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| EPHESIANS |
| Explanatory Footnotes |
| 2:8 Given, Not Earned As a converted legalist, Paul insisted on one fact of the gospel: eternal life comes not by any ritual of rule-keeping (which he calls "works"), but by the grace of God. Yet in this paragraph he notes that God intends for us to "do good works." Paul makes a clear distinction: Good works do nothing to help us obtain God's favor, but they follow naturally as we experience the love of Christ. 2:14 Destroying the Barriers A Jewish mssionary to the Gentiles, Paul wrote and talked constantly about tearing down the barriers between the Jews and Gentiles. Jews kept themselves separate from Gentiles by many cultural and religious barriers. Perhaps the most vivid symbol of separation was an actual wall in the temple. Non-Jews could never enter the temple courts beyond that wall. Here Paul describes how Christ utterly destroyed the "wall of hostility" between the two groups. 3:16 Reading Between the Lines Paul's prayers often give some of the best insights into the local situation. This prayer (verses 14-21) and the one in chapter 1 (verses 15-23) indicate the church at Ephesus was well-grounded. In Ephesians Paul does not dwell on any urgent problems; instead, he tries to raise the sights of young Christians who have not fully grasped the extent of God's love and grace. 5:21 The Key to Submission Many readers have struggled with the advice Paul gives in the next few paragraphs. This simple sentence sets the tone for all that follows: we are to submit to others because of our reverence for Christ. In other words, in any human relationship - husband and wife, child and parent, slave and master - a third party is involved, Christ himself. Paul urges us to conduct those relationships in light of Christ's own spirit. |