WEEK 15: Ephesians, Colossians
GOD’S PLAN FOR THE WORLD | Axioms 3 and 6
In Ephesians and Colossians, we learn about God’s plan for the world. This plan began before creation and will find its fulfillment when Jesus returns. In the meantime, Paul gives us a vision of God’s desire for our churches, our families and even our occupations – all transformed by the work of Christ.
WEEK 16: Philemon, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy
SOUND DOCTRINE | Axioms 2, 3 and 6
Paul writes the letters of 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus to two young men whom he knew very well. Although they were young, Paul had entrusted to them the work of leading churches. Unfortunately, both churches were plagued by false teachers who taught false doctrine. In these letters, we learn just how important theology really is and how dependent we are on the Bible for that theology.
Weeks 15-16 | Questions for Discussion
1. How does God’s ideal for the family (Eph 5) compare to the type of family you grew up in?
2. Take note of Paul’s prayers in Ephesians and Colossians. What does he pray for? How can these insights help shape your prayer life?
3. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, what function does the Bible play in the life of a Christian?
COMMENTARY
Ephesians 1:4-6
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will– to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” In this passage Paul reveals to us how God’s plan of salvation was decided before the creation of the world. Before creation, God decided to save people through the work of his Son, Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus we are adopted into God’s family. This teaches an important point. We are not naturally God’s children. We are only God’s children by adoption when we accept the work of Jesus.
Ephesians 2:8-9
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith– and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast.” In these verses, Paul gives us a clear statement of how salvation is possible. It comes not through works. If it was through works, then humans could boast about their own salvation. Instead, salvation comes through the complete grace of God. It’s God’s work from first to last. And Paul also teaches that the only way for this grace to be applied to us is through faith.
Ephesians 3:6-10
This is an incredibly rich theological passage. First, Paul reminds the readers of the amazing truth that God’s people are no longer limited to the Nation of Israel, but now, God’s people include both Jew and Gentile. This was a mystery that was previously unknown to Israel. But through Paul and the other Apostles, this mystery is now made known. This may seem commonplace to us now, but this was a mind-blowing revelation to the people in Ephesus. Also, it shows us that vehicle that God wants to use for revealing His “manifold wisdom” is the church. The church is God’s chosen way to put His glory on display and do His work in the world. What an amazing privilege that we get to be a part of it!
Ephesians 4:12
This verse describes the role of church leadership. It is not to carry out all the work of God’s Church, but rather to equip the people of the church to carry out their unique roles in God’s plan.
Ephesians 4:26
This shows us that anger itself is not inherently sinful. God is referred to as being angry on several occasions. The sin comes in when we allow anger to turn into rage, revenge, bitterness, etc. Anger is a normal reaction to certain events in life. But when this anger comes, it’s important to deal with it in a proper way – namely by bringing it to God in prayer, and allowing Him to be the one in charge of justice.
Ephesians 5-6
As Christ’s body on earth, we are to imitate God, for Christ incarnates Himself in us (5:1–2). To represent God here on earth we must decisively reject every kind of immorality and impurity (vv. 3–7). It is our transformation from darkness to light that reveals God and so we must be very careful to live in the light (vv. 8–20).
Paul then explores three sets of relationships and defines how to live as children of light in each. First, he establishes an overarching principle: We are all to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (v. 21). In marriage this means that husbands take the role of Christ and put their wives first, thus freeing the wife to submit to a husband she knows she can trust (vv. 22–33). In the family this means children are urged to obey parents, but parents are not to “exasperate” children by harsh, unfair treatment (6:1–4). In households with slaves, slaves are to give sincere obedience to their masters, while masters treat their slaves with consideration and respect (vv. 5–9).
Paul concludes with a creative summary of the teaching of Ephesians. He pictures our spiritual resources as elements of the panoply of a heavily armed Roman foot soldier. Equipped with all God has provided, we are well able to win the spiritual battles we must fight (vv. 10–18). Paul concludes with a request for prayer and well wishes (vv. 19–24). (Richards, L. 1991. The Bible reader’s companion. Includes index. Victor Books: Wheaton, Ill.)
Colossians 1:15
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” Colossians 1:15-20 is one of the clearest passages in the Bible on the divinity of Jesus. Paul teaches that Jesus is of the very image of God, is the one superior to all creation, is the one who made all creation, the one who keeps all of creation together, the head of the church, the first one to be resurrected, one who possesses the fullness of deity, and the one who reconciles all things to himself.
