… and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
Summary: The church that is the body of Christ has grown considerably since Jesus ascended into heaven.
Continue reading “Ephesians 1:22b – Growing Up”Ephesians 1:22a – Underfoot
And God placed all things under his feet …
Summary: Paul’s perspective on Jesus is different than the disciples who lived with Jesus. Paul knows Jesus as the risen Lord, and this perspective comes through in his teachings about Jesus.
Continue reading “Ephesians 1:22a – Underfoot”Ephesians 1:21b – Coming of Age
… not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Summary: Looking into the details of God’s Word is always interesting. Mediating on how Paul came to know things about Jesus is also interesting.
Continue reading “Ephesians 1:21b – Coming of Age”Ephesians 1:21a – Stepping Up
… far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked,
Summary: Paul’s reference to Jesus’ position of authority is a good place to stop and reflect on Jesus’ love and concern for his Creation.
Continue reading “Ephesians 1:21a – Stepping Up”Ephesians 1:20b – Right-Hand Man
… and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms …
Summary: Old expressions often convey old truths. Being someone’s “right hand man” is akin to being seated at the right hand of the king.
Continue reading “Ephesians 1:20b – Right-Hand Man”Ephesians 1:19b-20a – Power Play
That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead …
Summary: Paul’s words take us to a place where we can consider what it means to think of God’s strength and power. It is a place beyond the realm of physics and human imagination.
Continue reading “Ephesians 1:19b-20a – Power Play”Ephesians 1:19a – Eye Witness to Power
… and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Summary: Every once in awhile, Paul’s words stir up a memory in me that is worth sharing. Outside of the power of Jesus Christ to save a sinner like me, seeing the eruption of Mt. St. Helens up close is the greatest power I have ever witnessed.
Continue reading “Ephesians 1:19a – Eye Witness to Power”Ephesians 1:18d – Beneficiary
… the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people …
Summary: To understand the text, we need to understand the translation, and sometimes that means we need a different translation.
Continue reading “Ephesians 1:18d – Beneficiary”Ephesians 1:18c – A Different Kind of Hope
… in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you …
Summary: Language takes on a new dimension when we begin to see things from a spiritual perspective. The word “hope” is no exception.
Continue reading “Ephesians 1:18c – A Different Kind of Hope”Ephesians 1:18b – Light and Dark
… may be enlightened …
Summary: Paul prays that our hearts “may be enlightened.” Understanding what he means requires that we explore the different ways we see both the visible and invisible.
Continue reading “Ephesians 1:18b – Light and Dark”