They have determined what kind of music makes apersonmorerelaxedinadentist’schair,whatkindhelpsproductioninanofficeorassemblyplant,whatkindhelpsreduceimpatienceinanelevator,andsoon.Musichasbeenfoundtoaffectthemuscles,nerves,andtheflowofbodyfluids,includingblood,saliva,andlymph.Itcaninfluencemetabolism,heartrate,andpulseforeitherbenefitorharm. Itisnotpossibletosubmitthespiritualeffectsofmusictoscientifictesting,butitisbeyondquestionthatmusicthatfocusestheheartonpraisingGodcanhelphealthespiritualillsofHispeople.THECONSEQUENCETOWARDGOD:GIVINGTHANKS

alwaysgivingthanksforallthingsinthenameofourLordJesusChristtoGod,eventheFather;(5:20)Peoplemayhaveoneofthreepossibleattitudesaboutthanksgiving.Thefirstisthat it isunnecessary.Somepeoplearenot thankfulsimplybecause they thinktheydeserveeverygoodthingtheyhave—andmore.TherichfarmerofJesus’parablewhowaspresumptuousabouthis futureprosperitywasalsoungratefulfor his past prosperity. As he looked around and realized his land was soproductivethathedidnothaveenoughroomtostoreallhiscrops,hedecidedtobuild bigger and better barns.After that hewould say to his soul, “Soul, youhavemanygoodslaidupformanyyearstocome;takeyourease,eat,drink,andbemerry” (Luke 12:19). He did not takeGod into consideration. Because hegaveGodnocreditforhisblessings,hesawnoreasontogiveHimthanks.And

because of his thankless presumption,God said to him, “You fool! This verynight your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you haveprepared?”(v.20).Within that judgment lay the truth that thefarmercouldnomoreprotecthispossessionsbyhisownpower thanhehadproduced thembyhisownpower.TheLordgave,andtheLordtookaway.NotfeelingtheneedtothankGodismuchworsethaningratitude;itisrankunbelief.ThisattitudeisaformofpracticalatheismthatfailstoacknowledgeGod. Asecondattitudeaboutthanksgivingisthatofthehypocrite.InanotherparableJesus told of a self-righteous Pharisee who stood in the Temple and “waspraying thus to himself, ‘God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people:swindlers,unjust,adulterers,orevenlikethistax-gatherer.Ifasttwiceaweek;IpaytithesofallthatIget’”(Luke18:11-12).AsJesusmadeclearinthewords“prayingthustohimself,”althoughthemanusedGod’sname,histhankfulnesswas to himself and for himself. The Pharisee used God’s name only to callfurtherattentiontohisfalsepiety.AndbecauseGodhadnopartinthatprayeritwas totally worthless. The humble, penitent tax-collector “went down to hishousejustified,”whereastheproud,self-righteousPhariseedidnot(v.14).Liketherestofhislife,thePharisee’sprayerofthanksgivingwashypocriticalshamandpretense. Thethirdattitudeaboutthanksgivingisthatofthetrulythankfulperson.OfthetenlepersJesushealedonHiswaytoJerusalem, theonlyonewhoreturnedtothankHimwasaSamaritan.Buthisthankfulnesswasgenuine,andJesussaidtohim,“Rise,andgoyourway;yourfaithhasmadeyouwell”(Luke17:19).Theother nine lepers had sought Jesus’ healing only for their own benefit. TheSamaritan also sought it for God’s glory (v. 18). His thankfulness was anexpressionofhistrust inJesus,hisrecognitionthathewashelplessinHimselfandthathishealingwasundeservedandentirelybytheLord’sgrace.Asaresult,he received salvation. That is the thankfulness, the only thankfulness, thatpleasesGodandthattheSpirit-filledsaintwilloffer. Amedieval legend tellsof twoangels sent toearthby theLord togather theprayers of the saints. One was to gather the petitions and the other thethanksgivings. The angel responsible for petitions was not able to carry thembacktoheaveninoneload,whiletheangelresponsibleforthanksgivingscarriedhisbackinonehand. ThatlegenddevelopedfromthesadfactthatGod’schildrenaremorepronetoaskthantothank.ThePsalmsareinstructiveinthisregard,inthattheycontainmore praise than petition.Believers come into their Father’s presence throughthanksgiving. We “enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with

praise”(Ps.100:4).WilliamHendriksenpicturesquelycommentedthat“whenapersonprayswithoutthanksgivinghehasclippedthewingsofprayersothatitcannotrise.”InEphesians5:20Paultellswhen,forwhat,how,andtowhomtheSpirit-filledbelieveristobethankful. Whenarewe tobe thankful?—always.Tobe thankful always is to recognizeGod’scontrolofourlivesineverydetailasHeseekstoconformustotheimageofHisSon.TobethanklessistodisregardGod’scontrol,Christ’slordship,andtheHoly Spirit’s filling. Nothingmust grieve the Holy Spirit somuch as thebeliever who does not give thanks. InKing Lear (I.ii.283, 312) Shakespearewrote,“Ingratitude,thoumarble-heartedfiend!…Howsharperthanaserpent’stoothitistohaveathanklesschild!”WhenGodbringstrialsanddifficultiesintoour lives andwecomplain andgrumble,wequestionHiswisdomand love aswellasHissovereignty. Justastherearethreeattitudestowardthanksgivingtherearealsothreelevelsofthankfulness.Thefirstistobethankfulwhenweareblessed.Whenthingsaregoing well or God grants an especially welcome benefit, we are happy andgrateful.When getting a job, being delivered from sickness, being reconciledwith our spouse, or experiencing other such pleasant things, it is easy to begratefultotheLord. Itisrighttobethankfulforblessings,astheBiblecontinuallycommandsustobe. The song thatMoses and the children of Israel sang after being deliveredfromEgypt (Ex. 15:1-21)was a beautiful and genuine expression of gratitudethatpleasedtheLord.Thatsongwillonedaybepartlyrepeatedinheavenasatestimonyof thanksgiving toJesusChrist, theLamb, fordeliveringHispeoplefromthebeast(Rev.15:1-4).Butthankfulnessforblessingiseasyandrequireslittlematurity. The second level of thankfulness is that of being grateful for the hope ofblessingandvictoryyettocome.Thefirstlevelisafterthefact,thesecondisinanticipationof the fact.ThankingGodbefore a blessing ismoredifficult thanthanking Him afterward, and requires more faith and spiritual maturity. Thissecondlevel iswherefaithandhopebegin,becauseit involvestheunseenandthe yet unexperienced. As He stood over the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus prayed,“Father,IthankTheethatThouheardestMe.AndIknewthatThouhearestMealways;butbecauseofthepeoplestandingaroundIsaidit,thattheymaybelievethat Thou didst send Me” (John 11:41-42). Because He knew His heavenlyFatheralwaysheardandansweredHisprayers, in totalconfidenceHe thankedHiminadvanceforwhatHeknewwouldbedone.

Thebelieverat this levelof thankfulness looksforward tovictorybefore it isachieved, knowing that he will “overwhelmingly conquer through Him wholovedus”(Rom.8:37).HelooksforwardeventohisowndeathorthedeathofalovedoneandgivesthankstoGod,knowingthatHisgraceissufficientforeverysorrowandeverytesting(2Cor.12:9)andthatgloriousresurrectionawaitsthosewhodieintheLord.Helivesinhope. As Judah was about to be attacked by the more powerful Moabites andAmmonites, King Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast and prayed before all thepeople,earnestlyproclaimingtheLord’spowerandgoodness.HeacknowledgedJudah’sweakness and their sure defeat if theLord did not help them. “O ourGod,wiltThounotjudgethem?Forwearepowerlessbeforethisgreatmultitudewho are coming against us; nor dowe knowwhat to do, but our eyes are onThee”(2Chron.20:1-12).ThenthekingledhispeopleoutintothewildernessofTekoaandinstructedthemtoputtheirtrustintheLordandHisprophets.AtthatpointhecommandedtheLeviticalsingerstogooutbeforethearmyand”‘givethankstotheLord,forHislovingkindnessiseverlasting.’Andwhentheybegansingingandpraising,theLordsetambushesagainstthesonsofAmmon,Moab,andMt. Seir,who had come against Judah; so theywere routed” (vv. 20-22).JudahthankedGodforvictorybeforethebattlewasevenbegun. ThethirdlevelofthankfulnessisthankingGodinthemidstofthebattle,whilewearestillundergoing troubleor testing—andevenwhen it looks likewearefailingorbeingoverwhelmed. When Daniel heard that King Darius had signed the decree forbidding theworship of any godormanbut the king himself, he immediately “entered hishouse(nowinhisroofchamberhehadwindowsopentowardJerusalem);andhecontinued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanksbeforehisGod,ashehadbeendoingpreviously”(Dan.6:10).Thoughhis lifewasatrisk,DanielthankedGodbecauseGoddeservedhisthanks,regardlessofhisthreateningcircumstances. EventheprejudicedanddisobedientJonahendedhisprayerfromthestomachof the fish with these words: “But I will sacrifice to Thee with the voice ofthanksgiving.ThatwhichIhavevowedIwillpay.SalvationisfromtheLord”(Jonah2:9).Nowhereintheprayerdoestheprophetaskfordeliverance.Insteadhe praises God for past deliverance, acknowledges his own sinfulness andunfaithfulness,andcloseswithadeclarationofthanksfortheLord’sgoodness. AfterPeterandsomeoftheotherapostlesinJerusalemhadbeenfloggedandorderednottospeakagaininthenameofJesus,“theywentontheirwayfrom

thepresenceof theCouncil, rejoicing that theyhadbeenconsideredworthy tosuffer shame forHisname” (Acts5:41). Inhisprisoncell, probably inRome,Paulawaitedtrialandpossibleexecution.WhiletherehewrotehislettertothePhilippian church, in which he gave thanks for their faithfulness and for theworkGodwascontinuingtodointhem(1:3-6). Ifwecanonly thankGodwhen thingsaregoingwell,our thankfulness isonthebottomrungoffaithfulness.IfwecanthankHiminanticipationofwhatHewilldointhefuture,weshowmorespiritualmaturity.ButtothankGodwhileweareinthemidstofpain,trials,orpersecutionshowsalevelofmaturitythatfewChristiansseemtoknowbutthatourheavenlyFatherwantsallHischildrentohave. BeingthankfulisnotaChristianoption,ahighorderoflivingthatwearefreeto choose or disregard. As Joni Eareckson Tada, a quadriplegic author, hasobserved, “Giving thanks is not amatter of feeling thankful, it is amatter ofobedience.” Forwhatarewetogivethanks?—forallthings.ThegreatestgiftwecangivetoGod is a thankful heart, because all we can give to Him is simply gratefulrecognition thatallwehave is fromHim.WegiveHim thanks forall thingsbecauseHehasgivenusall thingsandbecausegivingthanksineverything“isGod’swill…inChristJesus”(1Thess.5:18).Understanding“whatthewilloftheLordis”(Eph.5:17)includesunderstandingthatHewantsHischildrentobethankful.TheSpirit-filledheartseesGod’sgracioushandineverycircumstanceandknows“thatGodcausesall things towork togetherforgoodto thosewholoveGod, to thosewhoarecalledaccordingtoHispurpose”(Rom.8:28).ThespiritualbelieverseesGod’swiseandlovingcareinthedifficultiesandtrialsaswell as in blessing and prosperity. He thanks God for a job even if it isdemandingandunfulfilling.HethanksGodforhishealth,evenifitisfarfrombeingwhathewouldlikeit tobe.HethanksGodevenwhenhisdearest lovedonesdie,sayingwithJob,“TheLordgaveandtheLordhastakenaway.BlessedbethenameoftheLord”(Job1:21). In Christ, all things are for our sakes, in order “that the grace which isspreadingtomoreandmorepeoplemaycausethegivingofthankstoaboundtothegloryofGod”(2Cor.4:15).TheultimategoalisthegloryofGod,themeansofgivingHimgloryisthanksgiving,andthereasonsforthanksgivingareallthethingsHe has done in the believer’s life. To glorifyGod is to thankHim nomatter howmuch we may hurt or be disappointed or fail to understand. TheSpirit-filledChristianis“overflowingthroughmanythanksgivingstoGod”andcontinuallygivesthankstoHim“forHisindescribablegift”(2Cor.9:12,15).

AsGod’schildrenweare tobe thankful firstofall for theLordHimself, forHisgoodness,love,grace,salvation,andeveryotherblessingHegives.Wearetobethankfulforallmen,forblessingsanddifficulties,forvictoriesanddefeats. Theonlypersonwhocangenuinelygivethanksforall things is thehumbleperson, the person who knows he deserves nothing and who therefore givesthanksevenforthesmallestthings.Lackofthankfulnesscomesfrompride,fromthe conviction that we deserve something better than we have. Pride tries toconvinceusthatourjob,ourhealth,ourspouse,andmostofwhatwehaveisnotasgoodaswedeserve.Pridewastherootofthefirstsinandremainstherootofallsin.Satan’sprideledhimtorebelagainstGodandtrytousurpGod’sthrone.TheprideofAdamandEve led them tobelieveSatan’s lie that theydeservedmorethantheyhadandthattheyevenhadarighttobelikeGod. Believersarestillsubjecttothetemptationsofpride.Theonlycureishumility,whichcomeswithbeingfilledwiththeSpirit,sincebeingfilledwiththeSpiritistodietoself.Whenweceasewithselfishness,theconsequenceistoputChristandHiswillaboveallelse.HumilitydethronesselfandenthronesChrist,andindoing that it thankfully acknowledges that every good thing—includingmanythingsthatdonotatthetimeseemtobegood—arefromHisgracioushand. Howarewetobethankful?—inthenameofJesusChrist.TogivethanksinthenameofourLordJesusChrististogivethanksconsistentwithwhoHeisandwhat He has done.We can give thanks always and for all things because nomatterwhathappenstousitwillturnoutnotonlyforourultimateblessingbut,more importantly, for His ultimate glory. When we sing, it is Christ singingthrough us, andwhenwe give thanks, it is Christ giving thanks to the Fatherthroughus. Were it not for Christ, it would be foolish to be thankful for everything,becauseapartfromHimallthingsdonotturnoutforgood.ButbecauseweareinChrist,thegoodthingsandthebadthingsallhaveapartinGod’sconformingustotheimageofHisSon.ApersonwhoisnotaChristiandoesnothaveChristintercedingonhisbehalfattherighthandofGodorindwellinghislife.Hedoesnot have the promise of heirship in God’s family and citizenship in God’skingdom—oranyotherof thewonderfulpromisesofChrist.Hedoesnothavethe indwelling of the Holy Spirit and cannot have His filling. He cannot bethankful for everythingbecause for himeverythingdoes not give a reason forthanks.Heseesonlythepresent,noteternalglory. But thechildofGod is indweltbyChrist, is a jointheirwithHim,anddoeshavetheSonintercedingforhimattheFather’srighthand.HehasallofChrist’s

promisesmade certain through theHoly Spiritwho indwells him.And as theSpiritfillshim,heiscleansedfromsinandmademoreandmoreintoconformitytoChrist. The mature Christian, the Christian who is filled with the Spirit, becomesthankfulasChristHimselfwasthankful.JesuswascontinuallysayingthankstoHisFather.BeforeHemultipliedtheloavesandfishtofeedthefourthousand,“He gave thanks and broke them, and started giving them to His disciples toservetothem”(Mark8:6;cf.Matt.15:36).Asmentionedabove,HegavethanksbeforeHecalledLazarusfromthegrave(John11:41).EvenasHeinstitutedtheLord’sSupper, inanticipationofHissoon-comingcrucifixion,HethankedHisFatherforthebreadthatwouldbecomeamemorialofHissacrificedbody(Luke22:19). Jesuswasridiculed,despised,scorned,rejected,spatupon,blasphemed,beaten,andfinallycrucified.YetbecauseofHisgreathumilityHealwaysgavethanksin all things. He deserved glory but received humiliation, deserved love butreceivedhate,anddeservedhonorbutreceiveddishonor.Hedeservedpraisebutreceivedscorn,deservedrichesbutreceivedpoverty,anddeservedholinessbutwasmadesinonourbehalf.YetHeneverlostHisthankfulnesstoHisheavenlyFather, becauseHe “emptiedHimself, taking the form of a bond-servant, andbeingmadeinthelikenessofmen.Andbeingfoundinappearanceasaman,HehumbledHimselfbybecomingobedient to thepointofdeath,evendeathonacross”(Phil.2:7-8). BecauseJesusemptiedHimselftothepointofgivingHisownlife,Heisableto fill us with everything of which He emptied Himself, including life. Wedeservehumiliation,butinChristwereceiveglory.Wedeservetobehatedbutinsteadareloved,anddeservedishonorbutreceivehonor.Wedeservescornbutaregivenpraise,deservepovertybutaregivenriches,anddeservesin’scurseofdeath but are given righteousness and eternal life. For what can we not givethanks? Towhom are we to be thankful?—God the Father. The thanks that we givealways,forallthings,andinthenameoftheLordJesusChristaregiventoGod,eventheFather.WethankourheavenlyFatherjustasourLordHimselfdidonearth.Thegiverof“everygood thingbestowedandeveryperfectgift” (James1:17)istheReceiverofeverygenuineandheartfeltthanksgiving.ThebeneficentFather is to be thanked for all things becauseHe has given all things (see on1:3). Even those things that come through others come from God.We should be

grateful for what anyone does for us, and we should thank them for it. Butthankfulness to others will likely be little more than flattery if we do notacknowledgethatthetruesourceofthegiftisGod. AmarkoftheunsavedpersonisthanklessnesstoGod(Rom.1:21),butamarkoftheSpirit-filledbelieverisalwaysgivingthanksforallthingsinthenameofourLordJesusChristtoGod,eventheFather.Heis“anxiousfornothing,butineverythingbyprayerandsupplicationwiththanksgiving[letshis]requestsbemade known toGod” (Phil. 4:6).He is “overflowingwith gratitude” (Col.2:7)andhecontinuallyoffers“upasacrificeofpraisetoGod,thatis,thefruitoflipsthatgivethankstoHisname”(Heb.13:15). Acitymissionary inLondonwascalled toanold tenementbuildingwhereawomanlaydyinginthelaststagesofaterribledisease.Theroomwascoldandshehadnowheretoliebutonthefloor.Whenthemissionaryaskediftherewasanythinghecoulddo,shereplied,“IhaveallIreallyneed;IhaveJesusChrist.”Deeplymoved,themissionarywenthomeandpennedthesewords:

IntheheartofLondonCity,Midthedwellingsofthepoor,Thesebrightandgoldenwordswereuttered,“IhaveChrist.WhatwantImore?”Spokenbyalonelywomandyingonagarretfloor,Havingnotoneearthlycomfort,“IhaveChrist.WhatwantImore?”

THECONSEQUENCETOWARDFELLOWBELIEVERS:SUBMISSION

andbesubjecttooneanotherinthefearofChrist.(5:21)ThefillingandcontroloftheHolySpiritwillleadustoaspiritofhumility,tothespiritthatgivesusthedesiretoseekthewelfareofothersbeforeourownandtobemutuallysubmissive.Therichdetailsofthisversewillbediscussedinthenextchapter,sincetheverseprovidesatransitiontothecomingsection. In the rest of chapter 5 and through 6:9, Paul expands on the principle ofbelievers’ submission as it controls the relationship of husbands and wives,childrenandparents,andslavesandmasters.

TheNecessaryFoundation

21

AndbesubjecttooneanotherinthefearofChrist.(5:21)This verse is a transition to Paul’s extensive discussion of relationships thatcontinues through6:9.Thegeneralprincipleofmutual submission,besubjecttooneanother,notonlyisaproductofthefillingoftheSpirit(asindicatedinthepreciouschapter)butisalsothefoundationofthemorespecificprinciplesofauthority and submission—in relation to husbands and wives, parents andchildren,andmastersandslaves—withwhichthelargerpassagedeals. Amongtheworsttragediesofourdayistheprogressivedeathofthefamilyasit has been traditionally known. Marital infidelity, exaltation of sexual sin,homosexuality, abortion, women’s liberation, delinquency, and the sexualrevolutioningeneralhaveallcontributedtothefamily’sdemise.Eachoneisastrandinthecordthatisrapidlystranglingmarriageandthefamily. Gays and lesbians are demanding the right to bemarried to each other, andmanystatesaswellasagrowingnumberofchurchgroupsarerecognizingthatasaright.Lesbiancouples,andevensomegaycouples,arebringingtogetherthechildren they have had by various lovers of the opposite sex and calling theresulting group a family. Many unmarried women elect to keep and raisechildrentowhomtheyhavegivenbirth.Insuchsituationssingle-parentfamiliesarebecomingasmuchamatterofchoiceasofnecessity. Thenewmentalityaboutmarriageisreflectedinthebeliefofsomesociologistsand psychologists that marriage ought to radically change or be eliminatedaltogether—based on the argument that it is but a vestige of man’s primitiveunderstandingofhimselfandofsociety.Man“comeofage”ispresumednottoneed the restrictionsandboundaries thatonceseemedessential forproductive,satisfyinglife. Without a proper basis of authority for relationships, people grope formeaningful, harmonious, fulfilling relationships by whatever means andarrangements they can find or devise. Experimentation is their only resource,anddisintegrationofthefamily—andultimatelyofsocietyingeneral—isbeingdisclosedastheinevitableconsequence. ItistimeforChristianstodeclareandlivewhattheBiblehasalwaysdeclared

andwhat the churchhas always taughtuntil recent years: “God’s standard formarriageandthefamilyproducesmeaning,happiness,blessedness,reward,andfulfillment—anditistheonlystandardthatcanproducethoseresults.” YetconfusionaboutGod’sstandardformarriageandthefamilyhasfounditsway even into the church. A generation ago only one in every five hundredcouplesinthechurchgotadivorce.Todaythedivorcerateinthechurchismanytimes that figure and becoming worse, and the church must deal with theprobleminitsownmidstbeforeitcangiveeffectivecounseltotheworld. Divorce within the church has become so common that one Virginia pastordevised a special service in which, after the husband and wife state vows ofmutual respect,God’sblessing is invokedon thedissolutionof theirmarriage.Partly because of the tragedies they have seen inmarriages, especially that oftheirownparents,manyyoungadultsoptforsimplylivingtogether.Whenoneor the other becomes tired of the arrangement, they break up and look forsomeone else.Whatever minimal commitment may be involved is superficialandtemporary.Lusthasreplacedlove,andselfishnessrulesinsteadofsacrifice. Manymarriagesthatmanagetoavoiddivorceareneverthelesscharacterizedbyunfaithfulness,deceit,disrespect,distrust, self-centeredness,materialism,andahost of other sins that shatter harmony, prevent happiness, and devastate thechildren. With increased divorce comes decreased interest in having children. Someauthoritiesestimate that inperhapsa thirdof thecouplesofchild-bearingage,oneorbothofthepartnershavebeensterilized.Agrowingpercentageofbabiesconceived even within marriage are aborted because they are unwanted. Andmanywhoareallowed tobebornareneglected, resented,andabusedby theirparents.Coupleswhodohavechildrenarehavingthemlaterinlife,sothatthechildrendonotinhibittheparents’plansforfunandfulfillment. Thepastorofa largeevangelicalchurchreportedthat,althoughmostof themclaimed to beChristians, at least seventy percent of the coupleswho came tohim to bemarriedwere already living together.Many of them claimed that itwas God’s will for them to be married; but by living in such flagrantdisobedience of His moral standards they had no basis for knowing His willabout their marriage. Other couples who claim to be Christian come to bemarriedfor thesecond, third,orfourth time—andoftenmaintain that theLordhasguidedthemeachtime. Godwill forgive,cleanse,and restore the repentantbeliever,butHedoesnotchange His standards of righteousness and purity and does not promise to

remove the often tragic consequences of disobedience. If the church seeks toaccommodatethosedivinestandardstothefoolishnessandsinfulnessofitsownmembers,itnotonlyoffendsandgrievesGodbutundercutsitstestimonytotheworld. If marriage cannot be right in the church it can hardly be right in theworld,anymorethanitwasinPaul’sday. In New Testament times women were considered to be little more thanservants.ManyJewishmenprayedeachmorning:“God,I thankyouthatIamnot a Gentile, a slave, or a woman.” The provision related to divorce andremarriage in Deuteronomy 24 had been distorted to include virtually anyoffense or disfavor in the eyes of the husband. InGreek society thewomen’ssituationwasevenworse.Becauseconcubineswerecommonandawife’srolewassimplytobearlegitimatechildrenandtokeephouse,Greekmenhadlittlereason to divorce their wives, and their wives had no recourse against them.Because divorce was so rare, there was not even a legal procedure for it.Demosthenes wrote, “We have courtesans for the sake of pleasure, we haveconcubinesforthesakeofdailycohabitation,andwehavewivesforthepurposeof having children legitimately and being faithful guardians for our householdaffairs.”Bothmaleandfemaleprostitutionwereindescribablyrampant,anditisfromtheGreektermforprostitutionandgeneralunchastity(porneia)thatwegetourwordpornography.Husbandstypicallyfoundtheirsexualgratificationwithconcubines and prostitutes, whereas wives, often with the encouragement oftheir husbands, found sexual gratification with their slaves, both male andfemale. Prostitution, homosexuality, and the many other forms of sexualpromiscuity and perversion inevitably resulted in widespread sexual abuse ofchildren—justasweseeinourownday. In Roman society things were worse still. Marriage was little more thanlegalizedprostitution,withdivorcebeinganeasy legal formality that couldbetaken advantage of as often as desired. Many women did not want to havechildren because it ruined the looks of their bodies, and feminism becamecommon.Desiringtodoeverythingmendid,somewomenwentintowrestling,swordfighting,andvariousotherpursuitstraditionallyconsideredtobeuniquelymasculine. Some liked to run bare-breasted while hunting wild pigs.Womenbegantolorditovermenandincreasinglytooktheinitiativeingettingadivorce. Paul admonishedbelievers inEphesus to live in total contrast to the corrupt,vile, self-centered, and immoral standards of those around them. Therelationship between husband and wife was to be modeled on that betweenChristandHischurch.“Forthehusbandistheheadofthewife,asChristalsoisthe head of the church, HeHimself being the Savior of the body. But as the

church is subject toChrist, so also thewives ought to be to their husbands ineverything.Husbands,loveyourwives,justasChristalsolovedthechurchandgave Himself up for her” (5:23-25). The relationship between Christianhusbandsandwives is tobeholyand indissoluble, just as thatbetweenChristandHischurchisholyandindissoluble.Christianmarriagesandfamiliesaretobe radically different from those of the world. The relationships betweenhusbandsandwivesandparentsandchildrenistobesobathedinhumility,love,and mutual submission that the authority of husbands and parents, thoughexercised when necessary, becomes almost invisible and the submission ofwivesandchildrenisnomorethanactinginthespiritofgraciouslove. In theSongofSolomonweseeabeautifulmodel formarriage.Although thehusbandwas a king, the dominate relationshipwith hiswifewas that of loveratherthanauthority.Thewifeclearlyrecognizedherhusband’sheadship,butitwasaheadshipclothed in loveandmutual respect.“Likeanapple treeamongthetreesoftheforest,soismybelovedamongtheyoungmen,”shesaid.“InhisshadeItookgreatdelightandsatdown,andhisfruitwassweettomytaste.Hehasbroughtmetohisbanquethall,andhisbannerovermeis love”(2:3-4).Abannerwasapublicannouncement,inthiscaseanannouncementoftheking’sloveforhiswifewhichhewantedtoproclaimtotheworld.Shenotonlyhadthesecurityofhearinghimtellherofhislovebutofhearinghimtell theworldofthat love.“Sustainmewith raisincakes, refreshmewithapples,because Iamlovesick,”shecontinued.“Lethislefthandbeundermyheadandhisrighthandembrace me” (vv. 5-6). Her husband was her willing and eager protector,provider,andlover. Solomonrespondedbysayingtoher,“Arise,mydarling,mybeautifulone,andcomealong.Forbehold, thewinter ispast, therain isoverandgone”(vv.10-11).Springhadcomeandhisonlythoughtswereofhisbeloved.Therewasnohintof authoritativenessor superiority,butonly love, respect, andconcern forthewelfare,joy,andfulfillmentofhiswife.Sheexpressedthedeepmutualityoftheirrelationshipintheexpression“Mybelovedismine,andIamhis”(v.16)andlater,“Thisismybelovedandthisismyfriend”(5:16). Familiesarethebuildingblocksofhumansociety,andasocietythatdoesnotprotect the family undermines its very existence. When the family goes,everything else of value soon goes with it. When the cohesiveness,meaningfulness,anddisciplineofthefamilyarelost,anarchywillflourish.Andwhereanarchyflourishes, law, justice,andsafetycannot.Thefamilynourishesand binds society together, whereas the anarchy that results from its absenceonlydepletes,disrupts,anddestroys.

TheunredeemedcanbenefitgreatlyfromfollowingGod’sbasicprinciplesforthefamily,butthefullpowerandpotentialofthoseprinciplescanbeunderstoodandpracticedbythosewhobelongtoHimbyfaithinHisSon.PaulspeakstotheEphesiansasfellowChristians,andapartfromthedivinelifeandresourcesthatonlyChristianspossess,theprinciplesformarriageandthefamilythathegivesinthisletterareoutofcontextandthusoflimitedbenefit.ThebasicprincipleofbeingsubjecttooneanotherfindsitspowerandeffectivenessonlyinthefearofChrist. The family can only be what God has designed it to be when themembersof thefamilyarewhatGodhasdesignedthemtobe—“conformedtothe image ofHis Son” (Rom. 8:29). Just as an individual can find fulfillmentonlyinarightrelationshipwithGod,sothefamilycanfindcompletefulfillmentonly as believing parents and children followHis design for the family in thecontrolandpoweroftheHolySpirit(Eph.5:18b). PersonswhodonotknoworevenrecognizetheexistenceandauthorityofGodarenotmotivated to acceptGod’s standard formarriage and the familyor foranythingelse.Theydonothavethenewnatureorinnerresourcestofullyfollowthosestandardseveniftheywantedto. SomeyearsagoIwasaskedtospeakontheChristiansexethictoaphilosophyclass at a large secular university. Knowing the futility of trying to explainbiblicalsexualstandardstothosewhoquestionoropenlyrejecttheauthorityofScripture, I began my presentation by saying words to this effect: “Christ’sstandardsofethicscannotbeunderstoodorappreciatedbyanyonewhodoesnotknowHimasSaviorandLord.IdonotexpectmostofyoutoagreewithwhatScripture says about sex ethics because most of you do not agree with whatScripturesaysaboutJesusChrist.Thepresuppositionofscripturalstandardsforanything is that a person have a right relationship to the One whose WordScripture is. Only when you know and love the Lord Jesus Christ can youunderstand and desire to fulfillHis standards for sex.”One student raised hishandandsaid,“Wellthen,maybeyouhadbettertellushowtoknowandloveJesus Christ.” Gladly following that suggestion, I spent most of the hourshowingthenecessityandmeansforbelievinginChristanddevotedthelastfewminutestoexplainingwhatcommitmenttoHimmeansspecificallyinrelationtosexualstandards. OnlythosewhohavediedtosinandarealivetoGod(Rom.6:4-6),thosewhoareservantsofrighteousness(Rom.6:16-22), thosewhoarespirituallyminded(Rom.8:5-8), thosewhoareempoweredby theSpirit (Rom.8:13)will rejoicefortheprivilegeoflivingintheLord’sstandard.ReverencingandadoringChrististhebasisofsuchaspiritofsubmission.

Unfortunately,manypersonswhoknowJesusChristasSaviorandLorddonotmaintaintheirlivingaccordingtoHismoral,marital,andfamilylaws.BecausetheyarenotatalltimesfilledwithHisSpiritandfalltothelevelofthesocietyaroundthem,theyarenotsufficientlymotivatedorempoweredtobeobedienttotheirLord inall things.Theypossess theHolySpirit,but theHolySpiritdoesnotpossessthem.Consequently,manyChristiancouplesargueandfightworsethanmanyunbelievers.Manyfamiliesinfalsereligions,forexample,andevensomeunreligiousfamilies,aremoredisciplinedandharmoniouson thesurfacethansomeChristian families.Acarnalbelieverwillhavediscord inhis familyjustashehasdiscordinhisownheartandinhisrelationtoGod. Wearedrowning ina seaofmarriage information today.Abookonsexandmarriage,whether froma secularorChristianviewpoint, is sure to sell.ManypurportedlyChristianbooksareaspreoccupiedwithandindelicateaboutsexastheir secular counterparts. Marriage conferences, seminars, and counselorsabound—someofwhichmaybesolidlyscripturalandwellpresented.Butapartfrom a believer’s being filled with the Holy Spirit and applying the ever-sufficientWordofGod,eventhebestadvicewillproduceonlysuperficialandtemporarybenefit,becausetheheartwillnotberightlymotivatedorempowered.Ontheotherhand,whenwearefilledwiththeSpiritandthusarecontrolledindivinetruth,wearedivinelydirectedtodowhatispleasingtoGod,becauseHisSpiritcontrolsourattitudesandrelationships. Jamessaid,“Whatisthesourceofquarrelsandconflictsamongyou?Isnotthesourceyourpleasures thatwagewar inyourmembers?”(James4:1).Conflictsin the church, in thehome, and inmarriage always result fromhearts that aredirectedbytheselfratherthanbytheSpiritofGod.Whenselfinsistsonitsownrights,opinions,andgoals,harmonyandpeaceareprecluded.Theself-centeredlifeisalwaysinabattleforthetop,andpushesothersdownasitclimbsupinpride.TheSpirit-centered life,on theotherhand, isdirected toward lowliness,towardsubservience,anditliftsothersupasitdescendsinhumility.TheSpirit-filled believer does “notmerely look out for [his] own personal interests, butalsofortheinterestsofothers”(Phil.2:4). Besubjectisfromhupotasso,originallyamilitarytermmeaningtoarrangeorrankunder.Spirit-filledChristiansrankthemselvesunderoneanother.Themainidea is thatof relinquishingone’s rights to anotherperson.Paul counseled theCorinthian believers to be in subjection to their faithful ministers “and toeveryonewhohelpsintheworkandlabors”(1Cor.16:16).Petercommandsusto“submit[ourselves]fortheLord’ssaketoeveryhumaninstitution,whethertoakingastheoneinauthority,ortogovernorsassentbyhimforthepunishment

ofevildoersandthepraiseofthosewhodoright.ForsuchisthewillofGod”(1Pet.2:13-15;cf.Rom.13:1-7).Anationcannotfunctionwithouttheauthorityofits rulers, soldiers, police, judges, and so on. Such people do not hold theirauthority because they are inherently better than everyone else but becausewithout the appointment and exercise of orderly authority the nation woulddisintegrateinanarchy. Likewisewithinthechurchweareto“obey[our]leaders,andsubmittothem;fortheykeepwatchover[our]souls,asthosewhowillgiveanaccount”(Heb.13:17).Godordainsthatpastorsandeldersinthechurchbemen.“Letawomanquietlyreceiveinstructionwithentiresubmissiveness,”Paulsaid.“ButIdonotallowawomantoteachorexerciseauthorityoveraman,buttoremainquiet”(1Tim.2:11-12).Paulwasnotteachingfromapersonalbiasofmalechauvinism,assomeclaim,butwasreinforcingGod’soriginalplanofman’sheadship.“ForitwasAdamwhowasfirstcreated,andthenEve,”heexplained.“AnditwasnotAdam who was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell intotransgression.Butwomenshallbepreserved through thebearingofchildren iftheycontinueinfaithandloveandsanctitywithself-restraint”(vv.13-15). The submissive role of the woman was designed by God in creation andaffirmed by His judicial act in response to the Fall. Yet the balance ofresponsibilityandblessing is foundin thewoman’sbearingofchildren.She issavedfromseekingtheroleofamanandfromidentificationasasecond-classpersonbygivingbirthtochildrenandbeingoccupiedwiththem,aswellasbyhavingthemajorinfluenceontheirearlytraininganddevelopment.Womenwhohavechildrenandpursuealifeoffaith,love,holiness,andself-controlgivetheirbesttotheirfamily,andthustosociety.Godhasdesignedandcalledwomentogive birth to children, to nurse, caress, teach, comfort, and encourage them intheir most formative years—in a way that fathers can never do. That shouldoccupytheirtimeandenergyandprecludetheirseekingaplaceofleadershipinthechurch. WhenthechurchtriestooperateapartfromGod’ssystemofauthorityitcreatesconfusionandfrequentlyheresy.WhenMaryBakerEddytooktoherselftheroleofchurchleaderandpreacher,ChristianSciencewasborn.WhenMadamElenaPetrovna Blavatsky assumed the role of theologian and spiritual teacher,Theosophy was born. When Mrs. Charles Fillmore took to herself the sameprerogatives, Unity was born. When Aimee Semple McPherson beganpreaching,Foursquarepentecostalismwasborn. As with leaders in government, it is not that church leaders are inherentlysuperior to otherChristiansor thatmen are inherently superior towomen, but

that no institution—including the church—can function without a system ofauthorityandsubmission. In the home, the smallest unit of human society, the same principle applies.Even a small household cannot function if each member fully demands andexpresseshisownwillandgoeshisownway.ThesystemofauthorityGodhasordained for the family is theheadshipofhusbandsoverwivesandofparentsoverchildren. But in addition to those necessary social functional relationships of authorityand submission, God commands all Christians—leaders as well as followers,husbandsaswellaswives,parentsaswellaschildren—to“havethisattitudeinyourselveswhichwasalsoinChristJesus,who,althoughHeexistedintheformof God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptiedHimself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and … humbled Himself bybecomingobedienttothepointofdeath,evendeathonacross”(Phil.2:5-8). As Paul went on to explain (Eph. 5:22-6:9), the structural function of thefamily, like that of the church andof government, requires both authority andsubmission. But in all interpersonal relationships there is only to be mutualsubmission.Submissionisageneralspiritualattitudethatistobetrueofeverybelieverinallrelationships. Even the authority-subject relationships in the church and home are to becontrolledbyloveandmodifiedbymutualsubmission.WiveshavetraditionallyreceivedthebruntofEphesians5:22-33,althoughthegreaterpartofthepassagedealswith thehusband’sattitude towardand responsibilities forhiswife.Pauldevotedtwiceasmuchspacetothehusband’sobligationsastothewife’s.Thehusbandnotonlyis“headofthewife,asChristalsoistheheadofthechurch”(v.23)buthusbandsarecommanded to“love [their]wives, justasChristalsolovedthechurchandgaveHimselfupforher”(v.25).“Husbandsoughtalsotolovetheirownwivesastheirownbodies,…evenas[themselves]”(vv.28,33).Christ’s givingHis life for the churchwas an act of divine submission of theLordtoHisbride,thatHemightcleanse,glorify,andpurifyher“thatsheshouldbeholyandblameless”(v.27). Likewise in the home, not only are children to “obey [their] parents in theLord,”butfathersarenot to“provoke[their]childrentoanger;butbringthemupinthedisciplineandinstructionoftheLord”(6:1,4).Evenwhileexercisingauthorityover their children,parents are to submit to thechildren’smoral andspiritual welfare. In love, husbands are to submit themselves to meeting theneedsoftheirwives,andtogethertheybotharecalledtogivethemselvesinlove

totheirchildren. InNewTestament times, slaveswereoftenan integralpartof thehousehold,and Paul’s admonition to masters and slaves essentially dealt with familyrelationships.Thehusbandandwifeweremastersofthehousehold,ofwhichtheslavesandhiredservantswerean integralpart.Here, too,PaulmadeclearnotonlythatChristianslaveswereto“beobedienttothosewhoare[their]mastersaccording to the flesh” and do good things for them (6:5, 8), but thatmasterswere likewise to do good things for their slaves “and give up threatening,knowingthatboth[theslave’s]Masterand[theirown]isinheaven,andthereisnopartialitywithHim”(v.9). Every obedient, Spirit-filledChristian is a submittingChristian.The husbandwho demands his wife’s submission to him but does not recognize his ownobligationtosubmittoherdistortsGod’sstandardforthemarriagerelationshipandcannotrightlyfunctionasagodlyhusband.Parentswhodemandobediencefromtheirchildrenbutdonotrecognizetheirownobligationtosubmitinlovingsacrifice to meet their children’s needs are themselves disobedient to theirheavenlyFatherandcannotrightlyfunctionasgodlyparents. In 1 Corinthians 7 Paul made clear that the physical relationships andobligationsofmarriagearenotone-sided.“Letthehusbandfulfillhisdutytohiswife,”he says, “and likewise also thewife toher husband.Thewifedoesnothaveauthorityoverherownbody,but thehusbanddoes;andlikewisealsothehusbanddoesnothaveauthorityoverhisownbody,butthewifedoes”(vv.3-4).AlthoughGodordainshusbandsasheadsovertheirwives,andparentsasheadsovertheirchildren,Healsoordainsamutualityofsubmissionandresponsibilityamongallmembersofthefamily. AlthoughChristwasinthebeginningwithGodandwasGod(John1:1),wasonewith the Father (10:30), andwas in the Father as the Fatherwas inHim(14:11), He was nevertheless subject to the Father. From childhood Jesusdevoted Himself to His Father’s work (Luke 2:49), submitted Himself to HisFather’s will (John 5:30; 15:10; 20:21), and could do nothing apart fromHisFather(John5:19).InexplainingGod’sorderofrelationships,Paulsays,“Christistheheadofeveryman,andthemanistheheadofawoman,andGodisthehead of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:3). Just as the Son is submissive to the Father infunctionbutequaltoHiminnatureandessence,wivesaretobesubmissivetotheir husbands, while being completely equal to them in moral and spiritualnature. All believers are spiritual equals in every sense. “There is neither Jew nor

Greek,thereisneitherslavenorfreeman,thereisneithermalenorfemale;foryou are all one inChrist Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).We submit to one another as theHolySpiritinfluencesustodoso.

TheRoleandPrioritiesoftheWife

22

Wives,besubjecttoyourownhusbands,astotheLord.Forthehusbandistheheadof thewife, asChrist also is theheadof the church,HeHimselfbeingtheSaviorofthebody.ButasthechurchissubjecttoChrist,soalsothewivesoughttobetotheirhusbandsineverything.(5:22-24)Because so much of the church has long disregarded the full teaching ofScripture,manybelieversfindsomeofitstruthstobeunfamiliarandevenhardtoaccept.Andbecausethechurchhasbeensoengulfedin,identifiedwith,andvictimized byworldly standards,God’s standards seemout-of-date, irrelevant,andoffensive tomodernmentalities.Hiswayissohighandsocontrary to thewayoftheworldthatitisincomprehensibletomanyinandoutofthechurch. OverandovertheNewTestamentcallsustoanotherdimensionofexistence,anewway of thinking, acting, and living. To “walk in amannerworthy of thecallingwithwhich[we]havebeencalled…and[to]putonthenewself,whichin the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of thetruth” (Eph. 4:1, 24) is to fulfill the high calling towhichwe are called in acompletelynewlifeinacompletelynew,Spirit-filledway. Aswasmentioned in the previous chapter, few areas ofmodern living havebeensodistortedandcorruptedbythedevilandtheworldandcausedthechurchsomuch confusion as those ofmarriage and the family. It is these issues thatPaul confronts in Ephesians 5:22—6:9. He expands and clarifies the generalprincipleofmutualsubmission(“besubjecttooneanotherinthefearofChrist,”v. 21) by giving several illustrations from the family, beginning with therelationshipofhusbandsandwives.Aspointedoutattheendofourdiscussionofverse21,ScripturemakesclearthattherearenospiritualormoraldistinctionsamongChristians.“ThereisneitherJewnorGreek,thereisneitherslavenorfreeman,thereisneithermalenorfemale;foryouarealloneinChristJesus”(Gal.3:28).TherearenoclassificationsofChristians.Everybeliever inJesusChristhasexactly thesamesalvation, thesamestandingbeforeGod, thesamedivinenature and resources, and the same divine promises and inheritance (cf. Acts10:34;Rom.2:11;James1:1-9). ButinmattersofroleandfunctionGodhasmadedistinctions.Althoughthere

arenodifferencesinintrinsicworthorbasicspiritualprivilegeandrightsamongHispeople, theLordhasgiven rulers ingovernmentcertainauthorityover thepeople they rule, to church leaders He has delegated authority over theircongregations, tohusbandsHehasgivenauthorityover theirwives, toparentsHe has given authority over their children, and to employers He has givenauthorityoveremployees. In Ephesians 5:22-24 Paul begins this list by outlining the role, duties, andprioritiesof thewife in relation toherhusband’sauthority.Firsthedealswiththebasicmatterofthesubmission,thenwithitsmanner,motive,andmodel.

