From Spiritual Death to Everlasting Life

There is no greater display of the doctrines of the Christian faith than that found in the first three chapters of Ephesians. But having done that, the Apostle now moves on to the practical application of his doctrine; he goes on to show how it is related to daily life and living. The Apostle Paul, when he used the word ‘therefore’, makes the connection between faith and practice quite clear. He has laid down the doctrine; now it must be applied.

In verse 1 of Ephesians chapter 3, Paul is about to pray as he declares “For this cause” but before he prays, he is impressed to give a review of the things he had written in chapter 2 with some additional thoughts. Now in verse 14 he returns to begin his prayer and he again repeats “For this cause” letting us know that his prayer is based on everything he said in chapter 2 and in 3:1-13; so, let us consider a quick review of the foundation of his prayer and then consider the content of this precious, inspired prayer for us from the Apostle Paul. I say us, because although his prayer is for the Ephesians, these truths and promises are ours as well.

Last time we considered Paul’ review of things before he prays in verse 14. It was like Paul and the Apostles opened a great big, secret treasure chest (we spoke about that in chapter one) and they got to look in it for the first time. Now we are invited to look into the treasure chest and see all the wonderful things God in His grace has for us. Paul reminds us of THE FORMATION OF THE CHURCH v2-6 It Was Divinely Revealed. v3-5 It Was Not Known in the Past. v5  It Was the Establishment of a New United Family. v6 then, THE PROCLAMATION OF THE CHURCH. v7-9 Paul was Preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles. v7-8 And he was Training Jew and Gentile to Live in Unity. v9 And Paul now continues in verses 10-13 to reveal to us our task, our privilege and our cost as part of this revealed mystery.

Paul opens chapter 3 prepared to pray, but he is moved to reiterate the truths he has taught in chapters 1 and 2. So in a lengthy parenthetical diversion, Paul reminds us again of the importance of God’s establishment of the church and the fact that God revealed the purpose and ministry of the church to him and sent him up specifically as a missionary to the Gentiles who are readily welcomed into God’s family when receiving His saving grace through Jesus Christ.

In verses 11-22, Paul considers our outward lives. He compares our former living without Christ to our present living in Christ. Paul shows how salvation in Christ’s finished work on the cross unites every believer, Jew and Gentile. He proceeds to declare that our privileges are equal and illustrates this reality with heavenly citizenship and the illustration of the building of a temple.

In the first portion of chapter 2, Paul contrasts our souls before salvation and our souls after salvation. He describes for us God’s gracious unseen work on the inside in saving our souls. In verses 11-22, Paul considers our outward lives. He compares our former living without Christ to our present living in Christ.