The Book of Ephesians is a theological-masterpiece which clearly projects Paul’s sense of worship behind intricately-woven pontification and instruction. Martyn Lloyd Jones explains of the epistle, “The peculiar feature and characteristic of the Epistle to the Ephesians is that here the Apostle seems to be, as he puts it himself, in ‘the heavenly places’, and he is looking down at the great panorama of salvation and redemption…The result is that in this Epistle there is very little controversy; and that is so because his great concern here was to give to the Ephesians…a panoramic view of this wondrous and glorious work of God in Jesus Christ our Lord” (Thomas. 6). I find two “peculiar” motifs, and one foundational motif within the Apostolic Epistler’ Book of Ephesians: namely, Paul was writing to the Church of Ephesus while imprisoned in Rome; Paul hinges revelatory theological-truths as means unto worship; and, he is “Making known to us the mystery of his will according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ” (ESV Eph. 1:9).
Imagine with me, the Apostle Paul, in Roman chains (Eph. 3:1; 4:1; 6:20), writing “to one of the most influential Gospel glorifying cities in the first century” (Thomas. 5). The great Epistler, writing the darling Church of the first century. In my little world, this is like Paul writing Bethlehem Baptist (John Piper’s world), or the booming evangelical prayer and missions movement, both Charismatic and Reformed (International House of Prayer, Youth With A Mission, CrossCon, IMB [David Platt]; to name a few); and saying, “Look, beloved, I know you know the Gospel, but do you know the man behind the Gospel?” From prison, nonetheless! This is striking. Paul, in chains, writes to a flourishing Church, “For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles-assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me or you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation…When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ…” (ESV Eph. 3:1-4). A peculiar motif, indeed. A treasure worthy of searching out.
The Epistler, Paul, hinges revelatory theological-truths as means unto worship; namely, Ephesians 1:15-23, and 3:14-21. While baffling one’s way through the magnificence of 1:1-14, one must not fall short on this first great hinging point: “For this reason…I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of glory, may give to you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might…” (ESV Eph. 1:15-19). And likewise, baffling one’s way through 2:1-3:13, to read Paul’s second great hinging prayer, one which exalts the former and sets exaltation for the remainder of the book: “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father…that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith-that you being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (ESV Eph. 3:14-19). These two worshipful outburst indicate Paul’s affection for the Church; and ultimately, Christ' affection toward the Church. This motif models for the Church rightful response toward theological truths; exaltation of Christ.
Paul’s overarching-motif is found in the “Making known to us the mystery of his will according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ” (ESV Eph. 1:9). Whether Paul is illuminating for us our inheritance in Christ (1:11), or encouraging our imitation of God (5:1-2); it is unto “Making known to us the mystery of his will according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ.” The nature of the Epistle written by Paul in Roman shackles, to the prominent Church in Ephesus, is an extravagant invitation for those in Christ to know the God who is building the Ecclesia “into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit” (ESV Eph. 2:22). This motif presents worshipful-reason to forsake the world for Jesus; not just for the sake of being a good person, but in knowing God through His Spirit, and making much of Jesus to within the world. This motif gives courage to live for the age to come, to pursue Christ and His purpose above all else.
Paul, the Epistler of the Book of Ephesians, is saying to the thriving Church in Ephesus, “Ephesus, remember, your success is not determined by your numbers, or how many great things you have going for you. Your success is determined in being found “in Christ” [used twenty-seven times throughout the book of Ephesians].” For one to relate to the theology within the Epistle, one must relate to the “mystery,” “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (ESV. Col. 1:27). My encouragement to the reader pertaining how one learns to relate to the “mystery” is simple. For nearly twelve-years I have made Paul’s prayers my own prayer language. I pray Eph. 1:15-23, and 3:14-21 for the Church, and for me; believing this as an extension of the Romans 12:2, “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (ESV).
Works Cited
- ESV Journaling Bible. The Journaling Edition ed.
Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2001. Print.
- Lloyd-Jones, Martyn, Dalton Thomas. “The Book of Ephesians: Chapters 1-4.”
Daltonthomas.org, 8 Jan. 2015. Web. 5 Sept. 2016.
- Thomas, Dalton. “The Book of Ephesians: Chapters 1-4.” Daltonthomas.org,
8 Jan. 2015. Web. 5 Sept. 2016.