Further Thought:

 Underlying the Epistle to the Ephesians is a story that is often rehearsed in part or alluded to in it. The major events in the narrative are these:

1. God’s choice of the people “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4-5, Ephesians 1:11).
   

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2. Their past, lost existence (Ephesians 2:1-3, Ephesians 2:11-12; Ephesians 4:17-19, Ephesians 4:22; Ephesians 5:8).
3. The intervention of God in Christ to save them (Ephesians 1:7-8; Ephesians 2:4-6, Ephesians 2:13-19; Ephesians 4:1, Ephesians 4:20-21; Ephesians 5:2, Ephesians 5:8, Ephesians 5:23, Ephesians 5:25-26).
4. Their acceptance of the gospel (Ephesians 1:12-13,  and implied elsewhere). Having once “no hope” (Ephesians 2:12), they now possess the “one hope” toward which believers move (Ephesians 4:4; compare Ephesians 1:18).
5. The present lives of the addressees as disciples. Though living at a time fraught with hazards and the opposition of the evil powers, they may draw on the resources offered by their exalted Lord (Ephesians 1:15-23, Ephesians 2:6, Ephesians 3:14-21, Ephesians 4:7-16, Ephesians 6:10-20).
6. In the future culmination of history, the Spirit’s role as “guarantee” (Ephesians 1:13-14, ESV), or “seal” (Ephesians 4:30), reaches fruition. In this crowning moment, the addressees will be rewarded for their faithfulness by taking possession of the “inheritance” already granted to them in Christ (Ephesians 2:7; Ephesians 6:8-9); and, through their faith in Christ, they will be granted a place in the Christ-centered age to come (Ephesians 1:21; Ephesians 2:7, Ephesians 2:19-22; Ephesians 4:13, Ephesians 4:15; Ephesians 5:27).

Discussion Questions:

<–Thursday

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Read back through Ephesians 2:1-10, focusing on Paul’s conclusion in verses 8-10. What points does he highlight as he concludes the passage?

In Ephesians 2:1-3, Paul documents that the salvation of the believers in Ephesus does not occur because of their good behavior or winsome qualities.

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When the story begins, they are spiritually dead. There’s not a spark of life or worth in them (Ephesians 2:1). They have been utterly conquered by sin (Ephesians 2:1). They exhibit no personal initiative but are led around by Satan himself and by their own base passions and mental delusions (Ephesians 2:2-3).

Unknown to them, they are in a far worse position than simply being without spiritual life or virtue. In company with all humankind, they are the enemies of the true God and are moving toward a day of destiny and divine judgment. They are “children of wrath, like the rest of mankind” (Ephesians 2:3, ESV).

Instead of being rooted in their own qualities, their salvation is rooted in God’s inexplicable love — a love that cannot be explained based on any worth in the object of that love. In mercy and love, God acts on their behalf in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:4), resurrecting them from spiritual death. Because of God’s intervention, they experience an amazing itinerary that follows the trajectory of Jesus Himself. From the extreme depth of utter spiritual death and grinding slavery, they are resurrected and conveyed to the “heavenly places” and seated with Christ on the cosmic throne (Ephesians 2:5-6). This lightning-like, divine intervention, though, is no momentary phenomenon. It has real staying power, eternal durability, because God intends to exhibit His grace toward them in Christ Jesus throughout all eternity (Ephesians 2:7-8).

In his conclusion to , verses 8-10, Paul goes back over this ground, wishing to ensure that his point sticks: the salvation of believers is a divine work, not a human one. It does not originate in us but in God’s gift. No human being can boast of having sparked it (Ephesians 2:8-9). Standing in the grace of God, we believers are exhibits of His grace, and only of His grace. We are His masterpieces, created by God “in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:10).

<–Wednesday Friday–>

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