Surely you have heard …
Summary: Today’s meditation is on how we “hear” the written word in our head.
Continue reading “Ephesians 3:2a – The Right Idea”Ephesians 3:1b – I, Paul
… I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
Summary: Looking back over Paul’s life gives us a bit of perspective on his letter to the Ephesians and his stand against requiring Gentiles to be circumcised.
Continue reading “Ephesians 3:1b – I, Paul”Ephesians 3:1a – The View From Above
For this reason …
Summary: As Paul begins this next part of his letter, he casts a glance back over his shoulder at where we have been. The picture he has painted for us is one that is very much like what God probably sees from his point of view.
Continue reading “Ephesians 3:1a – The View From Above”Ephesians 2:22 – The Impossible
And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Summary: Following Paul through the twists and turns of his metaphor can be exhausting. With his building metaphor Christ is the reason for the building, the cornerstone of the building, and the place where the building resides.
Continue reading “Ephesians 2:22 – The Impossible”Ephesians 2:21b – The Heart of the Lord
… and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
Summary: Paul’s metaphors are intended to help us visualize spiritual truths. It helps to realize that metaphors are not the actual truth but only an illustration of truth.
Continue reading “Ephesians 2:21b – The Heart of the Lord”Ephesians 2:21a – The Ultimate Rock
In him the whole building is joined together …
Summary: Paul uses a stone building as a metaphor for the body of Christ. As we look more closely at the metaphor, we discover that Jesus is all that matters.
Continue reading “Ephesians 2:21a – The Ultimate Rock”Ephesians 2:20b – Internidiot
… with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
Summary: The internet can’t be trusted to get anything right. Be cautious! When it comes to understanding God’s Word, we need to understand the words in it. Especially if it is a metaphor.
Continue reading “Ephesians 2:20b – Internidiot”Ephesians 2:20a – An Excellent Metaphor
... built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets …
Summary: Looking closely at Paul’s use of language helps us understand the concept behind the words.
Continue reading “Ephesians 2:20a – An Excellent Metaphor”Ephesians 2:19 – Part of the Family
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,
Summary: Today we explore a bit more about how Jesus brings Jews and Gentiles together.
Continue reading “Ephesians 2:19 – Part of the Family”Ephesians 2:18 – Access to God
For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Summary: Paul’s sentence describes how we can gain access to God. To do so we need to reach out through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Continue reading “Ephesians 2:18 – Access to God”