Unpacking Ephesians: Chapter 3

 

In this chapter, the Apostle Paul affirms his calling and purpose in Christ Jesus and explains his insight, given to Him by the Holy Spirit, into the mystery of Christ in God’s plan and purpose for the Gentiles – Gentiles being those believers who are not of Jewish birth.

Note: The verses from Ephesians are in italics, my explanation of the verse/s follows in straight text with additional scriptures in bold italics.

God has an Amazing Plan for the Gentiles!

1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

In his opening statement to this chapter, Paul refers to himself as the prisoner of Christ. Here the Greek word for prisoner is ‘desmios’ and it signifies a binding of someone so that they are unable to escape.

So what Paul is saying is that he is bound (a prisoner) to Christ of his own choice (when he became born again), just as a prisoner is bound, so that he cannot escape from his calling in Christ Jesus. His calling is for the purpose of preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles. This is God’s plan for his (Paul’s) life in order to bring glory to Jesus and salvation to the Gentiles! Hence, he says in finishing off verse one, “for the sake of you Gentiles”! As the Word is living and active, he means the Gentiles throughout the ages because Jesus never changes, He is always the same!

Hebrews 4:12 (AMP)

For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 13:8 (AMP)

Jesus Christ is [eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever.

Paul says a similar thing to this in Romans 1:1 where he calls himself a slave to Christ. Here the Greek word for slave is ‘doulos’ and its expanded meaning is a bond-slave or bondservant. In the time of Paul, a slave or a bondservant was completely owned by his master who paid a price for him – the owner bought him as a possession and he had every right by the law of the time to do what he liked with the slave.

In other words, he is telling us that he has no rights of his own, he completely belongs to Jesus, he is His slave, he is sold-out to Him in love and dedication. This is how each of us needs to view ourselves as born again Christians. This attitude of the born again believer brings glory, honour and praise to Jesus – it is an act ow total worship to the only name that is worthy of glory, honour and praise – the Name of Jesus!

We are not our own! We belong to Jesus, and we relinquish to him every area of our lives so that we can live our lives in accordance with the will of the Father – I say again, we are not our own! Because Jesus paid the price, death on the cross, for our sins it is no longer we that live but Christ that lives in us! We a purchased by the blood of Jesus!

In this way we receive the full blessings of God and our hope and assurance of salvation – everlasting life in Christ Jesus! But for those that do not accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and do not believe in him, it is everlasting death (total separation from God) in hell for eternity!

When we become truly born again, it is no longer we that live but Christ who lives in us!

Romans 1:1 (AMP)

Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative), set apart for [preaching] the gospel of God [the good news of salvation],

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)

19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Galatians 2:20 (AMP)

I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Galatians 3:13-14 (AMP)

3 Christ purchased our freedom and redeemed us from the curse of the Law and its condemnation by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs [crucified] on a tree (cross)”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might also come to the Gentiles, so that we would all receive [the realization of] the promise of the [Holy] Spirit through faith.

2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.

In verses 2 and 3 above Paul reveals to us that the administration or dispensation or stewardship or the special responsibility of God’s grace was given to him to preach to the Gentiles (you and I) the gospel of salvation in Christ Jesus!

Acts 13:47-48 (NIV)

47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us:

“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,

that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

Acts 22:21 (NIV)

“Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”

4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

In verses 4-6 above Paul says that once we have read this letter (the Epistle to the Ephesians) we will only then be able to understand the insight he has into the mystery of Christ which was given to him and the other apostles by Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

This mystery was not made known in the Old Testament but has only now been revealed after the death and resurrection of Christ. This mystery is that through the gospel (the Good News) the Gentiles become co-heirs with Israel (the Jews) and the two now become members of one body (the Church) and share in the promise of salvation and everlasting life in Christ Jesus.

7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

In verse 7-9 above Paul also refers to himself as a servant of the gospel. The Greek word for servant here is ‘diakonos’ (pron: dee-ak-on-os) and means a servant or minister (of the gospel). Which is what we as his Church should be today – both individually and as a body! From this Greek word we get the English word deacon which is used in the Church today – only deaconship (not the office of Deacon) is not just for some believers but is for all believers as we are all servants of Christ!

Paul humbly (Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people) reminds the Church that he was given the authority and dispensation to preach the gospel - the endless riches of Christ - to the Gentiles by God’s grace!

