Ephesians 3
Ephesians 3 1-2 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
Believer Bible Commentay wrote,is generally believed that this Letter was written during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment. But he does not speak of himself as a prisoner of Rome. That might have indicated a sense of defeat, a feeling of self-pity, or a craving for sympathy. Paul calls himself the prisoner of Christ Jesus; this speaks of acceptance and dignity and triumph. Ruth Paxson puts it well:There is no smell of prison in Ephesians, for Paul is not bound in spirit. He is there as the prisoner of Rome, but this he will not admit, and claims to be the prisoner of Jesus Christ. What is the secret of such victorious other-worldliness? Paul’s spirit is with Christ in the heavenlies, though his body languishes in prison.16
His imprisonment was definitely on behalf of the Gentiles. Throughout his ministry he ran into bitter opposition for teaching that believing Gentiles now enjoyed equal rights and privileges with believing Jews in the Christian church. What finally triggered his arrest and trial before Caesar was a false charge that he had taken Trophimus, an Ephesian, into the temple area that was out of bounds for Gentiles (Acts 21:29). But behind the charge was the already fierce hostility of the religious leaders
To understand the apostle Paul background.
To understand the Apostle Paul, you need to understand the cultures and upbringing. The Bible declares these words, circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal,
Note Hebrew of HebrewsPaul was raised by his parents as a Hebrew of the Hebrews.Paul has all the reasons why he might have confidence in the flesh. He says that among an elite people which were the Jews, he was of an elite sect, the Pharisees, who were known for their scrupulous devotion to God’s laws. Paul was raised by his parents as a Hebrew of the Hebrews.
Philippians 3:4-8Paul has all the reasons why he might have confidence in the flesh. He says that among an elite people which were the Jews, he was of an elite sect, the Pharisees, who were known for their scrupulous devotion to God’s laws.One mentors wasGamaliel as a Pharisee and celebrated doctor of the Mosaic Law in Acts 5:34–40 a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a law teacher held in honour by all the people.Saul had a bright future ahead of him and likely would be being a candidate for 70 elders.The seventy elders of Israel were granted extraordinary privileges, but they also put a weighty responsibility on the Jewish people.they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others.
The Damascus Road was a turning point for the Apostle Paul, a committed follower of Christ. He never forgot this. For example, in Acts 22;6, “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. Or in , At midday. And when he had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. The last voice he wanted to hear say that terrified would be an understatement, since he was persecuting the church. Trying to eradicate the church in its infant stage.he thought he was working for God he thought the Way was a heretic and needed to eradicate from society.“I was convinced that needed to be eradicated the church.
Instead condemn Saul He forgave him He said But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do. Jesus said Ananias
But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending youActs.26.16,Acts.26.18, Acts.26.17. Paul has Instantly transformed from a Pharisee to a follower of Christ.He later penned these words; indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake, I have suffered the failure of all things and count them as rubbish, so that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on dedication.Philippians 3:8-10
Who better preached forgiveness
Tarus it known the hometown of the apostle Paul (Acts 9:11), a city of great importance (21:39) as a learning center of the ancient world, alongside Alexandria and Athens. Notably, Jewish citizens of Tarsus were granted Roman citizenship. In Acts 22;3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. we can see, Tarsus was a very important city in the ancient world and was very well-known for its intellectual citizens. It is also said that the people of this city craved learning even more than those from Athens or Alexandria.
The Apostle Paul spoke and wrote Hebrew and Greek. Likely Latin as well, the GrecianJews who lived Tarsus spoke Greek. Yet follow the Mosaic Law.
The Apostle Paul was devoted Pharisee yet his birthplace wasTarsus and the Greek Culture had an impact on him.
Again the mandate given by Christ Another passage states, But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, Eph.4.1- 2, Jesus declares these words to. Ananias..For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” He also stated to him. But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
For example in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and being exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
In 2Tim.4.6-7 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
As Scriptures declares This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
The Apostle Paul was a prayer warrior from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 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. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and everAmen.=Eph.3.15,Eph.3.14,Eph.3.17,Eph.3.16,Eph.3.18,Eph.3.19,Eph.3.20,E
[Romans 1:8–10], [Romans 10:1] [Romans 11:33-36] [Romans 12:12] [1 Corinthians 1:4–9] [2 Corinthians 1:3–7] [2 Corinthians 2:14–16] [2 Corinthians 13:7–9]
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