Colossians 2:13-14
“God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.” When Jesus died on the cross he bore the penalty of our sins. He died in our place, taking all of our sins upon himself. In doing this, he canceled out the penalty of our sins and the accusations that our sins brought against us.
1 Timothy 1:15
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners– of whom I am the worst.” Sometimes we forget the apostle Paul’s background. Paul spent much of his life in rebellion to God. He was a Pharisee who held to a dead legalism. In addition, Paul was a persecutor of the church. He was responsible for the arrest, and ultimately the death of a number of Christians. Yet, Jesus still showed his grace to Paul. God saved Paul to demonstrate that none of us are too lost in our sinfulness that God can’t save us. Paul is a reminder that no one is outside God’s saving work. All of us can find salvation, not through religious works, but through faith in Jesus.
1 Timothy 2:15
This is one of those passages in the Bible that is extremely confusing. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to the proper interpretation. Some believe that the childbearing refers to the birth of Christ, that salvation will come to the world through the birth of Christ. This is possible, but doesn’t seem to fit into the context of the book. Others believe that this is connected to the context of this chapter regarding the roles of men and women. Rather than abandoning their intended roles by demanding teaching and authoritative positions in the church, women will find true fulfillment through childbearing. They believe Paul is saying that God calls women to be faithful, helpful wives, raising children to love and worship God and managing the household wisely. This seems closest to the context of the passage, but no interpretation is without it’s difficulties.
1 Timothy 3:2
This is the clearest prohibition in the New Testament against the practice of polygamy. Clearly, one of the key requirements for being an overseer/elder in the church is being a monogamous husband. While this is directly to spoken to those seeking the office of overseer, all Christians should strive to the level of maturity spoken of in this passage. Hebrews 13:7 says “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” In 2 Thessalonians 3:9, Paul, speaking of the lifestyle of Christian leaders says “We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow.” If we are called to imitate and follow the example of overseer’s/elder’s, it seems obvious that polygamy would go against this.
1 Timothy 5
Paul now moves on to give Timothy practical advice on many aspects of local church life. In this chapter he focuses on several important interpersonal relationships. Timothy, although a leader, is to show great respect to all members of the church—both older and younger men and women (5:1–2). He is also to oversee the development of “widows’ corps.” While any woman without relatives to care for her is the responsibility of the church, widows who have earned a good reputation are to be given an official position and an important family-oriented ministry (vv. 3–16). Paul also discusses relationships with elders and the care with which they are to be selected and ordained (vv. 17–25). (Richards, L. 1991. The Bible reader’s companion. Includes index. Victor Books: Wheaton, Ill.)
1 Timothy 6
Paul continues his advice to Timothy about relationships. Slaves are to serve their masters because they want to, not because they have to. And they are not to expect favoritism from Christian masters (6:1–2). Paul has several blunt things to say about those who look at teaching religion as a way to make money (vv. 3–5). In fact, he warns everyone against a desire to get rich. How much better it is to be content, because every kind of evil tends to spring up where money-love exists (vv. 6–10). Not that Paul views Timothy this way. But Paul does remind Timothy of the need to “flee from all this” and pursue righteousness (vv. 11–16). Paul then returns to the topic of money, with a word of advice to those who are already rich. Money is something to be used, a resource enabling the well-to-do to do good. If the rich are generous and willing to share, wealth can be a blessing (vv. 17–19). But as for Timothy, his task is to finish his mission and avoid the foolishness which has caused some to wander from the faith (vv. 20–21). (Richards, L. 1991. The Bible reader’s companion. Includes index. Victor Books: Wheaton, Ill.)
2 Timothy 2:2
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. We find here a little bit of God’s plan for discipleship. Paul wanted Timothy to teach others what he had been taught about God. And his hope was that these men who Timothy would teach would go on to teach others. This is the picture of discipleship. God calls us to share what we have been taught with others, and then have them do the same. It’s a reminder that a disciple of Jesus will be discipling others teaching them about Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:14-17
This is one of the best passages in the Bible that describes the power and authority of Scripture. We discover that all Scripture (the whole Bible) is “God-breathed,” meaning it is truly inspired by God. It leads to salvation, it teaches us, corrects, us, guides us, trains us and equips us for a life of serving God. This is why the Bible is so central to the pursuit of God in our lives.