THEMATTEROFSUBMISSION

Wives,besubjecttoyourownhusbands,(5:22a)Wivesisnotqualified,andthereforeappliestoeveryChristianwife,regardlessof her social standing, education, intelligence, spiritualmaturity or giftedness,age,experience,oranyotherconsideration.Norisitqualifiedbyherhusband’sintelligence, character, attitude, spiritual condition, or any other consideration.Paul says categorically to all believing wives: be subject to your ownhusbands. As indicated by italics inmost translations,be subject is not in the originaltext,butthemeaningiscarriedoverfromverse21.Theideais:“BesubjecttooneanotherinthefearofChrist[and,asafirstexample,]wives,…toyourownhusbands.”Asexplainedinthepreviouschapter,hupotassomeanstorelinquishone’s rights, and the Greek middle voice (used in v. 21 and carried over byimplication into v. 22) emphasizes the willing submitting of oneself. God’scommand is to those who are to submit. That is, the submission is to be avoluntaryresponsetoGod’swillingivingupone’sindependentrightstootherbelievers in general and to ordained authority in particular—in this case thewife’sownhusband. Thewifeisnotcommandedtoobey(hupakouo)herhusband,aschildrenaretoobeytheirparentsandslavestheirmasters(6:1,5).Ahusbandisnottotreathiswifeasaservantorasachild,butasanequalforwhomGodhasgivenhimcareand responsibility for provision andprotection, to be exercised in love.She isnot his to order about, responding to his every wish and command. As Paulproceeds to explain in considerable detail (vv. 25-33), the husband’s primaryresponsibilityasheadofthehouseholdistolove,provide,protect,andservehiswifeandfamily—nottolorditoverthemaccordingtohispersonalwhimsanddesires. Your own husband suggests the intimacy and mutuality of the wife’ssubmission.Shewillinglymakesherselfsubjecttotheoneshepossessesasherown husband (cf. 1 Cor. 7:3-4). Husbands and wives are to have a mutualpossessivenessaswellasamutualsubmissiveness.Theybelongtoeachotherinanabsoluteequality.Thehusbandnomorepossesseshiswifethanshepossesseshim.Hehasnosuperiorityandshenoinferiority,anymorethanonewhohasthegiftofteachingissuperiortoonewiththegiftofhelps.Acarefulreadingof1Corinthians12:12-31willshowthatGodhasdesignedeverypersonforaunique

role in theBodyofChrist, and thepervasiveattitudegoverningall those rolesandblendingthemtogetheris“themoreexcellentway”oflove(ch.13). Aswithspiritualgifts,thedistinctionsofheadshipandsubmissionareentirelyfunctionalandwereordainedbyGod.AsaconsequenceofEve’sdisobedienceof God’s command and her failure to consult with Adam about the serpent’stemptation,God toldher,“Yourdesireshallbe foryourhusband,andheshallrule over you” (Gen. 3:16). The desire spoken of here is not sexual orpsychological,bothofwhichEvehadforAdambeforetheFallashisspeciallycreated helper. It is the same desire spoken of in the next chapter, where theidenticalHebrewword (teshuqa) isused.The termcomes fromanArabic rootthatmeanstocompel,impel,urge,orseekcontrolover.TheLordwarnedCain,“Siniscrouchingatyourdoor;itdesirestohaveyou[thatis,controlyou],butyoumustmasterit”(4:7,NIV;emphasisadded).SinwantedtomasterCain,butGod commandedCain tomaster sin. In light of this close contextmeaning ofteshuqa, therefore,thecurseonEvewasthatwoman’sdesirewouldhenceforthbetousurptheplaceofman’sheadshipandthathewouldresistthatdesireandwould ruleoverher.TheHebrewwordhere for “rule” isnot the sameas thatusedin1:28.Ratheritrepresentedanew,despotickindofauthoritarianismthatwasnotinGod’soriginalplanforman’sheadship. With the Fall and its curse came the distortion of woman’s propersubmissiveness and ofman’s proper authority. That iswhere the battle of thesexes began, where women’s liberation and male chauvinism came intoexistence.Women have a sinful inclination to usurpman’s authority andmenhaveasinful inclination toputwomenunder their feet.Thedivinedecree thatmanwouldruleoverwomaninthiswaywaspartofGod’scurseonhumanity,andittakesamanifestationofgraceinChristbythefillingoftheHolySpirittorestorethecreatedorderandharmonyofpropersubmissioninarelationshipthathasbecomecorruptedanddisorderedbysin. EvewascreatedfromAdam’sribandordainedtobehiscompanion,tobe,asAdamhimselfbeautifully testified,“boneofmybones,and fleshofmy flesh”(Gen.2:22-23).God’scursedidnotchangeHisbasicplanformutuality in themarriage relationship or for the functional authority of the husband over thewife. Man was created first and was created generally to be physically,constitutionally,andemotionallystrongerthanwoman,whois“aweakervessel”(1Pet.3:7).Bothbeforeandafter theFalland theconsequentcurse,manwascalled to be the provider, protector, guide, and shepherd of the family, andwomancalledtobesupportiveandsubmissive.

Inaparallelpassage toEphesians5:22,Paulsaid,“Wives,besubject toyourhusbands, as is fitting in the Lord” (Col. 3:18). Aneko (to be fitting) wassometimesusedofthatwhichwaslegallybinding,asinPhilemon8,wherePauluses it in reference to legal propriety. The word refers to that which is theacceptedstandardofhumansociety. AnysocietythathastakeneithertheobviousnatureofwomenortheWordofGodintoconsiderationhasfashioneditsbestlawsinlinewithHis.Lawsagainstmurder find their source in the Ten Commandments—just as do laws againststealing,adultery,perjury,andsoon.Thewife’ssubmissiontoherhusbandisadivineprinciplethathasbeenreflectedtosomedegreeinthelegalcodesofmostsocieties. For the past several hundredyearswestern society has beenbombardedwiththehumanistic,egalitarian,sexless,classlessphilosophy thatwas thedominantforcebehindtheFrenchRevolution.Theblurringandeventotalremovalofallhumandistinctionscontinues tobemastermindedbySatansoas tounderminelegitimate, God-ordained authority in every realm of human activity—ingovernment, the family, theschool,andeven in thechurch.Wefindourselvesvictimized by the godless, atheistic concepts of man’s supreme independencefrom every external law and authority. The philosophy is self-destructive,because no group of people can live in orderliness and productivity if eachpersonisbentondoinghisownwill. Sadly,muchofthechurchhasfallenpreytothishumanisticphilosophyandisnow willing to recognize the ordination of homosexuals, women, and otherswhoseGodWordspecificallydisqualifies fromchurch leadership. It isusuallyargued that biblical teaching contrary to egalitarianismwas inserted by biasededitors,scribes,prophets,orapostles.Andthechurchisreapingthewhirlwindofconfusion, disorder, immorality, and apostasy that such qualification ofGod’sWord always spawns. Many Bible interpreters function on the basis of ahermeneutic that isguidedbycontemporaryhumanisticphilosophy rather thantheabsoluteauthorityofScriptureasGod’sinerrantWord. Peter taught exactly the same truth as Paul in regard to the relationship ofhusbandsandwives.“Youwives,besubmissive[alsofromhupotasso] toyourownhusbands”(1Pet.3:1a).Theideaisnotthatofsubservienceorservility,butofwillinglyfunctioningunder thehusband’s leadership.Peteralsoemphasizedthemutualpossessivenessofhusbandsandwives,usingthesamewordsasPaul—“your own husbands.”Wives are to submit even when their husbands “aredisobedienttotheword,[that]theymaybewonwithoutawordbythebehaviorof theirwives, as theyobserveyour chaste and respectfulbehavior” (w. lb-2).

Instead of nagging, criticizing, and preaching to her husband, a wife shouldsimplysetagodlyexamplebeforehim—showinghimthepowerandbeautyofthe gospel through its effect in her own life. Humility, love, moral purity,kindness,andrespectarethemostpowerfulmeansawomanhasforwinningherhusbandtotheLord. When thewife’sprimaryconcern is for those inwardvirtues, shewill notbepreoccupiedwith “adornment [that is]merely external—braiding the hair, andwearinggoldjewelry,orputtingondresses.”Ratherherconcentrationwillbeon“the hidden person of the heart,with the imperishable quality of a gentle andquietspirit,whichispreciousinthesightofGod”(1Pet.3:3-4;cf.1Tim.2:9-10). Modern societyhaselevated fashionalmost to thepointof idolatry.Clothingstores,newspaperandmagazineadvertising,andtelevisioncommercialsarelikegiantbillboardsthatcontinuallyproclaim,“Wecovetclothes.”Expensive,oftenostentatious, jewelry for both men and women is becoming more and moreprevalent as a means to flaunt material prosperity and glorify self. We arecontinuallygoadedtoputourbodiesandapparelonparade. Scripturedoesnot forbidcarefulgroomingandattractiveattire.Beingsloppyandunkempt is not a virtue.Proverbs31 commends the “excellentwife”whoworksdiligentlyandwhose“clothingisfinelinenandpurple”(vv.10,22).Butinordinateattirewornforthepurposeofflauntingwealthorattractingattentiontoourselvesisanexpressionofpride,therootofallothersins.Itiscontrarytoand destructive of the humble and self-giving submissiveness that shouldcharacterizeeveryChristian. Thepreoccupationof believers shouldbewith the spiritual adornment of theinside, “the hidden person of the heart,” not the physical adornment of theoutside.Thewife’s “gentle andquiet spirit” that comes fromobedience to theSpirit’s control is “imperishable”and is “precious in the sightofGod” (1Pet.3:4).TheGreekwordfor“precious”ispolutelosandpertainstothatwhichisofextraordinary value. It is the term used of “the alabaster vial of very costlyperfumeof pure nard”withwhich thewoman atBethany anointed Jesus’ feet(Mark14:3).Godisnotimpressedwithgold,expensivegems,andfashionableclothing,butwiththewomanwhoisgenuinelyhumble,submissive,gentle,andquiet. In the feministmovement, aswell as in less extremegroups,we seewomenloudlyandvociferouslyproclaimingtheirideas,opinions,andrightsinregardtovirtuallyeveryissue—manytimesinthenameofChristianity.Evenwhentheir

basic position is biblical, their manner of advocating it often is not. Godspecificallyexcludeswomenfromdominant leadershipovermeninthechurchandinthehome,andwhateverdirectinfluencetheyhave—whichcanbehighlysignificantandpowerful—shouldbebywayofencouragementandsupport. Holinesshasalwaysbeen the foremostconcernofgodlywomen.“For in thisway in former times,” Peter goes on the explain, “the holywomen also,whohoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their ownhusbands.ThusSarahobeyedAbraham,callinghimlord,andyouhavebecomeherchildrenifyoudowhatisrightwithoutbeingfrightenedbyanyfear”(1Pet.3:5-6).JustasAbrahamwasthesymbolicfatherofthefaithful(Rom.4:11,16),hiswife,Sarah,wasthesymbolicmotherofthesubmissive.BecauseSarahhadno fear of obeying God, she had no fear of what her husband, or any otherpersonorcircumstance,mightdotoher.GodwilltakecareoftheconsequenceswhenHischildrenareobedienttoHim. TheMishnah,anancientcodificationofJewish lawand tradition, reflects theprevailing Jewish beliefs and standards that were accepted in Jesus’ day. Itdescribes thewife’sdutiesas thoseofgrindingflour,baking,cooking,nursingher children, spinning wool, laundering, and other such typical householdchores.Thehusband’s responsibilitywas toprovide food, clothing, shoes, andsuchthings.Heoftengavehiswifeacertainamountofmoneyeachweekforherpersonalexpenses.Manywomenworkedwiththeirhusbandsinthefieldsorinatrade—asdidAquilaandPriscilla(Acts18:2-3).Awifewasallowedtoworkatcraftsorhorticultureathomeandtosellthefruitsofherlabor.Profitswereusedeither to supplement family income or to provide her with her own spendingmoney. But if sheworked apart from her husband in themarketplace or at atrade she was considered a disgrace. Apart from her household chores andpossibleworkwithherhusband,awifewasalsoresponsibleforgettinghersonsready for school (often taking them personally to prevent truancy), caring forguests,anddoingcharitablework.Atalltimesshewastoadornherselfproperly,for the sake of modesty as well as nice appearance. The wife who faithfullycarried her responsibilities was held in high regard in her family, in thesynagogue,andinthecommunity. WelearnfromPaulthatsomeofthewomenintheCorinthianchurchprobablyhadbecomemisledbythevocalandinfluentialfeministsofthecityandbegangoingout inpublicwithout aveil.TheNewTestamentdoesnotprescribe thewearing of veils for all women. Though it appears to have been the norm inCorinth(cf.1Cor.11:4-6),thereisnoreasontoassumethatChristianwomeninall the rest of the early churches wore veils. Apparently in Corinth the only

womenwhotraditionallydidnotwearveilswereprostitutesorfeminists,bothofwhichgroupshadnoregardforGodorforthehome.Inthatcultureveilswereasign of moral propriety and submission, and failure to wear them a sign ofimmoralityandrebelliousness.InthatculturalcircumstancePauladvisedwomentocover theirheads“whileprayingorprophesying”(1Cor.11:5), lest theybeconsidered tobe rebellingagainstGod’sordainedprincipleof submissiveness.PauldidnothereestablishapermanentoruniversalmodeofdressforChristianwomen,butreinforcedtheprinciplethattheyshouldnevergivetotheirsocietyeven the suggestion of rebelliousness or immorality. (For a more completediscussion of this vital passage, see the author’s commentary 1 Corinthians[Chicago:Moody,1984],pp.251-63). InhislettertoTitus,Paulteachesthat“olderwomenlikewisearetobereverentin their behavior, notmalicious gossips, nor enslaved tomuchwine, teachingwhatisgood,thattheymayencouragetheyoungwomentolovetheirhusbands,tolovetheirchildren,tobesensible,pure,workersathome,kind,beingsubject[hupotasso] to their own husbands, that the word of God may not bedishonored”(2:3-5).NotonlyareolderChristianwomen tobe reverentand toavoidgossipingandexcessivedrinking,but theyare tobeengagedin teachingyoungerwomen.Olderwomen are to teach youngerwomen the requirementsandpriorities ofChristianwomanhood—especially in regard to their husbandsandchildren.Husbandsandwivesalikearecommandedtoloveeachotherandto love theirchildren.Not toobey thoseclearcommands is todishonorGod’sWord. Foryoungerwives,tobe“workersathome”isanespeciallygreatneedinourday.One of the tragedies of themodern family is that often no one is home.Thereareinexcessoffiftymillionworkingmothers(andthenumberconstantlyrises)intheUnitedStates,ofwhomatleasttwo-thirdshaveschool-agechildren. The term“workers at home” inTitus 2:5 is from the compoundGreekwordoikourgos, which is derived from oikos (house) and a form of ergon (work).Ergon,however,doesnotsimplyrefertolaboringeneralbutoftenconnotestheideaofaparticularjoboremployment.ItisthewordJesususedwhenHesaid,“MyfoodistodothewillofHimwhosentMe,andtoaccomplishHiswork”(John4:34,emphasisadded)and,onanotheroccasion,“IglorifiedTheeontheearth, having accomplished theworkwhichThouhast givenMe to do” (17:4,emphasisadded).ItisthewordtheHolySpiritusedincommandingthechurchatAntiochto“setapartforMeBarnabasandSaulfortheworktowhichIhavecalled them” (Acts 13:2, emphasis added). Paul used the word in relation toEpaphroditus, who “came close to death for thework of Christ” (Phil. 2:30,

emphasis added) and in relation to the work of faithful Christian leaders inThessalonica(1Thess.5:13).Inotherwords,itisnotthatawomanissimplytokeepbusyinthehomebutthatthehomeisthebasicplaceofheremployment,herdivinelyassignedjob. InhisfirstlettertoTimothy,Paulcommands“youngerwidowstogetmarried,bearchildren,keephouse,andgivetheenemynooccasionforreproach”(5:14).Awomanistobethehomekeeper,theonewhosedivinelyassignedjobistotakecareofherhusbandandchildren.God’sstandardisforthewifeandmothertoworkinside,notoutside,thehome.Foramothertogetajoboutsidethehomeinorder to send the children to a Christian school is to misunderstand herhusband’s role as provider as well as her own duty to the family. The goodtrainingherchildrenreceiveintheChristianschoolmaybecounteractedbyherlackoffullcommitmenttothebiblicalstandardsformotherhood. Inadditiontohavingless timetoworkathomeandto teachandcareforherchildren, a wife working outside the home often has a boss to whom she isresponsibleforpleasingindressandothermatters,complicatingtheheadshipofherhusband.Sheisforcedtosubmittomenotherthanherownhusbandandalsois likely to become more independent in many ways, including financially,therebyfragmentingtheunityofthefamily.Sheisalsoindangerofbecomingenamoredof thebusinessworldandof finding lessand lesssatisfaction inherhomeresponsibilities. Oneofthegreatattractionsofmanycultsforyoungpeopleistheprospectofafamily-likegroupinwhichtheyfeeltheacceptanceandlovetheyneverreceivedathome—frequentlyduetothemother’sabsence.Manystudieshaveshownthatmost childrenwhogrowup in homeswhere themotherworks are less securethanthosewhosemothersarealwayshome.Herpresencethere,evenwhenthechild is in school, is an emotional anchor. Working mothers contribute todelinquencyandahostofotherproblemsthat leadtothedeclineof thefamilyand of the next generation. It is not that mothers who stay at home areautomatically or categorically more responsible or spiritual than those whowork.Manymotherswhohaveneverworkedoutsidethehomehavedonelittletostrengthenorblessthehome.Gossiping,watchingungodlyandimmoralsoapoperas,andahostofother thingscanbeasdestructiveasworkingaway fromhome.Butawoman’sonlyopportunitytofulfillGod’splanforherroleaswifeandmotherisinthehome. Evenwidows orwomenwhose husbands have left them are not expected toleave their domain and children to work outside the home. Paul declared, “Ifanyonedoesnotprovideforhisown,andespeciallyforthoseofhishousehold,

he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim. 5:8). ThereferenceistotheextendedaswellastheimmediatefamilyofaChristianman,andin thecontextpertainsparticularly towidows.Ifawomanhasnohusbandandnofinancialresourcesofherown,herchildrenorgrandchildrenaretotakecareofher(v.4).Ifshehasnochildrenoldenoughtosupporther,theothermeninherfamilyhavetheobligation(v.8).Ifshehasnomalerelativestosupporther,afemalerelativewhohasadequateresourcesis tocareforher(v.16a).Ifshehasnosuchmaleor female relatives,or if theyareunableorunwilling tosupporther,thechurchisobligatedtocareforher(v.16b).Thebasicprincipleisthat she should be cared for by other believers and not be forced to supportherself by an outside work. As He was hanging on the cross, during the lastmomentsofHislife,JesustooktimeinHisagonytoprovideforHiswidowedmotherbygivingherintothecareofJohn(John19:26-27). Widowswhowereover sixtyyearsold,whohadproven their faithfulnessaswivesandmothers,andwhowereknownfortheirgoodworksandtheirserviceto strangers and to fellowChristians,were put on the officialwidows’ list (1Tim. 5:9-10).We learn from extrabiblical sources that thewidows on this listwerefullysupportedbythelocalcongregationandservedthechurchinofficialministries,aswhatmightbecalledstaffwidows. Youngerwidows,however,werenottobeputonthelist.Theywerelikelytofall in love again andwant to getmarried, forsaking their commitment to theministry(vv.11-12).Theywouldalsobemoreinclinedtobelazy,1andbecome“gossipsandbusybodies”(v.13).Consequently,theyweretobeencouragedto“get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion forreproach,”as someof themhadalreadydone in turningaside to followSatan,perhapsinsexualsinormixedmarriage(vv.14-15). Fromthetimeofitsinception,theearlychurchrecognizedthehighpriorityofitsobligationstoprovideforwidows.Inorderforthemtobemorecarefullyandfairlycaredfor,theapostlesappointedthefirstdeaconstobe“inchargeofthistask”(Acts6:3).ThosechosenwereamongthemostgodlyandcapablemenintheJerusalemchurchandincludedStephenandPhilip. Ifawomanstillhaschildrenathome,herprimaryobligationistothem.Ifshehas no children or they are grown, she has a responsibility to help teach theyoungerwomenandsharetheinsightsandwisdomshehasgainedfromherownwalk with the Lord. She should invest her time in teaching younger womenmuchasshetaughtherownchildren.Asagodlyinfluenceworkinginandoutofher home, she bequeaths a spiritual legacy to succeeding generations even

beyondtheinfluenceonherownfamily. SomeChristianwomenmayhavenochoicebuttoworkbecausetheyhavenoproviderintheirfamilyandtheirchurchisunwillingtohelpthem.Butthegreatmajority of women who work outside the home do so for the sake of someimaginedneedforpersonalfulfillmentorextraincometoincreasetheirstandardof living, rather than to provide for family necessities. Many young mothersleavetheirthree-orfour-month-oldbabieswithbaby-sittersinordertoreturntowork so they can earn more money or sometimes just to get away from theresponsibilities of the home. Some Christian churches, schools, and otherinstitutions foster that practice by providing child care centers and nurseryschoolsformotherswhowork. Ifthestandardoflivingafamilyhascannotbemaintainedwithoutthewife’sworking outside the home, that family should consider carefullywhether theirstandard is God’s will for them, and surely should not confuse the economicbenefitsof theirpresumptionwithblessing fromGod.Notonlydoes the largenumber of working women damage the home but also the economy, bycontributingtoinflationandlossofjobsthatmenwouldotherwisefill. Justaswiththedrinkingofalcoholicbeverages,theBibledoesnotspecificallyforbidawife toworkoutside thehome.But thebiblicalpriorities are soclearthattheycanonlybeobeyedorrejectedopenly,andeachwomanmustchoosehowshewillhonorthosepriorities. WhenSamuelwasstillaninfant,hisfather,Elkanah,wantedhismothertotakethechildandgoupwiththerestofthehouseholdtosacrificeinJerusalem.Buthismother,Hannah,replied,“Iwillnotgoupuntil thechild isweaned; thenIwillbringhim”(1Sam.1:21-22).Despitetheimportanceoftheyearlysacrifice,sheknew thatherprimary responsibilityat that timewas tocare forherbaby.Realizingherprioritieswereright,Elkanahresponded,“Dowhatseemsbesttoyou.Remainuntilyouhaveweanedhim;onlymaytheLordconfirmHisword”(v.23). The industrious and giftedwomanwho has time and energy remaining aftertakingcareofherhouseholdresponsibilitiescanchannel themintomanyareasof service thatdonot takeheroutof thehomeonanall-daybasis.ThegodlywifeofProverbs31 tookcareofherhusbandandchildren, shoppedcarefully,supervised various business and financial dealings, helped the poor, gaveencouragingandwiseadvice,wasakind teacher,andwashighlyrespectedbyher husband, children, and the community (vv. 10-31).Yet she did all of thatwhile operating primarily out of her home. With modern means of

communicationand transportationaswell ascountlessother resources that thewoman of Proverbs did not have, Christian women today have immeasurablymore opportunities for productive, helpful, and rewarding service—withoutsacrificingthepriorityoftheirhomes.

THEMANNEROFSUBMISSION

astotheLord.(5:22b)ThemannerorattitudeofsubmissionistobeastotheLord.Everythingwedoin obedience to theLord should also be done first of all forHis glory and toplease Him. Those to whom we submit, whether in mutual submission or inresponsetotheirfunctionalauthority,willoftennotinspirerespect.Sometimestheywillbe thoughtless, inconsiderate,abusive,andungrateful.But theSpirit-filledbeliever—inthis instance, thewife—submitsanyway,becausethat is theLord’swillandhersubmissionis toHim.Awifewhoproperlysubmits toherhusband also submits to the Lord. And a wife who does not submit to herhusbandalsodoesnotsubmittotheLord.

THEMOTIVEOFSUBMISSION

For thehusband is theheadof thewife,asChristalso is theheadof thechurch,(5:23a)Thewife’ssuprememotiveforsubmittingtoherhusbandisthefactthatheisherfunctionalheadinthefamily,justasChristalsoistheheadofthechurch(cf.1Cor.11:3;Col.1:18;andseeEph.1:22-23).Theheadgivesdirectionandthebodyresponds.Aphysicalbodythatdoesnotrespondtothedirectionoftheheadiscrippled,paralyzed,orspastic.Likewise,awifewhodoesnotproperlyrespondtothedirectionofherhusbandmanifestsaseriousspiritualdysfunction.Ontheotherhand,awifewhowillinglyandlovinglyrespondstoherhusband’sleadershipas to theLordisanhonor toherLord,herhusband,herfamily,herchurch,andherself.SheisalsoabeautifultestimonytotheLordbeforeinviewoftheworldaroundher.

THEMODELOFSUBMISSION

HeHimself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject toChrist,soalsothewivesoughttobetotheirhusbandsineverything.(5:23b-24)The supremeandultimatemodelof submission is JesusChristHimself,whoperformedthesupremeactofsubmissionbygivingHisownsinlesslifetosaveasinfulworld.ChrististheSaviorofthebody,Hischurch,forwhomHediedonthecross.HeistheperfectProvider,Protector,andHeadofHischurch,whichisHisbody. Jesus Christ is the divine role model for husbands, who should provide for,protect,preserve,love,andleadtheirwivesandfamiliesasChristcaresforHischurch.Wivesarenomoretobeco-providers,co-protectors,orco-leaderswiththeirhusbandsthanthechurchishavesuchjointroleswithJesusChrist.Justasthe church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to theirhusbandsineverything. TofollowGod’splanforthefamilynotonlyispleasingtoHimbutistheonlyway to godlier, happier, and more secure homes. His plan is neither for theexaltationofmanandsuppressionofwomannor theexaltationofwomanandsuppression of man, but for the perfection and fulfillment of both man andwomanasHehasordainedthemtobe.Suchperfectionandfulfilment ismadepossiblebythefillingoftheHolySpirit.

TheRoleandPrioritiesoftheHusband

23

Husbands, love yourwives, just asChrist also loved the church and gaveHimselfupforher;thatHemightsanctifyher,havingcleansedherbythewashing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself thechurch in all her glory, havingno spot orwrinkle or any such thing;butthatsheshouldbeholyandblameless.Sohusbandsoughtalsotolovetheirownwivesastheirownbodies.Hewholoveshisownwifeloveshimself;forno one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just asChristalsodoesthechurch,becausewearemembersofHisbody.Forthiscauseamanshallleavehisfatherandmother,andshallcleavetohiswife;andthetwoshallbecomeoneflesh.Thismysteryisgreat;butIamspeakingwith reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each individualamongyoualsolovehisownwifeevenashimself;andletthewifeseetoitthatsherespectherhusband.(5:25-33)Lifeismademeaningfulbyrelationships,themostmeaningfulofwhichisthatbetweenamanandwomaninmarriage.Petercalledit“thegraceoflife”(1Pet.3:7). Yet the fulfillment of that relationship is elusive. A marriage thatcontinuallygetsbetter,richer,andmoresatisfyingisraretoday. Frommanyvoicestodaycomestheclaimthattheveryinstitutionofmarriagehas failed to meet people’s needs. But the fact is that it is not a matter ofmarriagehavingfailed,sincemarriagehasbeenincreasinglyavoided.Today,inplaceofexertingconsistenteffortanddeterminationtofulfillthecommitmentittakestomakeone’smarriagework,thesolutionistobailout. InhisbookBecomingPartners:MarriageandItsAlternatives,Dr.CarlRogerswritesfromtheviewofahumanisticunbeliever,

Tome it seems thatwe are living in an important and uncertainage,and the institutionofmarriage ismostassuredly inanuncertainstate.If50-75percentofFordorGeneralMotorscarscompletelyfellapart within the early part of their lifetimes as automobiles, drasticstepswouldbetaken.Wehavenosuchwellorganizedwayofdealingwithoursocialinstitutions,sopeoplearegroping,moreorlessblindly,tofindalternativestomarriage(whichiscertainlylessthan50percent

successful). Living together without marriage, living in communes,extensivechildcare centers, serialmonogamy (withonedivorce afteranother),thewomen’sliberationmovementtoestablishthewomanasperson in her own right, new divorce lawswhich do awaywith theconcept of guilt—these are all gropings toward some new form ofman-woman relationship for the future. It would take a bolder manthanItopredictwhatwillemerge.(NewYork:Dell,1973,p.11)

Itdoesnottakeboldnesstopredictwhatwillhappen,butonlyalookatGod’sWord. “Realize this,”Paul tellsus; “in the lastdaysdifficult timeswill come.For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers,disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, maliciousgossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless,conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding to a form ofgodliness,althoughtheyhavedenieditspower….Evilmenandimpostorswillproceedfrombadtoworse,deceivingandbeingdeceived”(2Tim.3:1-5,13). Inthatawesomelistofsinsthereareseveral—suchasdisobediencetoparents,lack of love (the Greek term, astorgos, refers to lack of natural affection forone’sfamily),andbrutality—thataredirectlyunderminingthehometoday.Butevery sin that weakens the individual alsoweakens the home to some extent;every aspect of ungodliness weakens the relationships between husband andwife,parentsandchildren,andbrothersandsisters.Thehomehasbecomefairgameforeverydeceiver,everysexualpervert,everyexploiter,asSatanmountshisgreatattackonthatfoundationstoneofsociety. BecauseofthecurseonmarriageattheFallandtheinclinationsofman’sfallennature and of the world to oppose God’s way, the family has always haddifficulty. In thewesterncultureofourday,however, it isunderanonslaughtseemingly unlike any other in this society’s history.There is less chance thanbeforeofafamily’s livingtogether inharmony, love,andmutualrespectapartfrom God’s provision in Christ. As every new corruption appears, a newphilosophyarisestojustifyit.AndthosewhopersistinfloutingGod’swayaredestined, as Paul prophesied, to go from bad to worse. Marriage, along withevery other institution and design ofGod,will bemore andmore debased, asmengodeeperintosexualperversionandselfishness. BeforetheFall,AdamandEvelivedinthebeautifulharmonyandsatisfactionofaperfectmarriage.WhenAdamfirstsawEve,heimmediatelyrecognizedheras his perfect companion. “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my

flesh,”hesaid(Gen.2:23).Hesawnoblemishesorshortcomingsinher,becausebothhercharacterandhisattitudewerepure.Therewasnothing tocriticize inEveandtherewasnocriticalspiritinAdam.Thoughtheywerebothnaked,theywerenotashamed(v.25),becausetherewasnosuchthingasanevil,impure,orperversethought. Man was created first and was given headship over the woman and overcreation.Buttheiroriginalrelationshipwassopureandperfectthathisheadshipoverherwasamanifestationofhisconsumingloveforher,andhersubmissionto himwas amanifestation of her consuming love for him.No selfishness orself-willmarredtheirrelationship.EachlivedfortheotherinperfectfulfillmentoftheircreatedpurposeandunderGod’sperfectprovisionandcare. The man and woman were so closely identified with each other that God’scommandwasfor“them[to]ruleoverthefishoftheseaandoverthebirdsoftheskyandoverthecattleandoveralltheearth….Godblessedthem;andGodsaidtothem,‘Befruitfulandmultiply,andfilltheearth,andsubdueit;andruleoverthefishoftheseaandoverthebirdsofthesky,andovereverylivingthingthatmovesontheearth’”(Gen.1:26-28,emphasisadded). Marriagewas instituted to procreatemankind, to raise up children to fill theearth(Gen.1:28).Itisalsoforthepurposeofcompanionship,sothatmanwouldnot be alone (2:18), and for the purpose of sexual fulfillment and pleasure (1Cor.7:4-5;cf.Heb.13:4). InthelastchapterwediscussedwhytheperfectmarriagerelationshipofAdamandEvewas interrupted.TheFall itself involvedaperversionofmarital roles,andGod’scursebecauseoftheFallalsoaffectedmarriage.Evesinnednotonlyin disobeying God’s specific command but in acting independently of herhusband and failing to consult Adam about the serpent’s temptation. Adamsinned not only by disobeying God’s command but by succumbing to Eve’sleadership, thus failing to exercise his God-given authority. Because of herdisobedience, God cursed the woman to pain in childbirth and to a perverteddesire to rule over the man. The man was cursed to toil, to difficulty, tofrustration inwresting sustenance from the land, and to conflictwith hiswifeover her submission.Bothwere cursedwith death as the penalty for their sin(Gen.3:16-19;cf.Rom.5:15-19). Marriagewas corruptedbecauseboth theman and thewoman twistedGod’splan for their relationship. They reversed their roles, andmarriage has been astruggleeversince.Women’s liberation reflects thewoman’sdistorteddesires,and male chauvinism the man’s. The unredeemed nature of both men and

womenistobeself-preoccupiedandself-serving—andthosecharacteristicsarenobasisforharmoniousrelationships.God’swaytosuccessfulmarriagefocusesonwhathusbandsandwivesputintoit,notonwhattheycangetoutofit. Throughouthistory themostdominantdistortionof relationshipshasbeenonman’sside.Inmostculturesof theancientworld,womenwere treatedas littlemore than servants, and the practice is reflected in many parts of the worldtoday.MarciusCato, the famousRoman statesman of the second centuryB.C,wrote,“Ifyoucatchyourwifeinanactofinfidelity,youcankillherwithoutatrial.Butifsheweretocatchyou,shewouldnotventuretotouchyouwithherfinger. She has no rights.” That reflects the extreme ofmale chauvinism thatcomes out of the curse of the Fall and reflects the perversion of roles andresponsibilitiesthatGodintendsforhusbandsandwives. Even in supposedly liberated societies, women are frequently looked onprimarily as sex objects who exist for the sensual pleasures of men. Becausemodernman is inclined to view himself asmerely a higher formof animal—withnodivineorigin,purpose,oraccountability—he isevenmoredisposed toseeotherpeoplesimplyasthings,tobeusedforhisownpleasureandadvantage. As already pointed out, Satan’s initial attack on God’s supreme creationinvolvedcorruptionof the family.Sinbroughtanalien,divisive influence intomarriageandthefamily.Thefirstmurderwasbrotherslayingbrother(Gen.4:8).Afewgenerations laterweseeLamechasapolygamist(Gen.4:23),departingfromGod’s design for one-man, one-womanmarriage (2:24).We are not toldexactlywhathappenedwhenHamsawhisfather,Noah,drunkandnakedinhistent, but it apparently involved perverted sexual suggestions or attempts onHam’spart,becauseNoahcursedhim for it (Gen.9:25).WhenSarahwasnotable to have children, she persuaded Abraham to have a child by Hagar, hermaid, and thereby caused her husband to commit adultery (16:4). Because oftheirunbridledwickedness,especiallyinsexualperversions,GoddestroyedthecitiesofSodomandGomorrah (19:24-25).Since thatday,Sodomhashad thedistinctionofgivingitsnametoacommontermforhomosexuality(sodomy).InGenesis 34 we read of Shechem’s fornication with Dinah, one of Jacob’sdaughters (v. 3); and because the act was forceful, it was also rape. A fewchapters later we read of another double sexual sin involving Judah and hisdaughter-in-law,Tamar,after shewaswidowed.Becauseshehadnosons, shedressed up as a temple prostitute (which includedwearing a veil) and enticedJudahashepasseddowntheroad—whogaveherthedesiredson,butatthecostof both prostitution and incest (38:13-18). In the next chapter we see theattemptedseductionofJosephbyPotiphar’swife(39:7-12).

InthisfirstbookoftheBibleweseethereversalofrolesofhusbandandwife,fratricide, polygamy, perverted sexual suggestions, adultery, homosexuality,fornication, rape, prostitution, incest, and seduction—each of which directlyattacksthesanctityandharmonyofmarriageandthefamily. Yetinmuchofmodernsocietythoseverysinsarelauded.Youngwomenwhoarevirginsandhusbandswhoare faithful to theirwivesare lookedataskanceandlaughedat.Sexualpurityandmaritalfidelityarestandardfareforjestingincomedyandtalkshows.Itisdifficultenoughtomakemarriageworkunderthecurse when most people recognize and seek to follow God’s standards formorality and marriage. It is immeasurably more difficult when most peoplemock those standards. The only ones who can survive such a wicked andperverse generation are Christians who are filled with the Holy Spirit. Apartfrom His divine resources, a couple has no more chance of making theirmarriage what God intends it to be than Ponce de Leon did of finding thefountainofyouth. Satanknowsbyexperience thatwhenthehomeisweakened,allofsociety isweakened,becausetheheartofallhumanrelationshipsisthefamily.Thecursehitsmankindatthebaseofitsmostneededhumanrelationship,theneedformenand women to have each other as helpers suitable for living productive,meaningful, and happy lives on earth. The world, inspired and led by Satanhimself,tellsusthatmeaningandhappinessarefoundinservingandindulgingself, in being free to express sexual desire however one wants—thoughpromiscuity, unfaithfulness in marriage, partner swapping, homosexuality,bestiality,oranyotherway.Andwhenmenandwomentakethatdeceptivebait,they join Satan in undermining and destroying every meaningful and trulysatisfyingrelationshipintheirlives—sexualaswellasallothers.Andtheybringon themselves the destruction and disease that God has ordained as theconsequenceofsuchsins. Popular entertainment goes beyond reflecting the normal, realistic innerlongingsthateverypersonhasforrelationshipsthataregenuineandpermanent.The fantasy of the perfect woman, the perfect man, the perfect romanticrelationship become more and more elusive as the fantasy satisfactions ofimmorality are chosen over the real satisfactions that come only from God’sstandardsofpurityandunselfishness.Thebeautiful face, theathleticbody, thewinsome personality, and other such superficial attractions cannot hold twopeopletogetherwhentheirfirstpriorityinlifeistoserveandpleasethemselves.Thelie thatnoface iseverbeautifulenough,nobodyeversensualenough,nowardrobe ever glamorous enough, no physical pleasure ever fulfilling enough

sendspeopleonapathofself-destructionandemptiness. Evenwhenrelationshipafterrelationshipprovesdisappointing,peoplecontinueto expect to find their fantasized satisfaction in the next person, the nextexperience, the next excitement. Because selfishness wants what it does nothave,itthereforealwayswantsmore.Yetthemoreitpossesses,themoreitstillwantsandthelessitissatisfied.Asselfiselevatedabovelove,andimmoralityabove purity, fantasy is inevitably elevated above reality—because realitybecomestoodisappointingtoface.Goddestinestheungodlyandimmorallifetoillusionanddisappointment. InEphesians5:25-33Paulcontinuestodescribethegodlyandmorallifeofthebelieverwhois filledwith theHolySpiritandwhoismutuallysubmissive“inthe fearofChrist” (v.21).Ashehasalreadymadeclear (vv.22-24),Godhasordainedthehusbandtobeheadoverthewife.But theemphasisof therestofthe chapter in not on the husband’s authority but on his duty to submit to hiswifethroughhisloveforher.Verses25-31explainthemannerofthatloveandverses32-33revealitsmotive.

