Detailed Analysis
Vv. 15-16: I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.
Paul’s introductory phrase “for this reason” takes us back to the introductory blessing (1: 3-14) and is the basis for Paul’s prayer. Paul begins this prayer report giving thanks for and encouragement to his audience. Many have taken “I have heard of your faith” as evidence against an Ephesian audience but this does not necessarily imply that Paul does not know them. Some suggest this is Paul responding to a recent report of encouraging news he had received concerning the Ephesians. The best explanation is that Paul intended this to be
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First, “the prayer is for believers to seize what they have already been offered. There are several references to wisdom in Ephesians (cf.1: 8, 17; 3: 10; 5: 15) .” Paul makes it clear that the “wisdom and revelation of knowledge” is a work of God and not a work of the people. This means that enlightening is done to them, not by them. “Paul appeals to the powerful and glorious Father to give his Spirit to believers, or more specifically that the Spirit they already possess (1: 3-14) will grant them deeper wisdom and revelation in knowing God better.” “Because of their background in pagan religions and the practice of magic, the readers of this letter must become thoroughly convinced that the God to whom they have now given their full allegiance is indeed greater and more powerful than all the other gods and spirits they once served …show more content…
The question has been whether or not (“the fullness”) refers to Jesus or to the church. Some contend that the church is the fullness of Jesus (meaning that Jesus is fulfilled by the church). This interpretation must be rejected not only because of bad theology, but also because of context. Others interpret that Jesus is the fullness of the church (meaning that the church is not complete without Jesus). While the second interpretation is theologically sound, it still does not work in the greater context of Ephesians. While Jesus independently maintains his fullness, the church is actually becoming the fullness of Christ. This interpretation is confirmed by all that follows in Ephesians: The church is growing into his fullness (4:15). She is the bride of Christ (5:25) and therefore the two shall become one (5:31-32). As Jesus has been raised and exalted, so shall the church (2:6). Therefore, Jesus is independently complete, while the church is becoming the fullness of Jesus; it is being transformed into his image (2 Cor 3:18). “The ecclesial conclusion of the thanksgiving sounds a motif that will reappear in the letter. Christ’s body, the church, experiences the divine life and power of God that fills all things .” “In conclusion, the final clause of this section of the letter asserts that the church is filled with power and grace from its exalted Lord, who, in turn, extends his reign
Carson, D. A. New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. 4th ed. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994.
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition Bible. Eds. Dom Bernand Orchard, Rev. R. V. Fuller. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1966. Print.
New International Version Study Bible. Barker, K. gen. ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1985. Print.
Paul reasserts the authenticity and authority of his apostleship in this section. He does so by describing the unique manner by which he was called to into the Lord’s service (cf. Acts 9:1- 18). Years subsequent to the apostle’s special call (i.e., 3 and 14 years, respectively), he met some of the other apostles (i.e., Peter, James). It was crucial that Paul reassert and defend his divine appointment so that his message to the deceived Galatian believers would be regarded as legitimately apostolic and thus authorative. ...
...yne A. The HarperCollins Study Bible New Revised Standard Edition . New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1993. 1645-1722. Print.
Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians was both his way of showing gratitude and to give further instruction to his early Christian followers on how to maintain their faith in Jesus Christ, they now all possessed. The Thessalonians had not always been followers of Christ they were previously Gentiles who then converted to Christianity. Paul gave thanks and further instruction to the Thessalonians so that they could stay prepared for the Advent. I believe that Paul was aware that the followers of Christ what be subjected to temptation and suffering for spreading the Gospel. The Gentiles and Satan could have a great influence on followers of Christ if they are not prepared. Paul knows the struggle of being converted and in result prepared the Thessalonians through ministry and prayer.
Grayston, Kenneth. The Letters of Paul to the Philippians and to the Thessalonians. CBC. London: Cambridge U.P., 1967.
Harris, Stephen. Understanding The Bible. 6 ed. New York City: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages, 2002. Print.
Sakenfeld, Kathaine Doob, ed. The New Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible: D-H: Volume 2. Vol. 2. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2007.
Wenham, G.J., Moyter, J.A., Carson, D.A. and France, R.T., eds. New Bible Commentary. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1998.
...be protected from sin and evil. Paul goes on to say pray for the Lord’s people and to also pray for him as well. Chapter 6 ends with a conclusion where Paul gives Tychicus the authority to bear this epistle and he considered him and faithful servant of the Lord. The end if concluded with grace and love from the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Veres 12-28 of chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians illustrates the influence Paul had on the formation of early Christianity. To Corinth, Paul rationalizes that if Corinth believes that there is no resurrection of the dead then Christ himself could not have been risen and if Christ has not been risen then their faith is in vain. Paul uses their own faith against them in a since as with his argument he forces Corinth to either reconcile with Paul’s views of resurrection or seemingly disband with Christianity altogether. As Paul himself claims in 1 Corinthians 3:6 to have founded the church in Corinth it seems most unde...
Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version. New York: American Bible Society, 1995. Print. (BS195 .C66 1995)
Analysis of biblical writings has helped us to better understand the challenges and mysteries of scripture. In studying Ephesians 1: 15-23, research will help us draw out the bigger picture of what the writer intends to convey in his message. This passage is a prayer of thanksgiving and intercession in which Paul expresses gratitude to God upon hearing of the Ephesians “faith in the Lord Jesus and love toward all the saints” (1: 15 NRSV). This leads Paul to pray intensively that the Ephesians will gain an expanded awareness of the extraordinary and unsurpassed power of God manifested on their behalf. Paul writes this as encouragement and support to the readers.
Theopedia, an Encyclopedia of Biblical Christianity." Theopedia, an Encyclopedia of Biblical Christianity. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. (Theopedia) (Theopedia)