Ephesians #3

Chapter 1:15-23 Being the Body of Christ



Last week we had a great discussion that started with us talking about the purpose of the group, and as we studied the text it ended with the same discussion. As we studied earlier, Paul starts out in the first 14 verses a discussion on how we are "In Christ." Paul always writes first about who we are, and then moves on to how this should impact our lives. This was the normal format of all of his writings.



In the lesson covered in the last half of chapter 1 Paul starts us on a journey of discovery. He starts to delineate what it means to be " In Christ." He will do this to the end of chapter 3 and then move into his practical applications section from the beginning of chapter 4 to the end of the letter.



He starts this discussion with the words "For this reason I too" in 1:15. The "reason" Paul is making reference to is that we are "In Christ", as he pointed out in verses 1-14. On top of who they are "In Christ", Paul says that he continues to give thanks (pray) for them because of what he has heard about them. Two things. He had heard not only of their faith in Christ, but also of their love for ALL THE SAINTS.



Paul said that as a result of these two things that he continued to pray for them. He was very specific in his prayers. He prayed that God would give them wisdom and also that God would revel to them knowledge of Himself. That God would open the eyes of their heart, and as a result that they would know: 1)the hope of their calling, 2) the riches of the glory of their inheritance IN THE SAINTS, and 3) what is the greatness of God's power toward them.



Paul is quick to point out that all of these are in accordance to and through the strength of God which was brought about through Jesus. Paul then proceeds to say something about the awesomeness of Jesus. It is like every time he comes to consider, or think about, Jesus that he must say more. He proceeds to say that this power, and wisdom, and knowledge that is available to and for us is because: 1)God the Father raised Jesus from the dead, and 2)seated Jesus at His right hand in Heaven, far above anything or anyone on earth, and 3)put all things in subjection under Him, and 4)gave Him head over all things to the church.



Then Paul brings everything back home relative to who we are and what it means to be "In Christ." That we the church are totally subject to Christ, since we are His body. We also discussed a couple of questions:

1. "Knowing that we are the body of Christ, what does this tell us about how we interact as parts?"


2. "Why is it important that we love each other?"


3. "What is it that God achieves and is dependent on our knowing how we relate?"

Hope to see you next week as we continue our study of this wonderful letter.