THEMANNEROFLOVE

Husbands, love yourwives, just asChrist also loved the church and gaveHimselfupforher;thatHemightsanctifyher,havingcleansedherbythewashing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself thechurch in all her glory, havingno spot orwrinkle or any such thing;butthatsheshouldbeholyandblameless.Sohusbandsoughtalsotolovetheirownwivesastheirownbodies.Hewholoveshisownwifeloveshimself;forno one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just asChristalsodoesthechurch,becausewearemembersofHisbody.Forthiscauseamanshallleavehisfatherandmother,andshallcleavetohiswife;andthetwoshallbecomeoneflesh.(5:25-31)As just noted, the command, husbands, love your wives, continues Paul’sexplanation of the mutual submission mentioned in verse 21. The husband’sprimarysubmissiontohiswifeisthroughhisloveforher,andtheapostlemakesclearthatthisisaboundlesskindoflove.Husbandsaretolovetheirwivesjustas Christ also loved the church. Jesus Christ loved the church before Hebroughtthechurchintoexistence.HechoseandlovedHisowneven“beforethefoundationof theworld”(1:4),becauseGod’s love iseternallypresent,havingnopastandnofuture. Obviously no sinful human being has the capacity to love with the divinefullnessandperfectionwithwhichChrist…loved,andwill forever love, thechurch.However,becauseaChristianhasChrist’sownnatureandHolySpiritwithin him, God thereby provides for husbands to love their wives with ameasureofChrist’sownkindoflove.ThehusbandwhosubmitstotheLordbybeingfilledwithHisSpirit(v.18)isabletolovehiswifewiththesamekindofloveJesushasforHisownbride,thechurch.TheLord’spatternofloveforHischurchisthehusband’spatternofloveforhiswife. In thispassagePaulmentions fourqualitiesof thatdivine love thathusbandsaretoexemplifytowardtheirwives.LiketheLord’s,thehusband’sloveistobesacrificial,purifying,caring,andunbreakable.SACRIFICIALLOVE

andgaveHimselfupforher.(5:25b)

When Christ came to earth in human form, He knew that He came to bemocked, ridiculed, maligned, rejected, beaten, and crucified. He knew frometernity past what would be demanded of His eternal love ifmenwere to beprovided a way of salvation. He gave up His prerogatives as God’s Son, notregarding“equalitywithGodathingtobegrasped,butemptiedHimself,takingtheformofabond-servant,…HehumbledHimselfbybecomingobedienttothepointofdeath,evendeathonacross”(Phil.2:6-8). Because His sacrifice was determined in heaven before a single soul wascreated,andbecauseeverycreatedsoulbecamesinful inAdam’sfallandonlyworthyofdeath (Rom.1:32;3:10-11,23;6:21), Jesus’ sacrificewaspurelyofgrace.JesuslovesandsavesbecauseitisHischaractertobegracious.“Foronewillhardlydieforarighteousman;thoughperhapsforthegoodmansomeonewoulddareeventodie.ButGoddemonstratesHisownlovetowardus,inthatwhilewewereyetsinners,Christdiedforus”(5:7-8).Jesus’loveforHischurchnot only was sacrificial but graciously sacrificial. No person deserves to besaved, tobe forgiven, cleansed, andplacedwithinGod’skingdomasHisownchild. He sacrificed not for the lovely or worthy but for the unlovely andunworthy. The world’s love is always object-oriented. A person is loved because ofphysical attractiveness, personality, wit, prestige, or some other such positivecharacteristic. Inotherwords, theworld loves thosewhomitdeemsworthyoflove. Such love is necessarily fickle. As soon as a person loses a positivecharacteristic—or thatcharacteristic isno longerappealing—the lovebasedonthe characteristic also disappears. It is because so many husbands and wiveshaveonlythatkindoffickleloveforeachthattheirmarriagesfallapart.Assoonasapartnerloseshisorherappeal,loveisgone,becausethebasisfortheloveisgone. God’s love is not of that sort.He loves because it isHis nature to love thatwhichHehascreatedandbecausetheobjectsofHisloveneedtobeloved—notbecausetheyareattractiveordeserveHislove.IfGodlovedastheworldloves,Hecouldnotloveasinglehumanbeing.ButinHismarvelousgraciousness,HelovesbecauseHecannotdootherwise. God can command His own kind of love from those who belong to HimbecauseHe has given them the capacity to love asHe loves (cf.Rom. 5:5; 1Thess. 4:9) and becauseHis commanded lovemust, therefore, be amatter ofchoice(cf.James2:8;lJohn3:7,16-18,23;4:7,11).It isanactofthewillaswellasoftheheart.Anditseemstobeaprinciplethatwhateverwechoosetoloveandpracticelovingsoonbecomesattractivetous.ButaChristian’sloving

withChrist’skindofloveisnotbasedontheattractivenessoftheonelovedbutonGod’scommandtolove.LovingasChristlovesdoesnotdependintheleastonwhatothersareinthemselves,butentirelyonwhatweareinChrist. Ahusbandisnotcommandedtolovehiswifebecauseofwhatsheisorisnot.HeiscommandedtoloveherbecauseitisGod’swillforhimtoloveher.Itiscertainlyintendedforahusbandtoadmireandbeattractedbyhiswife’sbeauty,winsomeness,kindness,gentleness,oranyotherpositivequalityorvirtue.Butthoughsuchthingsbringgreatblessingandenjoyment,theyarenotthebondofmarriage. If every appealing characteristic and every virtue of his wifedisappears, a husband is still under just as great an obligation to love her. Ifanything, he is under greater obligation, because her need for the healing andrestorativepowerofhisselfless love isgreater.That is thekindof loveChristhasforHischurchandisthereforethekindofloveeveryChristianhusbandistohaveforhiswife. The Good Samaritan’s expression of love to the man who was beaten androbbedwasbasedonhisowngenerouscharacterandonthatman’ssevereneed.Whetherthemandeservedhiscaredidnotenterintothepicture.JesuswashedHisdisciples’feetbecauseHelovedthemandsoughttoservethem,notbecausethey deserved even thatmostmenial of services. He loved them despite theirselfishness,pride,ambition,self-indulgence,jealousy,andfickleness.NodoubtHefeltgreatsorrowandpainbecauseof theircontinuedselfishnessafter threeyearsofbeingwithHimin intimatefellowship.ButHedidnot loveandservethemonthebasisofthosefeelingsbutonthebasisofHisownlovingnature.HealsowashedtheirfeetasanexampleofwhateverydiscipleofHisiscommandedtodo.“IfIthen,theLordandtheTeacher,washedyourfeet,youalsooughttowash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). A short while later He said, “A newcommandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have lovedyou,thatyoualsoloveoneanother”(v.34). Wherethereisneed,loveacts,withnoconsiderationofdeservingorworth(cf.1John3:16).God’sloveisitsownjustification;andwhenweloveasHeloves,ourloveisalsoitsownjustification,becauseitislikeHislove.GoddidnotlovetheworldandsendHisownSontoredeemitbecauseitwasworthyofthatlove.ItwastotallyunworthyofHislove;andwhenHislovecameinhumanflesh,theworlddespisedit,rejectedit,andthrewitbackinGod’sface.YetJesusChrist,as God’s incarnate love, did not flinch or turn away or become resentful. Hepreached and taught and bled and died, because that is what divine lovedemanded. Love does whatever needs to be done and does not count cost or merit. It

reachesoutandhelps,leads,teaches,warns,orencourages.Whateverisneededit gives.Whether its help is receivedor rejected, appreciatedor resented, lovecontinuesaslongastheneedcontinues. Therefore theChristianwho loves because ofwhat other peoplemay do forhimorbecausetheyareattractivedoesnotloveasGodloves.Thehusbandwholoves his wife only because of her physical attractiveness or pleasingtemperamentdoesnotloveherasChrist…lovedthechurch.Thehusbandwholoveshiswifeforwhatshecangivehimlovesastheworldloves,notasChristloves. The husband who loves his wife as Christ loves His church giveseverythinghehasforhiswife,includinghislifeifnecessary. Ifa lovinghusband iswilling to sacrificehis life forhiswife,he iscertainlywillingtomakelessersacrificesforher.Heputshisownlikes,desires,opinions,preferences, and welfare aside if that is required to please her and meet herneeds.Hediestoselfinordertoliveforhiswife,becausethatiswhatChrist’skindoflovedemands.Thatishissubmission. The true spirituality of a church leader is notmeasured best by howwell heleadsadeacons’orelders’meeting,bythewayheparticipatesinSundayschool,orbythewayhespeaksfromthepulpit—butbythewayhetreatshiswifeandchildrenathomewhennooneelseisaround.NowhereisourrelationshiptoGodbettertestedthaninourrelationshiptoourfamily.Themanwhoplaysthepartof a spiritual shepherd in church but who lacks love and care in his home isguiltyofspiritualfraud. The world continually tells the man to be macho, to defend himself, asserthimself,bringattentiontohimself,andlivetotallyforhimself.ButGodtellstheChristianmantogivehimselfupforothers,especiallyforhiswife,justasChristgaveHimselfupforthechurch. Toregularlyremindmyselfof theessenceof thisself-sacrificing love, Ihaveonmydeskthefollowingwordsfromanunknownsource:

When you are forgotten or neglected or purposely set at naught,andyoustingandhurtwiththeinsultortheoversight,butyourheartishappy,beingcountedworthytosufferforChrist—thatisdyingtoself.Whenyourgoodisevilspokenof,whenyourwishesarecrossed,youradvicedisregarded,youropinionsridiculedandyourefusetoletangerrise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all in patientlovingsilence—thatisdyingtoself.Whenyoulovinglyandpatientlybear anydisorder, any irregularity, or any annoyance,whenyou canstand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual

insensibility, andendure it as Jesusendured it—that isdying to self.Whenyouare contentwith any food, anyoffering, any raiment, anyclimate,anysociety,anyattitude,anyinterruptionbythewillofGod—that is dying to self.When you never care to refer to yourself inconversation, or to record your own good works, or itch aftercommendation,whenyoucantrulylovetobeunknown—thatisdyingtoself.Whenyouseeyourbrotherprosperandhavehisneedsmetandcanhonestly rejoicewithhim inspiritandfeelnoenvynorquestionGod, while your own needs are far greater and in desperatecircumstances—thatisdyingtoself.Whenyoucanreceivecorrectionandreprooffromoneoflessstaturethanyourself,canhumblysubmitinwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentmentrisingupwithinyourheart—thatisdyingtoself.

PURIFYINGLOVE

thatHemight sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of waterwiththeword,thatHemightpresenttoHimselfthechurchinallherglory,havingno spot orwrinkle or any such thing;but that she shouldbeholyandblameless.(5:26-27)ForhusbandstolovetheirwivesasChristlovesHischurchistolovethemwithapurifyinglove.Divinelovedoesnotsimplycondemnwronginthoselovedbutseekstocleansethemfromit.Christ’sgreatloveforHischurchdoesnotallowHimtobecontentwithanysin,anymoralorspiritual impurity in it.GodtellsHis people, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow;thoughtheyareredlikecrimson,theywillbelikewool”(Isa.1:18).Hecaststhesins ofHis forgiven children “into the depths of the sea” (Mic. 7:19), andHeforgivestheiriniquityandrememberstheirsinnomore(Jer.31:34). Abeliever is forgiveneverysin themomenthe trusts inJesusChristasLordandSavior.Afterthatinitialandfullpurificationfromsin,asJesusexplainedtoPeter ashewashedhis feet,periodiccleansing is stillnecessary. “Hewhohasbathedneedsonlytowashhisfeet,but iscompletelyclean;andyouareclean,butnotallofyou”(John13:10).Aswecontinuetoconfessoursins,Christ“isfaithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from allunrighteousness”(1John1:9).Theword is theagentof thissanctification(cf.Titus3:5),theobjectiveofwhichisablamelessnessandholinessthatmakesus

fittobepresentedtoChristasHisownbelovedandeternalbride,todwellinHisgloriouspresenceforever(cf.Rev.21:lff.). Lovewantsonlythebestfortheoneitloves,anditcannotbearforalovedonetobecorruptedormisledbyanythingevilorharmful.Whenahusband’s loveforhiswifeislikeChrist’sloveforHischurch,hewillcontinuallyseektohelppurify her from any sort of defilement. He will seek to protect her from theworld’scontaminationandprotectherholiness,virtue,andpurityineveryway.Hewillneverinducehertodothatwhichiswrongorunwiseorexposehertothatwhichislessthangood. On a popular talk show some years ago the host interviewed twoministers.When askedwhat they thought ofPlayboymagazine, one of them replied, “Ithinkitisdespicable.Iwouldn’treaditorhaveitinmyhome.ItdishonorsGod,it dishonors men and women, and it dishonors almost everything else that isgood.”Theotherministersaid,“IamanevangelicalChristian,andIwantyoutoknowthatmywifeandIbothreadPlayboy.Infactshegavemeasubscriptiontoit. After 18 years of marriage we thought we needed a little something tostimulate our relationship.” That man not only was defiling himself butencouragedhiswife in thedefilement.Whatever sensual desiremotivated thatcoupletoreadsuchamagazine,itwasnotgodlyloveforeachother. When a young man says he loves a young woman, but wants her tocompromise her sexual purity before they aremarried, his love is theworld’slust,notGod’slove;anditisselfish,notserving.Thatsortoflovedefilesratherthanpurifies.Ahusbandwhoflirtswithhissecretaryoraneighborwomangiveshiswifecausetofeelrejectedandlonely—andperhapstobeginflirtingherself.Henotonlyjeopardizeshisownmoralpurity,buthiswife’saswell,andsharesresponsibilityforanyindiscretionorimmoralityinwhichshemightbetemptedtobecomeinvolved. InancientGreece,abride-to-bewouldbe takendown toa river tobebathedandceremoniallycleansedfromeverydefilementofherpastlife.Whateverherlifehadbeenbefore, itwasnowsymbolicallypurifiedandshewouldenterthemarriagewithoutanymoralorsocialblemish—thepastwaswashedaway. InanimmeasurablygreaterwayChristgaveHimselfupforthechurch,thatHemight sanctify her, having cleansedher by thewashing ofwaterwith theword,thatHemightpresenttoHimselfthechurchinallherglory,havingno spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy andblameless.His cleansingofbelievers isnot ceremonial and symbolic,but realandcomplete.

The soteriological truth in this analogy is that saving grace makes believersholy through the cleansing agency of theWord of God, so that theymay bepresentedtoChristasHispureBride,forevertodwellinHislove.Itiswiththatsame purpose and in that same love that husbands are to cultivate the purity,righteousness,andsanctityoftheirwives.CARINGLOVE

Sohusbandsoughtalsotolovetheirownwivesastheirownbodies.Hewholoveshis ownwife loveshimself; forno one everhatedhis own flesh, butnourishesandcherishes it, justasChristalsodoesthechurch,becausewearemembersofHisbody.(5:28-30)For a husband’s love for hiswife to be likeChrist’s love forHis Body, thechurch,itmustalsobeaffectionatelycaring—totheextentthathecaresasmuchforherwelfareashedoesforthewelfareofhisownbody. Menandwomenhavealwaysbeenconcernedabouttheirbodies.Butatnotimein modern history have people more sinfully pampered, protected, nourished,and indulged thebodyas inourownday.Theamountofmoney spent just todecorate,protect,enhance,comfort,anddisplaythebodyisincalculable. Because,asChristians,ourbodiesaretemplesoftheHolySpirit,weshouldbetake proper care of them—giving them the right food,maintaining reasonablestrength, getting enough rest, and soon.Whenourbody is healthywehave asenseofwell-being;andwhenahusbandmeetstheneedsofhiswife—withthesamecareandconcernwithwhichhemeetstheneedsofhisownbody—hewillalsohaveasenseofwell-beingandpleasureasaby-productofhislove. The husbandwho loves hiswife asChrist loves the churchwill nomore doanything to harm her than he would to harm his own flesh. His desire is tonourish and cherish her just as he nourishes and cherishes his own body—becausethatishowChristalsodoesthechurch. When she needs strength, he gives her strength. When she needsencouragement,hegivesherthat.Andsowitheveryotherthingsheneeds.JustasGodsupplies“all[our]needsaccordingtoHisrichesingloryinChristJesus”(Phil. 4:19), the lovinghusband seeks to supplyall theneedsofhiswife.Theblessed marriage is the marriage in which the husband loves his wife withunlimitedcaring.Somethingisbasicallywrongifsheislookedatonlyasacook,housekeeper, occasional companion, and sex partner. She is a God-giventreasuretobeloved,caredfor,nourished,andcherished.

Tonourishawifeistoprovideforherneeds,togivethatwhichhelpshergrowandmatureinfavorwithGodandman.Tocherishheristousetenderloveandphysicalaffection togiveherwarmth,comfort,protection,andsecurity.Thoseresponsibilities are primarily thehusband’s, not thewife’s.AsChrist providesforHischurch,sothehusbandprovidesforhiswifeandfamily. Christprovides forusasHischurchbecausewearemembersofHisbody.Not toprovide forHischurchwouldbenot toprovide forHimself.HesharescommonlifewithHischurch,andwearemembersofHisbody,Hisfleshandbones,Hispresentincarnationonearth.Paulsaid,“TheonewhojoinshimselftotheLordisonespiritwithHim”(1Cor.6:17),andagain,“IhavebeencrucifiedwithChrist; and it isno longer Iwho live,butChrist lives inme;and the lifewhichInowliveinthefleshI livebyfaithin theSonofGod,wholovedme,anddeliveredHimselfupforme”(Gal.2:20).UNBREAKABLELOVE

Forthiscauseamanshallleavehisfatherandmother,andshallcleavetohiswife;andthetwoshallbecomeoneflesh.(5:31)ForahusbandtolovehiswifeasChristlovesHischurchhemustloveherwithanunbreakablelove.InthisdirectquotationfromGenesis2:24Paulemphasizedthepermanenceaswellastheunityofmarriage.God’sstandardformarriagedidnotchangefromthetimeofAdamuntilthetimeofPaul,andithasnotchangedtothisday. Oneofthegreatestbarrierstosuccessfulmarriageisthefailureofoneorbothpartnerstoleave…fatherandmother.Inmarriage,anewfamilyisbegunandtherelationshipsoftheformerfamiliesaretobeseveredasfarasauthorityandresponsibilitiesareconcerned.Parentsarealwaystobelovedandcaredfor,buttheyarenolongertocontrolthelivesoftheirchildrenoncetheyaremarried. Proskollaō(cleave)literallymeanstobegluedorcementedtogether.Husbandsandwivesaretoleavetheirparentsandtocleaveto,becementedto,eachother.They break one set of ties as they establish the other, and the second ismorebindingandpermanentthanthefirst. “‘Ihatedivorce,’saystheLord,theGodofIsrael”(Mai.2:16).GodhasalwayshateddivorceandHewillcontinuetohateit,becauseitdestroysthatwhichHehas ordained to be unbreakable. He hates divorce on any terms and for anyreason. Hewill tolerate it in certain instances, andwill forgive it, as Hewillforgiveanyothersin;butHewillneverchangeHishatredforit,justasHewill

neverchangeHishatredforanyothersin. Husbands and wives are not to be quick to divorce each other because ofwrongstheirspouseshavedone,notevenforunfaithfulness.JustasChristdoesnot separateHimself frombelieverswhosinagainstHim,husbandsandwivesare not to separate themselves from their partners who sin against them. AsChrist is always forgiving of believers, husbands andwives should always beforgivingofeachother. Israelwas repeatedly unfaithful toGod, and that unfaithfulness is frequentlyreferredtointheOldTestamentasspiritualadultery.WhenGodchoseIsraeltobeHispeople,Hedeterminedtolovethem“withaneverlastinglove”(Jer.31:3).It was only after unrelenting spiritual adultery and rejection ofHim that Godfinallygave Israeladivorce (Jer.3:8).But thatwasnot tosayHerejected thetruebelieverswithinthenation,whoweresecureinHissavinggrace(seeMai.3:16-18). ThatisthesortofbondGodordainedformarriage.Itisnoteverlastingasfaraseternity isconcerned,but it is lastingasfaras theearthly livesof thehusbandandwifeareconcerned.ThoughHehasmadeprovisionfordivorceinthecasesofunrepentantandcontinuedadultery(Matt.5:31-32;19:4-10)andthedepartureofanunbelievingspouse(1Cor.7:15),deathisGod’sonlydesireddissolutionformarriage. JustasthebodyofChristisindivisible,God’sidealdesignformarriageisthatitbeindivisible.AsChrist isonewithHischurch,husbandsareonewiththeirwives.Thereforewhenahusbandharmshiswifeheharmshimself.Ahusbandwhoviolateshismarriageviolateshimself.Ahusbandwhodestroyshismarriagedestroysapartofhimself. Whenamanandwomanarejoinedinmarriage,Jesussaid,“Theyarenolongertwo,butoneflesh.WhatthereforeGodhasjoinedtogether,letnomanseparate”(Matt.19:6).WhenthePhariseesasked,“WhythendidMosescommandtogiveheracertificateanddivorceher?”Jesus replied,“Becauseofyourhardnessofheart,Mosespermittedyoutodivorceyourwives;butfromthebeginningithasnot been this way. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except forimmorality,andmarriesanotherwomancommitsadultery”(vv.7-9). JesusmadeclearthatGod,throughMoses,only“permitted”divorce;Henever“commanded”it,asJewishleadershadclaimedforhundredsofyears.Thebillofdivorcementwastoprotecttheoffendedwife,whowouldthenbeallowedtomarryagainwithoutbecomingguiltyofadultery.ThatistheonlyprovisionthateitherMosesorJesusgivesfordivorce.

ButitisnotGod’swillthatevenadulterybreakthemarriagerelationship,andthatisthemessageofthebookofHosea.Hosea’swife,Gomer,wasunfaithfulintheextreme,notonlycommittingadulterybutbecomingaprostitute.YetGod’swordtoHoseawastokeeplovingherandforgivingher.Themoreshesinned,the more he was to forgive—reflecting God’s gracious forgiveness of Hissinningpeople.FinallyGodrestoredthemarriageofHoseaandGomer,andHegavethepromisetoIsrael,“Iwillhealtheirapostasy,Iwilllovethemfreely,forMyangerhas turnedaway from them. Iwillbe like thedew to Israel;hewillblossomlikethelily”(Hos.14:4-5).ThatisthewayGodhasalwayslovedHispeople,thewayJesusChristhasalwayslovedHischurch,andthewayChristianhusbandsarealways to love theirwives.TheLordneverputsusaway.“Ifweconfessoursins,Heisfaithfulandrighteoustoforgiveusoursinsandtocleanseusfromallunrighteousness”(1John1:9). Whenahusbandseesfaultsandfailuresinhiswife—evenifsheisasunfaithfuland wanton as Gomer—he should realize that she has not offended him to afraction of the degree to which he has offendedGod. God has immeasurablymore for which to forgive us than we could ever have for which to forgiveothers. (Foramoredetailed treatmentofdivorce, see thepertinentpassages inthe author’s commentariesMatthew 1-7 [Moody, 1985] andFirst Corinthians[Moody,1984]aswellashisbookTheFamily[Moody,1982].) TheearlychurchFatherJohnChrysostomwrote,

Hastthouseenthemeasureofobedience?Herealsoisthemeasureof love.Wouldst thou that thywifeshouldstobey theeas thechurchdothloveChrist?ThenhavecarethyselfforherasChristdoesforthechurch,andifitbeneedfulthatthoushouldstgivethylifeforher,orbe cut to pieces a thousand times, or endure anything whatsoever,refuseitnot.ChristbroughtHischurchtoHisfeetbyHisgreatlove,notbythreatsoranysuchthing,andsodothouconductthyselftowardthywife.

Amanwhowasafraidthathelovedhiswifetoomuchwasaskedifhelovedher as much as Christ loved the church.When he answered no, he was told,“Thenyoumustlovehermore.” Peter admonished, “You husbands likewise, live with your wives in anunderstandingway,aswithaweakervessel,sincesheisawoman;andgrantherhonor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be

hindered”(1Pet.3:7).Hereweseeatleastthreecommands.First,ahusbandistobeconsiderateofhiswife.To treatyourwife inanunderstandingwayis totreatherwithsensitivityandconsideration.Overandoverwehearwivessaying—usuallywithjustification—thattheirhusbandsdonotunderstandthem,arenotsensitive to their feelingsand theirneeds,anddonotcommunicatewith them.Thefactthatahusbandmayhavemanypressuresandworriesofhisownisnoexcuseforhisbeinginsensitivetohiswife,whomGodcommandshimtoloveandcareforasChristlovesandcaresforthechurch. Second, Peter teaches that a husband is to be chivalrous to his wife as “aweaker vessel.” True chivalry is not simply a formality of polite society; itreflects theattitudemenshouldhave towardallwomen,particularly theirownwives.Ahusband’scourtesytowardhiswifenotonlypleasesherbutalsoGod. Third,Petertellshusbandstohonortheirwives“asafellowheirofthegraceoflife.” Husbands and wives should be the best of friends, not only in familymattersanddailyactivities,butinspiritualthingsaswell.Ahusbandwhoisnotconsiderateofhiswifeandwhodoesnothonorandrespecther isdefective inhisspirituallife,andhisprayerswill“behindered.” Thehusbandwhogiveshiswifeconsideration,courtesy,andhonorcontributestothebeautyandstrengthofhismarriageandgivesaninvaluableexampleandlegacytohischildren.

THEMOTIVEFORLOVINGYOURWIFE

Thismystery isgreat;butIamspeakingwithreference toChristandthechurch.Nevertheless leteach individualamongyoualso lovehisownwifeevenashimself;andletthewifeseetoitthatsherespectherhusband.(5:32-33)AsPaulhaspointedoutinw.23-29,marriageisapictureofthechurchanditsrelationship toChrist.Thismystery—thismagnificent picture thatmen couldneverdiscoverand thatwasunknown to the saintsof theOldCovenantbut isnow revealed—is great. God’s new people, the church, are brought intoHiskingdomandHisfamilythroughfaithinChrist.HeistheBridegroomandtheyare His bride (Rev. 21:9). A husband’s greatest motive for loving, purifying,protecting, and caring for his wife is Christ’s love, purifying, protecting, andcaring forHisownbride, the church.Christianmarriage is tobe loving,holy,pure, self-sacrificing, and mutually submissive because those virtuescharacterizetherelationshipofChristandthechurch. Thesacred relationshipbetweenChristianhusbandsandwives is inextricablyrelatedtothesacredrelationshipbetweenChristandHischurch.Becauseofthisgreatsacredness,Paulsaid,Nevertheless leteach individualamongyoualsolovehisownwifeevenashimself;andletthewifeseetoitthatsherespectherhusband.Theuseofnevertheless (plon)is intendedtoendthediscussionandemphasizewhatinitismostessentialtoremember. WhenChristianhusbandsandwiveswalk in thepowerof theSpirit,yield toHisWordandHiscontrol,andaremutuallysubmissive,theyarebroughtmuchhappiness, theirchildrenarebroughtmuchblessing,andGod isbroughtmuchhonor.

TheResponsibilitiesofChildrenandParents

24

Children,obeyyourparentsintheLord,forthisisright.Honoryourfatherandmother(whichis thefirstcommandmentwithapromise), that itmaybewellwithyou,andthatyoumaylivelongontheearth.And,fathers,donotprovokeyourchildrentoanger;butbringthemupinthedisciplineandinstructionoftheLord.(6:1-4)Theexperimentisoftenrecountedofplacingafroginapanofcoolwateronastove and of slowly increasing the heat. Because the rise in temperature is sogradual,itisimperceptibletothefrog,andheremainsinthepanevenwhenthewater begins to boil.He adjusts to the heat as it rises and eventually boils todeath. That process illustrates what has happened to the American family,includingmanyChristianfamilies.Thechangedvaluesinsocietyhavebeensogradual that most people have hardly noticed them. Each small change instandardsandvaluesseemsinsignificant initself.Andbecauseadjustmentsaregraduallymadetothoseloweredstandards,thedangerisnotnoticedevenwhenthe family and society start to disintegrate and crumble. Moral and spiritualstandards have gradually eroded until countless families have been literallydestroyed. WhenthedivorcerateamongChristiansisalmostashighasthatintherestofsociety, it isclear thatmanybelieversshouldhavejumpedoutof thepanlongago.Itishightimeweleavetheevilsystemthatisengulfinganddestroyingusand reestablish ourselves in God’s revealed standards of fidelity and moralpurity. We have long lost the luxury of living in a society that gives somenominalsupporttothechurchandtoChristianvalues. Christianseminars,books,andarticlesonmarriageandthefamilycontinuetoproliferate, and volumes of schemes and principles are proposed forstrengtheningthem.Childpsychologybooksarewrittenalmostadinfinitum.YetGod’s Word gives the basis for right parent-child relationships in just fourverses. When the other teachings of Scripture supportive of those verses arestudied and applied, every parent and every child has all the foundationalinformationnecessaryforgodlyandharmoniousfamilyliving. WhenGodcalledtheHebrewstobeHischosenpeople,Hedestinedthemtobe

thepeople throughwhom“all the familiesof theearthshallbeblessed” (Gen.12:3).AtSinaiHecommissioned themtobe“akingdomofpriestsandaholynation”(Ex.19:6).Israelwastobeawitnessingnation,awitnessingpeople,forGod.TheywerenotcalledtobesimplyarepositoryofGod’struthandblessingbuttobeachannelforHistruthandblessingtobesharedwiththewholeworld. The heart of God’s truth is about God Himself. The central truth of OldTestament revelation is: “TheLord is ourGod, theLord is one!” (Deut. 6:4).The corollary truth is aboutman’s response to God: “And you shall love theLordyourGodwithallyourheartandwithallyoursoulandwithallyourmight.And thesewords,which I amcommandingyou today, shallbeonyourheart”(vv. 5-6). Thatmessage Israelwas to take for herself and then pass on to theworld. The first step inpromulgatingGod’s truthwas topass iton to theirchildren.“Andyoushall teachthemdiligently toyoursonsandshall talkof themwhenyousitinyourhouseandwhenyouwalkbythewayandwhenyouliedownandwhenyouriseup”(v.7).ParentsweretocontinuallyspeakaboutthethingsofGod, so that knowledge and love of Himwould become amatter of life andbreathforthefamily.Whentheparentswerenotspeakingthetestimonywouldcontinue.“Andyoushallbind themas signonyourhandand theyshallbeasfrontals on your forehead” (v. 8). Even when the parents were gone, thetestimony remained, because it was to be written “on the doorposts of yourhouse and on your gates” (v. 9). In otherwords, therewas always to be bothverbalandvisiblecommitmenttotheWordofGodinthehome.ItisGod’splanforHisWordtobepassedonfromonegenerationtothenext.AndHisprimaryagentisthefamily. But from the time of the Fall the family has been plaguedwith problems ofeverysortthatweaken,undermine,andthreatentodestroyit.Thefirstcauseofthose problems—as of every human problem—is the sinful naturewithwhicheverypersonisborn.ThecurseoftheFallisbuiltintothefamily.Itisthecursethatcausesmentobechauvinistic,womentousurptheplaceofmen,childrentobedisobedienttotheirparents,andparentstobeabusivetotheirchildren.Onlywhere Christ is in control as Savior and Lord can a family live up to thestandardsandfulfilltheministrythatGodcommands. The Minnesota Crime Commission, demonstrating the truthfulness of thebiblicalview,issuedareportwhichsaid,inpart:

Every baby starts life as a little savage.He is completely selfishand self-centered. He wants what he wants when he wants it: his

bottle,hismother’sattention,hisplaymate’stoys,hisuncle’swatch,orwhatever.Denyhimtheseandheseetheswithrageandaggressivenesswhichwouldbemurderouswerehenotsohelpless.He’sdirty,hehasno morals, no knowledge, no developed skills. This means that allchildren,notjustcertainchildrenbutallchildren,areborndelinquent.Ifpermittedtocontinueintheirself-centeredworldofinfancy,givenfree reign to their impulsiveactions tosatisfyeachwant,everychildwouldgrowupacriminal,athief,akiller,arapist.

Thesecondcauseoffamilyproblemsisthesatanicworldsysteminwhichwelive.BecauseGod’splanistobuild,strengthen,andprotectthefamily,Satan’splan is to undermine, weaken, and destroy it. By every means possible hedesignstopushthefamilyintothemoldofhisworldsystemofvalues,sothatitcannotfunctionasGodintends. Theworld’smoldshouldnotbeaperfectfitfortheChristian.Itshouldnotfitatall.GodcommandedMosesto tell Israel,“Youshallnotdowhat isdoneinthelandofEgyptwhereyoulived,norareyoutodowhatisdoneisthelandofCanaanwhereIambringingyou;youshallnotwalkintheirstatutes.YouaretoperformMyjudgmentsandkeepMystatutes,toliveinaccordwiththem;Iamthe Lord yourGod” (Lev. 18:3-4). “Do not defile yourselves by any of thesethings,” he says later, referring specifically to various immoral sex practices.“For by all these the nationswhich I am casting out before you have becomedefiled”(v.24).FromthebeginningitwasGod’sintentionforHispeopletobedifferentanddistinct,tobeseparatedfromthewaysoftheworld. Athirdmajorfactorinthedestructionofthehomeistheperverseinfluenceofhumanistic philosophy. At almost any secular college today one can hear so-calledfuturisticideasbeingpromotedbyfacultymembers,visitingspeakers,andcampusorganizations.Onepopularspeakersaysthathelooksforaworldwheretherewillbenoschools,nofamilies,andnoparent-childrelationships.Hesays,“To free the child,wemust do awaywith parenthood andmarriage,wemustsettlefornothinglessthanthetotaleliminationofthefamily.” AtthefirstinternationalseminarinpreparationfortheInternationalYearoftheChild(IYC)in1977,thechairwomanoftheCzechoslovakWomen’sUnionsaid,“Longbefore the representativesofall thepeoplesof theworldand theU.N.decidedtoadoptthedeclarationoftherightsofthechildanditstenprinciples,thesocialistcountrieshadgainedvastexperienceinapplyingtheideascontainedinthedeclarationineverydaylife.”OneofthemajorgoalsofMarxistsocialism

istoliberatechildrenfromthehomeandmakethemwardsofthestate.Achildout of the home will not be taught any moral, religious, social, patriotic, orpoliticalstandardsorattitudesthatarecontrarytowhatthestatewants. AletterIreceivedfromamaninmychurchwhohademigratedwithhisfamilyfromCzechoslovakiaincludesthesewords:

InCzechoslovakiathegreatmajorityofwomenwork,andchildrenare at kindergarten since several months of age. The impact on thefamily ties is horrible. My wife and I know it from our ownexperience. The godless doctrine pumped into little children’s soulsbroughtupthemostcynicalgenerationyoucanimagine.Mostyoungpeople do not believe in anything, not even God.My wife recentlyvisitedournativecountryandreturnedwithsadnessinherheart.Thegodlesssystemdestroyedingreatpartthewillofpeople,andproducedanobeyingarrayofcynical,indifferent,disposablerobots.WhatscaresmemostisthatthesameprocessofliberationmovementandjargonIheard twenty-fiveand thirtyyearsago ishappeningrightnowin thiscountry,andwehavetogothroughitasecondtime.Wemusttellyouthatthiscollapsingmoralityandgrowingindifferencearesomeofthereasons we received Jesus Christ several months ago as our Savior,eventhoughourbackgroundofdialecticalmaterialism(thatisanothernameforCommunism)isenormousandunimaginable to theaverageAmerican.

Among the things from which humanistic groups believe children must beliberated are: traditional morals and values, parental authority, physicalpunishment,religion,nationalism,patriotism,andcapitalism.Amongthethingsthey believe children should be allowed to do and have are complete sexualfreedom, including the right to homosexual “marriage,” abortions, and freeinformationanddevicesforcontraception.Seriousproposalshavebeenmadeforchildren’srightstodosuchthingsassuetheirparentsforbeingforcedtoattendchurch,bepaidminimumwagefordoinghouseholdchores,andbeallowedtochoosetheirownfamily. From the beginning of Scripture it is plain that children are a blessing fromGod.WhenCainwasbornEveexulted,“IhavegottenamanchildwiththehelpoftheLord”(Gen.4:1),andwhenSethwasbornshesaid,“Godhasappointedme another offspring in place ofAbel” (v. 25).WhenGod blessedLeahwithsonsbecauseshewasunlovedbyJacob,sherecognizedHisgracioushandinthe

births and said of Reuben, “Because the Lord has seenmy affliction” and ofSimeon,“BecausetheLordhasheardthatIamunloved,Hehasthereforegivenme this son also” (Gen. 29:32-33). Throughout both Testaments children areshown to be the Lord’s gifts—blessings to be cherished, loved, and cared forwithgratitudeandfaithfulness.“Behold,childrenareagiftoftheLord;thefruitof the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are thechildrenofone’syouth.Howblessedis themanwhosequiver isfullof them”(Ps.127:3-5).ThequalificationfortrueblessinginparenthoodisthatofraisingchildrentolovetheLordandtofollowHisways.Itistherighteous,godlychildwhobringsblessingandhappiness tohisparents. “The fatherof the righteouswillgreatly rejoice,andhewhobegetsawise sonwillbeglad inhim” (Prov.23:24).Womenmake theirmost unique contribution to the church, aswell asfind theirownhighest fulfillment, inchildrearingand in their involvementandactivity in thehome,whichprecludestheirseekingthemalerole in thechurch(see1Tim.2:15). Parents who do not fully and tirelessly commit themselves to the godlyteachingandtrainingoftheirchildrenarelikelytowakeuponedaytofindtheirsons and daughters inextricably enmeshed in the ungodly and immoralphilosophies and practices of the world. Despite what the world may say,childrenare toobeyandhonor theirparents.Theyarenot tobe liberatedfromtheirparentsandenabledtochoosewhatevertheywanttodoandthewaytheywanttodoit. In God’s Word, parents have every truth and every guideline necessary forraisingtheirchildreninrighteousnessandgodliness.Andwhatachildneedstoknowabouthowheshould relateand respond tohisparents is therealso.TheBiblewascompleted twothousandyearsago,butmenhavenotchangedsincethenandneitherhasGod.WhatScripturehastosayistimelessandup-to-date.No human discovery, philosophy, or attitude is new or surprising to God oroutsidethescopeandjudgmentofHisrevealedWord. Ephesians 6:1-4 continues Paul’s teaching on the mutual submission ofbelievers(5:21)bymovingtothefamily.Verses1-3focusonthesubmissionofchildrenandverse4focusesonthesubmissionofparents.

THESUBMISSIONOFCHILDREN

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor yourfatherandmother(whichisthefirstcommandmentwithapromise),thatitmaybewellwithyou,andthatyoumaylivelongontheearth.(6:1-3)Tekna (children) does not refer particularly to young children but to alloffspring. Sons and daughters still under their parents’ roof are to obey andhonor them.Obey has to dowith action, andhonor has to dowith attitude.Although,asPaulhasjustmentioned,menandwomenarenolongerundertheauthorityoftheirparentsoncetheythemselvesmarry(5:31),specialrespectandconcernfortheirparentsshouldcontinueaslongastheylive.Thechildwhoisbrought up to obey and honor his parents will always be sensitive to theirwisdom,counsel,andwelfare. Hupakouo (obey) literally means “to hear under,” that is, to listen withattentiveness and to respond positively to what is heard.Children are to putthemselvesunderthewordsandauthorityoftheirparents. IntheLordreferstothesphereofpleasingtheLord,toobeyingparentsfortheLord’ssake.Childrenobey theirparentsas reflectiveof theirobedience totheLord.ThecontextmakesitclearthatintheLordappliestohonoraswellastoobey.ParentsaretobeobeyedandhonoredbecausetodosoistoobeyandhonortheLord. Parents stand in the gap, so to speak, between children and God while thechildren are too young to have a full and mature relationship with Himthemselves.ParentsareGod’sstewards,Hisproxyauthority,fortheirchildren,who are simply loaned to them in trust by their own heavenlyFather. That iswhychildrenarecommanded,“Beobedienttoyourparentsinallthings,forthisiswell-pleasingtotheLord”(Col.3:20).Theonlyexceptiontothatobedienceisin the matter of doing what is wrong. Every believer should refuse to doanythingthatisclearlyagainstGod’swillastaughtinScripture.HeshouldsaywithPeterandJohn,“WhetheritisrightinthesightofGodtogiveheedtoyouratherthantoGod,youbethejudge;forwecannotstopspeakingwhatwehaveseenandheard”(Acts4:19-20).Otherwise,however,achildistoobeyhisorherparents“inallthings.” Thebasicreasonforchildrentoobeyandhonortheirparentsissimplythatitisright.TheTightnessisnotbasedonpsychologicalcasestudiesorotherhuman

evidenceor theory,butonGod’sstandardof right.God’sdeclarationmakes itright. Dikaios(right)referstothatwhichiscorrect,just,righteous—tothatwhichisexactlyasitshouldbe.Forchildrentoobeyandhonortheirparentsisdikaios,exactly as it should be, because everything God commands is dikaios. EzradeclaredofGod,“ThenThoudidstcomedownonMountSinai,anddidstspeakwith themfromheaven;Thoudidstgive to themjust [or right]ordinancesandtruelaws,goodstatutesandcommandments”(Neh.9:13).“ThepreceptsoftheLordareright,rejoicingtheheart,”Davidsaid;“thecommandmentoftheLordispure, enlightening theeyes” (Ps.19:8).Anotherpsalmistwrote, “Iknow,OLord, thatThyjudgmentsarerighteous,”and“IesteemrightallThyprecepts”(119:75,128).Hoseaclosedhismessagewiththesebeautifulwords:“Whoeveriswise, let him understand these things;whoever is discerning, let him knowthem.ForthewaysoftheLordareright,andtherighteouswillwalkinthem,buttransgressorswillstumbleinthem”(Hos.14:9). Therightattitude behind the rightact of obedience ishonor (timao),whichmeanstovaluehighly,toholdinthehighestregardandrespect.Inbothitsverbandnounformsthewordisoftenusedasatermofreverence,preciousness,andhonorregardingGodtheFatherandChrist(1Tim.1:17;1Pet.2:17;Rev.4:9,11;5:12-13;etc.).ItisalsousedbytheFatherinreferencetotheSon(Heb.2:9;2Pet.1:17). Children are to honor both their father and mother, to hold them in thehighestpossiblerespect.WhenGodfirstintroducedHiswrittenlawintheformof the TenCommandments, the first law relating to human relationshipswas,“Honor your father and yourmother, that your daysmay be prolonged in thelandwhichtheLordyourGodgivesyou”(Ex.20:12)—andthatisthelawPaulreiterates in this text. It is theonlycommandmentof the ten that relates to thefamily,becausethatoneprinciplealone,whenobeyed, isenoughtosecure theright relationship of children to their parents. Not only that, but it is the keyprinciplebehindallrighthumanrelationshipsinsociety.Apersonwhogrowsupwithasenseofrespectforandobediencetohisparentswillhavethefoundationfor respecting the authority of other leaders and the rights of other people ingeneral. Respect for parents is of such grave importance to God that Mosescommanded, “He who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put todeath,”and“Hewhocurseshisfatherorhismothershallsurelybeputtodeath”(Ex.21:15,17;cf.Lev.20:9).EithertophysicallyorverballyabuseaparentwasacapitaloffenseinancientIsrael.

IntheUnitedStatesatleasteightmillionseriousassaultsaremadeeachyearbychildren on their parents. In recent years, a number of children have beenconvicted of murdering or hiring the killing of their parents—usually for nogreater reason than resentment of parental control or discipline.Childrenwhoareincessantlytoldtheycandowhatevertheywishandcanhavetheirownwayare children whowill soonmock their parents, teachers, moral standards, thelaw,andsocietyingeneral.Allhumanrelationshipsobviouslygrowoutofthoseofchildrenwithparents.Childrenwhorespectandobeytheirparentswillbuildasociety that is ordered, harmonious, and productive. A generation ofundisciplined, disobedient children will produce a society that is chaotic anddestructive. Honor of parents encompasses providing for themwhen they can no longerprovidefor themselves.Justasparentsspendtwentyorsoyears takingcareofandproviding for theirchildren, their childrenare to spendwhatever timeandmoneyisnecessarytocareandprovidefortheirparentsshouldtheparentsbenolongerabletodosoforthemselves. WhensomePhariseesandscribesreprimandedJesusforallowingHisdisciplestoeatwithoutfirstceremoniallywashingtheirhands,Hecountered:“Andwhydo you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of yourtradition?ForGod said, ‘Honoryour father andmother,’ and ‘Hewho speaksevilof fatherormother, lethimbeput todeath.’Butyousay, ‘Whoevershallsaytohisfatherormother,“Anythingofmineyoumighthavebeenhelpedbyhasbeengiven toGod,”he isnot tohonorhis fatherorhismother.’And thusyouinvalidatedthewordofGodfor thesakeofyourtradition”(Matt.15:3-6).Jesus made it clear that honor of parents includes financial support of themwhenneeded. Obviouslysimplyprovidingfinancialsupportforone’sparentsintheiroldagefalls far short of honor if it is not done with loving personal involvement.Moneycanbeanexpressionoflovebutneverasubstituteforlove.Achildcannomore honor his parents by simply paying their bills than his parents couldhaveresponsiblyraisedhimbyonlypayingforhisfood,clothes,education,andotherneedsapartfromlovingcareandpersonalinvolvement. Childrenhave tobe trained toobeyandhonor theirparentsby theirparents.ThebookofProverbs is full of truths toguideparents in this trainingof theirchildren and to guide children in obeying their parents. The proverbs areessentiallyaseriesoflessonsforparentstoteachtheirchildren,anditsthemeis:“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s

teaching”(1:8).Parentsarenotinfallible,buttheyarethechild’sprimaryGod-givenauthorityandsourceoftraining.“Myson,donotforgetmyteaching,butlet your heart keep my commandments” (3:1), the writer of Proverbs says.“Hear,Osons,theinstructionofafather,andgiveattentionthatyoumaygainunderstanding, for I give you sound teaching; do not abandonmy instruction.When I was a son to my father, tender and the only son in the sight of mymother,thenhetaughtmeandsaidtome,‘Letyourheartholdfastmywords;keepmycommandmentsand live’” (4:1-4).Thefather taughthissonwhathisfatherhad taughthim.Godplans forbelievers topassonHis instruction fromonegenerationtothenext. AnoldChineseproverbsays,“Onegenerationplantsthetreesandthenextgetsthe shade.” The opportunities and freedoms we have to live and practice ourfaithwerewonbyourforefatherscenturiesagoandpassedontousbythoseinbetween. Children raised in Christian families are blessed with the fruit fromspiritual trees planted many years earlier by parents and grandparents.Conversely,ittakesthreeorfourgenerationstoreversetheeffectsofonewickedgroupof fathers (cf.Ex.20:5;34:7;Num.14:18;Deut.5:9).Theblessingswehavefromthepreaching,teaching,andfellowshipofourlocalchurcharefruitofthededicationandsacrificeofbelieverswhohavegonebeforeus. Achildcanhavenogreaterinheritancethanthegodlyteachingandexampleofhis parents. “My son, keepmywords, and treasuremycommandmentswithinyou.Keepmycommandments and live, andmy teaching as the appleof youreye.Bind themonyour fingers;write themon the tabletofyourheart” (Prov.7:1-3). The “apple of the eye” refers to the very front of the eye, the pupil.Becauseitisextremelysensitive,exposedtoirritation,andiscriticaltovision,itisinstinctivelyprotected.Anobedientchildshouldcherishandprotectthegodlyteachingofhisparentsmorecarefullythanheprotectshiseyes. Just as an obedient child brings happiness and tranquility to a family, adisobedient child brings the opposite. He brings “grief to his mother” (Prov.10:1),unhappinessanddestructiontohisfather(17:21;19:13),anddisgracetothemboth(19:26).Heusesthemshamelesslytohisownselfishends(28:24). The world today has much to say about children’s so-called rights. But theemphasis should be on their responsibilities. Emphasis on rights—whether bychildrenoradults—weakensanddestroysrelationshipsoneverylevel. It is thesenseofresponsibilitythatbuildsrightrelationshipsaswellasrightcharacter. AlthoughHewasperfectlydivineandfreefromsin,asachildevenJesushadtogrowinthewayseverychildgrows.LuketellsusthatasachildJesuswasin

perfect subjection to His parents. And as He grew to manhood, He “keptincreasinginwisdomandstature,andinfavorwithGodandmen”(Luke2:51-52).Hegrewintellectually,physically,spiritually,andsocially. Those are the ways in which every child must grow. He must growintellectually.Whenababycomesintotheworld,hismindisablank.Childhoodisatimeoflearning.Whateverchildrenknowtheymustbetaught.Theycomeintotheworldwithnointellectualknowledgeorjudgment.Theyareinclinedtochoose junkfoodoverwhat isnourishing, toplaywhere it isdangerous ratherthansafe.Theydonotknowthenamesofthingsorwhattheyareusedfor.Theydonotknowhowtospeak.Parentsare therefore responsible for teaching theirchildrenwhattheyneedtoknow. Everychildmustgrowphysically.Whenheisbornheisextremelyweakandphysically undeveloped. He can do nothing for himself. He must be fed,changed,covered,protectedfromtoomuchcoldorheat,andsoon.Graduallyheis taught todo those things forhimself,but in themeanwhilehisparentsmustprovideforhim. LikeJesus,everychildmustgrowsocially, in“favorwith…men.”Achild’smostdominantattitudeisselfishness.Hisinterestsaretotallyself-centered.Hisownwantsandneedsareallheknowsandallhecaresabout.That,ofcourse,doesnotalwaysremainachildhoodtrait.Hemustbetaughttoshare,taughttobe considerate of others, taught not to put his own interests above those ofeveryoneelse,andtaughtnottobecomedisappointedorangrywhenhecannothavehisownway. Andevery childmust grow spiritually, “in favorwithGod.”ChildrendonotknowGodnaturally,much less loveandobeyHimnaturally.AchildmustbetaughtaboutGod,Hisnature,Hiscare,Hislove,andHiswill.Andwhenheisold enough, he must be taught His need to trust in Jesus Christ as His ownSaviorandLord. Paul said, “When Iwas a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child,reason as a child” (1Cor. 13:11).Children have deficiencies in every area oftheirlives,anditistheparents’responsibilitytomeetthoseneedsforgrowth—includingtheneedtodevelopinthetruthsoftheLord. The commandhonor your father andmother is two-fold.That itmay bewellwithyourelatestothequalityoflife,andthatyoumaylivelongontheearthrelatestothequantityoflifepromised.TheoriginalpromisewastoIsraelandinvolvedmanytangible,physical,earthlyblessings.ButPaul’sreferencetoithere shows that it alsoextends tobelievers today.Though itsblessingsmay

notalwaysbetangible,afamilywherechildrenandparentsliveinmutualloveand submissionwill have rich,God-given harmony and satisfaction that otherfamilies can never know.As for the promise of living long on the earth, thebeliever who honors his parents can know that his lifetime will be the fullmeasureGod intends, rather thancut short like thoseofAnaniasandSapphira(Acts5:5-10)andcertainmembersofthechurchatCorinth(1Cor.11:30). If parents, who are much older and more experienced, cannot fulfill theirresponsibilitieswithoutbeingsavedandbeing filledwith theHolySpirit,howmuchlesscanchildrenbeexpectedtofulfilltheirresponsibilitieswithoutthosespiritualrequirements?ThechildrenPauladdressesinEphesians6:1arejustasmuchcommandedto“befilledwiththeSpirit”(5:18)andto“besubjecttooneanother in the fearofChrist” (5:21)asare thehusbandsandwivesof5:22-33andtheparentsof6:4. Samuel’sclose relationship to theLordstartedwhenhewasveryyoung,andKing Josiah instigated spiritual revival in Judahwhen hewas still a teenager.DavidwasaboywhentheLordfirststartedusinghim,andQueenEstherwasayoungwomanwhentheLordusedhertosaveherpeoplefromannihilation.JohntheBaptistwasfilledwiththeSpiritfromhismother’swomb(Luke1:15).

THESUBMISSIONOFPARENTS

And,fathers,donotprovokeyourchildrentoanger;butbringthemupinthedisciplineandinstructionoftheLord.(6:4)THENEGATIVECOMMAND

Paul’s first command to parents is negative: fathers, do not provoke yourchildrentoanger.ThatwasatotallynewconceptforPaul’sday,especiallyinsuchpaganstrongholdsasEphesus.Mostfamilieswereinshambles,andmutuallove among family members was almost unheard of. A father’s love for hischildrenwould have been hard even to imagine.By theRoman law ofpatriapotestas a father hadvirtual life anddeathpowernot onlyover his slaves butoverhisentirehousehold.Hecouldcastanyofthemoutofthehouse,sellthemasslaves,orevenkillthem—andbeaccountabletonoone.Anewbornchildwasplacedatitsfather’sfeettodetermineitsfate.Ifthefatherpickeditup,thechildwas allowed to stay in the home; if the father walked away, it was simplydisposedof—muchasabortedbabiesareinourownday.Discardedinfantswhowere healthy and vigorous were collected and taken each night to the townforum,wheretheywouldbepickedupandraisedtobeslavesorprostitutes. A letter written in 1 B.C. by a man named Hilarion to his wife, Alis, reads,“Heartiest greetings. Note that we are still even now in Alexandria. Do notworryifwhenallothersreturnIremaininAlexandria.Ibegandbeseechyoutotakecareofthelittlechild,andassoonaswereceivewagesIwillsendthemtoyou.If—goodlucktoyou—youhaveanotherchild,ifitisaboy,letitlive;ifitisagirl,exposeit”(PapyriOxyrhynchus4.744).Seneca,arenownedstatesmaninRomeatthetimePaulwrotetheEphesianletter,said,“Weslaughterafierceox;we strangle amad dog;we plunge a knife into a sick cow.Children bornweakordeformedwedrown.” Such callousness is chilling. Yet, according to a recent report, the primarycause for children being in foster homes today is not the divorce, financialdestitution,ordeathof theirparents,butsimplythedisinterestof theirparents.Andperhapsthemostdevastatingabuseachildcanexperienceisthatofbeingneglected,treatedalmostasifhedidnotexist. Though patēres (fathers) usually referred to male parents, it was sometimesused of parents in general. Paul has been speaking about both parents in the

precedingthreeverses,anditseemslikelythathestillhasbothinmindinthisterm in verse 4. The sameword is used inHebrews 11:23 to refer toMoses’parents. Becauseafatherwasbyfarthedominantfigureinthehouseholdsofthatday,hewas theparentwhowouldmost oftenprovokehis children to anger.But amotherisobviouslycapableofdoingthesamething,andsheisnomorejustifiedindoingitthanisafather. HarvardUniversitysociologistsSheldonandEleanorGlueckdevelopeda test(thatprovedtobe90percentaccurate)todeterminewhetherornotfive-andsix-year-olds would become delinquent. They discovered that the four primaryfactors necessary to prevent delinquency are: the father’s firm, fair, andconsistent discipline; the mother’s supervision and companionship during theday;theparent’sdemonstratedaffectionforeachotherandforthechildren;andthe family’s spending time together in activities where all participated(Unraveling Juvenile Delinquency [Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard Univ. Press,1950],pp.257-71). The Christian psychiatrist Dr. PaulMeier gives a similar list of factors thatproduce rightparent-child relations:genuine loveof theparents foreachotherand for the children; firm, consistent discipline; consistency of standards forparentsandchildren;therightexamplebyparents;andthefatherastrueheadofthehome. Healsocommentsthatthevastmajorityofneuroticshavegrownupinhomeswheretherewasnofatherorwherehewasdominatedbythemother(ChristianChild-RearingandPersonalityDevelopment [GrandRapids:Baker, 1980], pp.81-82). Toprovoke…toangersuggestsarepeated,ongoingpatternoftreatmentthatgradually builds up a deep-seated anger and resentment that boils over inoutwardhostility. Suchtreatmentisusuallynotintendedtoprovoke…anger.Oftenitisthoughttobe for thechild’sgood.Well-meaningoverprotection isacommoncauseofresentmentinchildren.Parentswhosmothertheirchildren,overlyrestrictwheretheycangoandwhat theycando,never trust themtodo thingson theirown,andcontinuallyquestiontheirjudgmentbuildabarrierbetweenthemselvesandtheir children—usually under the delusion that they are building a closerrelationship.Childrenneedcarefulguidanceandcertainrestrictions,buttheyareindividualhumanbeingsintheirownrightandmustlearntomakedecisionsontheirown,commensuratewiththeirageandmaturity.Theirwillscanbeguided

buttheycannotbecontrolled. Another common cause of provoking children to anger is favoritism. IsaacfavoredEsauoverJacobandRebekahpreferredJacoboverEsau.ThatdualandconflictingfavoritismnotonlycausedgreattroublefortheimmediatefamilybuthascontinuedtohaverepercussionsintheconflictsbetweenthedescendantsofJacobandEsauuntilourpresentday! For parents to compare their children with each other, especially in thechildren’s presence, can be devastating to the child who is less talented orfavored.Hewill tend tobecomediscouraged, resentful,withdrawn, andbitter.Favoritism by parents generally leads to favoritism among the childrenthemselves, who pick up the practice from their parents. Theywill favor onebrotherorsisterovertheothersandwilloftenfavoroneparentovertheother. Athirdwayparentsprovoketheirchildrenisbypushingachievementbeyondreasonable bounds.A child can be so pressured to achieve that he is virtuallydestroyed. He quickly learns that nothing he does is sufficient to please hisparents. No sooner does he accomplish one goal than he is challenged toaccomplish something better. Fathers who fantasize their own achievementsthrough the athletic skills of their sons, ormotherswho fantasize aglamorouscareer through the lives of their daughters prostitute their responsibility asparents. Ioncevisitedayoungwomanwhowasconfinedtoapaddedcellandwasinastateofcatatonicshock.ShewasaChristianandhadbeenraisedinaChristianfamily, but her mother had ceaselessly pushed her to be the most popular,beautiful, and successful girl in school. She became head cheerleader,homecoming queen, and later a model. But the pressure to excel became toogreatandshehadacompletementalcollapse.Aftershewaseventuallyreleasedfrom the hospital, she went back into the same artificial and demandingenvironment.Whenagainshefoundshecouldnotcope,shecommittedsuicide.Shehadsummedupherfrustrationwhenshetoldmeoneday,“Idon’tcarewhatitisIdo,itneversatisfiesmymother.” Afourthwaychildrenareprovokedisbydiscouragement.Achildwhoisnevercomplimented or encouraged by his parents is destined for trouble. If he isalways toldwhat iswrongwithhimandneverwhat is right,hewill soon losehopeandbecomeconvincedthatheisincapableofdoinganythingright.Atthatpoint he has no reason even to try. Parents can always find something that achild genuinely does well, and they should show appreciation for it. A childneedsapprovalandencouragementinthingsthataregoodeverybitasmuchas

heneedscorrectioninthingsthatarenot. A fifth way provocation occurs is by parents’ failing to sacrifice for theirchildren andmaking them feel unwanted. Childrenwho aremade to feel thattheyareanintrusion,thattheyarealwaysinthewayandinterferewiththeplansandhappinessoftheparents,cannothelpbecomingresentful.Tosuchchildrentheparentsthemselveswilleventuallybecomeunwantedandanintrusiononthechildren’splansandhappiness. A sixth formof provocation comes from failing to let children growup at anormalpace.Chidingthemforalwaysactingchildish,evenwhenwhattheydoisperfectlynormalandharmless,doesnotcontributetotheirmaturitybutratherhelpsconfirmthemintheirchildishness. Aseventhwayofangeringchildrenisthatofusingloveasatoolofrewardorpunishment—granting it when a child is good andwithdrawing it when he isbad.Oftenthepracticeisunconscious,butachildcansenseifaparentcaresforhim lesswhen is he disobedient thanwhen he behaves. That is not howGodlovesandisnotthewayheintendshumanparentstolove.GoddisciplinesHischildren just asmuchout of love asHeblesses them. “Thosewhom theLordlovesHedisciplines”(Heb.12:6).Because it issoeasy topunishoutofangerandresentment,parentsshouldtakespecialcaretolettheirchildrenknowtheylovethemwhendisciplineisgiven. Aneighthway toprovokechildren isbyphysical andverbal abuse.Batteredchildrenareagrowingtragedytoday.EvenChristianparents—fathersespecially—sometimes overreact and spank their children much harder than necessary.Proper physical discipline is not a matter of exerting superior authority andstrength,butofcorrectinginloveandreasonableness.Childrenarealsoabusedverbally.Aparentcanaseasilyoverpowerachildwithwordsaswithphysicalforce.Puttinghimdownwithsuperiorargumentsorsarcasmcaninflictseriousharm, and provokes him to anger and resentment. It is amazing that wesometimes say things to our children that we would not think of saying toanyoneelse—forfearofruiningourreputation! OneChristianfatherconfesses,

Myfamily’sallgrownandthekidsareallgone.ButifIhadtodoitalloveragain,thisiswhatIwoulddo.Iwouldlovemywifemoreinfront ofmy children. I would laughwithmy childrenmore—at ourmistakesandourjoys.Iwouldlistenmore,eventothelittlestchild.Iwould bemore honest about my own weaknesses, never pretendingperfection.Iwouldpraydifferentlyformyfamily;insteadoffocusing

on them, I’d focusonme. Iwoulddomore things togetherwithmychildren. I would encourage them more and bestow more praise. Iwould pay more attention to little things, like deeds and words ofthoughtfulness. And then, finally, if I had to do it all over again, Iwould share God more intimately with my family; every ordinarythingthathappenedineveryordinarydayIwouldusetodirectthemtoGod.

THEPOSITIVECOMMAND

Thepositivecommandtoparentsisforthemtobringup[theirchildren]inthediscipline and instruction of the Lord.Paideia (discipline) comes from thewordpais(child)andreferstothesystematictrainingofchildren.Itincludestheideaofcorrectionforwrongdoing,asseeninthewell-knownproverb,“Hewhospares his rod hates his son, but hewho loves himdisciplines himdiligently”(Prov.13:24).IntheseveralusesoftheterminHebrews12:5-11,thetranslatorsof the Authorized Version rendered it “chastening,” which is clearly theemphasis of that context. Paul’s meaning here is expressed even more fully,however,intheproverb“Trainupachildinthewayheshouldgo,evenwhenheis old hewill not depart from it” (22:6).Discipline has to dowith the overalltrainingofchildren,includingpunishment. SusannahWesley, themother of John and CharlesWesley, raised seventeenchildren and had these words to say about raising children: “The parent whostudies to subdue [self-will] in his child works together with God in therenewingandsavingasoul.Theparentwho indulges itdoes thedevil’swork,makesreligionimpracticable,salvationunattainable,anddoesallthatinhimliestodamnhischild,soulandbodyforever”(citedinTheJournalofJohnWesley[Chicago:Moody,n.d.],p.106). Nouthesia (instruction) is literally a “putting inmind” and also includes theconnotationofcorrection.ItreferstothetypeofinstructionfoundinthebookofProverbs,wheretheprimaryfocusisonthetrainingandteachingofchildren.Itdoesnothaveasmuchtodowithfactualinformationaswithrightattitudesandprinciplesofbehavior. ThekeytorightdisciplineandinstructionofchildrenisitsbeingoftheLord.Everything parents do for their children is to be of Him—according to theteaching of HisWord, by the guidance and power of His Holy Spirit, in thenameofHisSon,JesusChrist,andtoHisowngloryandhonor.

Spirit-FilledLaborRelations

25

Slaves, be obedient to thosewho are yourmasters according to the flesh,withfearandtrembling,inthesincerityofyourheart,astoChrist;notbywayofeyeservice,asmen-pleasers,butasslavesofChrist,doingthewillofGodfromtheheart.Withgoodwillrenderservice,astotheLord,andnottomen,knowingthatwhatevergoodthingeachonedoes,thishewillreceivebackfromtheLord,whetherslaveorfree.And,masters,dothesamethingstothem,andgiveupthreatening,knowingthatboththeirMasterandyoursisinheaven,andthereisnopartialitywithHim.(6:5-9)In this passage Paul gives his final illustration of the principle of Spirit-produced mutual submission, “and be subject to one another in the fear ofChrist” (5:21), applying it to relations between slaves and masters—and, byextension,toallemployer-employeerelationships. In our day the struggle between employers and employees has reachedmonumentallevels.Conflictsrageconstantlybetweenworkersandmanagement,with each side accusing the other of selfishness and unreasonableness.Employeeswantsmallerworkloads,fewerhours,morevacation,andmorepayand benefits. Employers want more productivity, more profits, and greatercontrolofmanagementpoliciesandpractices.Both sideswant lower taxes forthemselveswhileexpectinggreatergovernmentprotectionandsometimesevensubsidy. Itisnothardtoseethattheheartoftheproblemonbothsidesisgreed.Thesinofgreedis theprimaryfuel thatfeedstheinflationaryspiral thathasbecomeacommonpartofmodern life inmostpartsof theworld.Wheneveryonewantsmore,pricesmustrisetopayforhigherwagesandprofits.Andaspricesriseandmoneythereforebuysless,peoplewantstillhigherpayorprofitstomakeupthedifference.Whenthegovernmentbecomesheavilyinvolvedinvarioussubsidiesand supports, then taxes, the national debt, or both must be raised. If thegovernment printsmoremoneywithout backing, the value of all itsmoney isdecreased,andagainpeoplewantmoreincometomakeupthedifference. Addedtoallofthatistheprinciplethat,aspossessionsincreasesodoesgreed,becausegreedisbynatureinsatiable.ItislikelythatmodernWesternsocietyis

thegreediestinhistory.Everyonewantsmoreforless,andtheascendingspiralsofinflation,debt,andtaxationareunabated. Howaresuchseeminglyirreconcilableproblemstoberesolved?Manypeopleadvocatesomeformofsocialism,inwhichthegovernmenthastotalcontroloftheeconomy.Asgreedincreasesandself-interestbecomesmorehardened,moregovernmentcontrolmayberequiredtopreventanarchy.Revelation18suggeststhat the final Antichrist will come into power through a great worldwideeconomicsysteminwhichvirtuallyallpoweriscenteredinthehandsofafeweliteleaders. ButGoddidnotdesignman’sfreedomtoworkagainstman.Hedesignedittoallowus toearna living,provide forour families,andbeof service toothers.Yet,asineveryotherareaoflife,man’sdepravednatureturnsGod’sprovisionstoselfishends.Aswithproblemsinrelationsbetweenhusbandsandwivesandparentsandchildren (Eph.5:22—6:4), the solution to labor relationsproblemsmust begin with God’s solution—salvation through Jesus Christ and theempowermentofHisHolySpirit. Ineveryaspectofhuman lifeGod’splan isoneofauthorityandsubmission,andthosetwopillarsarethebedrockofbiblicallaborrelations.Toavoidchaosand anarchy, someone must lead, and others must follow. The mutualsubmissionPaulteachesinrelationtomastersandservants,justasthatbetweenhusbands and wives and parents and children, is in the context of the God-designated roles of authority—of husbands over wives, parents over children,and masters over servants. But that authority is not based on any inherentsuperiority of husbands, parents, ormasters. They possess their authority as astewardship from God, to be used for His purposes and according to Hisprinciples.Theirauthority isnot totalorunrestrictedand is tobeusedonly toserveGod and to serve those overwhom they have been given the authority.Submission,therefore,isnotone-waybutmutual. Paul’s instructions to masters and slaves continues in the setting of thehousehold.ThevastmajorityofbusinessesinNewTestamenttimeswerefamilyoperated, and thereforemost servants were part of an extended household. Inagrarian situations the servants, or slaves, worked in the fields or tended theflocks.Ifthemasterhadashoptheservantsworkedascraftsmenorhelpers.Ifhewasamerchanttheywoulddowhateverchoreswererequiredtohelpinthebusiness.Inanycase,theheadofthehouseholdwasalsoheadofthebusiness.Hewasusuallytheemployerandtheservantswerehisemployees. In this passagePaul continues todealwith thepractical effects of theSpirit-

filledlife(5:18),withoutwhichnoneofGod’srighteousstandardscanbemet,includingthosewhichregulateworkingrelationships.Verses5-8teachaboutthesubmissionof slaves,orworkers, andverse9 teachesabout the submissionofmasters,oremployers.

THESUBMISSIONOFEMPLOYEES

Slaves,beobedient to thosewhoareyourmastersaccordingto the flesh,withfearandtrembling,inthesincerityofyourheart,astoChrist;notbywayofeyeservice,asmen-pleasers,butasslavesofChrist,doingthewillofGodfromtheheart.Withgoodwillrenderservice,astotheLord,andnottomen,knowingthatwhatevergoodthingeachonedoes,thishewillreceivebackfromtheLord,whetherslaveorfree.(6:5-8)Slaves translates the Greek douloi, and indicates subjection and usuallybondage.Inbiblicaltimesslaverywascommonandmuchabused.InbothGreekand Roman cultures, most slaves had no legal rights and were treated ascommercialcommodities.Romancitizenscametolookonworkasbeneaththeirdignity,andtheentireempiregraduallycametofunctionlargelybyslavepower.Slaveswere bought, sold, traded, used, and discarded as heartlessly as if theywere animals or tools. Consideratemasters such as Pliny the Elder, whowasdeeplygrievedoverthedeathofsomeofhisslaves,wereexceptional. One Roman writer divided agricultural instruments into three classes—thearticulate,whowereslaves;theinarticulate,whichwereanimals;andthemute,whichweretoolsandvehicles.Aslave’sonlydistinctionaboveanimalsortoolswasthathecouldspeak!TheRomanstatesmanCatosaid,“Oldslavesshouldbethrownonadump, andwhena slave is ill donot feedhimanything. It isnotworth your money. Take sick slaves and throw them away because they arenothingbutinefficienttools.”Augustuscrucifiedaslavewhoaccidentallykilledhis pet quail, and a man named Pollio threw a slave into a pond of deadlylampreyeelsforbreakingacrystalgoblet.Juvenalwroteofaslaveownerwhosegreatestpleasurewas“listeningtothesweetsongofhisslavesbeingflogged.”(ThepreviousmaterialiscitedinWilliamBarclay,TheDailyBibleStudySeries:TheLetters to theGalatiansandEphesians [Philadelphia:Westminster,1958],pp.212-14.) Although Scripture does not speak against slavery as such, it clearly speaksagainstthekidnappingofanyoneforthepurposeofmakinghimorheraslave(Ex.21:16).TheEuropeanandAmericanslavetradethatlastedpastthemiddleofthenineteenthcenturywasthereforeinclearviolationofScripture,despitetherationalizationsofmanyChristianswhowereinvolvedinit. Certain types of nonabusive and beneficial slavery were permitted, or evenadvocated, in the Old Testament. For example, a thief who could not make

restitution could be indentured until repayment was worked out—a plan farsuperior to the modern prison sentence which provides for no restitution ofpropertyormoneytothevictimorrestorationofdignityforthethief.Israeliteswere allowed tobuy slaves from thepagannations around them (Lev. 25:44),butfellowIsraelitescouldnotbeboughtorsold,althoughtheycouldvoluntarilyindenture themselvesuntil theyearof jubilee(vv.39-40).During their timeofservice theywere to be treated as hiredworkers, not as slaves (v. 40-41, 46).Even pagan slaves were not to be abused and were given their freedom ifseriously injured by their master (Ex. 21:26-27). A slave who fled from anoppressivemasterwas to be given asylum and protection (Deut. 23:15-16).AfellowIsraelitecouldnotbeusedasaslaveformorethansixyears,attheendofwhich he was to be given liberal provisions as a form of severance pay (Ex.21:2;Deut.15:13-14).Everyfiftiethyear,theyearofjubilee,allslavesweretobe freed and returned to their families (Lev. 25:10). A slave who loved hismasterandpreferredtoremainwithhimcouldvoluntarilyindenturehimselfforlife by having his ear pierced by hismaster (Ex. 21:5-6).The kind of slaverycontrolledbyscripturalteachingwasablessingtobothemployerandemployeeandwasarewardingandfulfillingrelationbetweenthem. Although slavery is not uniformly condemned in either the Old or NewTestaments,thesincereapplicationofNewTestamenttruthshasrepeatedlyledtotheeliminationof itsabusivetendencies.WhereChrist’s loveis livedinthepowerofHisSpirit,unjustbarriersandrelationshipsareinevitablybrokendown.AstheRomanempiredisintegratedandeventuallycollapsed,thebrutal,abusedsystem of slavery collapsedwith it—due in greatmeasure to the influence ofChristianity.InmorerecenttimesthebackoftheblackslavetradewasbrokeninEurope andAmerica due largely to the powerful, Spirit-led preaching of suchmenasJohnWesleyandGeorgeWhitefieldandthegodlystatesmanshipofsuchmenasWilliamWilberforceandWilliamPitt. NewTestamentteachingdoesnotfocusonreformingandrestructuringhumansystems,whicharenevertherootcauseofhumanproblems.Theissueisalwaystheheartofman—whichwhenwickedwillcorruptthebestofsystemsandwhenrighteouswill improve theworst. Ifmen’s sinful hearts are not changed, theywill find ways to oppress others regardless of whether or not there is actualslavery.Ontheotherhand,Spirit-filledbelieverswillhavejustandharmoniousrelationships with each other, no matter what system they live under. Man’sbasicproblemsandneedsarenotpolitical,social,oreconomicbutspiritual,andthatistheareaonwhichPaulhereconcentrates. Throughout history, including in our own day, working people have been

oppressedandabusedbyeconomicintimidationthatamountstovirtualslavery—regardless of the particular economic, social, or political system. Paul’steachingthereforeappliestoeverybusinessownerandeveryworker. BecausethecommandofmutualsubmissionispossibleonlytotheSpirit-filledbeliever,PaulisaddressingChristianslaves,justashelateraddressesChristianmasters(v.9).Hecallsthemtohavetherightbehavior,therightperspective,theright attitude, and the right commitment that reflect their right relationship toGodthroughJesusChrist.THERIGHTBEHAVIOR

Slaves are commanded tobeobedient to thosewhoare [their]masters.BeobedientisinthepresenttenseintheGreek,indicatinguninterruptedobedience.Believersarenottoobeysimplywhentheydesiretoorwhentheiremployersarefair and reasonable. They are to obey in everything and at all times, the onlyexceptionbeingwhen theyare instructed todosomething immoral, idolatrous,blasphemous,orthelike.Speakingofhouseholdworkers,Petersaid,“Servants,besubmissivetoyourmasterswithallrespect,notonlytothosewhoaregoodandgentle,butalsotothosewhoareunreasonable.Forthisfindsfavor,ifforthesakeof conscience towardGod amanbears upunder sorrowswhen sufferingunjustly.Forwhatcredit is there if,whenyousinandareharshly treated,youendureitwithpatience?But ifwhenyoudowhat isrightandsufferfor ityoupatientlyendureit,thisfindsfavorwithGod”(1Pet.2:18-20). InNewTestament timesmany slavesbecameChristians and therebybecamechildrenofGodandjointheirswithJesusChrist,asPaulhasalreadyremindedhisreaders(1:5-14).ThereforethenaturalresponseofmanyChristianslaveswasto lookupon theirbondageascompletely incongruouswith theirnewstandingbeforeGod.They reasoned thatGod’sownchildren,whowill reignwithHimforever,shouldnotbesubservienttoanyhumanbeing,certainlynottoaruthlesspagan.Asspiritualnobility,theydeservedmorethancommonslavery. YetPaultellsthemplainlyandsimplytobeobedient.ThefirstobligationofaChristianistopleasehisLordandtobeafaithfultestimonytoHim.Onewaytodothis,theapostlesays,istogivewillingobediencetothoseunderwhomyouwork, regardless of who they are or what their character is like. Being aChristian should always make a person a better, more productive, and moreagreeable worker. People will not be inclined to listen to the testimony of aChristianwhodoesshoddy,carelessworkorwhoisconstantlycomplaining.IfaChristian finds an employment situation to be intolerable, he should quit and

lookforsomethingelse.Butaslongasheisemployedheshoulddotheworktothebestofhisability. SomeChristiansmightreasonthat,iftheyworkforafellowbeliever,theyneednotbecautiousandresponsibleinthemanneroftheirspirituallifebecausetheirtestimony before him does notmatter since he already believes.OthersmightfeelthattheiremployersareobligatedtogivethempreferentialtreatmentsincetheyarefellowChristians.Butthatsortofthinkingispresumptuous,carnal,andunscriptural.Paulwrote,“Let thosewhohavebelieversas theirmastersnotbedisrespectfultothembecausetheyarebrethren,butletthemservethemallthemore, because thosewho partake of the benefit are believers and beloved” (1Tim.6:1-2).Ifwearetoberespectfulandobedienttounbelievingmasters,howmuchmoresoshouldwebetoourbrothersinChrist? An employer is an employer, nomatterwho he is, and he deserves the besteffortinwhateverworkonedoesforhim.Saintsaretosubmittotheauthorityofanyonetowhomtheyreport.PastorsandotherChristianworkersarenotexemptfromthatprinciple.Theyareresponsibletosubmittoachurch,aboard,anotherstaffmember,ortowhomeverelsehassupervisionoverthem. WhenabelieversitsbesidehisbossinaworshipserviceorworksbesidehiminChristianservice,hedoessoasacompletelyequalbrotherinChrist.Butonthe jobhe is to submit to the authorityof his boss, because thatwitnesseshissubmissiontothehigherauthorityofGod’sWord. Sowhetherhisbossiskindorcruel,believingorpagan,aChristianisobedienttohimbecause that isGod’swill.“Bondslaves,”Paul said toTitus,are“tobesubject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, notargumentative,notpilfering,butshowingallgoodfaiththattheymayadornthedoctrine of God our Savior in every respect” (Titus 2:9-10). How a believerworks in his job reflects onHisLord, regardless ofwhohis humanmaster oremployermaybe.THERIGHTPERSPECTIVE

AChristianworker’ssubmissiontohisemployerisdoneundertheemployer’sauthority according to the flesh. The intent of that prepositional phrase is toemphasize that,while theauthority-submission relationship is important and istoberespected,itisonlytemporal.Itlastsonlyinthislifeanddoesnotapplytomoralandspiritualconcernsatanytimeorunderanycircumstances.THERIGHTATTITUDE

The believer’s attitude in obeying his employer is to be one of fear andtrembling.Theideaisnotthatofcoweringfrightbutofthehonorandrespectthat make a person anxious to please. If he cannot honor and respect hisemployer for theemployer’sownsake,he respectshim for theLord’s sakeasoneunderwhomheistosubmit.Althoughmenterriblyabuseit,theprincipleofauthority and submission isGod-given and is always to be honored.God hasallowedbossestobewheretheyareandsubordinatestobewheretheyare,andthe faithful believer willingly and graciously submits to those under whoseauthorityGodhasplacedhim. TheplacewhereabelieverworksispartofhisfieldofservicefortheLord,anditisoftenamissionfield.Whenhedoeshisworkcarefullyandrespectfullyitisatestimonytounbelievers,anencouragementtobelievers,andanactofservicetoGod.THERIGHTCOMMITMENT

Thefourthqualificationforpropersubmissiontomasters,oremployers,isthatof sincerity of heart. It is not hypocritical and superficial but genuine andthorough. Paul told theThessalonianbelievers to“excel stillmore,and tomake ityourambitiontoleadaquietlifeandattendtoyourownbusinessandworkwithyourhands, just as we commanded you; so that you may behave properly towardoutsidersandnotbeinanyneed”(1Thess.4:10-12).Theideaistodowelltheworkweareassignedtodo,withoutcomplaining,bragging,criticizingtheworkofothers,orinanyotherwaybeingdisruptive.THERIGHTMOTIVE

AChristian’sprimaryconcernabouthis jobshouldbesimplytodoitwell tothe glory of God, as to Christ. Being filled with the Spirit brings practicalresults,includingthoseofbeingareliable,productive,andcooperativeworker.AndwheneveraChristianissubmissivetotheHolySpirithisaccomplishmentsareastoChrist,becauseChristisboththeoriginandthegoalofhisobedience.He does everything out of love forChrist, by the power ofChrist, and to thegloryofChrist.“Whether,then,youeatordrinkorwhateveryoudo,”Paulsays,“doalltothegloryofGod”(1Cor.10:31). It isnotGod’splantocalleverybeliever intopreaching,Christianeducation,missionaryservice,orothersuchchurch-relatedministries.Thoseministriesare

nomorespiritualthananyotherintowhichGodmaycallabeliever.ButbecausethoseministriesmoredirectlyandobviouslyrepresenttheLord’swork,Hewillnotcallapersonintothemwhohasnotbeenfaithfulinwhateverotherworkhehasbeendoing.Apersonwhohasnotbeenfaithful totheLordasasalesman,secretary, clerk, or carpenter cannot expect God to give a call to a moreinfluential ministry. The Lord only appoints those overmuchwho have beenfaithfuloverlittle(Matt.25:21).THERIGHTDILIGENCE

When Spirit-filled Christians are sincerely obedient to their employers as toChrist,theywillnotworkbywayofeyeservice,asmen-pleasers,butasslavesofChrist,doingthewillofGodfromtheheart. Thefaithfulbelieverdoesnotsimplydo theminimumhis jobrequires,muchlesswork onlywhen his supervisor or otherworkers arewatching, that is, bywayof eyeservice.Hedoesnotneed tobe checkedupon,becausehe alwaysdoeshiswork to thebest ofhis ability,whetherornot anyone else is around.Andheworks just ashardwhenhe ispassedover fora raiseorpromotionaswhenheisbeingconsideredforthem.Hedoesnotdoagoodjobtomakeagoodimpressiononotherpeople(asdomen-pleasers)ortopromotehisownwelfare.Ifhegainsthosethings,theyareincidentaltohisprimarymotiveandintention.HeworksdiligentlybecausetodosoisthewillofGodandisthesinceredesireofhisownheart.Withgoodwillrenderservice,astotheLord,andnottomen repeatsandreinforceswhatPaulhasjustsaid.Withgoodwillexpressestheattitudeoftheworkerwhodoesnotneedpromptingorcompelling.WhenaChristianiswhereGodwantshimtobeandisobedienttorenderservice,astotheLord,thatisthemostchallenging,productive,andrewardingplacetobe.Withgoodwillrenderservice,astotheLord,andnottomen repeatsandreinforceswhatPaulhasjustsaid.Withgoodwillexpressestheattitudeoftheworkerwhodoesnotneedpromptingorcompelling.WhenaChristianiswhereGodwantshimtobeandisobedienttorenderservice,astotheLord,thatisthemostchallenging,productive,andrewardingplacetobe. EverydayshouldbeadayofservicetotheLord.“Whateveryourhandfindstodo,”Solomontellsus,“doitwithallyourmight”(Eccles.9:10).InhislettertoRome, Paul tells us not to lag behind in diligence but to be “fervent in spirit,servingtheLord”(12:11),andinColossians,“Whateveryoudo,doyourworkheartily,asfortheLordratherthanformen”(3:23).Thatistheworkattitudeof

theSpirit-filledChristian. Abelieverdoeshisworkdiligently for theLord’s sake in theassurance thatwhatevergoodthingeachonedoes,thishewillreceivebackfromtheLord,whether slave or free.God’s credits and rewards are always dependable andalways appropriate.An employermay not appreciate or even be aware of thegood work done, perhaps because he is indifferent or because someone elsetakescreditforwhatisdone.ButGodknowsandGodrewards.Nogoodthingdone inHisnameand forHisglory canpassHisnoticeor fail to receiveHisblessing. Thestoryistoldofanelderlymissionarycouplewhowerereturninghomeonaship after many years of sacrificial service in Africa. On the same ship wasTheodoreRoosevelt,whohadjustcompletedahighlysuccessfulbiggamehunt.AstheshipdockedinNewYorkharbor,thousandsofwell-wishersanddozensofreporterslinedthepiertowelcomeRoosevelthome.Butnotasinglepersonwasthere towelcomethemissionaries.Asthecouplerodetoahotel ina taxi,themancomplainedtohiswife,“Itjustdoesn’tseemright.Wegivefortyyearsofour lives toJesusChrist towinsouls inAfrica,andnobodyknowsorcareswhenwereturn.Yetthepresidentgoesoverthereforafewweekstokillsomeanimals and the whole world takes notice.” But as they prayed together thatnightbeforeretiring, theLordseemedtosayto them,“Doyouknowwhyyouhaven’treceivedyourrewardyet,Mychildren?Itisbecauseyouarenothomeyet.”

THESUBMISSIONOFEMPLOYERS

And,masters,dothesamethingstothem,andgiveupthreatening,knowingthatboththeirMasterandyoursisinheaven,andthereisnopartialitywithHim.(6:9)Paul’s closing remarks about themutual submission of Spirit-filled believersare addressed tomasters, and, by extension, to Christian employers of everysort.Theirattitudetowardtheirworkersistobebasicallythesameasthatwhichtheworkersshouldhaveforthem:dothesamethingstothem. Theantecedentof thesamethingsmost likely is thecommandat theendofverse 6, “doing the will of God from the heart,” on which verses 7-8 are acommentary.AChristianemployer’srelationshiptohisemployeesshouldhavethe same motivation and goal as a Christian worker’s relationship to hisemployer: the desire to obey and please the Lord. An employer is to use hisauthority“asto theLord,” justasworkersare tosubmit toauthority“astotheLord.”Thatisanexpressionoftheirmutualsubmissioninbeing“subjecttooneanotherinthefearofChrist”(5:21). AChristianemployer’sfirstwork,justasaChristianemployee’sfirstwork,isto doGod’swill and tomanifestChristlikeness in all that he does.Hemakesbusinessdecisionsfirstofallon thebasisofGod’sstandardsofrighteousness,truth, and honesty—seeking to manifest the nature and will of his heavenlyFatherineverythinghedoes.Hedealswithhisemployeesonthebasisoftheirownwelfare and best interests aswell as of those of business.He dealswiththemfairlybecausethatisHisLord’swill.HetreatsthemwithrespectbecausetodosoistorespectandhonortheLord. The Spirit-filled employer is careful to give up threatening. The term usedsuggeststheideaoflooseningup,orreleasing.Heuseshisauthorityandpoweras littleaspossibleanddoesnot throwhisweightaroundor lord itover thoseunder him. He is never abusive or inconsiderate. He realizes that his ownauthority,thoughGod-given,isstrictlyfunctionalandtemporary.Heknowsthathe and his workers alike are under the supreme authority of God, that theirMasterandhis isnotonearthbut inheaven.The faithfulChristianemployerknows that he is a fellow servant of Jesus Christ with his employees, and isaccountabletothesameMaster. HealsoknowsthatbeforeGodhe isnomore importantorworthy inhimself

than the least of his employees, because there is nopartialitywithHim (cf.Acts10:34;Rom.2:11;James2:9).AndheplaysnofavoritesbecauseGodplaysnofavorites. God’simpartialityistheclosingtruthinPaul’sdiscourseonbeing“subjecttoone another in the fear of Christ” (5:21). Spirit-filled believers—whetherhusbands or wives, parents or children, employers or employees—are to bemutually submissive because they are equally loved, equally cared for, andequallysubservienttoacommonMaster,theirSaviorandLord,JesusChrist.

TheBeliever’sWarfare

26

Finally,bestrongintheLord,andinthestrengthofHismight.PutonthefullarmorofGod,thatyoumaybeabletostandfirmagainsttheschemesofthe devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against therulers,againstthepowers,againsttheworldforcesofthisdarkness,againstthespiritualforcesofwickednessintheheavenlyplaces.Therefore,takeupthe full armorofGod, that youmaybeable to resist in the evilday, andhavingdoneeverything,tostandfirm.(6:10-13)The true Christian described in Ephesians 1-3 who lives the faithful lifedescribedin4:1—6:9canbesurethathewillbeinvolvedinthespiritualwarfaredescribed in 6:10-20. The faithful Christian life is a battle; it is warfare on agrandscale—becausewhenGodbeginstobless,Satanbeginstoattack. Ifwearewalkingworthyofourcalling,inhumilityratherthanpride,inunityrather thandivisiveness, in thenewself rather than theold, in loverather thanlust, in light rather than darkness, in wisdom rather than foolishness, in thefullness of the Spirit rather than the drunkenness of wine, and in mutualsubmission rather than self-serving independence, then we can be absolutelycertainwewillhaveoppositionandconflict. Jesus’ministrybeganinagreatbattlewithSatanthat lastedfortydays(Luke4:2). As Jesus’ ministry ended, Satan besieged Him again in the Garden ofGethsemanewithsuchforcethatHesweatgreatdropsofblood(22:44).Amongmanyotherinstructivetruths,thosetwoaccountsteachusthatthebattlemaynotbecomeeasieraswegrowinobediencetoGod.Ifanything,SatanwillintensifyhiseffortsagainstthosewhocontinuetoeffectivelyservetheLord.Asbelieversgrowstronger,sowillSatan’sattacks. The Christian who continually seeks to grow in his knowledge of andobedience to the Word and to serve the Lord more faithfully will not findministry becoming easier.As the Lord givesmastery over certain temptationsand weaknesses, Satan will attack elsewhere. Faithful witnessing, preaching,teaching, visiting, and every other service for the Lord not only will bringvictories but will also bring their own special difficulties and opposition. AChristianwhonolongerhastostruggleagainsttheworld,theflesh,andthedevil

is aChristianwho has fallen either into sin or into complacency.AChristianwho has no conflict is a Christian who has retreated from the front lines ofservice. WhenPaul firstwent toEphesushe immediatelybegan topreach thegospel.He led some disciples of John the Baptist to saving faith in Jesus Christ andspokethreemonthsinthelocalsynagogueandthenintheschoolofTyrannus.“Andthistookplacefortwoyears,sothatallwholivedinAsiaheardthewordof the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. And God was performing extraordinarymiraclesbythehandofPaul”(Acts19:10-11).HeledmanyJewsandGentilestotheknowledgeofChrist.Thosewhohadpracticedmagicburnedtheirbooks,and “theword of theLordwas growingmightily and prevailing” (vv. 17-20).Butfromthebeginninghefacedopposition.HewasrunoutofthesynagoguebyunbelievingJewishleaders(vv.8-9),mimickedbyapostateJewishexorcists(vv.13-16), and threatened by Demetrius and his fellow silversmiths, whose idol-makingbusinesswassufferingbecauseofPaul’sministry(vv.23-40). Paulknewthatwheretherewasthegreatestspiritualchallengetherewasalsolikelytobethegreatestdangerandopposition.AsheexplainedtothebelieversatCorinth,hewasdeterminedtostayawhilelongerinEphesusbecause“awidedoorforeffectiveservicehasopenedtome,andtherearemanyadversaries”(1Cor.16:8-9).Manypastorsaretemptedtoleaveachurchorotherfieldofservicewhenthingsbegintogetdifficult.Butaneasyministrymaybeaweakministry,becausewhere theLord’swork is genuinely being doneSatanwill not fail toopposeit.AsbelieversinJesusChrist,wearenotonlyGod’ssonsandservantsbutalsoHissoldiers—andasoldier’sjobistofighttheenemy. EvenGod’sholyangelsfaceoppositionwhentheyministerforHim.Theangelsent to Daniel was opposed by a demon for twenty-one days and had to beassistedby thearchangelMichael (Dan.10:13),andMichaelevenhadabattlewithSatanhimselfoverthebodyofMoses(Jude9). TotheThessalonianchurchPaulreflectedonhisbattlewhenhesaid,“Forwewantedtocometoyou—I,Paul,morethanonce—andyetSatanthwartedus”(1Thess.2:18).Believersareattackedpersonallyandcorporately. PaulwarnedtheeldersfromEphesus,“Iknowthataftermydeparturesavagewolveswill come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among yourownselvesmenwillarise,speakingperversethings,todrawawaythedisciplesafterthem”(Acts20:29-30).Theywouldbeattackedbothfromtheoutsideandthe inside. Satan is always on the prowl, and the biblically-taughtChristian is“notignorantofhisschemes”(2Cor.2:11).

Althoughitisadigressionfromthepresentpassage,alookatthelettersoftheLordtothesevenchurchesofAsiaMinor,thefirstofwhichwastothechurchatEphesus, will assist us in understanding how Satan attacks the church. Thosesevenhistoricalchurcheswereprototypesofchurchesthathaveexistedthroughthecenturiessincethattime.InhisvisiononPatmos,JohnsawJesusChrist inHis kingly, priestly, and prophetic robe evaluating the churches andcommanding letters to be sent to each one. Only two of the letters—those toSmyrna and Philadelphia—do not contain some form of warning andcondemnation.ThechurchatSmyrnasufferedgreatpersecutionasitheldforththe gospel, and it could well have been persecution that kept it strong in thefaith. The church at Philadelphia also knew Satanic attack, yet was anaggressive, evangelistic church. Both churches knew the attacks of what ourLord calls “the synagogue of Satan” (Rev. 2:9; 3:9), a group of blasphemingJewish persecutors of the church. Persecution and evangelismwere purifying,because they kept believers’ attention off themselves and on God’s will andpower. Intheletterstotheotherfivechurchesthereisaprogressionintheseriousnessof the warnings. The Christians at Ephesus were active in good works,persevering, intolerant of sin, opposed false teaching, and patiently enduredhardship for Christ’s sake. They had nevertheless left their first love—theiroriginal, single-minded, and devoted love for the Lord Himself (Rev. 2:2-4).AlthoughtheylivedinthemidstofoneofthemostcorruptcitiesoftheRomanworld, a center of pagan idolatry and of gross immorality, they faithfullymaintained right doctrine and puremoral standards. But their fatal flaw—onethatseemssmallcomparedtotheirareasofgreatfaithfulness—waslossoflove.The thrill was gone, enthusiasm was low, and zeal had flattened out intoorthodoxhabitandtradition. Orthodox, fundamental believers are inclined to believe that they love Godbecause theyhavesuchhigh regard forandobedience toHisWord.PeterwasshockedandoffendedwhenJesusthreetimesquestionedwhetherhereallylovedHim (John 21:15-17). Peter’s theology andmoralitywere sound, but his heartwas not yet fully devoted to Christ. As important as right doctrine and rightlivingare, theyareno substitute for loveand, in fact,becomecoldand sterileapart from love. Lovelessness not only grieves the Lord but gives Satan afoothold in abeliever’s life.Whenabeliever, or abodyofbelievers, loses itsdeepsenseof love for theLord, thatbelieveror thatchurch ison thebrinkofspiritualdisaster. Spiritualdefectionusuallybeginssimplywithforgetting the joyof thosefirst

experiencesaftersalvation, including the thrillofBiblestudy,prayer,worship,andthesenseofbelongingtotheLordJesus.ThereforeChristsaidtothechurchat Ephesus, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen” (Rev. 2:5a).“Remember how you were before your love became cold,” He was saying.Second,spiritualdefectionalwaysinvolvessin,andtheLordnext toldthemtorepent (v. 5b). Sinning believers—which includes the loveless—must becleansed by the Lord before they are useful to Him again. Third, spiritualdefection always involves a decrease in the quality, if not the quantity, ofChristianservice,andtheLordthereforetoldtheEphesians,“dothedeedsyoudidatfirst”(v.5c). Orthodoxbutlovelessactivitiesaredoneintheflesh,andthoughtheyappeartobegodlytheyarenot.Theonlytruespiritualserviceislovingservice.TheLordwassaying,ineffect,“Getbacktothefire,tothesourceofyourpowerandhelp.GetbacktotheWordandtoprayerandcloseChristianfellowship.Getbacktopraising theLord.”But the churchatEphesusdidnotdo that, and, asHehadwarned (v. 5d), the Lord removed her lampstand. That church—thoughorthodox,evangelical,andactiveingoodworks—soonwentoutofexistence. ThechurchatPergamum(orPergamos)alsohadmanygoodthingsforwhichthe Lord commended it. Despite living in a fiercely pagan city and havingendured persecution and the martyrdom of one of its leading members, thechurchdidnotdeny the faith (Rev.2:13).Pergamumwasacenterof emperorworshipandoftheworshipofZeus,chiefoftheRomanmythologicaldeities.Itis probably to his altar that “Satan’s throne” refers. The citywas also closelyassociatedwithAesculapius,thegodofhealing,whosesnakesymbolisstillseentoday on medical insignias. The floor of his temple was covered withnonpoisonous snakes that crawledover thebodiesof the sick and crippled forthe purpose of bringing healing. Satan no doubt did enough supernaturalhealingstokeepthepeopleinthislyingreligion. BeingaChristianinPergamumwasdifficult,andtheLord’speopletherewerebasically faithful. But they had compromised in some important areas. The“teachingofBalaam,”which someof themheld,wasprobably thepracticeofintermarriagewithunbelievers,thesinbywhichBalakandBalaammanagedtolead the Israelites astray (Rev. 2:14; cf. Num. 24:10—25:3). They also wereeatingthingssacrificedtoidolsandcommittingactsofimmoralitybyengagingin the orgiastic idolatry of the unregenerate pagans (Rev. 2:14). In short, theywereaping theworld, falling intosinfulhabitsandpracticescontrary toGod’sstandardswhileattemptingtomaintainthechurch(cf.1Cor.10:20-22). That is one of the greatest dangers in the church today.Many believers are

inclinedtoaccommodatetonearlyeveryworldlypractice.Underthepretenseofrelevance, they copy the world’s materialistic and immoral ways. When theworldbecomespreoccupiedwithmaterial things, sohas thechurch.When theworld lowers itssexualstandards,sohas thechurch.Whentheworldbecomesentertainmentcrazed,sohasthechurch.Whentheworldglorifiesself-worthandself-fulfillment,sohasthechurch. ThethirdchurchtowhomtheLordsentaletterofwarningwasatThyatira,andherproblemwastolerationofsin.TheLordsaidtoher,“Iknowyourdeeds,andyourloveandfaithandserviceandperseverance,andthatyourdeedsoflatearegreater than at first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate thewomanJezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads Mybondservants astray, so that they commit acts of immorality and eat thingssacrificed to idols” (Rev. 2:19-20). The church had many good things tocommendit,but itbecamethevictimofafalse teacherwhomasqueradedasateacherofGod.Sheledmanyofthebelieversintoidolworshipandthesexualimmoralityassociatedwithit,andthechurchanditsleaderstoleratedherandherdoctrine. Christians still succumb in similar ways. When the things of the world areidolized, as they frequently are even by believers, it is impossible not to bedrawn into the moral and spiritual compromises that such idolatry demands.Whenapersonlongstobeliketheworldandinsistsonaping,hesoonwillbethinkingandactinglikeit. TheLorddoesnottoleratesininHischurch,andrighteousnessisnotamatterofbalancinggoodthingswithbad.Thyatira’sgoodlistwaslongerthanherbad,butthatdidnotprotectherfromjudgment.TheLordhadgivenherampletimetorepent,andwhensherefused,Hesaid,“Behold,Iwillcastheruponabedofsickness,andthosewhocommitadulterywithher intogreat tribulation,unlesstheyrepentofherdeeds.AndIwillkillherchildrenwithpestilence;andallthechurcheswillknowthatIamHewhosearchesthemindsandhearts;andIwillgive to each one of you according to your deeds” (Rev. 2:22-23). The bed ofvicewouldbe turned into abedofdeath for allwho remained in the sin, andotherchurcheswouldbewarnedbythejudgmentonthosebelievers. Manychurchesareafraid todealwithknownsin in theirmidst.Theydonotwanttoconfrontmemberswiththeirimmoralityorunbiblicalideas,forfearoflosingthosemembersorofbeingcalledprudish,oldfashioned,orunloving.Butlovedoesnotwinkatsinandnevercondoneswickednessandunrighteousness(1Cor.13:6).

The Lord’s judgment was only on those church members involved in theidolatryandimmorality.TothefaithfulonesJesussaid,“Iplacenootherburdenonyou.Neverthelesswhatyouhave,holdfastuntilIcome”(Rev.2:24-25).Inotherwords, Jesuswarned, even themost faithful believers are never beyonddangeruntiltheyareonedaywiththeLord.Untilthatday—whetheritcomesbydeath or theLord’s return—the exhortation is to “hold fast” toChrist and thestandardsofHisWord. ThechurchatSardiswasworsestill.Becauseithadalargecongregationandmanyactivities,ithadareputationforbeingalive,buttheLorddeclaredittobedead(Rev.3:1).LiketheshipinColeridge’s“RhymeoftheAncientMariner,”whichhadcorpsestorowandsteerit,thechurchatSardiswasbeingoperatedbymemberswhowere spiritually dead.The city of Sardiswas synonymouswithwealth. The expression “rich as Croesus” comes from the extreme wealth ofKingCroesus,who ruled over the ancient kingdomofLydia, ofwhichSardiswasthecapital.Butthesuperficialactivitiesofthechurchtherecouldnomorekeep it spiritually alive than the greatwealth and reputation of the city couldkeepitpoliticallyalive.BothcityandchurchwentoutofexistenceshortlyafterNewTestamenttimes. Whenachurchsubstitutesprograms,activities,ceremonies,andhumanissuesfortheLordandHiswork,itbecomesaspiritualcorpse,despiteitsappearanceof vitality. It has no spiritual life because God is not there. It becomes anIchabod,becausethegloryoftheLorddepartsfromit(see1Sam.4:21).Whenlovelessness,immorality,emptyritual,andself-satisfactionovercomeachurch,the result is spiritual lifelessness. The few believers in Sardis who had “notsoiledtheirgarments”wereencouragedbytheLordwiththepromiseofonedaywalkingwithHiminwhiteinHisgloriousheavenlykingdom(Rev.3:4-5).Thatfaithfulremnantpreventedthechurchasawholefromlosingitslampstandandfallingintooblivion. The fifth church warned by the Lord was at Laodicea. This church hadabsolutelynothing tocommend it,not evena superficial semblanceof life. Itsmembers were totally indifferent to the things of the Lord (Rev. 3:15-16).Indifferenceisaseeminglyharmlessspiritualdiseasethathasprobablykilledtheeffectiveness of more believers and churches than any other. The LaodiceanChristiansidentifiedthemselvesasachurch,buttheyhadnopartinthethingsoftheLord. They said, “I am rich, and have becomewealthy, and have need ofnothing.” But the Lord said, “You do not know that you are wretched andmiserableandpoorandblindandnaked”(Rev.3:17). Indifferent,hypocritical,religious self-satisfaction is even more nauseating to God than outright

immorality.ThecoldheartGodseekstowoowithHisloveandgrace,andthewarmheartHeembracestoHisbosom.ButthelukewarmheartHespitsoutofHismouthindisgust(v.16). The church atLaodiceawas totally hypocritical, the phony church that is nochurch. It is the liberal church of today that calls itself Christian, yet deniesChrist’s deity and atoning sacrifice, rejects His Word, and disregards Hisstandards.Itishumanistic—man-centeredandman-worshiping.Itmayhaveanecclesiasticalshell,greatwealth,andworldwideinfluence.Butithasnoloveforthe thingsof theLordandnosenseofneed for theLord,havingeverything itwants in itself. Itmembers are apostate, and because they reject theLord,HewillrejectthembyspittingthemoutofHismouth. Thepatternofregressioninthefivechurchesisclear:fromlossoffirstloveforChrist, tocompromisewith theworld, to toleranceof sin, tocontentmentwithprogramsandactivities,tosatisfactionwithpossessionsandself.Theadversaryattacksthewholechurchinthisfashionbytemptingindividualsinthechurchtofall into such sins.There isnoattackon thepurity andholinessof thechurchthatisnotapersonalattackonthepeoplewithinthatcongregation.ThisattackcanbeseenintheexperienceofPeter(Luke22:31-32;1Pet.5:8)andofPaul(2Cor.12:7;1Thess.2:18).Nobelieverisexempt. RecognizingSatan’s schemes,Paul closeshis letter toEphesusbygivinghisbrothersandsisterstherebothencouragementandwarning,muchasJesusdidinHis letters to thesevenchurchesofAsiaMinorover30years later. In6:10-13the apostle outlines thenecessary information in regard to thepreparation, thearmor,theenemy,thebattle,andthevictoryofthebeliever’swarfare.

THEPREPARATION:STRENGTHINTHELORD

Finally,bestrongintheLord,andinthestrengthofHismight.(6:10)Basic to the effective Christian life is preparation. The unprepared believerbecomesthedefeatedbelieverwhoseekstoservetheLordinhisownwisdomand power. The strength of the Christian life is dependence on God, beingstrong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Any other strengthprovestobeimpotent. ThecardinalrealitypresentedinthebookofEphesiansisthat,asbelievers,weareinChristandareonewithHim.Hislifeisourlife,Hispowerourpower,Histruthourtruth,Hiswayourway,and,asPaulgoesontosayhere,Hisstrengthisourstrength. TheLord’sstrengthisalwaysmorethansufficientforthebattle.WhenJesustold thechurchatPhiladelphia,“Ihaveputbeforeyouanopendoorwhichnoonecanshut,becauseyouhavealittlepower,andhavekeptMyword,andhavenotdeniedMyname”(Rev.3:8),Hewasaffirmingthatevenalittlepowerwasenoughtopreservethem,becauseitwastheLord’ssupernaturalpower.OurownstrengthisneverstrongenoughtoopposeSatan,butwhenwearestrongintheLord, evena littleofHisstrength is sufficient towinanybattle.“Icandoallthings throughHimwho strengthensme,” Paul said (Phil. 4:13). It is not theamountofthestrengthwehavethatisimportant—onlyitssource. In theultimate sense, the church’s battleswithSatan are alreadywon. Inhiscrucifixion and resurrection Jesus destroyed Satan and his power of sin anddeath(Rom.5:18-21;1Cor.15:56-57;Heb.2:14).TrustinJesusChristinitiatesapersoninto thatvictory.Totheextent thataChristianisstrongintheLord,hisvictoryovertheworstthatSatanhastoofferisguaranteed.Weareinawar—afierceandterriblewar—butwehavenoreasontobeafraidifweareontheLord’sside.Appropriationofthatstrengthcomesthroughthemeansofgrace—prayer,knowledgeof andobedience to theWord, and faith in thepromisesofGod. After several years ofministry, Timothy became fearful and timid.He facedstronger temptations than he had expected and considerably more opposition.Paulwrotetohim,“IremindyoutokindleafreshthegiftofGodwhichisinyouthroughthelayingonofmyhands.ForGodhasnotgivenusaspiritoftimidity,but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the

testimonyofourLord.…Youtherefore,myson,bestronginthegracethatisinChristJesus”(2Tim.1:6-8;2:1).

THEPROVISION:THEARMOROFGOD

PutonthefullarmorofGod,thatyoumaybeabletostandfirm(6:11a)InordertotakeadvantageofthestrengthofGod’smight,abelievermustalsoputonthefullspiritualarmorthatHesupplies(cf.2Cor.10:3-5).Enduo(puton)carriestheideaofonceandforall,ofpermanence.ThefullarmorofGodisnotsomethingtobeputonandtakenoffoccasionallybutissomethingtobeputonpermanently.Itisnotauniformtowearonlywhileplayingagameandthen to remove when the game is over. The armor of God is to be theChristian’s lifelong companion. It provides believers with divine power from“Himwho is able to keep you from stumbling, and tomake you stand in thepresenceofHisgloryblamelesswithgreatjoy”(Jude24). Paulwasprobablychained toaRomansoldierwhenhepenned thewordsofEphesians,andlookingatthesoldier’sarmor,hewasinspiredbytheHolySpirittoseeinittheanalogyofGod’sspiritualprovisionforourbattlewithSatanandhis angels (w. 14-17). As the apostle explains in those verses, the believer’sarmorequipshimbeyondtheinitialfactsofthegospel.Itislivingtheobedient,Scripture-dominated,Spirit-empoweredlifethatenablesustostandfirm. Tostandfirm (fromhistēmi),whenused inamilitarysense,had the ideaofholdingacriticalpositionwhileunderattack.Theintentoftheexhortationhereis not unlike that of our Lord to the embattled church at Thyatira, whomHecommanded,“holdfastuntilIcome”(Rev.2:25).

THEENEMY:SATAN

againsttheschemesofthedevil.(6:11b)The enemy against which we need God’s strength and armor is Satan, thedevil.Becausehe isGod’s enemy,he is our enemy, and theonlywayhe canattackGodisthroughus.Wecanthereforebesurethathewillseekusoutandattackuswithhisschemes. Methodia(schemes),fromwhichcomestheEnglishmethod,carriestheideaofcraftiness,cunning,anddeception(seealso4:14).Thetermwasoftenusedofawildanimalwhocunninglystalkedandthenunexpectedlypouncedonitsprey.Satan’sevilschemesarebuiltaroundstealthanddeception. Inmoderntimesastrangephenomenonexists.Alongwith increaseddisbeliefeven in the existence of the devil there is also increased demonic/occulticinvolvement—bothofwhichplayintoSatan’shands. ScriptureisclearaboutSatan’sveryrealandpersonalexistence.Hewasoncethechiefangel,theanointedcherub,thestarofthemorning,whosparkledwithallthejewelsofcreatedbeauty—untilherebelledagainsthisCreatorandtriedtousurpHispowerandglory(seeIsa.14:12-17;Ezek.28:1-10;Rev.12:7-9).HefirstappearsinScriptureintheformofaserpent,ashetemptedAdamandEve(Gen.3:1).JesusnotonlyspokeaboutSatan(Luke10:18;John8:44;12:31)butspoke with him (Matt. 4:3-10). Paul, Peter, James, John, and the writer ofHebrewsallspeakofhimasapersonalbeing(Rom.16:20;2Cor.2:11;1Thess.2:18;Heb.2:14;James4:7;1Pet.5:8;Rev.12:9).WeseehimopposingGod’swork(Zech.3:1),pervertingGod’sWord(Matt.4:6),hinderingGod’sservant(1Thess.2:18),hinderingthegospel(2Cor.4:4),snaringthewicked(1Tim.3:7),appearing as an angel of light (2Cor. 11:14), and fightingwith the archangelMichael(Jude9).Hebroughtsinintotheworldandthewholeworldnowliesinhispower(1John5:19). TheBiblerefers to thedevilbysuchpersonalnamesanddescriptionsas“theanointedcherub”(Ezek.28:14),“therulerofdemons”(Luke11:15),“therulerofthisworld”(John16:11),“thegodofthisworld”(2Cor.4:4),“theprinceofthe power of the air” (Eph. 2:2), and numerous others.He is identified as thegreatdragon,aroaringlion,thevileone,thetempter,theaccuser,andthespiritworking in thesonsofdisobedience.Fifty-two timeshe iscalledSatan,whichmeans “adversary,” and thirty-five times the devil, which means “slanderer.”

This fallen archangel and his fallen angels who became demons have beentempting and corruptingmankind since theFall.They are an evil, formidable,cunning,powerful,andinvisiblefoeagainstwhomnohumanbeinginhisownpowerandresourcesisamatch. Evidence of Satan’s great power and deception can be seen in the fact that,despiteGod’smiraculous deliverance of Israel fromEgypt,His immeasurableblessings,protection,andprovisionsinthewildernessandinCanaan,Hischosenpeople repeatedly fell for Satan’s seductions, worshiping the hideous anddemonicidolsofpaganism.AfterallofthepredictionsoftheMessiahgivenintheOldTestamentandafterJesus’preaching,teaching,andmiraculoushealings,SatanmanagedtoinduceIsraeltorejectandcrucifyherownMessiah!Inthelastdays his final deception of Israelwill be to persuade her that the antichrist isinsteadtheChrist(seeDan.9:26-27). Inourowndaytheworldisrushingtoacceptsuchdemonicdeceptionsasthewoman’sliberationmovement,whichdeniesGod’sorderforthefamily;thenewmorality,whichisnomorality;andhomosexuality,whichistotalperversionofsexuality.TheproliferationofpaganandapostateChristiancultsandreligious/philosophical ismsexperiencedbynoother age inhistory reflects theworkof“seducingspirits”and“thedoctrinesofdemons”(1Tim.4:1).Eveninthenameof Christianity, Jesus’ deity, miracles, resurrection, atoning sacrifice, secondcoming, and judgment are denied. The church is being seduced away fromScripturebyliberaltheology,psychology,mysticism,andeventheoccult. Allof these thingsarebutmanifestationsof the schemesof thedevil againstmankind.Ineveryconfusinganddeceptivewayhecandevise“thedevilcomesand takesawaythewordfromtheirheart,so that theymaynotbelieveandbesaved”(Luke8:12).OnanotheroccasiontheLordwarnedthat“falseChristsandfalseprophetswillariseandwillshowgreatsignsandwonders,soastomislead,ifpossible,eventheelect”(Matt.24:24). Theschemesofthedevilincludethepropagationofindividualbeliefsandlife-styles that corrupt and damn. They include evil national and internationalpoliciesandpracticesthatdeceiveanddestroy.Theyincludethedoubtsplacedinbelievers’mindstoleadthemawayfromtrustintheirholyandlovingFather.They include temptations of God’s children to immorality, worldliness, pride,self-reliance, and self-satisfaction. They include slander, ridicule, andpersecutionofHissaints.TheapostleJohnsummarizestheattackpointsofthedevilwith the exhortation in his first epistle: “Do not love theworld, nor thethings in theworld. Ifanyone loves theworld, the loveof theFather isnot inhim.Forall that is in theworld [Satan’spresentdomain], the lustof the flesh

andthelustoftheeyesandtheboastfulprideoflife,isnotfromtheFather”(lJohn2:15-16).

THEBATTLE:AGAINSTDEMONS

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,against the powers, against theworld forces of this darkness, against thespiritualforcesofwickednessintheheavenlyplaces.(6:12)One of Satan’s most effective strategies, and therefore one of a believer’sgreatest dangers, is the delusion that no seriously threatening conflict betweengoodandevilisreallyragingintheinvisibleandsupernaturalrealm.Afterall,itis argued, there appear tobemanygood things in theworld today.Numerousancient evils, such as slavery and race hatred, have disappeared or improveddramatically.Peoplehaveneverbeensoconcernedaboutgettingalongtogether,understandingoneanother,andworkingwithoneanothertoimproveindividuallivesandsocietyasawhole.Notonlythat,butevangelicalismisridingacrestofpopularity,growth,andinfluenceunknownforoveracentury. But that sort of thinking not only is naive but inevitably leads to lethargy,indifference, indolence, and spiritual stagnation. A biblical perspective on thesituation and a clear perception of the direction things are really moving—especially in lightofScripture’s teachingabout theend times—doesnot leaveroomforsuchdelusioninthemindofanybeliever.ThewarbetweenGodandSatanhasnotdiminishedbutintensified,andsohasitsfrontonthisearth. Palē (struggle)wasusedofhand-to-handcombatandespeciallyofwrestling.Asinourownday,wrestlingwascharacterizedbytrickeryanddeception—withthe difference that in fights in ancientRome the conflictwas real and often amatter of life for the winner and death for the loser. Though Satan and hisminionsknowtheyaresentencedeternallytothebottomlesspitpreparedinhellfor them, they seek desperately to change that fate if they can—warringceaselesslytobreakthepowerofGodanddestroythethingsofGod,especiallythechurch. Paulhere remindshis readers that theChristian’s struggle isnotonlyagainstSatanhimselfbutalsoagainstahostofhisdemonsubordinates,avastarrayofadversarieswho, like thedevil, arenot fleshandblood.Ourgreatestenemy isnottheworldwesee,corruptandwickedasitis,buttheworldwecannotsee. Rulers,…powers,…world forces of this darkness,…and spiritual forces ofwickedness describe thedifferent strata and rankingsof thosedemons and theevil, supernatural empire in which they operate. Human beings who promote

paganism, the occult, and various other ungodly and immoralmovements andprograms are but dupes of Satan and his demons—trapped by sin intounwittinglyhelpingtofulfillhisschemes. Thementionofeachofthesesupernaturalpowersisprecededbyagainst,andeach seems to represent a particular category of demon activity and level ofauthority.Satan’sforcesofdarknessarehighlyorganizedandstructuredforthemostdestructivewarfarepossible.Liketheunfallenholyangels,demonsdonotprocreateand theirnumber is fixed.But theyareagreatandancientmultitudeandconstituteaformidableandhighlyexperiencedsupernaturalenemy. Thedemoniccategoriesarenotexplained,but rulersnodoubt reflectsahighorderofdemons(linkedwith“authorities”inCol.2:15),powersareanotherrank(mentioned in1Pet.3:22),andworld forcesof thisdarknessperhaps refers todemonswhohaveinfiltratedvariouspoliticalsystemsoftheworld,attemptingtopatternthemafterSatan’srealmofdarkness(seeDan.10:13;Col.1:13).Manystories are told of world-wide conspiracies, ranging from those mentioned inancient Egyptian writings to supposed modern cabals. We have no way ofabsolutely identifying the networking of the various schemes of Satan andshouldbewaryof thosewhoclaim todo so.Butwe canbe certain that he isactive behind the scenes of Christless human endeavors—both in the overt,obviously evil works of men as well as in the many covert and seeminglyinnocentandgoodworksofhumanisticendeavors. Thespiritualforcesofwickednessarepossiblythosedemonswhoareinvolvedinthemostwretchedandvileimmoralities—suchasextremelyperversesexualpractices,theoccult,Satanworship,andthelike. Paul’spurpose,however,isnottoexplainthedetailsofthedemonichierarchybuttogiveussomeideaofitssophisticationandpower.Wearepittedagainstanincrediblyevilandpotentenemy.Butourneed isnot tospecifically recognizeevery feature of our adversary but to turn to God, who is our powerful andtrustworthysourceofprotectionandvictory. Much today is being said about Christian exorcism of demons, althoughScriptureteachesnosuchpractice.RitualsofexorcismareforeigntotheBible,whichdoesnotrecordasingleinstanceofademonbeingcastoutofabeliever,atanytimeorplacebyanyone.NordoesScripturegiveanyformulaormethodfor such exorcism.Whenever Satan is confronted byChristians, themeans ofoppositionisthestrengthoftheLordandtheprovisionHehasalreadymadeforall believers.Everybelieverhas alreadyexperienced“the surpassinggreatnessof [God’s] power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the

workingofthestrengthofHismightwhichHebroughtaboutinChrist,whenHeraised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenlyplaces” (Eph.1:19-20).Thepower that raisedJesus fromthedeadandexaltedHiminheavenisourpower,bequeathedtousasjointheirswithHim. Dealing with demons in one’s Christian life is not a matter of finding thetechniquetosendthemaway,butofbeingcommittedtothespiritualmeansofgracethatpurifiesthesoul,sothatthereisnouncleanplacethatdemonscouldoccupyorbywhichtheymightgainadvantage.Jamesgivestheonlyformulafordeliverancefromthedemonsorthedevilhimself:“Resistthedevilandhewillfleefromyou”(James4:7). There is no believer who cannot deal with Satan on the terms of theresurrectionpowerofJesusChrist inwhichheparticipatesasaChristian.Paulprayed for the Colossians that they would be “strengthened with all power,according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness andpatience;joyouslygivingthankstotheFather,whohasqualifiedustoshareinthe inheritance of the saints in light. ForHe delivered us from the domain ofdarkness,andtransferredustothekingdomofHisbelovedSon”(Col.1:11-13).No Christian is any longer in Satan’s domain, and every Christian has theresources of God’s own Holy Spirit within him to free himself from anydemonic entanglement, nomatter how severe.Where sin is confessed and putaway,Satanandhisdemonsareexpelled. On theotherhand, it isdangerous tobecomepresumptuous, thinking thatwearefreefromanydanger.“Thereforelethimwhothinkshestandstakeheedlesthefall,”Paulwarned(1Cor.10:12).ImaginingthatonehasmasteredScripture,oranypartofit,orhasbecomestrongenoughtoliveinpersonalpower,renderssuchapersontheweakestandmostvulnerable.Onlywheretrustiscompletelyin the Lord’s power is there safety. As the apostle went on to say, “God isfaithful,whowill not allowyou to be temptedbeyondwhat you are able, butwiththetemptationwillprovidethewayofescapealso,thatyoumaybeabletoendureit”(v.13). It is recognition of our weakness thatmakes us the strongest. “Most gladly,therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses,” Paul declared, “that thepowerofChristmaydwellinme….ForwhenIamweak,thenIamstrong”(2Cor.12:9-10). Aguardwhosees theenemyapproachingdoesnotrunoutandstart fighting.Hereportstheattacktohiscommandingofficer,whothenorganizesthedefense.When Satan attacks, it is foolish to try to do battle with him alone. Like the

soldieronguardduty,weshouldsimplyreporttotheCommanderandleavethedefenseinHishands.AstheLordassuredKingJehoshaphatashisarmyfacedthegreatlysuperior forcesofMoabandAmmon,“Donot fearorbedismayedbecauseofthisgreatmultitude,forthebattleisnotyoursbutGod’s”(2Chron.20:15). MyfriendJohnWeldon,whohasdevotedmanyyearsofhislifetothestudyofcultsandfalsereligions,warnsbelievers:

God did notmake us in such away that we can function eithersafely or effectively in a demon environment. Even if it is neutral,whichitclearly isnot,whoknowswhatdemonscando in theirownenvironmentandwhatinterrelationshipsexistorcanbemanufacturedbetween their world and ours?We were not made to fly around inastralrealms.Grantedtheexistenceofthedemonic,oneisplayinginanastralpigpenfilledwithevilandhostility.Wewerenotmadewiththe intellectualcapacities to separate thegood from theevil, the truefrom the false, in the occult realm. For example, the prophetDanielwas a brilliant and godly young man; however, even he had to begivenadditionalwisdomfromGodinaspecialwaytobeabletohavediscernment in occultmatters. Thus involvement in such thingswillalways produce faulty conclusions, becauseman as a fallen creaturedoesnothave thenecessaryequipmentorability tosortoutdemonicmatters.

WeknowfromGod’sWordthatSatanandhisinvisibledemonsarecontinuallyat work in the world and all around us. But we do not have the wisdom todiscernexactlywhentheyarepresent,howmanythereare,whatkindtheyare,orwhattheyaredoing.SaintstreadondangerousgroundwhentheytrytodealwiththingsforwhichScripturegivesnoinstructionorguidance.WearetoputonGod’s armor and report toHim, perfectly confident in the knowledge that“greaterisHewhoisin[us]thanhewhoisintheworld”(1John4:4).Thevery“gatesofHadesshallnotoverpower”Christ’schurch(Matt.16:18).

THEVICTORY:INSTANDINGFIRM

Therefore,takeupthefullarmorofGod,thatyoumaybeabletoresistintheevilday,andhavingdoneeverything,tostandfirm.(6:13)It iseasyforbelievers—especially in theWesternworld,wherethechurchisgenerallyprosperousandrespected—tobecomplacentandbecomeoblivioustotheseriousnessofthebattlearoundthem.Theyrejoicein“victories”thatinvolvenobattlesandinakindofpeacethatismerelytheabsenceofconflict.Theirsisthevictoryandpeaceofthedraftdodgerordefectorwhorefusestofight.Theyarenotinterestedinarmorbecausetheyarenotengagedinthewar. God gives no deferments or exemptions. His people are at war and willcontinue tobe atwaruntilHe returns and takes chargeof earth.But even themost willing and eager soldier of Christ is helpless without God’s provision.That is Paul’s point here: take up the full armor of God. We have Hisprovision in being His children, in having His Word, in possessing HisindwellingHolySpirit,ofhavingeveryresourceofourheavenlyFather.Godisour strength, but His strength is appropriated only through obedience; Hismightyarmormustbeputon(v.11)andtakenup(v.13). EverydaysincetheFallhasbeenanevildayformankind,andeverydaywillcontinue tobeeviluntil theusurperandhis forcesare thrownforever into thebottomless pit. In themeanwhile theLordmakes usable to resist in the evildayaswetakeadvantageofthearmorHesupplies. Our responsibility is to resist and stand firm. When Martin Luther stoodbeforetheDietofWormshewasaccusedofheresy.Afterbeingcondemnedfordeclaring thatmen are saved by faith alone inChrist alone, he declared, “Myconscience is captive to the Word of God…. Here I stand, I cannot dootherwise.”Everybelieverwho is faithful toGod’sWordcannotdootherwisethanstandfirm. SomefortyyearsagothreemenconductedevangelisticcampaignstogetherinIreland and sawmuch fruit from their labors there.Years later an Irish pastorwhowas converted in thosemeetings asked about the threemen.Hewas toldthatonlyonewas still faithful to theLord.Of theother two,onehadbecomeapostate and the other had died an alcoholic. Some believers have doneeverythingwellintheLord’swork,buttheydonotcontinuetostandfirm.Theissue is not inwhat a believer has done, but, when the battle is over and the

smokeclears,whetherheisfoundstandingtruetotheSavior. John warned, “Watch yourselves, that you might not lose what we haveaccomplished, but that youmay receive a full reward” (2 John 8). Paul’s onegreatfearwasthat,“possibly,afterIhavepreachedtoothers,Imyselfshouldbedisqualified” (1 Cor. 9:27). He was not afraid of losing his salvation but hisrewardand,evenmore importantly,hisusefulness to theLord.CountlessmenandwomenhavefaithfullytaughtSundayschoolforyears,ledmanypeopletoJesus Christ, pastored a church, led Bible studies, ministered to the sick, anddone every sort of service in theLord’s name—only to one day give up, turntheirbacksonHiswork,anddisappearintotheworld.Thecircumstancesdiffer,but the underlying reason is always the same: they tookGod’s armor off andtherebylostthecourage,thepower,andthedesiretostandfirm. Inthegreatspiritualwarfareinwhichwedobattle,weareonlycalledtoresistandtostandfirm.Asnotedearlier,Jamessays,“Resistthedevilandhewillfleefromyou”(James4:7).Petercounselsusto“beofsoberspirit,beonthealert.Youradversary,thedevil,prowlsaboutlikearoaringlion,seekingsomeonetodevour.Butresisthim,firminyourfaith”(1Pet.5:8-9). Thegreatestjoyscomeinthegreatestvictories,andthegreatestvictoriescomefromthegreatestbattles—whentheyarefoughtinthepowerandwiththearmoroftheLord.

TheBeliever’sArmor—part1

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Stand firmtherefore,havinggirdedyour loinswith truth,andhavingputon the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with thepreparationofthegospelofpeace;(6:14-15)The great supernatural warfare raging throughout the universe that Pauldescribes in 6:11-12 is betweenGod and His angels and the forces of Satan.BecauseChristiansbelong toGod theyaredrawn into this spiritualconflictastheyareattackedbythevarious“schemesofthedevil.”God’senemybecomestheirenemy. ThisisthesupernaturalenemywhorebelledagainstGodinHisownheavens,whosucceededinluringmanfrominnocencetosinintheGardenofEden,whorepeatedly tried todestroyGod’schosenpeople, Israel.This is theenemywhotriedtostopthebirth,ministry,andresurrectionofGod’sownSon,JesusChrist.This is the enemy of unequalled wickedness who seeks to thwart Christ’scoming again and who will oppose Him with desperate and unprecedentedfiercenesswhenHedoesreturn. Because the “struggle is not against flesh and blood” (v. 12), the Christiancannotfightitinthepowerofhisownfleshandblood(2Cor.10:3-5).ItisfirstofallGod’sbattleanditcanbefoughtonlyinGod’spowerandinGod’sarmor. Satanopposesthebelieverinmanyways,someofthemdirectandobviousandothers of them indirect and subtle. First of all, he attempts to impugn God’scharacter and credibility, just as he did with Adam and Eve. Because man’sgreateststrengthistotrustGod,Satan’sobjectiveistomakehimdistrustGod.In countless variations Satan continues to tempt men to doubt God’s will(“Indeed,hasGodsaid?“)andtodoubtHismotives(“ForGodknowsthatinthedayyoueatfromityoureyeswillbeopened,andyouwillbelikeGod,”Gen.3:1,5).Thedevil’ssupremedesireistoconvincementhatGodisuntrustworthy,tocause them todenyGod’sWordand tomakeHima liar (see1 John5:10).SatanpaintstheFatheroftruthinhisownperverseimageas“thefatheroflies”(John8:44). When a believer doubts God’s goodness, love, power, grace, mercy, orsufficiency, he joins Satan in impugning God’s truthfulness.When a believer

becomes anxious, despondent, depressed, and hopeless, he joins Satan inimpugning God’s trustworthiness. He entices some believers even to commitmurder against themselves through suicide, because theywill not recognizeoraccepttheforgivenesstheirheavenlyFathercontinuallyandfreelyoffers(1John1:9).Whenayoungchilddiesorispermanentlycrippled,ahusbandorwifeistaken away, a child turns away from theLord, orwe loseourbusinessor ourhealth,Satanorhisdemonsmayattempt togenerate thoughts in themind thatplace the blame on God. This arena of conflict also involves attacking thetruthfulnessandsufficiencyofScripture. Second, Satan tries to undermine present victory by generating trouble thatmakeslifedifficult,therebytemptingustoforsakeobediencetoGod’sstandardsandcalling.Hismostextremetacticispersecution.Throughoutthehistoryofthechurch, believers have had to pay for their faith with their reputation, theirfreedom,theirjobs,theirfamilies,andeventheirlives.Perhapsthedevil’smostcommon and effective persecution of Christians comes in the form of peerpressure. Fear of criticism and the desire to be accepted by friends leadsbelieverstocompromiseGod’sWord.SatanmayevenreversehisapproachandundercutfaithfulChristianlivingbymakingiteasy.Withouthardshipsthereisthe inclination to lose the sense of dependence on the Lord. The easiestcircumstancesareoftenthehardestonesinwhichtobefaithful.Manybelieverswhose faith is strengthened by hard times find it is weakened when thebattlefieldisquiet.Christianityisoftenimpotentwhenitisacceptable. Third, Satan attacks believers through doctrinal confusion and falsehood.ChristianswhoareuntaughtinGod’sWordfalleasypreytowrongideasaboutthethingsofGod—aboutsalvation,sanctification,morality,heavenandhell,thesecond coming, and every other biblical truth. The believer who is confusedaboutGod’sWord cannot be effective inGod’swork.He is “tossed here andtherebywaves,andcarriedaboutbyeverywindofdoctrine”(Eph.4:14).Theenemy continually tries to convince Christians that Scripture is difficult tounderstand and insufficient to deal with complex issues, so that the averageperson cannot possibly expect tomake senseor applicationof it andmight aswell give up trying. When believers hear preachers and teachers givingconflicting and even contradictory interpretations of doctrine, their fears aboutScripture being difficult to understand are reinforced.And instead of studyingGod’sWordforthemselves,manybecomewillingsheepforfalseshepherdstoleadastray.IntheprocesstheysendmillionsofdollarsoftheLord’smoneytosupportunworthycauses. Fourth, Satan attacks God’s people by hindering their service to Him. He

opposeseveryfaithfullifeandeveryeffectiveministry.HeopposedPaul’sworkinEphesusthrough“manyadversaries”(1Cor.16:9)andevengavetheapostle“a thorn in the flesh,amessengerofSatan tobuffet [him]” (2Cor.12:7),andhinderedhisplansforThessalonica(1Thess.2:18).TheLordusedthatthorntostrengthenPaul’sministrybykeepinghimdependentandhumbleandHeusedthathindrance toaccomplishHispriorityworkelsewhere,butSatan’spurposewastoundermineandweakenthework. Fifth,Satanattacksbelieversbycausingdivisions.ThatiswhyJesusprayedsoearnestlyandrepeatedlyfortheunityofHisfollowers(John17:11,21-23)andcommands them to be quickly and willingly reconciled to each other (Matt.5:24). Nothing more clearly evidenced the carnality of the Corinthian churchthan itsdivisiveness (see1Cor.1-3),andoneofPaul’sgreatconcerns for theEphesianbelieverswasthattheybe“diligenttopreservetheunityoftheSpiritinthebondofpeace”(Eph.4:3).TheenemyknowsGodcannotworkeffectivelyinorthroughabodyofbelieverswhowillnotworklovinglywitheachother. Sixth,Satanattacksbelieversbypersuadingthemtotrusttheirownresources.ToattempttodotheLord’sworkinourownpowerisnottodoHisworkatall.AfterDavid had experiencedmanyyears of successful rule over Israel and ofdefeating her enemies, “Satan stood up against Israel and moved David tonumber Israel.” Instead of relying on the Lord as he had in the past, Daviddecided to count his own resources in terms of soldiers. “Godwas displeasedwiththisthing,soHestruckIsrael”withjudgment.“AndDavidsaidtoGod,‘Ihavesinnedgreatly,inthatIhavedonethisthing.Butnow,pleasetakeawaytheiniquityofThyservant,forIhavedoneveryfoolishly’”(1Chron.21:1-8). ItiseasyforbelieverstorelyontheirknowledgeofGod’sWordinsteadofontheOnewhogives theWord andmakes it effective.Nomatter howorthodoxand comprehensive our theology and no matter how solid the scripturalfoundationofourunderstanding,ifwedonotrelydaybydayonGod’sleadingandprovision,livinginconstantfaithanddependentprayer,weareunpreparedsoldiers of Christ and are vulnerable to our spiritual adversaries. Being filledwithGod’sWordbutnotobedienttoHisSpirithascausedthedownfallofmanybelievers. Right doctrine without right devotion is a serious pitfall for manyChristians.ThepersonwhotrustsinhisownunderstandinginsteadoftheLordHimself(Prov.3:5)playsintoSatan’shands.AswenotedwiththisverychurchatEphesus,withinafewyearsitbecamecoldandmechanicalintheexpressionofitsorthodoxy.RighttheologywithoutdeepdevotiontoChristcannotpreventthedeathofachurch. Seventh, Satan attacks believers by leading them into hypocrisy. One of his

greatestsuccessesthroughoutthehistoryofthechurchisthatofpopulatingthechurchwith religiousunbelievers andwith real believerswho livedisobedientlives.Thebelieverwhoismoreconcernedabouthisoutwardreputationthanhisinner spirituality does the devil’s work, not the Lord’s. To be satisfied withcovering our sins and spiritual weaknesses with a mask of piety, rather thanbringing them to the Lord for cleansing and strengthening, is to play Satan’sgame. Eighth, Satan attacks believers by leading them intoworldliness, by enticingthem to let the world squeeze them “into its own mold” (see Rom. 12:2,Phillips).IntimesofprosperityhefindsitparticularlyeasytoleadGod’speopleintomaterialism,self-satisfaction,self-indulgence,hedonism,andcontentednesswith the thingsof thisworld.Again reflectingon thewarningof John,wearereminded,“Donot lovetheworld,nor thethingsintheworld.Ifanyonelovestheworld,theloveoftheFatherisnotinhim.Forallthatisintheworld,thelustofthefleshandthelustoftheeyesandtheboastfulprideoflife,isnotfromtheFather,butisfromtheworld”(1John2:15-16). Ninth, in a way that encompasses all the others, Satan attacks believers byleadingthemtodisobeyGod’sWord.BecauseGodwantsustoactfaithfully,theenemyencouragesustoactunfaithfully.BecauseGodwantsustolivemorally,theenemysolicitsustoliveimmorally.BecauseGodwantsustospeakthetruth,theenemytemptsustolie.BecauseGodwantsustolove,theenemytemptsusto hate. Because God wants us to be content with what we have, the enemytemptsustocovet.BecauseGodwantsustolivebyfaith,theenemytemptsustolivebysight.AndsowitheverycommandandstandardofScripture. Yet, although we should be aware of these devices of Satan, our defenseagainstthemisnotsimplyourknowledgeofthembutratherGod’sprovisiontomeetthem.“Therefore,takeupthefullarmorofGod,”Paulsays,“thatyoumaybeabletoresistintheevilday,andhavingdoneeverything,tostandfirm”(Eph.6:13).Partialarmorisnotenough.Jesusasked,“Whatking,whenhesetsouttomeetanotherkinginbattle,willnotfirstsitdownandtakecounselwhetherheisstrongenoughwithtenthousandmentoencountertheonecomingagainsthimwithtwentythousand?”(Luke14:31).Wecannotknowexactlywhen,where,orhowtheenemywillattack.WethereforeneedtohaveonallofGod’sarmorallthetime.WhenthebelieverhasonGod’sfullarmor,itisnotnecessarytofullyknow or specifically understand the devil’s schemes. In fact, many times theChristiansoldierwillnotevenbeawareofadangerfromwhichGod’sarmorisatthatmomentprotectinghim. InEphesians6:14-17PaultellsusofthesevenpiecesofarmorwithwhichGod

suppliesHischildrentowithstandtheonslaughtsofSatanandhishosts. Asindicatedbyhaving…(representingtheGreekaoristtense),thefirstthreepiecesofarmorarepermanent,andthebelieverisnevertobewithoutthem.

THEGIRDLEOFTRUTH

Standfirmtherefore,havinggirdedyourloinswithtruth,(6:14a)TheRoman soldier alwayswore a tunic, an outer garment that served as hisprimaryclothing.Itwasusuallymadeofa large,squarepieceofmaterialwithholescutoutfortheheadandarms.Ordinarilyitdrapedlooselyovermostofthesoldier’s body. Since the greatest part of ancient combatwas hand-to-hand, aloosetunicwasapotentialhindranceandevenadanger.Beforeabattleitwasthereforecarefullycinchedupandtuckedintotheheavyleatherbeltthatgirdedthesoldier’sloins. The ordinary citizen of the Near East had a similar problem with his robe.Whenhewasinahurryorhadheavyworktodo,heeithertooktherobeoffortucked it around his waist. As God prepared the children of Israel to eat thePassovermealbefore they leftEgypt,He instructedMoses to tell them,“Nowyoushalleatitinthismanner:withyourloinsgirded,yoursandalsonyourfeet,and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste” (Ex. 12:11).ConcerningHissecondcoming,Jesustellsusto“bedressedinreadiness”(Luke12:35), which is literally, “have your loins girded.” Peter used the sameexpressionwhenhesaid,“Therefore,girdyourminds[lit.,“girduptheloinsofyourminds”] for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on thegrace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:13).Girdingtheloinswasamarkofpreparedness,andthesoldierwhowasseriousaboutfightingwassuretosecurehistunicwithhisbelt. The belt that girded it all securely together and demonstrates the believer’sreadinessforwaristruth.Alethēia(truth)basicallyreferstothecontentofthatwhichistrue.ThecontentofGod’struthisabsolutelyessentialforthebelieverin his battle against the schemes of Satan. Without knowledge of biblicalteaching,heis,astheapostlehasalreadypointedout,subjecttobeing“carriedabout by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness indeceitful scheming” (4:14). In his first letter toTimothy, Paulwarns that “theSpirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith,payingattentiontodeceitfulspiritsanddoctrinesofdemons”(1Tim.4:1).The“doctrinesofdemons”taughtbycultsandfalsereligionshavetheirorigininthe“deceitfulspirits”thatinEphesiansPaulcalls“rulers,…powers,…worldforcesofthisdarkness,…[and]spiritualforcesofwickednessintheheavenlyplaces”(6:12).ThesefalseschemesofSatancanbesuccessfullyencounteredonlywith

thetruthoftheWordofGod. Butaletheia(truth)canalsorefer to theattitudeof truthfulness.It representsnot only the accuracy of specific truths but the quality of truthfulness. ThatseemstobetheprimarymeaningPaulhasinmindhere.TheChristianistogirdhimselfinanattitudeoftotaltruthfulness.Tobegirded…withtruththereforeshowsanattitudeofreadinessandofgenuinecommitment.Itisthemarkofthesincere believer who forsakes hypocrisy and sham. Every encumbrance thatmight hinder his work for the Lord is gathered and tucked into his belt oftruthfulness so that itwill be out theway. Just as the serious runner takes offevery unnecessary piece of clothing before the race (Heb. 12:1), the serioussoldiertucksineveryloosepieceofclothingbeforethebattle. How much more important is the Christian’s preparedness as he faces theforcesofSatan.“Nosoldierinactiveservice,”Paulsays,“entangleshimselfintheaffairsofeverydaylife,sothathemaypleasetheonewhoenlistedhimasasoldier” (2 Tim. 2:4). It is sad that so many Christians are content to let the“tunics” of their daily cares and concerns flap in the breeze around them—continually interferingwith their faithfulness to the Lord and giving the devileveryopportunity to entangleanddefeat themwith theirown immaturehabitsandinterests. I believe that being girded…with truth primarily has to do with the self-discipline of total commitment. It is the committed Christian, just as it is thecommittedsoldierandthecommittedathlete,whoisprepared.Winninginwarand in sports isoften said tobe thedirect resultofdesire that leads tocarefulpreparationandmaximumeffort.It isthearmyortheteamwhowantsmosttowinwhoismostlikelytodoso—evenagainstgreatodds. SomeyearsagoIwastoldofayoungJewishmanfromtheUnitedStateswhodecided to go to Israel and live. After working there for two years he wasrequiredeithertoserveinthearmyforagivenperiodoftimeortoreturnhome.Hedecidedtojointhearmy.HisfatherwasagoodfriendofanIsraeligeneral,who at firstwas afraid the youngmanwould use that friendship to secure aneasy,safeassignment.Instead,hewenttothegeneralandsaid,“Mypresentdutyis too easy. I want to be in the finest, most strategic, diligent, and difficultregiment in the Israeli army.” Commenting on that spirit of dedication, thegeneral said, “People think Israelis are so successful atwar becausewe are asuperpeopleorthatwehavesuperintellectorsuperstrength.Butoursuccessisnot built on any of those things; it is built on commitment, unreserved andsacrificialcommitment.”

Ifathletessodedicateanddisciplinethemselvesinordertopossiblywinaraceand receive “a perishable wreath” from the world, how much more shouldbelieversinJesusChristdedicateanddisciplinethemselvestoabsolutelywinintheirstruggleagainstSatanandreceivean“imperishable”wreathfromGod(1Cor.9:25)? Beinggirded…withtruth isbeingrenewedinthemind, inorder to“provewhat thewillofGodis, thatwhich isgoodandacceptableandperfect”(Rom.12:2). When the mind is renewed in commitment to God’s truth, there isempowerment for theChristiansoldier tobecome“a livingandholysacrifice”that pleaseGod and is that believer’s “spiritual service ofworship” (v. 1). Inmanywaysitismoredifficultandmoredemandingtobealivingsacrificethanadyingone.Tobeburnedat the stake forone’s faithwouldbepainful,but itwouldsoonbeover.Tolivealifetimeoffaithfulobediencecanalsobepainfulat times, and its demands go on and on. It requires staying power that onlycontinual and total commitment to theLord canprovide. It demands that love“aboundstillmoreandmoreinrealknowledgeandalldiscernment,sothat[we]mayapprove the things thatareexcellent, inorder tobesincereandblamelessuntilthedayofChrist;havingbeenfilledwiththefruitofrighteousnesswhichcomesthroughJesusChrist,tothegloryandpraiseofGod”(Phil.1:9-11).Love,knowledge,andunderstandingofGodallneed togrowinus.Andwhen thosegrow, so does our commitment to the Lord for excellence in all things—theultimategoalofwhichis“thegloryandpraiseofGod.” Tobecontentwithmediocrity,lethargy,indifference,andhalf-heartednessistofailtobearmoredwiththebeltofGod’struthandtoleaveoneselfexposedtoSatan’sschemes. JohnMonsell’shymnfocusesonthevirtueoftruecommitment:

Fightthegoodfightwithallthymight;Christisthystrength,andChristthyright.Layholdonlife,anditshallbeThyjoyandcrowneternally.

RunthestraightracethroughGod’sgoodgrace,

Liftupthineeyes,andseekHisface;Lifewithitswaybeforetheelies,Christisthepath,andChristtheprize.

Castcareaside,leanonthyGuide;Hisboundlessmercywillprovide;Trust,andthytrustingsoulshallproveChristisitslife,andChristitslove.

THEBREASTPLATEOFRIGHTEOUSNESS

andhavingputonthebreastplateofrighteousness,(6:14b)No Roman soldier would go into battle without his breastplate, a tough,sleevelesspieceofarmorthatcoveredhisfulltorso.Itwasoftenmadeofleatheror heavy linen, ontowhichwere sewnoverlapping slices of animal hooves orhornsorpiecesofmetal.Someweremadeof largepiecesofmetalmoldedorhammeredtoconformtothebody.Thepurposeofthatpieceofarmorisobvious—toprotecttheheart,lungs,intestines,andothervitalorgans. InancientJewishthinking,theheartrepresentedthemindandthewillandthebowels were considered the seat of emotions and feelings. Themind and theemotions are the two areas where Satan most fiercely attacks believers. Hecreates a world system, a sinful environment by which he tempts us to thinkwrongthoughtsandtofeelwrongemotions.Hewantstocloudourmindswithfalse doctrine, false principles, and false information in order to mislead andconfuse us. He also wants to confuse our emotions and thereby pervert ouraffections,morals, loyalties, goals, and commitments.Hedesires to snatch theWord ofGod from ourminds and replace itwith his own perverse ideas.Heseekstounderminepurelivingandreplaceitwithimmorality,greed,envy,hate,andeveryothervice.Hewantsustolaughatsinratherthanmournoverit,andtorationalizeitratherthanconfessitandbringittotheLordforforgiveness.Heseducesustobecomesousedtosininusandaroundusthatitnolongerbothersourconscience. The protection against those attacks of Satan is the breastplate ofrighteousness. Righteousness is to be taken and wrapped around our wholebeing,asitwere,justasancientsoldierscoveredthemselveswithbreastplatesofarmor. Paul is obviously not speaking here of self-righteousness, which is notrighteousness at all but theworst formof sin. It is, however,with this sort ofrighteousness that many Christians clothe themselves, thinking that their owncharacterandlegalisticbehaviorandaccomplishmentspleaseGodandwillbringHis reward. But far from protecting a believer, a cloak of self-righteousnessgives Satan a ready-made weapon to stifle and smother our spiritual life andservice. Self-righteousness will as surely keep a believer out of the power offellowshipwithGod as it will keep an unbeliever out ofHis kingdom (Matt.5:20). Our own righteousness, even as believers, is nothing more than filthy

garments (Isa. 64:6). It brings us no favor with God and no protection fromSatan. Nor isPaulspeakinghereof imputedrighteousness, theperfect righteousnessGodappliestotheaccountofeveryChristianthemomenthebelievesinChrist(Rom. 4:6, 11, 22-24).GodmadeChrist, “who knew no sin to be sin on ourbehalf, thatwemightbecometherighteousnessofGodinHim”(2Cor.5:21).WecannotputonwhatGodhasalreadyclotheduswith.Wearepermanentlydressed in that righteousness, throughoutour liveson earth and throughout alleternity. God’s imputed righteousness is the basis of our Christian life and of ourChristianliving.Itprotectsusfromhell,butitdoesnot,initself,protectusfromSatan in thispresent life.Thebreastplateofrighteousness thatweputon asspiritualarmoragainstouradversaryisthepracticalrighteousnessofalifelivedin obedience toGod’sWord. (Cf. the putting on of righteous behavior in linewiththe“newself”in4:24-27,whichhavingbeendone,will“notgivethedevilanopportunity.”SeealsotheputtingonofrighteousdeedsinCol.3:9-14.) Paul shows the relationshipbetween these two formsof true righteousness inPhilippians 3. His salvation, he tells us, was based solely on God’s imputedrighteousness,“nothavinga righteousnessof [his]ownderived fromtheLaw,but thatwhich is through faith inChrist, the righteousnesswhich comes fromGodonthebasisoffaith”(v.9).ButhisChristianlivinginvolvedanotherkindof righteousness, the practicalworkingout of his imputed righteousness: “NotthatIhavealreadyobtainedit,orhavealreadybecomeperfect,butIpressoninorder that Imay lay hold of that forwhich also I was laid hold of by ChristJesus.Brethren,Idonotregardmyselfashavinglaidholdofityet;butonethingIdo:forgettingwhatliesbehindandreachingforwardtowhatliesahead,IpressontowardthegoalfortheprizeoftheupwardcallofGodinChristJesus”(vv.12-14). Imputedrighteousnessmakespractical righteousnesspossible,butonlyobediencetotheLordmakespracticalrighteousnessareality. Paulgloriedinhisimputedrighteousness,whichonlyGod’ssavinggracecanbestow.Buthedidnotpresumeonitasmanybelieversthroughoutthehistoryofthechurchhavedone.Christianswhosaythatitdoesn’treallymatterhowtheythinkortalkoract,becauseallsins—past,present,andfuture—arecoveredbyChrist’sblood,reflectthispresumptionandvulnerabilitytotheenemy.ItisthisirrationalandunscripturalargumentthatPaulcountersinRomans6.“Arewetocontinueinsin thatgracemight increase?Mayitneverbe!Howshallwewhodiedtosinstillliveinit?…Evensoconsideryourselvestobedeadtosin,butalivetoGodinChristJesus.Thereforedonotletsinreigninyourmortalbody

thatyoushouldobeyitslusts,anddonotgoonpresentingthemembersofyourbodytosinasinstrumentsofunrighteousness;butpresentyourselvestoGodasthosealivefromthedead,andyourmembersasinstrumentsofrighteousnesstoGod”(w.1-2,11-13).Jesusdiedtosaveusfromeveryaspectofsin,itspresenceaswellasitspowerandpenalty. Toput on the breastplate of righteousness is to live in daily,moment-by-moment obedience to our heavenly Father. This part of God’s armor is holyliving,forwhichGodsuppliesthestandardandthepowerbutforwhichwemustsupplythewillingness.GodHimselfputsonourimputedrighteousness,butwemustputonourpracticalrighteousness. Not tobearmoredwith thebreastplateofrighteousnesswill firstofallcosttheChristianhisjoy.John’sfirstepistlecontainsmanywarningsandcommandstobelievers,andthesearegiven—alongwiththeothertruthsoftheletter—“sothat our joy may be made complete” (1 John 1:4). In other words, lack ofobediencebringslackofjoy.TheonlyjoyfulChristianistheobedientChristian. Many, if not most, of the emotional and relational problems Christiansexperiencearecausedbylackofpersonalholiness.Manyofourdisappointmentsanddiscouragementsdonotcomefromcircumstancesorfromotherpeoplebutfrom our own unconfessed and uncleansed sin. And when circumstances andotherpeopledomanagetorobusofhappiness,itisbecauseweareunprotectedbythearmorofaholy life. Ineithercase thecauseofunhappiness isourownsin.AfterDavidcommittedadulterywithBathshebaandorderedthedeathofherhusband,Uriah,hehadnopeace.That iswhyhisgreatpsalmofpenitenceforthose sins includes the plea, “Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation” (Ps.51:12).Unholylivingdoesnotrobusofsalvation,butitrobsusofsalvation’sjoy. Thechurchtodayisoftenguiltyofsupplyingbelieverswiththepaperarmorofgood advice, programs, activities, techniques, and methods—when what theyneedisgodlyarmorofholyliving.Noprogram,method,ortechniquecanbringwholeness and happiness to the believer who is unwilling to confront andforsakehissin. Second, failure to be armed with practical righteousness will causefruitlessness.ThedisobedientChristianisunproductiveinthethingsoftheLord.Whateveraccomplishmentshemayseemtoachievewillbesham,hollowhullsthathavenospiritualfruitinside. Third, unholy living brings loss of reward. Whatever the worldly, fleshlybelieverdoeswillneveramounttoanythingworthyofheavenlypraise.Itisno

more thanwood,hay,orstrawinGod’ssight,andwhenhefaces theLordhisworthlessworkwillbeburnedupandhisrewardforfeited(1Cor.3:12-15). Fourth, unholy living brings reproach onGod’s glory. The greatest evil of aChristian’ssinisitsreflectiononhisheavenlyFather.Unholinessfailsto“adornthedoctrineofGodourSaviorineveryrespect”(Titus2:10). “Beloved,”Peterimplores,“Iurgeyouasaliensandstrangerstoabstainfromfleshly lusts,whichwagewaragainst thesoul”(1Pet.2:11).Fleshly lustsandevery other form of sin are part of Satan’s arsenal with which he wages waragainst our very souls. Our armor must therefore include the breastplate ofrighteousness, the genuine holiness of the genuine Christian whose “everythought[is]captivetotheobedienceofChrist”(2Cor.10:5)andwhosemindisset “on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Col. 3:2). “Thenight is almostgone,”Paul says, “and theday is at hand.Letus therefore layaside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light…. Put on theLordJesusChrist, andmakenoprovision for the flesh in regard to its lusts” (Rom.13:12,14).

FEETSHODWITHTHEGOSPEL

andhavingshodyourfeetwiththepreparationofthegospelofpeace;(6:15)Todaywe have shoes for every conceivable type of activity.We have dressshoes,work shoes, leisure shoes. In athletics there are special shoes for everysport,sometimesseveraltypesforagivensport.Atennisplayermightwearonetypeofshoeonaconcretecourt,anotherkindonclay,andstillanotherongrass.Likewise,footballandbaseballplayersweardifferentshoestoplayondifferentsurfaces. Asoldier’sshoesaremore importanteven thananathlete’s,becausehisverylife could depend on them. As he marches on rough, hot roads, climbs overjagged rocks, tramples over thorns, and wades through streambeds of jaggedstones,hisfeetneedmuchprotection.Asoldierwhosefeetareblistered,cut,orswollencannotfightwellandoftenisnotevenbeabletostandup—aperiloussituation in battle.He cannot verywell handle his swordor shield and cannotadvancerapidlyorevenretreat. In addition to beingmade tough and durable to protect his feet, the Romansoldier’sshoes,orboots,wereusuallyimpregnatedwithbitsofmetalornailstogivehimgreatertractionasheclimbedaslipperycliffandgreaterstabilityashefought. AChristian’sspiritualfootwearisequallyimportantinhiswarfareagainsttheschemesofthedevil.Ifhehascarefullygirdedhisloinswithtruthandputonthebreastplate of righteousness, but does not properly shod his feet with thepreparationof thegospelofpeace,he isdestined tostumble, fall,andsuffermanydefeats. Hetoimasia (preparation) has thegeneralmeaningof readiness. InTitus3:1Paul uses the term to exhort believers “to be ready for every good deed”(emphasisadded).Agoodpairofbootsallowsthesoldiertobereadytomarch,climb, fight, or do whatever else is necessary. Christ demands the samereadinessofHispeople. BecausePaulquotedIsaiah52:7inthecontextofpreachingthegospel(“Howbeautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!” Rom.10:15), many commentators also interpret Ephesians 6:15 as a reference topreaching. But in the Ephesians text Paul is not talking about preaching orteachingbutaboutrightingspiritualbattles.Andheisnottalkingabouttraveling

aboutbutstandingfirm(vv.11,13,14).Hissubjectisnotevangelizingthelostbutfightingthedevil. InthispassagethegospelofpeacereferstothegoodnewsthatbelieversareatpeacewithGod.Theunsavedpersonishelpless,ungodly,sinful,andanenemyofGod(Rom.5:6-10).Thesavedperson,ontheotherhand,isreconciledtoGodthrough faith in His Son (vv. 10-11). As Paul had proclaimed a few versesearlier, “WehavepeacewithGod throughourLord JesusChrist” (5:1). “Andalthough you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evildeeds,”PaulexplainedtotheColossians,“yetHehasnowreconciledyouinHisfleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy andblamelessandbeyondreproach”(1:21-22). ThegospelofpeaceisthemarveloustruththatinChristwearenowatpeacewith God and are one with Him. Therefore, when our feet are shod with thepreparationofthegospelofpeace,westandintheconfidenceofGod’sloveforus,Hisunionwithus,andHiscommitmenttofightforus. When Peter took out his sword as the soldiers came to arrest Jesus in theGarden ofGethsemane, he considered himself invincible, because he had justseenallthesoldiersfalltothegroundsimplyatJesus’words,“IamHe”(John18:6).As the children of Israel faced the greatMidianite army that numberedsomethirty-twothousandmen,theLordtoldGideon,“Thepeoplewhoarewithyou are toomany forMe to giveMidian into their hands, lest Israel becomeboastful, saying ‘Myownpowerhasdeliveredme’” (Judg.7:2).AfterGideonhadtrimmedhisownforcedowntobutthreehundredmen,theLordgaveIsraelanastoundingvictorywithouttheirusingasingleweapon(v.22).AsJudahwasabout to be invaded by the powerful armies of Ammon andMoab, the LordpromisedKingJehoshaphat,“Donotfearorbedismayedbecauseof thisgreatmultitude,forthebattleisnotyoursbutGod’s”(2Chron.20:15).AsHispeople“begansingingandpraising,theLordsetambushesagainstthesonsofAmmon,Moab,andMountSeir,whohadcomeagainstJudah;sotheywererouted.Forthe sons of Ammon andMoab rose up against the inhabitants ofMount Seirdestroyingthemcompletely,andwhentheyhadfinishedwiththeinhabitantsofSeir,theyhelpedtodestroyoneanother.WhenJudahcametothelookoutofthewilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and behold, they were corpseslying on the ground, and no one had escaped” (vv. 22-24).AswithGideon’sband against Midian, the Lord won the victory without His people raising aweapon. Thebelieverwho stands in theLord’s power neednot fear any enemy, evenSatan himself.When he comes to attack us, our feet are rooted firmly on the

solid ground of the gospel of peace, through which God changed from ourenemytoourdefender.WewhowereonceHisenemiesarenowHischildren,andourheavenlyFatheroffersusHis full resources to“bestrong in theLord,andinthestrengthofHismight”(Eph.6:10).“IfGodisforus,whoisagainstus?” Paul asks. “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer throughHimwholovedus.ForIamconvinced thatneitherdeath,nor life,norangels,norprincipalities,northingspresent,northingstocome,norpowers,norheight,nordepth,noranyothercreatedthing,shallbeabletoseparateusfromtheloveofGod,whichisinChristJesusourLord”(Rom.8:31,37-39). TheSpirit-filledbelieverwhoisfullycladinGod’sarmorcansingconfidentlywithJohnNewton,

Thoughmanyfoesbesetyouround,Andfeebleisyourarm,YourlifeishidwithChristinGodBeyondtherealmofharm.

Weakasyouareyoushallnotfade,

Orfaintingshallnotdie;JesusthestrengthofeverysaintWillaidyoufromonhigh.

Thoughunperceivedbymortalsense,

FaithseesHimalwaysnear,Aguide,aglory,adefense,Whathaveyoutofear?

AssurelyasHeovercame,

Andtriumphedonceforyou,SosurelyyouthatloveHisnameShallinHimtriumphtoo.

TheBeliever’sArmor—part2

28

Inadditiontoall,takinguptheshieldoffaithwithwhichyouwillbeabletoextinguish all the flamingmissiles of the evil one.And take the helmet ofsalvation,andtheswordoftheSpirit,whichisthewordofGod.(6:16-17)Inaddition toall introduces the last threepiecesofarmor.The first three—girdle,breastplate,andshoes(vv.14-15)—wereforlong-rangepreparationandprotectionandwerenever takenoffonthebattlefield.Theshield,helmet,andsword, on theotherhand,werekept in readiness forusewhenactual fightingbegan,hencetheverbstakingupandtake.

THESHIELDOFFAITH

theshieldoffaithwithwhichyouwillbeabletoextinguishalltheflamingmissilesoftheevilone.(6:16)Romansoldiersusedseveralkindsofshields,buttwowerethemostcommon.Thefirstwasarathersmallroundshield,perhapstwofeetindiameter,thatwassecured to thearmby two leatherstraps. Itwas relatively lightweightandwasusedtoparrytheswordblowsofone’sopponentinhand-to-handrighting. The secondkindwas the thureos, towhichPaul refers here.This shieldwasabout twoandhalffeetwideandfourandahalffeethigh,designedtoprotecttheentirebodyof thesoldier—whowasconsiderablysmaller than theaveragemantoday.Theshieldwasmadeofasolidpieceofwoodandwascoveredwithmetalorheavyoiledleather. The soldiers who carried these shields were in the front lines of battle, andnormallystoodsidebysidewiththeirshieldstogether,formingahugephalanxextending as long as amile ormore.The archers stood behind this protectivewall of shields and shot their arrows as they advanced against the enemy.Anyone who stood or crouched behind such shields was protected from thebarrageofenemyarrowsandspears. The faith towhich Paul refers here is not the body of Christian beliefs (forwhichthetermisusedin4:13),butbasictrustinGod—thefaithinChristthatappropriates salvation and continues to bring blessing and strength as it trustsHimfordailyprovisionandhelp.ThesubstanceofChristianityisbelievingthatGodexistsand thatHerewards thosewhoseekHim(Heb.11:6);putting totaltrust in His Son as the crucified, buried, risen, and ascended Savior; obeyingScripture asHis infallible and authoritativeWord; and looking forward to theLord’scomingagain.Habakkuk’sgreatdeclarationthat“therighteouswilllivebyhisfaith”(Hab.2:4)isquotedandreaffirmedtwicebyPaul(Rom.1:17;Gal.3:11)andoncebythewriterofHebrews(10:38). Everypersonlivesbysomeformoffaith.Wecrossabridgewiththefaiththatitwillsupportus.Weeatfoodtrustingthatitisnotpoisoned.Weputourlivesinthe security of airplanes, trains, ships, buses, and automobiles, confident thattheyaresafe.Thefactthatfaithinsuchthingsisusuallywellfoundedmakeslifeand society as we know it possible. Reflecting on this fact in a morephilosophicalmanner,OliverWendellHolmessaid,“Itisfaithinsomethingthat

makeslifeworthliving.” But faith inGod is immeasurablymore reliableandmore important than thepractical,everydayfaithbywhichwelive.Anditisfarfrombeingsimply“faithinsomething.”Faithisonlyasreliableandhelpfulasthetrustworthinessofitsobject;andChristianfaithispowerfulandeffectivebecausetheobjectoffaith,Jesus Christ, is infinitely powerful and absolutely dependable. Christian faithneverfails,becausetheOneinwhomthatfaithisplacedneverfails. When John Patonwas translating theBible for a South Seas island tribe, hediscovered that theyhadnoword for trustor faith.Onedayanativewhohadbeenrunninghardcameintothemissionary’shouse,floppedhimselfinalargechairandsaid,“It’sgoodtorestmywholeweightonthischair.”“That’sit,”saidPaton.“I’lltranslatefaithas‘restingone’swholeweightonGod.’” InNewTestamenttimesthetipsofarrowswouldoftenbewrappedinpiecesofcloththathadbeensoakedinpitch.Justbeforethearrowwasshot,thetipwouldbelightedandtheflamingmissilewouldbeshotattheenemytroops.Thepitchburned fiercely, and on impact it would spatter burning bits for several feet,igniting anything flammable it touched. In addition to piercing their bodies, itcouldinflictseriousburnsonenemysoldiersanddestroytheirclothingandgear.The most reliable protection against such flaming missiles was the thureosshield,whosecoveringofmetalorleathersoakedinwaterwouldeitherdeflectorextinguishthem. The spiritual flamingmissiles againstwhichbelieversneedprotectionwouldseem primarily to be temptations. Satan continually bombards God’s childrenwithtemptationstoimmorality,hatred,envy,anger,covetousness,pride,doubt,fear,despair,distrust,andeveryothersin. Satan’s initial temptation toAdamandEvewas toentice them todoubtGodand instead to put their trust in his lies. That was the first of his flamingmissiles,fromwhichalltheothershavelightedtheirflames.Everytemptation,directlyorindirectly,isthetemptationtodoubtanddistrustGod.Thepurposeofall of Satan’smissiles, therefore, is to cause believers to forsake their trust inGod,todriveawedgebetweentheSaviorandthesaved.HeeventemptedGod’sown Son to distrust Him in the wilderness—first to distrust His Father’sprovision,thentodistrustHisprotectionandHisplan(Matt.4:3-9). EffortstojustifyfornicationoradulteryinthenameofGod’sgrace—arguing,assomedo,thatsexwascreatedbyGodandthateverythingHecreatedisgood—pervert logic, contradict God’s Word, and impugn His integrity. Trying tojustifymarriage to an unbeliever—arguing that the relationship is so beautiful

thatitmustbeofGod—followsSatan’swillinsteadofGod’s.DoubtingGodistodisbelieveGod,which,astheapostleJohntellsus,makesaliarofHimwhocannotlie(1John5:10;cf.Titus1:2).Wheneverandhoweverwetrytojustifyany sin,we degradeGod’s character and elevate Satan’s. To sin is to believeSatan, and to follow righteousness is to believeGod.Therefore, all sin resultsfromfailuretoactinfaithinwhoGodisandinwhatHeis.Faith,then,istheshield. SinforsakesandcontradictsGod’spromisesthatthepersonwholistenstoHimisblessed(Prov.8:34), thatHewillnevergiveHischildrenastonewhentheyaskforafish(Matt.7:9),thatHewillopenthewindowsofheavenandpouroutimmeasurableblessingsonHis faithfulchildren(Mai.3:10), thatHehasgiven“everygood thingbestowedandeveryperfectgift” (James1:17), thatHewill“supplyall[our]needsaccordingtoHisrichesinglory”(Phil.4:19),thatHehasalready “blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places inChrist”(Eph.1:3),andahundredothersuchpromises. The onlyway to extinguish Satan’s flamingmissiles of temptation to doubtGod is tobelieveGod, takingup the shield of faith. “Everyword ofGod istested,”thewriterofProverbstellsus.“HeisashieldtothosewhotakerefugeinHim.DonotaddtoHiswordslestHereproveyou,andyoubeprovedaliar”(Prov. 30:5-6). David reminds us that “theword of the Lord is tried;He is ashield toallwho takerefuge inHim”(Ps.18:30).“This is thevictory thathasovercometheworld—ourfaith”(1John5:4). The evil one (or “vile, wretched one,” poneros) refers to the devil, whosesupernaturallyevilschemeswearetostandfirmagainstand“toresistintheevilday”withthearmorGodsupplies(vv.11-13).Paulhereagainemphasizesthatour struggle is against personal forces of evil—not simply against badphilosophies or wrong ideas, as liberal theologians and preachers have longmaintained.Ourbattleisnotagainstabstractevilinfluencesbutthepersonaleviloneandhishordesofpersonaldemons.

THEHELMETOFSALVATION

Andtakethehelmetofsalvation,(6:17a)ThefifthpieceofGod’sarmorisrepresentedbytheRomansoldier’shelmet,withoutwhichhewouldneverenterbattle.Someof thehelmetsweremadeofthick leather covered with metal plates, and others were of heavy molded orbeatenmetal.Theyusuallyhadcheekpiecestoprotecttheface. The purpose of the helmet, of course, was to protect the head from injury,particularly from the dangerous broadsword commonly used in thewarfare ofthatday.Thatwasnotthemuchsmallerswordmentionedlaterinthisverse,butwasa largetwo-handed,double-edgedsword(rhomphaia,seeRev.1:16;2:12;6:8) that measured three to four feet in length. It was often carried bycavalrymen,whowouldswingattheheadsofenemysoldierstosplittheirskullsordecapitatethem. ThefactthatthehelmetisrelatedtosalvationindicatesthatSatan’sblowsaredirected at the believer’s security and assurance inChrist. The two dangerousedges of Satan’s spiritual broadsword are discouragement and doubt. Todiscourageushepoints toour failures,our sins,ourunresolvedproblems,ourpoorhealth,ortowhateverelseseemsnegativeinourlivesinordertomakeusloseconfidenceintheloveandcareofourheavenlyFather. AsElijahdiscovered,wearesometimesmostvulnerabletodiscouragementjustafter we have experienced success. By calling down fire to consume thesacrifices on a Mount Carmel altar drenched with water, the prophet haddemonstrated that theLordof Israelwas the trueGod.He thenkilled the450falseprophetsofBaalandreportedtoKingAhabthatrainwouldatlastreturntoIsrael.ButwhenQueen Jezebel,whohadbrought the false prophets to Israel,heardoftheirslaughter,shesentwordtoElijah,saying,“Somaythegodsdotome and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them bytomorrowaboutthistime.”Thentheprophetwhohadstoodfearlesslybeforethehundredsoffalseprophetsbecamefrightenedforhislifeatthethreatofthisonewoman. Although he was perhaps eighty years old at that time, Elijah “wasafraid and arose and ran for his life” down to Beersheba and on into thewilderness. There he “sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested forhimselfthathemightdie,andsaid,‘Itisenough;now,OLord,takemylife,forIamnotbetterthanmyfathers.’”Butinsteadoflettinghisprophetdie,theLordtwicesentanangeltohimwithfoodandwater,andinthestrengthofthatfood

Elijah travelled fortydays andnights farther toMountHoreb,where theLordtwiceaskedhim,“Whatareyoudoinghere,Elijah?”AfterElijahtwicereplied,ineffect,thateverythingwashopelessandthathewastheonlyfaithfulIsraeliteleftalive,theLordassuredhiminagentlevoicethatHewasstillincontrol.Hethen gaveHis prophet his next assignment and assured him that 7,000 of hisfellowcountrymenhadnotbowedtoBaal(1Kings18:27—19:18). We learn from Elijah’s experience that we need the Lord’s strength andprovision after a victory as well as during the battle. For Satan, the battle isneverover,andhelovestoattackuswithdiscouragementthemomentwethinkweare safe.TheLord told thedisciples theparableof the importunatewidow“toshowthatatalltimestheyoughttoprayandnottoloseheart”(Luke18:1). When the coal truck delivered a ton of coal on the sidewalk in front of herhouse,alittleLondongirltookhersmallshovelandbegancarryingthecoalintothebasement.Whenaneighbormanwhowaswatchingtoldher,“You’llneverbeabletogetitallin,”shereplied,“Oh,Iwillsir,ifIworklongenough.” Thetestofaperson’scharacteriswhatittakestostophim.Somepeopleretreatassoonasthefirstshotisfired,whileothersfightthroughbattleafterbattlewithnothoughtofgivingup.Satanwilltryeverymeanstodiscourageanddeterus,remindingusofdefeatsanddangersandsettingeverypossibleobjectinourwaytodestroyourassuranceinChrist.TheLordallowedSatantostripJobofeverygoodthinghepossessedexcepthislife,yetthatmanofGoddeclared,“ThoughHeslayme,IwillhopeinHim”(Job13:15).ThebookofJobdemonstratesthecharacteroftruesavingfaithinrevealingthatitisnotconnectedtowhatbenefitsandblessingsapersonhasor loses. Job’shelmetdeflectedeveryblowagainsthim,andhemaintainedhisfaithinGod’sloveandcare.WhenGodfirstcalledJeremiah,Hetoldtheprophetthatnoonewouldlistentohimandthathewouldberejectedandafflicted;yethetestified,“ThywordswerefoundandIatethem,andThywordsbecameformeajoyandthedelightofmyheart;forIhavebeencalledbyThyname,OLordGodofhosts”(Jer.15:16). Satanalsotemptsustobecomediscouragedwhenweseeotherbelieversgoingthrough times of trial. Realizing the Ephesians’ deep concern about hisimprisonment,Paultoldthem,“Iaskyounottoloseheartatmytribulationsonyourbehalf,fortheyareyourglory”(Eph.3:13).HetemptsustogiveupwhenwecannotseeresultsfromourservicetotheLord.WhentheGalatianbelieversfacedthatproblem,Paultoldthem,“Letusnotloseheartindoinggood,forinduetimeweshallreapifwedonotgrowweary”(Gal.6:9). Becausetheadversarywillneverlaydownhisswordagainstusaslongaswe

are on earth, God’s armor is a constant necessity until we leave this earthforever.OnlywhenourworkonearthisfinishedcanwesaywithPaul,“Ihavefoughtthegoodfight,Ihavefinishedthecourse,Ihavekeptthefaith”(2Tim.4:7). In His brief letter to the Ephesian church recorded in the book ofRevelation, the Lord wrote these words of encouragement: “You haveperseveranceandhaveenduredforMyname’ssake,andhavenotgrownweary”(Rev.2:3). DiscouragementinprayingforanunsavedhusbandwhocontinuestorejectthegospelorachildwhorefusestofollowthewaysoftheLordhehasbeentaughtiscommon.Thetemptationistoloseheartwhen,likePaul,werepeatedlyprayforaphysicalhealingthatdoesnotcome.Godansweredtheapostle’sprayerinwordsthatapplytoeverybelieverineverycircumstance:“Mygraceissufficientforyou, forpower isperfected inweakness.”Weneed torespondasPauldid:“Mostgladly,therefore,Iwillratherboastaboutmyweaknesses,thatthepowerofChristmaydwellinme”(2Cor.12:9).Itisalsohelpfultorememberwithhimthat“nowsalvationisnearertousthanwhenwebelieved”(Rom.13:11). As my dedicated grandfather, who had preached the gospel faithfully allthroughhisministry,laydyingofcancer,hetoldmyfather,“IwishIcouldjustpreach this one last sermon I’ve prepared.” He was never personally able topreachthatsermonfromapulpit,butmyfatherhaditprintedanddistributedtothe congregation at the funeral. Even from his deathbed he longed to serve,neverlosingheartorgivingup.AsIsaiahtellsus,theLord“givesstrengthtotheweary, and to himwho lacksmightHe increases power.Thoughyouths growwearyandtired,andvigorousyoungmenstumblebadly,yetthosewhowaitfortheLordwillgainnewstrength;theywillmountupwithwingslikeeagles,theywillrunandnotgettired,theywillwalkandnotbecomeweary”(Isa.40:29-31). Inthenameofgrace,someChristiansinsistthatabeliever’sonlyresponsibilityisto“letgoandletGod.”ThestatementmadetoKingJehoshaphat,“ThebattleisnotyoursbutGod’s,”hasbeentakentomeanthatbelievershaveonlytositback and watch God work. That ever-present philosophy was held by theQuakersandQuietistsofpastcenturies,whoemphasizedsurrenderandpassivityabovecommitmentandself-discipline.AbidinginJesusdoesnotmeanwearetodonothingourselves.InthesamepassageinwhichHetellsustoabideinHim,Heexplains that thisabiding involveskeepingHiscommandments(John15:4-10; cf. 1 John 3:24). The truly surrendered life is the life committed toaggressive,confrontive,andunreservedobediencetoallofGod’scommands. Someadvocatesofthattruncatedviewofthesurrenderedlifehavetaughtthatthe personwho is fully surrenderedwill never experience temptation, because

Christ intercepts every effort ofSatan to temptus.This philosophy is perhapsmost clearly and popularly presented in Hannah Whithall Smith’s TheChristian’sSecretofaHappyLife.Inthatbookshesays,

Whatcanbesaidaboutman’spart in thisgreatworkbut thathemustcontinuallysurrenderhimselfandcontinuallytrust?ButwhenwecometoGod’ssideofthequestion,whatistherethatmaynotbesaidastothemanifoldandwonderfulwaysinwhichHeaccomplishestheworkentrustedtoHim?Itisherethatthegrowingcomesin.Thelumpofclaycouldnevergrowtoabeautifulvesselifitstayedintheclaypitfor thousandsofyears;butwhen it isput into thehandsofaskillfulpotteritgrowsrapidly,underhisfashioning,intothevesselheintendsittobe.Andinthesamewaythesoul,abandonedtotheworkingtheHeavenlyPotter,ismadeintoavesseluntohonor,sanctified,andmeetfortheMaster’suse.([Westwood,N.J.:Revell,1952],p.32)

Oneoftheproblemswiththatviewisthatitmakesnoallowanceforsin.Johnsays unequivocally that “if we say that we have no sin, we are deceivingourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). Does such a surrenderedbelieveroccasionally jumpoutof thedivinePotter’shandintosin?Ifso,whatdoesthatsayaboutthePotter,who,accordingtothisview,hascompletecontrolovertheclay? Evenmoreimportantly,thatviewisnotsupportedbyScripture.SurrenderandsubmissiontotheLordarecardinalandoft-repeatedNewTestamenttruths,butthey do not stand apart from—much less opposed to—the many other NewTestamentcommandsforChristianstobeactivelyinvolvedintheLord’swork.To “depend onGod for everything” and then not useHis provision to do theotherthingsHecommandsisnotdependencebutpresumption. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is replete with commands for Christians to dothingsotherthansimplysubmittoGod.Assoonashehasfinishedsaying,“Forbygraceyouhavebeensavedthroughfaith;andthatnotofyourselves,itisthegiftofGod;notasaresultofworks,thatnooneshouldboast,”theapostlegoesontosay,“ForweareHisworkmanship,createdinChristJesusforgoodworks,whichGodpreparedbeforehand,thatweshouldwalkinthem”(2:8-10).Laterheentreats us “towalk in amannerworthy of the callingwithwhich [we] havebeencalled”(4:1);to“walknolongerjustastheGentilesalsowalk”(4:17);to“beimitatorsofGod,asbelovedchildren;andwalkinlove, justasChristalsoloved you” (5:1-2); and to “be filled with the Spirit” and “be subject to one

another” (5:18, 21). He commands wives to be subject to their husbands,husbands to love their wives, children to obey their parents, and slaves to beobedienttotheirmasters(5:22,25;6:1,5).InthepassageabouttheChristian’sarmor(6:10-17)hecommandsbelieversto“bestrong,”to“putonthefullarmorofGod,”“tostandfirm”(threetimes),and,astheystruggleagainstthedevilandhisforces,to“takeupthefullarmorofGod,”to“resistintheevilday,”togirdtheir loins, “put on the breastplate of righteousness,” take up “the shield offaith,”and“takethehelmetofsalvation,andtheswordoftheSpirit.”Paulsaysnothinghereaboutsurrender,butagreatdealaboutfighting,commitment,anddisciplinedliving.ThefaithfulbelievermustalwaysbesubmissivetotheLord,butsubmissiontoHimisthefurthestthingfrompassivity. Christians are not onlookers toGod’swork. They are called runners (1Cor.9:24; Heb. 12:1), fighters (1 Cor. 9:26), soldiers (2 Tim. 2:3), doers of gooddeeds (Titus 3:8), opponents of Satan (1 Pet. 5:8-9), seekers after holiness (2Cor.7:1),andcountlessothernamesthatdenoteactiveobedience. SpiritualresourcesgivenbyGodareforHischildrentouse,notsimplytokeep.Peterdeclared,“Hisdivinepowerhasgrantedtouseverythingpertainingtolifeand godliness, through the true knowledge ofHimwho called us byHis owngloryandexcellence.”Butthenheadmonished,“Nowforthisveryreasonalso,applyingalldiligence,inyourfaithsupplymoralexcellence,andinyourmoralexcellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; and in yourgodliness,brotherlykindness,andinyourbrotherlykindness,love.Forifthesequalities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless norunfruitfulinthetrueknowledgeofourLordJesusChrist….Foraslongasyoupractice these things, youwill never stumble” (2 Pet. 1:3, 5-8, 10). The Lordgivesuscommandstoobeyandequipmenttouse. In Philippians 2 Paul presents the two sides of God’s provision and man’sobedience.“Sothen,mybeloved,justasyouhavealwaysobeyed,notasinmypresenceonly,butnowmuchmoreinmyabsence,workoutyoursalvationwithfearandtrembling;foritisGodwhoisatworkinyou,bothtowillandtoworkforHisgoodpleasure” (vv.12-13).Again, inColossianshegives thebalance:“ForthispurposealsoI labor,strivingaccordingtoHispower,whichmightilyworkswithinme”(1:29). The faithful servant of Jesus Christ does not simply look on as His Masterworks,butcontinually toils in theMaster’sworkin theMaster’spower.Whenhe does that, he not only receivesGod’s strength and blessings but also, likePaul, findshimself involved in such thingsasafflictions,hardships,distresses,

beatings,imprisonments, labors,sleeplessness,hunger,gloryanddishonor,evilreportandgoodreport,punishment,sorrow,andpoverty(2Cor.6:4-10;cf.4:8-18;11:23-28).ThosethingscameasadirectresultofPaul’sdiligentministryfortheLord,andhewore themgladlyasbadgesof faithfulness.Christiansdonotgrow and earn reward by minimum effort, much less by no effort, but bymaximum effort. And it is the active, working, striving believer who is mosttempted by Satan’s sword of discouragement. The personwho never attemptsanythinghaslittletobediscouragedabout. Theother, andclosely related, edgeofSatan’s two-edged sword is thedoubtthat often brings discouragement. Doubts about the truths of God, includingdoubt aboutone’s salvation, are theworstdiscouragements for abeliever. If abelieverdoubtsGod’sgoodnessordependability,orifhisrelationtoGodseemsuncertain, he has no ground for hope and therefore no protection fromdiscouragement. The person who thinks he has nothing worthwhile to lookforward to has no reason to fight, work, or live responsibly. If our oftenunpleasant and disappointing earthly life is all we can be certain of, thenChristiansareindeed“ofallmenmosttobepitied”(1Cor.15:19). Satan’smostdisturbingattackagainstbelieversisintemptingthemtobelievethey have lost, or could lose, their salvation. Few things aremore paralyzing,unproductive,ormiserablethaninsecurity.Jesussaid,“PeaceIleavewithyou;MypeaceIgive toyou;notas theworldgives,doIgive toyou.Letnotyourheart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” 0ohn 14:27).He said, “These things Ihave spoken to you, that inMeyoumayhavepeace” (16:33).But howcan adoubtinghearthavepeace?Howcanapersonwholivesincontinualuncertaintyabout his salvation be comforted by such promises—when he is not sure thattheyapplytohimorthattheywillalwaysapplytohim?Ifheloseshissalvation,heobviouslylosesthosepromisesaswell.Howcouldsuchapersonnothaveatroubledandfearfulheart?Thosepromiseswouldbeamockerytohim. One of die central truths of John’s first epistle is that of the certainty of thebeliever’sspiritualknowledge—“BythisweknowthatwehavecometoknowHim” (2:3); “I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him… to you,young men, because you have overcome the evil one … to you, children,because you know the Father” (2:13); “We know that, when He appears, weshallbelikeHim,becauseweshallseeHimjustasHeis”(3:2);“Weshallknowby this thatweareof the truth,andshallassureourheartbeforeHim”(3:19);andsoon.John’sspecificpurposesinwritingtheletterwere“thatourjoymaybemade complete” (1:4) and “that youmay know that you have eternal life”(5:13).

Satan’s purposes for believers are the opposite.His plan is to cause them todoubtGod’spromises,Hispower,Hisgoodness,His truth,and,aboveall,Hiswillingness or ability to keep them saved. If he succeeds in those he alsosucceedsinrobbingbelieversofjoy.KnowingSatan’sstrategy,Jesusassuresusthat“allthattheFathergivesMeshallcometoMe,andtheonewhocomestoMeIwillcertainlynotcastout….AndthisisthewillofHimwhosentMe,thatofallthatHehasgivenMeIlosenothing,butraiseituponthelastday”(John6:37, 39). Absolutely no circumstance—no failure, shortcoming, or sin, nomatter how serious—can cause either Jesus orHis Father to disown a personwhoissaved.Norcananyotherpersonorthingeversnatchthemoutofthehandof theSonor the handof theFather (John10:28-29).That iswhyPaul coulddeclare with such confidence that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, norprincipalities,northingspresent,northingstocome,norpowers,norheight,nordepth,noranyothercreatedthing,shallbeabletoseparateusfromtheloveofGod,whichisinChristJesusourLord”(Rom.8:38-39)andthat“HewhobeganagoodworkinyouwillperfectituntilthedayofChristJesus”(Phil.1:6). SincePaul isaddressingbelievers,puttingonthehelmetofsalvationcannotrefertoreceivingChristasSavior.TheonlyoneswhocantakeupanypieceofGod’sarmor,and theonlyoneswhoare involved in this supernatural struggleagainstSatanandhisdemonforces,arethosewhoarealreadysaved. Trusting in Jesus Christ, immediately saves from the penalty of sin. Forbelievers, this first aspect of salvation, which is justification, is past. It wasaccomplished themomentwe trusted inChrist, and that particular act of faithneed never be repeated, because we are secure in our Father’s hands—fromwhom,aswehavejustseen,wecanneverbesnatched(John10:28-29).Weareforeversavedfromcondemnation(Rom.8:1). The second aspect of salvation, which is sanctification, involves our life onearth, during which time we experience a measure of freedom from thedominating power of sin. Being now under God’s grace, sin no longer hasmasteryordominionoverus;wearenolongersin’sslavebutGod’s(Rom.6:14,18-22). Paul shows these first two aspects of salvation side by side in thepreviouschapterofRomans:“Forifwhilewewereenemies,wewerereconciledtoGod through thedeathofHisSon,muchmore,havingbeen reconciled,weshallbesavedbyHislife”(5:10).Christ’sdeathsavedusonceandforallfromsin’s penalty, and His life within us now is saving us day to day from sin’spowerandmastery. Thethirdaspectofsalvationisfuture,theaspectofglorification,whenweshall

onedaybesavedaltogetherandforeverfromsin’spresence.Lookingforwardtothatglorioustime,Johnsays,“Beloved,nowwearechildrenofGod,andithasnotappearedasyetwhatweshallbe.Weknowthat,whenHeappears,weshallbe likeHim,becauseweshall seeHim justasHe is” (1John3:2).Tobe likeGodistobewithoutsin.Werejoicethatthisaspectofoursalvation“isnearerthanwhenwebelieved”(Rom.13:11). It is this final aspect of salvation that is the real strength of the believer’shelmet. If we lose hope in the future promise of salvation, there can be nosecurityinthepresent.This,nodoubt,iswhyPaulcallsthissamepieceofarmor“thehelmet”which is“thehopeofsalvation”(1Thess.5:8).“Having the firstfruitsoftheSpirit,”PaulexplainsinRomans,“evenweourselvesgroanwithinourselves,waitingeagerlyforouradoptionassons,theredemptionofourbody.For in hopewe have been saved” (8:23-24).The helmet of salvation is thatgreat hope of final salvation that gives us confidence and assurance that ourpresentstrugglewithSatanwillnotlastforeverandwewillbevictoriousintheend.Weknowthebattle isonlyfor this life,andevena longearthlylife isnomorethanasplitsecondcomparedtoeternitywithourLordinheaven.Wearenotinaracewecanlose.Wehavenopurgatorytoface,nouncertainhopethatourowncontinued efforts or thoseof our lovedones and friendswill perhapssome day finally make us acceptable to God. We know that whom God“predestined,theseHealsocalled;andwhomHecalled,theseHealsojustified;andwhomHe justified, theseHealsoglorified” (Rom.8:30).There isnot theloss of a single soul from predestination to justification to sanctification toglorification. That is God’s unbroken and unbreakable chain of salvation (cf.John6:39-40;10:27-30). Wehaveacertainhope,“alivinghope,”asPetercallsit.“BlessedbetheGodand Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” he exults in his first epistle, “whoaccording toHis greatmercy has caused us to be born again to a living hopethroughtheresurrectionofJesusChristfromthedead,toobtainaninheritancewhichisimperishableandundefiledandwillnotfadeaway,reservedinheavenfor you,who are protected by the power ofGod through faith for a salvationready to be revealed in the last time” (1Pet. 1:3-5).When thehelmet of thathopeis inplace,wecan“greatlyrejoice,eventhoughnowfora littlewhile, ifnecessary, [we] have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of [our]faith,beingmorepreciousthangoldwhichisperishable,eventhoughtestedbyfire,maybe found to result in praise andglory andhonor at the revelationofJesusChrist; and though [we]havenot seenHim, [we] loveHim, and though[we] do not see Him now, but believe in Him, [we] greatly rejoice with joy

inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of [our] faith thesalvationof[our]souls”(vv.6-9).Thatisthesalvationwhichisourhelmet.Ourhelmetisthecertainprospectofheaven,ourultimatesalvation,which“wehaveasananchorofthesoul”(Heb.6:19). Oftenwhen a runner is on the home stretch of a race he suddenly “hits thewall,”astheexpressiongoes.Hislegswobbleandrefusetogoanyfarther.Theonlyhopefortherunneristokeephismindonthegoal,onthevictorytobewonforhimselfandhisteam.Itisthathopethatkeepshimgoingwheneveryotherpartofhisbeingwantstogiveup. TothepersecutedanddiscouragedbelieversatThessalonica,Paulwrotewordsparallel to the thought here in Ephesians: “Sincewe are of the day, let us besober,havingputonthebreastplateoffaithandlove,andasahelmet,thehopeofsalvation.ForGodhasnotdestinedusforwrath,butforobtainingsalvationthroughourLord JesusChrist,whodied forus, thatwhetherweareawakeorasleep,wemay live togetherwithHim.Therefore encourageone another, andbuilduponeanother,justasyoualsoaredoing”(1Thess.5:8-11). To the worldly, fleshly Corinthians who were self-centered, divisive, andconfusedabouttheresurrection,Paulsaid,“IffromhumanmotivesIfoughtwithwildbeastsatEphesus,whatdoesitprofitMe?Ifthedeadarenotraised,letuseatanddrink,fortomorrowwedie”(1Cor.15:32).IftheChristianhasnofutureelementofsalvationtolookforwardto,if,astheapostlehadsaidafewversesearlier,“wehavehopedinChristinthislifeonly,”then“weareofallmenmostto be pitied” (v. 19). Paul’s own spiritual helmet was his firm hope in thecompletionofhissalvation.“Momentary,lightafflictionisproducingforusaneternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at thethingswhichareseen,butatthethingswhicharenotseen;forthethingswhichare seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor.4:17-18).Thefaithfulbelieverdoesnot“loseheart indoinggood,”becauseheknowsthat“induetimeweshallreapifwedonotgrowweary”(Gal.6:9). To the persecuted and beleaguered Christians to whom he wrote, Jude gavesoberingwarningsaboutfalseteachers,“ungodlypersonswhoturnthegraceofourGodintolicentiousnessanddenyouronlyMasterandLord,JesusChrist”(v.4).Buthebegantheletterbyaddressingbelieversas“thosewhoarethecalled,beloved inGod the Father, and kept for JesusChrist” (v. 1).Teroo (the verbbehind “kept”) means to guard, keep watch over, and protect. God Himselfguards, watches over, and protects every person who belongs to Him. Judeended the letter by assuring believers that He “is able to keep you fromstumbling,and tomakeyoustand in thepresenceofHisgloryblamelesswith

greatjoy”(v.24;cf.1Thess.5:23).Thewordbehind“keep”inthisverseisnotteroo, as in verse 1, butphulasso,whichhas the basic idea of securing in themidstofanattack.Nomatterwhatourspiritualenemiesmaythrowagainstus,wearesecuredbyGod’sownpower. WesingofthisassuranceinSamuelStone’sbelovedhymn“TheChurch’sOneFoundation”:

‘Midtoilandtribulation,andtumultofherwar,Shewaitstheconsummationofpeaceforevermore;Till,withthevisionglorious,herlongingeyesareblest,Andthegreatchurchvictoriousshallbethechurchatrest.

THESWORDOFTHESPIRIT

andtheswordoftheSpirit,whichisthewordofGod.(6:17b)The sword towhichPaul refershere is themachaira,whichvaried in lengthfromsix to eighteen inches. Itwas the common sword carriedbyRoman footsoldiers and was the principal weapon in hand-to-hand combat. Carried in asheathor scabbardattached to theirbelts, itwasalwaysathandand ready foruse. It was the sword carried by the soldierswho came to arrest Jesus in theGarden (Matt. 26:47), wielded by Peter when he cut off the ear of the highpriest’s slave (v. 51), andusedbyHerod’s executioners toput James todeath(Acts12:2). OftheSpiritcanalsobetranslated“bytheSpirit”oras“spiritual,”referringtothenatureoftheswordratherthanitssource.Fromthecontextweknowthatitisa spiritualweapon, tobeused inour struggleagainst spiritualenemies.ThesameGreekphrase(toupneumatos)istranslated“spiritual”inEphesians1:3and5:19.Althoughthismeaningisperfectlyconsistentwiththecontextof6:10-17,the preferred rendering is as a genitive of origin,of the Spirit, indicating theHolySpirit as theoriginof the sword.As theSpiritof truth (John14:17), theHolySpiritisthebeliever’sresidenttruthTeacher,whoteachesusallthingsandbringsGod’sWordtoourremembrance(v.26). TheemphasisofthepresentpassageisonhowbelieversaretousetheswordoftheSpirit.Itisnotaphysicalweapondesignedbyhumanmindsorforgedbyhuman hands (as noted in 2 Cor. 10:3-5) but the perfect spiritual weapon ofdivineoriginandpower.Liketheshieldoffaithandthehelmetofsalvation,itisalways tobeathand, ready tobe takenup (w.16aand17a)andusedwhenabattlebegins. Paul explicitly states that the sword of the Spirit is Scripture, theword ofGod. The Scottish pastor and writer Thomas Guthrie said, “The Bible is anarmory of heavenly weapons, a laboratory of infallible medicines, a mine ofexhaustless wealth. It is a guidebook for every road, a chart for every sea, amedicine for everymalady, andabalm for everywound.RobusofourBibleandourskyhaslostitssun.” FromanunknownsourcecomesthistributetoScripture:

There are words written by kings, by emperors, by princes, bypoets,bysages,byphilosophers,byfishermen,bystatesmen,bymen

learned in thewisdomofEgypt,educated in theschoolsofBabylon,andtrainedatthefeetofrabbisinJerusalem.Itwaswrittenbymeninexile, in thedesert, inshepherd’s tents, ingreenpastures,andbesidestillwaters.Among itsauthorswe finda tax-gatherer,aherdsman,agatherer of sycamore fruit.We find poormen, richmen, statesmen,preachers, captains, legislators, judges, and exiles. The Bible is alibrary full of history, genealogy, ethnology, law, ethics, prophecy,poetry,eloquence,medicine, sanitaryscience,politicaleconomy,andtheperfectrulesforpersonalandsociallife.Andbehindeverywordisthedivineauthor,GodHimself.

OfthedivineauthorshipofScriptureJohnWesleysaid,“TheBiblemusthavebeenwrittenbyGodorgoodmenorbadmenorgoodangelsorbadangels.Butbadmenandbadangelswouldnotwrite it because it condemnsbadmenandbadangels.Andgoodmenandgoodangelswouldnotdeceivebylyingaboutitsauthority and claiming that God wrote it. And so the Bible must have beenwritten as it claims to have been written—by God who by His Holy Spiritinspiredmen to recordHiswordsusing thehuman instrument tocommunicateHistruth.” Scriptureteachesmanytruthsaboutitself.First,andmostimportantly,itclaimsGod as its author. “All Scripture is inspired by God,” Paul declared (2 Tim.3:16). “Know this first of all,” Peter said, “that no prophecy of Scripture is amatterofone’sowninterpretation,fornoprophecywasevermadebyanactofhumanwill,butmenmovedby theHolySpirit spokefromGod”(2Pet.1:20-21). TheBiblealsoclaims that it is inerrantand infallible,containingnoerrorsormistakes. It is flawless, faultless, andwithoutblemish.AsGod’sownWord itcouldnotbeotherwise.Davidtellsusthat“thelawoftheLordisperfect,…thetestimony of the Lord is sure, … the precepts of the Lord are right, … thecommandment of the Lord is pure” (Ps. 19:7-8). The proverb writer tells us,“EverywordofGodistested;…DonotaddtoHiswordslestHereproveyou,andyoubeprovedaliar”(Prov.30:5-6). The Bible claims that it is complete. Echoing the words of Proverbs justquoted,aswellasthoseofDeuteronomy4:2and12:32,Johnsaidatthecloseofthe last book of the Bible, “I testify to everyonewho hears the words of theprophecyofthisbook:ifanyoneaddstothem,Godshalladdtohimtheplagueswhicharewritteninthisbook;andifanyonetakesawayfromthewordsofthe

book of this prophecy,God shall take away his part from the tree of life andfromtheholycity,whicharewritteninthisbook”(Rev.22:18-19). TheBibleclaims tobeauthoritative. Isaiahdeclared,“Listen,Oheavens,andhear,Oearth; for theLordspeaks” (Isa.1:2). Itclaims tobesufficient forourneeds.“AllScriptureisinspiredbyGodandprofitableforteaching,forreproof,for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may beadequate,equippedforeverygoodwork”(2Tim.3:16-17). TheBibleclaims tobeeffective.When its truthsareproclaimedandapplied,thingshappen.“SoshallMywordbewhichgoesforthfromMymouth;itshallnot return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and withoutsucceedinginthematterforwhichIsentit”(Isa.55:11). The Bible also claims to be determinative. What a person does with God’sWord evidences his relationship to God Himself. “He who is of God,” Jesussaid,“hearsthewordsofGod”(John8:47).ThosewholistentoGod’sWordandheed it give evidence that they belong to God, and those who deny andcontradictHisWordgiveevidencethattheydonotbelongtoHim. AstheswordoftheSpirit,theBibleofferslimitlessresourcesandblessingstothebeliever.Firstofall,itisthesourceoftruth.“ThyWordistruth,”JesussaidtoHisFather(John17:17).Peopletodaylookeverywhereforanswerstolife,totry to findoutwhat isworthbelievingandwhat isnot.Thesourceofall truthaboutGodandman,lifeanddeath,timeandeternity,menandwomen,rightandwrong,heavenandhell,damnationandsalvation,isGod’sownword. TheBibleisalsoasourceofhappiness.SpeakingofGod’swisdom,thewriterofProverbssaid,“Blessed[orhappy]isthemanwholistenstome”(Prov.8:34).Jesussaid,“BlessedarethosewhohearthewordofGod,andobserveit”(Luke11:28).No person can be happier thanwhen he discovers, accepts, and obeysGod’sWord. The Bible is the source of spiritual growth. “Like newborn babes,” Peteradmonished, “long for the puremilk of theword, that by it youmay grow inrespecttosalvation”(1Pet.2:2). It is the source of power, “living and active and sharper than any two-edgedsword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit” (Heb. 4:12); thesource of guidance, “a lamp to [our] feet, and a light to [our] path” (Ps.119:105); the sourceof comfort (Rom.15:4); the sourceofperfection (2Tim.3:16). And the word ofGod is the source of victory over our great spiritualenemy,ourmostpowerfulweaponagainstSatan. The sword of the Spirit is first of all a defensive weapon, capable of

deflecting the blows of an opponent. It is the believer’s supreme weapon ofdefenseagainsttheonslaughtsofSatan.Unliketheshield,however,whichgivesbroadandgeneralprotection,theswordcandeflectanattackonlyifitishandledpreciselyandskillfully.Itmustparrytheenemyweaponexactlywherethethrustismade.When Jesuswas temptedbySatan in thewilderness,Hisdefense foreachtemptationwasapassageofScripturethatpreciselycontradictedthedevil’sword (Matt. 4:4, 7, 10). The Christian who does not knowGod’sWord wellcannot use it well. Satan will invariably find out where we are ignorant orconfusedandattackus there.Scripture isnot abroadsword (rhomphaia) tobewavedindiscriminately,butadaggertobeusedwithgreatprecision. Christianswhorelysimplyontheirexperienceofsalvationandtheirfeelingstogetthemthrougharevulnerabletoeverysortofspiritualdanger.Theygetintocountlesscompromisingsituationsandfallprey to innumerablefalse ideasandpractices,simplybecausetheyareignorantofthespecificteachingsofScripture. The term Paul uses here for word is not logos, which refers to generalstatements or messages, but is rhēma, which refers to individual words orparticular statements. The apostle is therefore not talking here about generalknowledge of Scripture, but is emphasizing again the precision that comes byknowledgeandunderstandingofspecifictruths.LikeJesusdidinthewilderness,weneed touse specific scriptural truths tocounter specific satanic falsehoods.ThatiswhyPaulcounseledTimothy,“BediligenttopresentyourselfapprovedtoGodasaworkmanwhodoesnotneedtobeashamed,handlingaccuratelythewordoftruth”(2Tim.2:15).ThefaithfulbelieversofRevelation12“overcamehim[theaccuser]becauseofthebloodoftheLambandbecauseofthewordoftheirtestimony”(v.11). The sword of the Spirit is also an offensive weapon, capable of inflictingblowsaswell asdeflecting thoseof theenemy.Scripture is “livingandactiveandsharperthananytwo-edgedsword,andpiercingasfarasthedivisionofsouland spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts andintentionsof theheart.And there isnocreaturehidden fromHis sight,but allthings are open and laid bare to the eyes ofHimwithwhomwe have to do”(Heb.4:12-13).WhenthewordofGodispreached,itbringsGod’sjudgmenttobearonlivesasitinfalliblysiftstheevidenceofsinandguilt. ThewordofGodissopowerfulittransformsmenfromtherealmoffalsehoodtothatoftruth,fromtherealmofdarknesstothatoflight,andfromtherealmofsin and death to that of righteousness and life. It changes sadness into joy,despairintohope,stagnationintogrowth,childishnessintomaturity,andfailureintosuccess.

EverytimeGod’sWordisusedtoleadapersontosalvationitgiveswitnesstoits power to cut a swath through Satan’s dominion of darkness and bring thelightoflifetoalostsoul. TestifyingtoHisWordinourfamily,amongourfriends,atwork,atschool,intheclassroomorpulpit,oraswetravel,usesthemostpowerfulspiritualweaponintheuniverse,whichnopowerofSatancanwithstand. FortheveryreasonthatGod’sWordissopowerfulandeffective,thatiswhereSatan’sgreatestoffensivesaremounted.HewilldoanythingandeverythingtoundermineGod’sWordandthosewhopreachandteachit.AsJesusmakesclearintheparableofthesower,SatanisquicktosnatchGod’sWordfromahearer’sheartbeforeithasachancetotakeroot(Matt.13:19).Manypeoplegladlylistento the gospel, but before their decision ismade, some intrusion distracts themandtheeffectivenessofthewitnessislost,alongwiththesoulofthathearer.Inanother person’s heart the word is accepted at first with joy, but when Satansends “affliction or persecution… because of the word, immediately he fallsaway” (vv. 20-21).Many people seem to be genuine and faithful believers—until hardship, criticism, or persecution come.When the price for faithfulnessbecomes too high, they reveal that they never had true faith in the first place.Stillanotherheareralsoacceptsthewordinasuperficialandtemporaryway,butashetrustsinhiswealththewordischokedand“itbecomesunfruitful”(v.22).Becausehewantstheworld,heforsakestheword. But when the seed of God’s Word is “sown on the good soil,” the hearerunderstands it and “indeed bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold,somesixty,andsomethirty”(v.23).ItisherethatthegreatoffensivepoweroftheswordoftheSpiritisseenasitconvertsasoulfromsintosalvation. Offensively,aswellasdefensively,theuseofGod’sWordneedstobespecificinordertobeeffective.Romans10:17ismoreaccuratelyandclearlytranslated“faith comes fromhearing, andhearing comesbyaword [rhema, a particularword]ofGod” (emphasis added). It is not from just anypartofScripture thatmencometofaith,butfromthosepartsthatdeclarethegospel.SavingfaithdoesnotcomefrombelievingjustanytruthofScripture,butfrombelievingthatJesusChristdiedforthesinsoftheworldandtrustinginHisdeathtocleanseourownsins. TheChristianwhomisquotesandisconfusedaboutscripturaltruthswillnotbeasuccessfulwitness.Theeffectiveteacher,preacher,andwitnessmust“bereadyinseasonandoutofseason” (2Tim.4:2).ThemoreweknowandunderstandScripture, themorewewill be able tomarch throughSatan’s strongholds and

leadpeoplefromhiskingdomtoGod’s. NobelieverhasexcusefornotknowingandunderstandingGod’sWord.Everybeliever hasGod’s ownHoly Spirit withinHim as his own divine teacher ofGod’sdivineWord.OuronlytaskistosubmittoHisinstructionbystudyingtheWordwith sincerity andcommitment.Wecannotplead ignoranceor inability,onlydisinterestandneglect. H. P. Barker gives a graphic illustration that points up the need for bothknowingandapplyingtheBible’struths.

AsIlookedoutintothegardenoneday,Isawthreethings.First,Isawabutterfly.Thebutterflywasbeautiful,and itwouldalightonaflowerandthenitwouldfluttertoanotherflowerandthentoanother,and only for a second or two itwould sit and itwouldmove on. Itwould touch as many lovely blossoms as it could, but derivedabsolutely no benefit from it. Then Iwatched a little longer outmywindow and there came a botanist. And the botanist had a bignotebookunderhisarmandagreatbigmagnifyingglass.Thebotanistwouldleanoveracertainflowerandhewouldlookforalongtimeandthen he would write notes in his notebook. He was there for hourswriting notes, closed them, stuck them under his arm, tucked hismagnifying glass in his pocket and walked away. The third thing Inoticedwasabee,justalittlebee.Butthebeewouldlightonaflowerand itwouldsinkdowndeep into the flowerand itwouldextractallthenectarandpollen that itcouldcarry. Itwent inemptyevery timeand came out full. (A.Naismith,1200Notes,Quotes andAnecdotes[Chicago:Moody,1962],p.15.)

SomeChristians,likethatbutterfly,flitfromBiblestudytoBiblestudy,fromsermon to sermon, and from commentary to commentary, while gaining littlemore thananice feelingand somegood ideas.Others, like thebotanist, studyScripturecarefullyandtakecopiousnotes.Theygainmuchinformationbutlittletruth.Others, like thebee,go to theBible tobe taughtbyGodand togrowinknowledgeofHim.Alsolikethebee,theynevergoawayempty. D.MartynLloyd-JoneswroteofMartinLuther:

Lutherwasheldindarknessbythedevil, thoughhewasamonk.Hewastryingtosavehimselfbyworks.Hewasfasting,sweating,andpraying; and yet he was miserable and unhappy, and in bondage.

SuperstitiousRomanCatholic teachingheldhimcaptive.ButhewasdeliveredbythewordofScripture—“thejustshalllivebyfaith.”Fromthat moment he began to understand this Word as he had neverunderstooditbefore,andthebetterheunderstoodit themorehesawthe errors taught byRome.He saw the error of her practice, and sobecamemoreintentonthereformationofthechurch.HeproceededtodoallintermsofexpositionoftheScriptures.ThegreatdoctorsintheRoman church stood against him. He sometimes had to stand aloneandmeettheminclosecombat,andinvariablyhetookhisstanduponthe Scripture. He maintained that the church is not above theScriptures.Thestandardbywhichyoujudgeeventhechurch,hesaid,is theScripture.Andthoughhewasoneman,at firststandingalone,hewasabletofightthepapalsystemandtwelvecenturiesoftradition.Hedidsobytakingup“theswordoftheSpirit,whichisthewordofGod.”(TheChristianSoldier[GrandRapids:Baker,1977),p.331.)

ItwasWilliamTyndale’svowthateveryEnglishplowmanandeveryboythatpulledaplowwouldonedaybeabletoreadandunderstandtheScriptures,andto that endhe devotedhis life to translating it into theEnglish language. It isessentialfortheWordofGodtobeknown,andloved,andpracticedifwearetowinthebattleagainstSatan.

PrayingatAllTimes

29

WithallprayerandpetitionprayatalltimesintheSpirit,andwiththisinview,beonthealertwithallperseveranceandpetitionforallthesaints,andprayonmybehalf,thatutterancemaybegiventomeintheopeningofmymouth,tomakeknownwithboldnessthemysteryofthegospel,forwhichIamanambassadorinchains;thatinproclaimingitImayspeakboldly,asIoughttospeak. But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing,Tychicus,thebelovedbrotherandfaithfulministerintheLord,willmakeeverythingknowntoyou.AndIhavesenthimtoyouforthisverypurpose,sothatyoumayknowaboutus,andthathemaycomfortyourhearts.Butthatyoualsomayknowaboutmycircumstances,howIamdoing,Tychicus,thebelovedbrotherandfaithfulministerintheLord,willmakeeverythingknowntoyou.AndIhavesenthimtoyouforthisverypurpose,sothatyoumayknowaboutus,andthathemaycomfortyourhearts. Peacebetothebrethren,andlovewithfaith,fromGodtheFatherandtheLordJesusChrist.GracebewithallthosewholoveourLordJesusChristwithaloveincorruptible.(6:18-24)IntheseventeenthcenturyamannamedJohannBurchardFreysteinwrotethefollowinghymn:

Risemysoultowatchandpray,Fromthysleepawaken,BenotbytheevildayUnawaresortaken.Forthefoewellweknow.OfthisharvestreapethWhiletheChristiansleepeth.Watchagainstthedevil’ssnaresLestasleephefindthee,ForindeednopainshesparesTodeceiveandblindthee.Satan’spreyoftarethey

WhosecurearesleepingAndnowatcharekeeping.ButwhilewatchingalsoPraytotheLordunceasing.OLord,blessindistressAndletnothingswervemeFromthewilltoserveThee.

OverahundredyearsagoCharlotteElliotwrotethewordsforanotherhymn:

Christian,seeknotyetrepose,Castthydreamsofeaseaway;Thouartinthemidstoffoes;Watchandpray.

Principalitiesandpower,Musteringtheirunseenarray,Waitforthyunguardedhours;Watchandpray.

WatchasifonthataloneHungtheissueoftheday,Praythathelpmaybesentdown;Watchandpray.

BothofthosehymnspointuptherealitythatvictoryoverSatanandhishostsinthe great spiritual warfare in which we are engaged demands unceasing anddiligentcommitmenttoprayer.ThatisexactlywhattheapostlePaulsaysashecloseshisappealforChristianstoputonthefullarmorofGod.Isitperhapsthispassage that inspired still another hymnist towrite, “Put on the gospel armor,eachpieceputonwithprayer.” In his Pilgrim’s Progress John Bunyan tells of Christian’s weapon calledprayer, which, when everything else failed, would enable him to defeat thefiendsinthevalleyoftheshadow.PrayeristheclosingthemeofEphesians,andthoughcloselyrelatedtoGod’sarmor,itisnotmentionedaspartofit,becauseitismuchmorethanthat.Prayerisnotmerelyanothergodlyweapon,asimportant

asthoseweaponsare.Allthewhilethatwearefightinginthegirdleoftruth,thebreastplateofrighteousness,theshoesofthegospelofpeace,theshieldoffaith,the helmet or salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, we are to be in prayer.Prayer is the very spiritual air that the soldier ofChrist breathes. It is the all-pervasivestrategyinwhichwarfareisfought. JesusurgedHisdisciplestoprayalwaysandnottoloseheart(Luke18:1).Heknows that when the battle gets hard soldiers easily become tired, weak, anddiscouraged.InthestrugglewithSatan,it iseitherprayorfaint.Paul’sclosingadmonitionforbelieversto“prayatalltimes”isnotaccidental.Notonlydoesitgivefinalinstructionaboutthebeliever’swarfarebutitistheclimactictruthoftheentireepistle,becauseprayerfillsallofChristianlife.PrayeristhecrescendoattheendofPaul’santhemofEphesians. NoNewTestamentbooksofullydelineatestheresourcesandblessingsofthebeliever as does Ephesians. Throughout the book Paulmagnifies and expandsthetruththathebrieflymentionedinColossians,“inHimyouhavebeenmadecomplete” (2:10) and that Peter touched on in his second epistle, “His divinepowerhasgrantedtouseverythingpertainingtolifeandgodliness”(1:3).HereisamonumentalcatalogofallthatisoursinJesusChrist. Paul beginsEphesianswith the comprehensivedeclaration that “theGod andFatherofourLordJesusChrist…hasblesseduswitheveryspiritualblessinginthe heavenly places in Christ” (1:3). He then proceeds to tell us that we arechosen, predestined, and adopted asGod’s children (1:4-5); lavishedwithHisgrace(1:6,8;2:7);redeemedandforgiven(1:7;4:32);giventhemysteryofHiswill (1:9; 3:4-6); receivers of an inheritance (1:11); havebeen sealedwith theHolySpirit (1:13-14;4:30);greatly lovedbyGod (2:4;5:25);madealivewithnew life (2:5-6); the workmanship of Christ, created by Him for doing goodworks (2:10); givenGod’s own peace (2:14);made onewith Christ andwitheveryotherbelieverasHisownBody(2:13-19;3:4-6);madecitizensofGod’skingdomandmembersofHisfamily(2:19);builtintoGod’sowntempleandthedwellingplaceofHisSpirit (2:20-22); givenboldness and confident access toGod (3:12);made powerful beyondour imagination (3:20); given the unity oftheSpiritinthebondofpeace(4:3);individuallyanduniquelygiftedbyChrist(4:7);blessedwith speciallygifted leaders toequipus in theworkofministry(4:11-12); taughtbyJesusChristHimself(4:20-21);givenanewself inGod’sholy likeness (4:24); made light (5:8); offered the fullness of the Holy Spirit(5:18);giventheinstructionsandresourcestomakeallrelationshipswithotherswhatGodintendsthemtobe(5:21—6:9);andgivenGod’sfullarmortomakeusinvincibleagainstSatanandhisdemonicforces(6:10-17).

AfterabelievercontemplatesthatbreathtakinglistofblessingshepossessesasanexaltedchildofGod,Paul realizes thegreatdanger that is likely to follow:temptationtoself-satisfactionandspiritualarrogance.ThestudentofEphesiansdoeswelltotaketoheartPaul’swarningtotheCorinthians:“Lethimwhothinkshestandstakeheedlesthefall”(1Cor.10:12).ThemagnificentandboundlessblessingsdescribedinEphesiansaresoenrichingthatSatanwilltrytousethemtoturnourthoughtstoourselvesastheblessedonesratherthantotheOnewhogivesustheblessings.Inlightofourimmeasurableandwondrousprivileges,wecan easily begin to think we are adequate in ourselves and thereby lose theessentialsenseofdependenceonGod. Eachtimehisteamlosesagame,awell-knownprofessionalfootballcoachtellsthe players in the locker room afterward: “Gentlemen, I told you how towin.Youdidn’tdowhatItoldyou,andyoulost.”Justlikeanathlete,aChristiancanhavegreatskills,thebesttraining,thebestequipment,andagoodunderstandingof what he is supposed to do—and yet fail because he does not followinstructions.Ifafootballplayerdoespoorlywhenhefails tofollowhiscoach,howmuchworsedoesaChristianfarewhenhefailstofollowhisLord? ItisespeciallyeasyforChristianswholiveinafreeandprosperoussocietytofeelsecurejustastheyare,presumingoninsteadofdependingonGod’sgrace.Itiseasytobecomesosatisfiedwithphysicalblessingsthatwehavelittledesirefor spiritual blessings, and to become so dependent on our physical resourcesthat we feel little need for spiritual resources.When programs, methods, andmoney produce such obvious and impressive results, there is a proneness toconfusehumansuccesswithdivineblessing.Ahappymarriage,wherechildrenarewellbehavedandall areenjoyingachurch that isgrowing, tends tomakepeople smug and self-satisfied. They can even become practical humanists,livingasifGodwerenotnecessary.Whenthathappens,passionatelongingforGod and yearning for His help will be missing—along with God’sempowerment. It is becauseof thisgreat andcommondanger thatPaul closesthisepistlewithanurgentcalltoprayer. Ephesians begins by lifting us up to the heavenlies, and ends by pulling usdowntoourknees.“Don’t think,”Paulconcludes, ineffect,“thatbecauseyouhave all theseblessings and resources that you cannow live theChristian lifewithoutfurtherhelpfromGod.”God’sarmorisneithermechanicalnormagical.We cannot simply take hold of it on our own and expect it automatically toproducesupernaturalfeats.IfJamesRussellLowell’seloquentsaying,“Thegiftwithout the giver is bare,” is true in human relationships, it is immeasurablytruer inour relationship toGod.Ourdivinegifts—marvelous as theyare—are

barewithoutthedivineGiver. In the closing verses of this letter Paul first gives believers some generalinstruction about prayer, then a specific illustration of prayer, and finally abenediction.

THEGENERALINSTRUCTION

WithallprayerandpetitionprayatalltimesintheSpirit,andwiththisinview, be on the alertwith all perseverance and petition for all the saints.(6:18)The four alls introduce the five emphases Paul makes regarding the generalcharacterofthebeliever’sprayerlife:thevariety,thefrequency,thepower,themanner,andtheobjectsofprayer.THEVARIETYOFPRAYER

Proseuchē (prayer) refers togeneral requests,whiledeesis (petition) refers tothosethatarespecific.Theuseofbothwordspointstotheideathatwearetobeinvolved in all kinds of prayer, every form of prayer that is appropriate.Scripturalpreceptandallowancesuggestwemaypraypubliclyorprivately; inloud cries, in soft whispers, or silently; deliberately and planned orspontaneously;whilesitting,standing,kneeling,orevenlyingdown;athomeorinchurch;whileworkingorwhile traveling;withhands foldedor raised;witheyes open or closed;with head bowed or erect. TheNewTestament, like theOld,mentionsmanyforms,circumstances,andposturesforprayerbutprescribesnone. Jesus prayed while standing, while sitting, while kneeling, and quiteprobably in other positions as well. We can pray wherever we are and inwhateversituationwearein.“ThereforeIwantthemenineveryplacetopray”(1 Tim. 2:8), Paul said. For the faithful, Spirit-filled Christian, every placebecomesaplaceofprayer.THEFREQUENCYOFPRAYER

TheJewishpeopleofPaul’sdayhadseveralprescribedtimesfordailyprayer,butthecomingoftheNewCovenantandthebirthofthechurchbroughtanewdimensiontoprayerasitdidtoeverythingelse.Jesussaid,“Keeponthealertatalltimes,prayinginorderthatyoumayhavestrengthtoescapeallthesethingsthat are about to take place” (Luke 21:36). Among other things, the earliestChristians in Jerusalem “were continually devoting themselves … to prayer”(Acts2:42).TheGod-fearingCornelius, towhomtheLordsentPeterwith themessageofsalvation,“prayed toGodcontinually” (Acts10:2). Inmanyofhisletters Paul urged his readers to regularly devote themselves to prayer (Rom.

12:12; Phil. 4:6; Col. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:17). The apostle assured Timothy, hisbelovedson in theLord, thatheprayed forhim“nightandday” (2Tim.1:3).Theearlychurchknewtheimportanceofprayer,andGodhonoredtheirprayers,evenwhenfaithwassometimesweak—asinthecaseofthosewhowereprayingforPeter’sreleasefromprisonbutdidnotbelieveRhodawhenshereportedthathewasknockingatthedoor(Acts12:12-15). Davidsaid,“Eveningandmorningandatnoon, Iwillcomplainandmurmur,andHewillhearmyvoice,…Godwillhearandanswer”(Ps.55:17,19).ThereisnotimewhenwedonotneedtoprayandnotimewhenGodwillnothearourprayers. In many ways prayer is even more important than knowledge aboutGod.Infact,onlythrougharegularandsincereprayerlifecanGod’sHolySpiritadd spiritual wisdom to our knowledge. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote, “ourultimatepositionasChristians is testedby thecharacterofourprayer life.”ApersonmaybeaBibleschoolorseminarygraduate,apastororamissionary,buthisdeepknowledgeofandrelationshiptoGodaremeasuredbyhisprayerlife.IfknowledgeaboutGodandthethingsofGoddonotdriveustoknowHimmorepersonally,wecanbesurethatourtruemotivationandcommitmentarecenteredinourselvesratherthanHim.Jesus’deepestprayerforHisdiscipleswasnotthattheysimplyknowthetruthaboutGodbutthat“theymayknowThee,theonlytrue God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent” (John 17:3). Studying andlearningGod’sWord in the right spiritwill alwaysdrive thebeliever toknowHimmoreintimatelyandtocommunewithHimmorefaithfullyinprayer. To pray at all times obviously does not mean we are to pray in formal ornoticeablewayseverywakingmomentofourlives.Jesusdidnotdothat,nordidthe apostles. And it certainly does not mean we are to devote ourselves toritualistic patterns and forms of prayer that are recited mechanically from aprayer book or while counting beads. That amounts to no more than the“meaninglessrepetition”thatcharacterizespaganworship(Matt.6:7). To pray at all times is to live in continual God consciousness, whereeverything we see and experience becomes a kind of prayer, lived in deepawareness of and surrender to our heavenly Father. To obey this exhortationmeansthat,whenwearetempted,weholdthetemptationbeforeGodandaskforHishelp.Whenweexperience somethinggoodandbeautiful,we immediatelythanktheLordforit.Whenweseeevilaroundus,wepraythatGodwillmakeitrightandbewillingtobeusedofHimtothatend.WhenwemeetsomeonewhodoesnotknowChrist,weprayforGodtodrawthatpersontoHimselfandtouseus tobea faithfulwitness.Whenweencounter trouble,we turn toGodasourDeliverer. In other words, our life becomes a continually ascending prayer, a

perpetual communing with our heavenly Father. To pray at all times is toconstantly set our minds “on the things above, not on the things that are onearth”(Col.3:2). The ultimate purpose of our salvation is to glorifyGod and to bring us intointimate,richfellowshipwithHim;andtofailtocometoGodinprayeristothedeny that purpose. “Whatwe have seen and heardwe proclaim to you also,”Johnsaid,“thatyoualsomayhavefellowshipwithus;andindeedourfellowshipiswiththeFather,andwithHisSonJesusChrist”(1John1:3).OurfellowshipwithGodisnotmeanttowaituntilweareinheaven.God’sgreatestdesire,andourgreatestneed,istobeinconstantfellowshipwithHimnow,andthereisnogreaterexpressionorexperienceoffellowshipthanprayer.THEPOWEROFPRAYER

Themost important and pervasive thought Paul gives about prayer is that itshouldbeintheSpirit.Thissupremequalificationforprayerhasnothingtodowithspeakingintonguesorinsomeotherecstaticordramaticmanner.ToprayintheSpiritistoprayinthenameofChrist,toprayconsistentwithHisnatureandwill.Toprayin theSpirit is toprayinconcertwiththeSpirit,who“helpsour weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the SpiritHimself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He whosearchestheheartsknowswhatthemindoftheSpiritis,becauseHeintercedesfor the saints according to thewill ofGod” (Rom. 8:26-27).As the “Spirit ofgraceandof supplication” (Zech.12:10), theHolySpirit continuallyprays forus;andforustoprayrightlyistoprayasHeprays,tojoinourpetitionstoHisand ourwill toHis. It is to line up ourminds and desireswithHismind anddesires,whichareconsistentwiththewilloftheFatherandtheSon. Tobe“filledwiththeSpirit”(Eph.5:18)andtowalkinHisleadingandpoweris to be made able to pray in the Spirit, because our prayer will then be inharmony with His. As we submit to the Holy Spirit, obeying His Word andrelying on His leading and strength, we will be drawn into close and deepfellowshipwiththeFatherandtheSon.THEMANNEROFPRAYER

Wheneverheprays,thebelievershouldbeonthealertwithallperseveranceand petition. Jesus told His disciples to watch and pray (Matt. 26:41; Mark13:33;cf.Luke.18:1).PaulcounseledtheColossiansto“devote[themselves]to

prayer”(Col.4:2).TheGreekverbbehind“devote”(proskartereo)meanstobesteadfast, constant, and persevering. It is used of Moses’ faithful endurancewhenheledthechildrenofIsraeloutofEgypt(Heb.11:27).Tobedevotedtoprayer is to earnestly, courageously, and persistently bring everything in ourlivesbeforeGod. Theparablesof thepersistentneighborandtheimportunatewidowwerebothtoldbyJesustoillustratethemannerinwhichHisfollowersshouldpray.AttheendofthefirstparableHesaid,“AndIsaytoyou,ask,anditshallbegiventoyou;seek,andyoushallfind;knock,anditshallbeopened”(Luke11:9).Attheendof theotherparableHeexplained,“NowshallnotGodbringabout justiceforHiselect,whocrytoHimdayandnight,andwillHedelaylongoverthem?ItellyouthatHewillbringaboutjusticeforthemspeedily”(Luke18:7-8). TodispersedandpersecutedChristiansintheearlychurch,Peterwrote,“Beofsoundjudgmentandsoberspiritforthepurposeofprayer”(1Pet.4:7).Toprayintherightmanneristopraysensibly,withourmindsandourunderstandingaswellasourheartsandspirits.“IshallpraywiththespiritandIshallpraywiththemindalso”(1Cor.14:15),Paulsaid. Toprayintherightmanneralsoinvolvesprayingspecifically.“Whateveryouask in My name,” Jesus promised, “that will I do, that the Father may beglorified in the Son. If you askMe anything inMy name, Iwill do it” (John14:13).GodanswersprayerinordertoputHispowerondisplay,andwhenwedo not pray specifically, He cannot answer specifically and thereby clearlydisplay His power andHis love for His children. To pray, as young childrenoftendo,“Godblessthewholeworld,”isreallynottoprayatall.Wemustthinkabout particular people, particular problems, particular needs, and then prayabout those things specificallyandearnestly, so thatwecanseeGod’sanswerandofferHimourthankfulpraise. MostChristiansneverget seriousaboutprayeruntil aproblemarises in theirown life or in the life of someone they love. Then they are inclined to prayintently, specifically, and persistently. Yet that is the way Christians shouldalways pray. Sensitivity to the problems and needs of others, especially otherbelieverswhoarefacingtrialsorhardships,willleadustoprayforthem“nightandday”asPauldidforTimothy(2Tim.1:3). Becausethegreatestproblemsarealwaysspiritual,ourgreatestprayerconcernandconcentration—whetherforourselvesorforothers—shouldbeforspiritualprotection, strength, and healing. It is certainly appropriate to bring physicalneedsbeforeourheavenlyFather,butourgreatestfocusshouldbeforspiritual

needs—forvictoryovertemptation,forforgivenessandcleansingofsinsalreadycommitted, forunbelievers to trust inChrist for salvation, and forbelievers tohavegreaterdependenceonHim.ThecontextofPaul’scalltoprayeristhatofspiritual warfare, and the Christian’s prayer should, above all, be about thatwarfare.Ourgreatestconcernforourselvesandforotherbelieversshouldbeforvictoryinthebattleagainsttheenemyofoursouls.Ourdeepestprayersforourspouse,our children,ourbrothers and sisters,our fellowchurchmembers,ourpastor,ourmissionaries,andallotherswouldbethattheywinthespiritualbattleagainstSatan.Examining theprayersofPaul throughouthisepistlesyields theinsightthatheprayedforthespiritualwell-beingofthepeopleofGod(see,e.g.,1Cor.1:4-7;Phil.1:9-11;Col.1:9-11;2Thess.1:11-12). ManyyearsagoasaintofGodprayed:

OLord, inprayer I launch far out into the eternalworld, andonthat broad ocean my soul triumphs over all evils on the shores ofmortality.Time,withitsamusementsandcrueldisappointments,neverappears so inconsiderate as then. In prayer, OGod, I seemyself asnothing. I findmy heart going after Theewith intensity, and I longwithvehementthirsttolivewithThee.BlessedbethestrongwindsoftheSpiritthatspeedmeonmywaytothenewJerusalem.Inprayerallthingsherebelowvanishandnothingseemsimportantbutholinessofheart and the salvationofothers. Inprayer allmyworldly cares andfearsandanxietiesdisappearandareaslittleinsignificanceasapuffofwind.InprayermysoulinwardlyexaltswiththoughtsofwhatThouartdoingforThychurch,andIlongthatThoushouldestgetThyselfagreatnamefromsinnersreturningtoThee.InprayerIamliftedabovethefrownsandflatteriesoflifetotastetheheavenlyjoys.EnteringintotheeternalworldIcangivemyselftoTheewithallmyheartforever.Inprayer I canplace allmy concerns inThyhands to be entirely atThy disposal, having nowill or interest ofmy own. In prayer I canintercedeformyfriends,ministers,sinners,thechurch,Thykingdom,withgreatestfreedomandbrightesthopeasasontohisFatherandasalovertohisbeloved.Andso,OGod,helpmetoprayalwaysandnevertocease.

THEOBJECTSOFPRAYER

ElsewherePaulcommandsustoprayforunbelievers,forgovernmentleaders,andforothers,butherethefocusisonallthesaints.Itisonlysaints,Christianbelievers,whoareinvolvedinthespiritualwarfareforwhichGodprovidesthearmorPaulhasjustbeendescribingandwhoareabletoprayintheSpirit. Itisnotinappropriatetoprayforourselvesanymorethanitisinappropriatetopray for physical needs.But just as theBible primarily calls us to pray aboutspiritualneedsratherthanphysical,itprimarilycallsustoprayforothersratherthanourselves.Evenwhenhewasconcernedabouthisownneeds,Pauldoesnotmentionthatheprayedforhimselfbutthatheaskedotherbelieverstoprayonhisbehalf,ashedoesinthenexttwoverses(Eph.6:19-20).Thegreatestthingwecandoforanotherbeliever,or thathecandoforus, is topray.That is thewaytheBodyofChristgrowsspirituallyaswellasinlove.Whenonememberof the Body is weak, wounded, or cannot function, the other memberscompensatebysupportingandhelpingstrengthen it.Samuelsaid to thepeopleofIsrael,“FarbeitfrommethatIshouldsinagainsttheLordbyceasingtoprayforyou”(1Sam.12:23).WithGod’sownHolySpirittoindwellusandhelpusevenwhenwedonotknowhowtopray(Rom.8:26),howmuchmoredoweasChristianssinagainstGodwhenwefailtoprayforfellowsaints? The spiritually healthy person is devoted to thewelfare of others, especiallyfellowbelievers.Ontheotherhand,therootofbothpsychologicalandspiritualsickness is preoccupation with self. Ironically, the believer who is consumedwithhisownproblems—evenhisown spiritualproblems—to the exclusionofconcernforotherbelievers,suffersfromadestructiveself-centerednessthatnotonly is the cause of, but is the supreme barrier to the solution of, his ownproblems.Usuallysuchselfishnessisolateshimfromtheotherbelievers,whoifthey were intimately involved in fellowship with him, would be regularlyprayingforhisspiritualwelfare. Praying forotherswith sincerity andperseverance is, inGod’s immeasurablegrace, a great blessing and strength to our own souls.D.MartynLloyd-Jonesreported that before the outbreak of the Spanish civil war that country wasexperiencingsuchanepidemicofneurosesthatpsychiatristscouldhardlyhandlethemall.Butthewar,terribleanddestructiveasitwasinmostrespects,hadtheunexpected effect of “curing” many of Spain’s thousands of neurotics.Whentheybecameconcernedaboutthewelfareoftheirfamilies,friends,andcountryinsteadof theirown, theirneurosesdisappearedandhospitalsandclinicswerealmostemptiedofsuchcases.“Theseneuroticpeopleweresuddenlycuredbyagreateranxiety,”ananxietythatreachedbeyondtheirownselfishwelfare.TheChristianSoldier[GrandRapids:Baker,1977],pp.357-58.)

THESPECIFICILLUSTRATION

andprayonmybehalf,thatutterancemaybegiventomeintheopeningofmy mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, forwhich I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it Imay speakboldly,asIoughttospeak.(6:19-20)Pauldidnotplead,prayonmybehalf, inorderthathisankles,rawandsorefromhis shackles,mightbehealed,or thathemightbe freed fromprisonandsuffering. His deep concern was that utterance may be given to me in theopeningofmymouth,tomakeknownwithboldnessthemysteryofthegospel.WhenSatantemptedhimtokeepquietaboutChrist,hewantedGod’shelptobebold and faithful to proclaim the gospel. He wanted help in his own battleagainst Satan, and he pleadedwith his brothers and sisters atEphesus to praytowardthatend. Thathewasinchainswasincidental.Hisgreatconcernswereforthemystery[see on 3:3] of the gospel, forwhich hewas an ambassador, and for those towhom hewas sent to proclaim it. Hewanted fellow believers to pray for hisvictory in the spiritual warfare that this ministry provoked from Satan. Paulconfrontedtheenemyfacetofaceandknewhewasnotabletowininhisownresources. ComparedtomostbelieversPaulwasgifted,courageous,morallyupright,andspiritually strong beyondmeasure. Yet he greatly needed God’s help and thehelpoffellowChristians.Heknewthatthepowerandblessingshehadwerenotofhisowndoing,andhisspiritualmaturityandeffectivenessweregroundedinthatawareness.Godcannotusetheself-sufficientperson,becausesuchapersonfeelsnoneedforGod.ItisthehumblebelieverwhoknowshisownneedandisgenuinelypoorinspiritwhomtheLordcanuseandbless. Paulalsoneededtheprayersoffellowbelieversbecausehewasaleader.Ourenemy knows thatwhen he strikes the shepherd, the sheepwill scatter (Matt.26:31), and church leaders—even as the Lord Himself—are Satan’s specialtargets.Themore faithful and fruitful apastor is, themorehispeopleneed toprayforhisstrengthandprotection.Heismoresubjecttothedevil’sschemestomake him discouraged or self-satisfied, hopeless or superficially optimistic,cowardly or overconfident. Satan uses every situation—favorable orunfavorable,successfulorunsuccessful—totrytoweaken,distract,anddiscreditGod’s gifted men in their work of “equipping of the saints for the work of

service”(Eph.4:12). In a letter written shortly after Ephesians, Paul testified, “My circumstanceshaveturnedoutforthegreaterprogressofthegospel,sothatmyimprisonmentinthecauseofChristhasbecomewellknownthroughoutthewholepraetorianguardand toeveryoneelse,and thatmostof thebrethren, trusting in theLordbecauseofmyimprisonment,havefarmorecouragetospeakthewordofGodwithout fear” (Phil. 1:12-14). Even in prison it was important to Paul that hewouldmakeknownwithboldnessthemysteryofthegospel,becauseitwashisownboldnessthatattractedthepraetorianguardtothegospelandthatinspiredboldness in other witnessing Christians. Even when he requested prayer forhimself, Paul’s purpose and motive were selfless—to further the gospel, toencourageotherbelievers,andtoglorifyhisLord. Realizing that the Ephesian Christians could not pray specifically orintelligently for himwithoutmore information, Paul added, But that you alsomay know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the belovedbrother and faithfulminister in theLord,willmake everythingknown to you.AndIhavesenthimtoyouforthisverypurpose,sothatyoumayknowaboutus.Tychicus, anAsian, hadbeen chosen to accompanyPaul and theothers intaking the reliefoffering to Jerusalem (Acts20:4-6),waswithPaulduringhisfirstRoman imprisonment,andwas frequentlysentonmissionsby theapostle(see2Tim.4:12;Titus3:12).Henotonlydeliveredthis letterforPaulbut theone to Colossae as well, in both cases being instructed to give the recipientsadditionalinformationabouttheapostle’ssituation(Col.4:7-9).Inbothofthesetextsheiscalledthebelovedbrother,becausehewasespeciallydeartoPaul. In addition to informing the Ephesian believers, Tychicus, who wascommendedasafaithfulministerintheLord,wastoencouragethem:thathemay comfort your hearts. The letter itself would seem to have beenencouragementenough,butPaulknewthatapersonalwordfromsomeonewhohadbeenwithhimrecentlywouldbeanaddedcomforttotheirhearts.Themaninchainssoughttocomfortothers.

THEBENEDICTION

Peacebetothebrethren,andlovewithfaith,fromGodtheFatherandtheLordJesusChrist.GracebewithallthosewholoveourLordJesusChristwithaloveincorruptible.(6:23-24)In its beautiful clarity and simple dignity, the apostle’s closing benedictionresistsbeinganalyzed.ItisnotunlikeothersofPaul’sbenedictions,yetitseemsuniquelytoreflectthethemesofthisrichepistle.Certainlypeace(cf.1:2;2:14-15,17;4:3;6:15), love (cf.1:15;4:2,15-16;5:25,28,33),andfaith (cf.1:15;2:8;3:12,17;4:5,13;6:16)arerecurringtouchstonesinthethoughtofthisgreatletter.LittlewonderPaulgathersallthreetogetherandpraysthattheywouldbetheexperienceandcommitmentofallbelievers. Grace, or divine favor,was thegiftPauldesired forall thosewho loveourLordJesusChristwitha love incorruptible.That is the love thatbelongs totruebelievers; soPaul is really identifying theoneswhowill receivegrace asonlythosewhoseloveisnottemporaryandthusuntruebutpermanentandthusgenuine! To apply obediently in the power of theHoly Spirit the principles ofpeace,love,andfaithtaughtinthisepistlewillyieldtoeverybelievertheblessingandfavorofGod.

BibliographyEadie, John. Commentary on the Epistle to the Ephesians.Minneapolis:JamesandKlock,1977.Foulkes, Francis. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians: AnIntroductionandCommentary.GrandRapids:Eerdmans,1963.Harrison, Norman B. His Very Own: Paul’s Epistle to theEphesians.Chicago:Moody,1930.Hendriksen,William.NewTestamentCommentary:ExpositionofEphesians.GrandRapids:Baker,1967.Keil,D.F.,andDelitzsch,F.CommentaryontheOldTestamentinTenVolumes.GrandRapids:Zondervan,1973.Kent, Homer A., Jr. Ephesians: The Glory of the Church.Chicago:Moody,1971.Lightfoot,J.B.NotesontheEpistlesofSt.Paul.GrandRapids:Zondervan,1957.Lloyd-Jones,D.Martyn.TheChristianSoldier:AnExpositionofEphesians6:10-20.GrandRapids:Baker,1977.Lloyd-Jones,D.Martyn.TheChristianWarfare:AnExpositionofEphesians6:10-13.GrandRapids:Baker,1976.MacDonald, William. Ephesians: The Mystery of the Church.Wheaton,111.:HaroldShaw,1968.Meyer,F.B.BibleCommentary.Wheaton,111.:Tyndale,1979.Moule, Handley C. G.Ephesian Studies: Lessons in Faith andWalk.London:PickeringandInglis,n.d.Packer, James I. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God.Chicago:InterVarsity,1961.

Simpson,E.K.CommentaryontheEpistlestotheEphesiansandColossians.GrandRapids:Eerdmans,1970.Vincent,MarvinB.WordStudiesintheNewTestament,Vol.Ill:TheEpistlesofPaul.NewYork:Scribner’s,1904.Wiersbe,Warren.BeRich:AnExpositoryStudyoftheEpistletotheEphesians.Wheaton,111.:Victor,1977.

Indexes

IndexofGreekWords

adōagapēagathōsunēagathosagoraagorazōakatharsiaakratesteron(nonbib.)akribōsalētheiaalētheuōamoniosananeoōanēkōaphiēmiapoapokatallassōapostoloiapostólosapotithēmiarchēarchōnarrabōnaselgeiaasōtiaastorgosasumios;

atheosautosautouauxēsisaxiosblasphēmiacharischarismatacharitoōchrēstoschronosdeēsisdeidiadiakonosdianoiadidaskaloiDikaioōDikaiosdōreaDokimazōdomatadouloidunamisechthraeirēnēeklērōthēmeneklegōelegchōen

enautoienduōenergeiaenergeōenkrateiaepignōsisepiskopeōepiskoposepithumiaergasiaergonerōs(nonbib.)ethnoseuangelioneuangelistēseuangelizōeuangelizomaieulogeōeutrapeliaexagorazōexousiagleukoshamartiahēhekastoshelkuōhetoimasiahikanoōhinahistēmi

hosiotēshuiothesiahupakouōhupotassōischuskaikainoskairoskakiakaloskardiakatakatallassōkatargeōkatartismoskatartizōkatoikētērionkatoikeōkērussōkleptōklēsiskosmoskratoskraugēkubiakuriotēslaleōlegōlogoslutroō

makrothumiamanthanōmatalotēsmethodiamimētēsmōrologiamōrosmustērianēpiosnouthesiaoikeōoikodomēoikonomiaoikosoikourgosoinosorgēorgizōpaideiapaispalēpanourgiaparakaleōparaptōmaparoinosparorgismospatēresphiliaphronēsisphulassō

pikriapistisplēnplērōmaplēroōpleonexiaplousiospneumapneumatikōnpneumatikospōrōsispoiēmapoimainōpoimēnpolutelēsponērosporneiapraotēspresbuterosproeuangelizomaiproistēmiprosagōgēprosechontasproseuchēproskartereōproskollaōpsallōrhēmarhomphaiasapros

sarxsikerasophiasplanchnonspoudazōsunarmologeōsunesissunkoinōneōtapeinophrosunētēreōteknateliosthelēmathumosthureostimaōtoupneumatostouto

IndexofHebrew/AramaicWords

Abba(Aram.)nāzîrsabshālômshēkārteshûqâtîrôshyayinzaqēn

IndexofScripture

Genesis 12:3 16:4 17:7 18 18:23-32 19:1 19:24-25 22:18 26:3-5 26:4 28:13-15 28:14 29:32-33 32:24-30 34:3 38:13-18 39:7-12Exodus 4:10 5-12 12:11 12:21 15:1-18 15:1-21 15:20-21 18:20-21

19:6 19:7-9 20:3-11 20:12-17 20:12 21:2 21:5-6 21:15,17 21:16 21:26-27 29:40 31:3 32:11-13 32:19-29,30-32 35:31Leviticus 1:1-17 1:9,13,17 2:1-16 2:2,9,12 3:1-17 3:5,16 4:1-26,32-35 4:27-31 5:1-19 5:7 5:11 10:9 18:3-4 18:24 25:10

25:39-41,46 25:44Numbers 6:2-4 6:5-7 11:16 11:16-17 12:3 14:13-19 15:5 25:1-9Deuteronomy 1:9-18 1:13-17 4:2 4:35 6:4 6:5-6 6:7 6:8 6:9 12:32 15:13-14 16:18 19:12 23:15-16 24 27:1 31:9 31:28 32:9-14

32:22 32:39 33:27-29Judges 5:1 7:2 7:22 13:3-5 13:4 13:25 16:20 21:161Samuel 1:11 1:15 1:21-22,23 4:3 4:21 11:3 12:23 16:4 16:14 16:23 17:26 24:1-7 26:21 30:262Samuel 16:5-14 22:2-3 24:10

1Kings 18:27-19:18 20:7 20:16-34 20:42 21:6-162Kings 23:11Chronicles 21:1-82Chronicles 5:12-13 20:1-12 20:15 20:20-22 20:22-24Ezra 10:14Nehemiah 9:13 12:31,38Job 1:21 7:6 13:15 23:12 26:2-3,7-8,11,13-14 26:6 34:14-15 42:6Psalms

1:2 1:4 8:6 16:8 16:10 16:11 17:15 18:30 19:1 19:7-8 19:8 23 25:14 27:1 33:1 40:3 51:11 51:12 55:17,19 63:9 63:9,10 66:1 68:18 69:9 71:5 72 84 96:1-2 100:4 103:12 104:15

107:41 118:22 119:75,128 119:105 119:130 127:3-5 139:15 141:3 146:5 147:20 148:2Proverbs 1:8 3:1 3:5 3:32 4:1-4 4:17 4:18 4:23 6:23 7:1-3 8:34 10:1 10:12 11:2 13:24 15:23 15:33 16:18 16:32

17:21 17:22 19:13 19:26 20:1 21:4 22:4 22:6 23:19-21 23:24 23:27-28 23:29-31 23:32-33 23:35 24:26 25:11 25:12 27:2 28:24 30:5-6 31:4-5 31:6 31:6-7 31:10,22 31:10-31Ecclesiastes 2:26 3:4 9:1 9:10 12:10-11

SongofSolomon 2:3-4 2:10-11,16 5:16Isaiah 1:2 1:18 2:11 5:1 5:11 5:20 6:1,3,5 6:9-12 9:6 11:10 14:12-17 14:12-23 28:7-8 28:16 40:29-31 42:6 44:23 45:14 46:9 48:22 49:6 50:4 52:7 54:1-3 55:1 55:6-7

55:11 60:1 60:1-3 60:3 60:19 61:1-2 63:7-9 64:6Jeremiah 1:5-19 3:8 14:8 15:16 17:13 23:21.32 31:3 31:33 31:34 35:1-19 50:31-32Lamentations 4:7Ezekiel 16:4-14 26:13 28:1-10 28:11-19 28:14Daniel 5 6:10

9:26-27 10:13Hosea 1:10 4:6 14:4-5 14:9Joel 1:5 1:10 2:28 2:28-29 3:3Amos 2:11 2:12 3:2 3:7 5:23-24 8:10 9:11ff.Jonah 2:9 4:1-2Micah 7:18-19 7:19Habakkuk 2:4 2:15-16Zechariah

3:1 8:16Malachi 2:16 3:10 3:16-18 3:17 4:1Matthew 3:1-2 3:2 3:10 3:11 3:17 4:1 4:3-9 4:3-10 4:4,7,10 4:6 4:17 5:3 5:3-11 5:5 5:9 5:13 5:14 5:20 5:21-22 5:24 5:31-32 5:43-44

5:45 5:46 5:48 6:7 6:12,14-15 7:9 7:13 7:15-16 7:19 8:12 8:21-22 9:17 11:11 11:25 11:28-30 11:29 12:31-32 12:34 12:35 12:40 13:11 13:19 13:20-21 13:22 13:23 13:34-35 14:27-31 15:2 15:3-6 15:18-19 16:15-17

16:18 16:22-23 18:3-4 18:10,14 18:15-17 18:21-35 18:22 18:23-35 19:4-10 19:6 19:7-9 19:16-22 19:17 19:27 21:12 21:13 21:42 22:37-39 22:37-40 23:27 24:24 25:21 25:34 26:28 26:30 26:31 26:39,42 26:41 26:47 26:53 26:74

27:3 27:41 27:46 27:62-66 28:19 28:19-20Mark 1:12 3:5 7:3,5 8:6 11:17 13:33 14:3 16:15Luke 1:15 1:75 2:10 2:14 2:49 2:51-52 4:1 4:2 4:22 4:28-30 5:8 5:26 6:11 6:33 6:35

7:36-47 8:12 10:5-6 10:18 10:34 11:5-10 11:9 11:13 11:15 11:28 12:15 12:19-20 12:35 12:48 14:13-14 14:31 15:10 15:13 16:22-23 17:18-19 18:1-8 18:1 18:7-8 18:11-12 18:13-14 18:14 19:10 20:1 20:23 21:36 22:19

22:24 22:31-32 22:44 22:52 22:53 23:43 24:31-32John 1:1 1:9 1:12 1:29 2:6-10 2:10 2:15 3:5 3:15-16 3:16 3:19-21 3:30 3:34 4:14 4:34 5:30 6:27 6:35 6:37,39 6:38 6:44 6:45 7:17

7:38 7:39 8:12 8:44 8:47 9:22 10:16 10:27 10:28-29 10:30 11:41 11:41-42 11:51-52 12:31 12:32 12:35-36 12:37,39-40 12:42-43 13:10 13:12-16 13:14 13:34 13:34-35 14:2-3 14:6,17 14:11 14:12 14:12-14 14:13 14:13-14 14:16-17

14:16,26 14:20 14:25-26 14:26 14:27 15:3 15:4-10 15:10 15:11 15:13 15:16 15:26 15:26-27 16:6 16:7 16:8-11 16:11 16:13 16:13-14 16:14 16:33 17:3 17:4 17:11,21-23 17:17 17:20-23 18:3-11 18:6 18:15-27 18:38 19:26-27

20:21 20:28 21:15-17Acts 1:8 1:18 1:26 2:1-13 2:2-4 2:13 2:14 2:14-41 2:17 2:33 2:38 2:38-40 2:39 2:40 2:42 3:1-7 3:16 3:19 4:1-22 4:8 4:11 4:12 4:19-20 5:3 5:3-4 5:5-10 5:9

5:31 5:41 6:2,4 6:3 6:4 6:4-5 6:5 7:51 7:55 7:58 8:4 8:4-40 8:23 8:26 9:1-8 9:15 9:17 10 10:2 10:9-16 10:28 10:36 11:21-28 11:22,24 11:28 11:29-30 12:2 12:12-15 12:23 13:1 13:2

13:9 13:38-39 13:46-47 13:48 13:52 14:22 14:23 15 15:2,4,6,22,23 15:7 15:14-18 15:22 16:4 16:6-7 16:24-25 16:25 17:6 17:22-23 18:2-3 18:10 19:8-9 19:10-11 19:13-16 19:17-20 19:23-40 19:23-41 19:24-28 20:4-6 20:17 20:20-24 20:21

20:24 20:28 20:29-30 20:30-31 20:32 20:33-35 21:8 21:10-11 21:13 21:27-32 21:27-28:16 22:3 22:4-5 22:21 24:24-25 26:3 26:16 26:20 28:2,6 28:20Romans 1:1 1:5 1:7 1:14 1:16 1:17 1:19-20 1:21-22,24 1:21 1:29

1:32 2:4 2:11 2:15 2:28-29 3:4 3:10 3:10-11,23 3:21-22 3:23 3:24-25 4:5 4:6,11,22-24 4:9-12 4:11 4:11,16 4:20 4:21 4:25 5:1 5:2 5:5 5:6-10 5:7-8 5:8 5:8-10 5:8,10 5:10 5:18 5:18-21 5:20

6 6:1-2,11-13 6:2-8 6:3 6:4 6:4-5 6:4-6 6:8 6:11-13 6:12 6:13 6:14,18-22 6:16,17 6:16-22 6:18 6:21 6:23 7:14 7:14-25 7:15-25 7:17-18 7:17,18,20,23 7:22-23 7:23 7:14;8:23 8:1 8:1-2 8:5-6 8:5-8 8:7 8:6-7

8:6-8 8:9 8:8-9 8:9,11 8:13 8:15 8:15-17 8:16 8:16-17 8:17 8:18 8:21 8:22-24 8:23 8:23-24 8:26 8:27 8:28 8:28,29 8:29 8:30 8:31,37-39 8:37 8:38-39 9:1-3 9:4 9:6-7 10:9 10:10-11 10:12 10:12-13

10:13 10:14 10:15 10:16 10:17 11:13 11:25 11:29 11:32 11:33 11:36 12 12:1 12:2 12:3 12:5 12:6-8 12:8 12:11 12:12 12:17-21 13:8-10 13:11 13:12 13:12,14 14:7-8 14:9 14:15 14:17 14:19 14:20-21

14:23 15:4 15:6 15:30 16:17 16:17-18 16:201Corinthians 1-3 1:10 1:13-17 1:17 1:26 1:26-29 1:30 2:4 2:6-7,12,16 2:9-12 2:10 2:11 2:14 2:16 3:1 3:1-3 3:5 3:10-11 3:12-15 3:16 3:16-17 3:19 3:22-23

4:1 4:8 4:20 5:1-5 5:9-11 5:11 6:9-10 6:12 6:13-20 6:17 6:18-19 6:19 6:19-20 7:3-4 7:4-5 7:15 7:29 8:4-6 8:4,7-9,11 8:6 9:1 9:16-17 9:16-18 9:24 9:25 9:26 9:27 10:12 10:13 10:16,20-21 10:27-29

10:31 10:31-33 11:3 11:5 11:10 11:20-21 11:27-30 11:30 12:1-31 12:3 12:4-7 12:4-10 12:8-10 12:10 12:11 12:12-13 12:12-31 12:13 12:13,20 12:28 13 13:1 13:5-6 13:6 13:11 13:12 14:15 14:20 14:33 14:37 14:40

15:8 15:10 15:19 15:32 15:33 15:51-52 15:56-57 16:8-9 16:9 16:14 16:162Corinthians 1:3 1:4-5 1:20 2:8 2:11 3:5 3:18 4:4 4:7 4:8-9 4:8-12,16 4:8-15 4:15 4:16 4:17-18 5:5 5:14 5:15 5:17

5:18-20 5:21 6:3-7 6:4-10 6:10 6:11-13 6:17 7:1 8:9 8:17 8:23 9:8 9:12,15 10:3-5 10:5 10:12 11:3-4 11:10 11:14 11:30 12:7 12:7-10 12:9 12:9-1012:121,141 12:16 13:5 13:11Galatians 1:11:6-7 1:8

1:15-17 2:11 2:20 3:1 3:1,3 3:1,3,9,10 3:3 3:8 3:11 3:26 3:26-28 3:28 3:29 4:6-7 4:8 4:12 4:16 4:18 4:19 5:16 5:16-17 5:19-21 5:19-23 5:22 5:22-23 5:23 5:24-25 6:1 6:9 6:10Philippians

1:3-6 1:6 1:9-10 1:9-11 1:12-14 1:19 1:21 1:27 1:29 2:1-2 2:2 2:4 2:4-11 2:5 2:5-8 2:6-8 2:7-8 2:9-11 2:10-11 2:12-13 2:13 2:30 3:1 3:8-10,12 3:9 3:10 3:12-14 3:14 3:20 4:4 4:6

4:7 4:8 4:9 4:12-14 4:13 4:19Colossians 1:3,9 1:9-11 1:9 1:10 1:11-13 1:12-16 1:13 1:16 1:19-20 1:21-22 1:24 1:25-26 1:27 1:28 1:28-29 1:29 2:2 2:2-3 2:3 2:7 2:10 2:13 2:15 2:19

3:1-17 3:2 3:5 3:8 3:9-14 3:11 3:12 3:14 3:16 3:16-25 3:18 3:20 3:23 4:2 4:3 4:6 4:7-9 4:12 4:12-131Thessalonians 1:2-7 1:5 1:9 2:5 2:7-12 2:11 2:18 4:1 4:3 4:5 4:10-12

4:13 5:6-8 5:8 5:8-11 5:10 5:12 5:13 5:14 5:15 5:17 5:18 5:192Thessalonians 1:11 1:11-12 2:7 2:13 3:5 3:10-111Timothy 1:12-13 1:13,15 1:15 1:17 2:3-4 2:4,6 2:8 2:11-12 2:13-15 2:15 3:1

3:2 3:2-7 3:3 3:3-7 3:4,5,12 3:5 3:7 3:16 4:1 4:2 4:4 4:6,11,13 4:14 5:2 5:4 5:6 5:8 5:9-10 5:10,25 5:11-12,13 5:14-15 5:14 5:16 5:17 5:17-25 5:21 5:23 6:1-2 6:9 6:11 6:16

6:172Timothy 1:3 1:6-8 1:9 2:1 2:3 2:4 2:8-10 2:10 2:15 3:1-5,13 3:7 3:13 3:15 3:16 3:16-17 3:17 4:2 4:5 4:7 4:12 4:17Titus 1:2 1:5,7 1:7 1:7-9 1:9 1:15 2:3-5

2:5 2:7,14 2:9-10 2:10 2:11-12 2:14 3:1 3:5 3:8Philemon 7,12,20 8Hebrews 1:6 1:14 2:9 2:11 2:12 2:14 3:1 3:6 4:12 4:12-13 4:14 4:15-16 4:16 6:15 6:19 10:29 10:38 11:6

11:23 11:25-27 11:27 12:1 12:5-11 12:6 12:15 13:7 13:15 13:17 13:20-21 13:20James 1:2-4 1:3 1:5 1:17 1:21 2:8 2:19 3:1 3:6-8 4:1 4:1-3 4:4 4:6 4:7 4:13-14 4:7 5:10 5:14

1Peter 1:1 1:3 1:3-4 1:3-5 1:4 1:12 1:13 1:14-16 1:17 1:18-19 1:19 1:20 1:22 2:2 2:5 2:5,9 2:6 2:7,9 2:9 2:11 2:13-15 2:17 2:18-20 2:20 2:23 2:25 3:1-2 3:3-4 3:4 3:5-6

3:7 3:15 3:18-19 3:22 4:1-2 4:3 4:3-4 4:7 4:8 4:10 5:1-2 5:1-3 5:2 5:3 5:5 5:8 5:8-9 5:102Peter 1:1 1:3,5-8,10 1:3 1:3-4 1:4 1:5-11 1:12-13,15 1:17 1:20-21 1:21 2:3 2:4

2:10-12 3:18IJohn 1:1-3 1:3 1:4 1:5-7 1:8 1:8-9 1:9 2:3 2:4 2:6 2:12 2:13 2:15-16 2:15-17 2:15 2:20 2:20-21 2:26-27 2:27 2:29 3:2 3:9-10 3:14 3:16-18 3:17 3:18 3:19 4:4

4:9-12,19 4:20-21 5:1 5:4 5:10 5:13 5:19 5:202John 8Jude 3 4 6 9 21 24Revelation 1:5-6 1:6 1:16 2:2-4 2:3 2:5 2:9 2:13 2:14 2:19-20 2:22-23 2:24-25 2:25

3:1 3:4-5 3:8 3:9 3:15-16 3:16 3:17 4:1 4:8-11 4:9,11 5:8-9 5:8-10 5:8-14 5:12-13 5:13 7:9-12 7:10-12 10:4 10:7 12:7-9 12:11 13:8 14:1-3 14:3 15:1-4 17 18 18:22 19:1-8 19:9 20:3,10

20:4 20:10-15 21:8 21:9 22:11 22:18-19

IndexofSubjects

Alcohol,beverageAtheistAbrahamAdulteryAhabAlexandertheGreatAngelsAnger,righteousAntichristAntinomy.SeealsoParadoxApostles,authorityofAristotleArrogance,spiritualAsceticismAssuranceofsalvationAtonementAtonement,Dayof.SeeDayofAtonementAuthority,apostolicBaalbekBach,JohannSebastianBaptism,waterBarclay,WilliamBarker,H.P.BehaviorismBernardofClairvauxBishopsBlavatsky,MadamElenaPetrovna

Bliss,PhilipBlood,redemptionthroughChrist’sBodyofChrist.SeealsoChurch,BodyofChristBody,temporarinessofphysicalBonar,HoratiusBunyan.JohnCarnalityCatoChadwick.JohnChapman,J.WilburChauvinismChildren.SeealsoMarriage blessingfromGod spiritualgrowthof submissionof teachingChrist.SeealsoJesusChristChristianScienceChrysostom,JohnChurch BodyofChrist buildingthe Christ’sgiftsto.SeeJesusChrist divisionwithin doctrineof growth mysteryof unityof renewalCircumstances

Citizenship,believers’CleansingfromsinComplacency,spiritualConscienceCriminalbehaviorCultsCynicismDanielDavidDayofAtonementDeaconsDeath,spiritualDeedsoftheflesh.SeealsoFlesh,theDelitzsch,FranzJuliusDemonismDemons activitiesof categoriesof deliverancefrom influenceofDemosthenesDependenceandobedienceDiana,templeofDiscernment,spiritualDiscouragementDisobedienceDivorceDoctrine Christian falseDoubtingGod

DrinkinganddrunkennessDutyEadie.JohnEareckson,Joni.SeeTada,JoniEasternreligion.SeealsoCults;OccultEasy-believismEcstaticexperienceEddy,MaryBakerEgalitarianismEldersElection,kindsofdivineElijahElliot,CharlotteEllul,JacquesEmployersandemployeesEntertainment,religiousExistentialismExorcismFaithandlove,balanceofFaith,asbodyofdoctrineFalconer,RobertFall,theFalseteachersFamily.SeealsoMarriageFeelingsFeminismFillmore,Mrs.CharlesFlesh,theForgivenessFoursquarepentecostalism

Freedom,humanFrenchRevolutionFreystein,JohannB.Gibbs,SirPhilipGiftsofChristtochurch.SeeJesusChristGlorificationGlorifyingGodGlueck,SheldonandEleanorGod exaltationof fellowshipwith fullnessof generosityof glorifying.SeeGlorifyingGod gloryof planof preeminenceof self-revelationinScripture sovereigntyofGoodness,humanGrace,supposedadditionalworksofGraciousnessGreekcultureGreekvirtueGross,MartinGuthrie,ThomasHearst,WilliamRandolphHedonismHendriksen,WilliamHeresyHolySpirit

baptismof controlof fillingwith indwellingof yieldingtoHome.SeealsoMarriageHomerHomosexualityHumanismHusbands.SeealsoMarriageHypocrisyIdolatryImmaturity,spiritualIncarnationIndifference,spiritualInheritance,believers’Israel,God’spurposeforJeremiahJesusChrist Bodyof.SeeChurch,BodyofChrist lordshipof majestyof finishedworkof giftstoHischurch onlySavior sufficiencyofJobJudaizingheresyJustificationKefaSempangi

Keil,JohannK.EKingdomofheaven,mysteryof,xKinsman-redeemerKnowledge,practicalLaborrelationsLaodicea,churchatLaw,JewishceremonialLaw,moralLeadership,churchLearningLegalismLiberalism,theologicalLiberation,women’sLight,livinginLivingstone,DavidLloyd-Jones,D.MartynLordship,Christ’s.SeeJesusChrist,lordshipofLove andfaith,balanceof lossoffirst romantic self-sacrificing walkingin worldlyLustLuther,MartinMcPherson,AimeeSempleMan,fallen,sinfulnatureofMarriageMaterialism

Maurois,AndreMeeknessMeier,PaulMelanchthon,PhilippMelchizedekMentalillnessMinistry,callingtoMishnahMonsell,JohnMosesMosaiclaw,JewishinterpretationofMotherhood,dignityofMunger,RobertMystery,kingdom.SeealsoKingdomofheaven,mysteryMysteryreligionsMysticalexperienceMythology,paganNapoleonNaziritevowNeo-orthodoxyNewnatureNewselfNewton,JohnObedienceObedienceanddependenceObedience,ChristianOccult.SeealsoEasternreligionOldnatureOldselfOpportunity

Orthodoxy,lovelessPacker,J.I.PaganismParadoxParents,sacrificingforchildrenPassivity,spiritualPastors,fatigue,burnoutPaton,JohnPergamum(Pergamos),churchatPersecutionPersistence,spiritualPerspective,God’sPerspective,humanPerversion,sexualPhilosophical-theologicalsystemsPhilosophyPlinyPornographyPracticalknowledgePrayer boldnessin posturesforPreeminence,God’s.SeeGod,preeminenceofPreparedness,spiritualPresumption,spiritualPride spiritual intellectualPromises God’s

humanPsychologyReconciliationRedemption.Blood,SeealsoredemptionthroughChrist’sReformationReligion,man-madeRepentanceResources,believers’RevengeReward,believers’Righteousness imputed practical worksRightsRobertson,F.WRockmusicRogers,CarlSacrifice,animalSalvation assuranceof marksofgenuine purposeofSamenow,StantonSanctificationSardis,churchatSatan,general childrenof namesof personalexistence

resisting worldsystemofScripture applying authorityof authorship,divine powerofSecondblessingSelf,dyingto.SeealsoOldselfSelf-acceptanceSelf-centerednessSelf-condemnation,believers’Self-controlSelf-denialSelf-disciplineSelf-expressionSelf-givingSelf-glorificationSelf-gratificationSelf-improvementSelf-interestSelfishnessSelf-justificationSelflessnessSelf-relianceSelf-righteousnessSelf-sacrificeSelf-satisfactionSelf-sufficiencySelf-trustSelf-will

Self-worthSenecaSeparation,ChristianSex,illicitSexualimmoralitySexualperversionSexualpurityShakespeareSheolSin cleansingfrom enslavementto futilityof realityof tolerationof unconfessedSlaverySmith,HannahWhithallSophistrySpirit,Holy.SeealsoHolySpiritSpirit,beingfilledwithSpiritualarroganceSpiritualgiftsSpiritualpreparednessSpiritualtestingSpiritualwarfareSpiritualityStone,SamuelSufferingSurrenderedlife,the

Tada,JoniEarecksonTalmudTeachers,false.SeealsoFalseteachersTemple,JerusalemTempleofArtemisTemptationTestimony,harmingTesting,spiritualTheological-philosophicalsystemsTheosophyThyatira,churchatTongueTyndale,WilliamUnholinessUnitySchoolofChristianityUnselfishnessVisionsWalk,theChristianWarfare,thebeliever’s.SeeSpiritualwarfareWeldon,JohnWesley,JohnWesley,SusannahWidowsWiersbe,WarrenWWives.SeealsoMarriageWill,humanWines,kindsofancientWisdom,walkinginWomen’sliberationmovement.SeealsoFeminismWork.SeealsoEmployersandemployees

Worksoftheflesh.SeealsoFlesh,theWorldsystem,present.SeealsoSatan,world svstemofWorldlinessYochelson,SamuelYomKippur

NewTestamentCommentarySeriesbyDr.JohnF.MacArthur,Jr.

Matthew1-7

Matthew8-15Matthew16-23Matthew24-28Acts1-12Acts13-28Romans1-8Romans9-16

FirstCorinthiansGalatiansPhilippians

ColossiansandPhilemonFirstTimothySecondTimothy

TitusHebrewsJames

Revelation1-11Revelation12-22

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