To the Church today, the endless riches of Christ are taught in the writings of both the New Testament and the Old for Jesus is the Word in its entirety. But because Jesus fulfilled the law, we are no longer bound by the law but are heirs of the new covenant of salvation and everlasting life in Christ Jesus!

John 1:1-5 (AMP)

1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. 2 He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. 3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being. 4 In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it].

John 1:14 (AMP)

And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, [the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception).

Romans 8:1-4 (NIV)

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

In verses 10-13 above Paul explains to us that God’s intent in all of this is the revealing of the mystery Christ to the Church – the true born again believers in Jesus.

In verse 10 the Greek word for manifold is ‘polupoikilos’ (Pron: pol-oo-poy'-kil-os) and its full meaning is ‘the many and diverse or multitudinous manifestations’ of God’s wisdom. So, this means that it is through His Church (including us today) that the wisdom of God will be made known to the rulers and authorities in the spiritual realms, that is primarily Satan and his cohorts and those humans that serve evil. This is a reminder to the enemies of God that Jesus is above all things and that his death on the cross and subsequent resurrection by the Holy Spirit has defeated the works of the evil one! In Christ Jesus we have the victory.

Scripture tells us quite clearly that if we are not for Him then we are against him and if we are against him, we become pawns of the devil and his cohorts and participants in his evilness!

1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:21-23 (KJV)

21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Philippians 2:9-11 (KJV)

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Matthew 12:30 (AMP)

He who is not with Me [once and for all on My side] is against Me; and he who does not [unequivocally] gather with Me scatters.

It is only in Christ Jesus that we, his born again believers, can approach God (in prayer and relationship) with complete freedom and confidence. Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death and through him we are reconciled to God – God sees us as sinless as He looks at us through His son Jesus, the only spotless one, who washed away our sins on the cross at Calvary! Amen!

Romans 5:9-11 (AMP)

9 Therefore, since we have now been justified [declared free of the guilt of sin] by His blood, [how much more certain is it that] we will be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more certain, having been reconciled, that we will be saved [from the consequences of sin] by His life [that is, we will be saved because Christ lives today]. 11 Not only that, but we also rejoice in God [rejoicing in His love and perfection] through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received and enjoy our reconciliation [with God].

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (AMP)

18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

A Prayer for the Ephesians and a Prayer for Christ's Church Today.

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

In verses 14-21 we see the true heart of love and caring that Paul has (and is burdened with) for the Church in his closing prayer. This is such a selfless and wonderfully humble prayer that there is nothing that I could give any measure of increase to, spiritual or otherwise, and needs no further explanation from me.

But what I do ask, Dear Readers, is that you pray, with heartfelt sincerity in your love for Jesus, this prayer for the Church congregation that you belong to and for His true Church across the world today.

2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

To Jesus belongs all glory honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed the Bible is not!

Unpacking Ephesians: Chapter 2

In this chapter Paul makes it abundantly clear that we are saved by the grace of God alone when we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. Without Christ as our Saviour (being born again) there is no salvation! And because of God’s saving grace for those who are in Christ Jesus we are all equal, there is no difference between Jew and Gentile. Here Gentile means anyone who is not Jewish. Because Jesus shed His blood and died for our sins, we receive reconciliation with God. Unless we are born again, we cannot enter God’s kingdom and receive everlasting life with Him in heaven! And on judgement day, if we are not born again Christians, we will be cast into hell where there will be eternal torment – a weeping and gnashing of teeth!

John 3:3 (AMP)

Jesus answered him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 13:40-43 (AMP)

40 So just as the weeds are gathered up and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend [those things by which people are led into sin], and all who practice evil [leading others into sin], 42 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger]. 43 Then the righteous [those who seek the will of God] will shine forth [radiating the new life] like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears [to hear], let him hear and heed My words.

My Dear Readers, let’s examine chapter 2 together in small bites? I’m sure, as we go through the chapter, that God will bring further personal revelation to you through the Holy Spirit. I pray that this is so. Jesus has so much more to say to us when we are filled with the Holy Spirit!

John 16:12-15 (AMP)

12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them now. 13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future]. 14 He will glorify and honor Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Because of this I said that He [the Spirit] will take from what is Mine and will reveal it to you.

We Are Made Alive in Christ!

1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

In verse One above ‘dead’ refers to a spiritual death, a death that separates a man from God for eternity. This is a spiritual death that mankind (male and female) who do not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour receive on Judgement day and are thus referred to as being dead in their sinfulness!

In verse 2 Paul goes on to remind us of that this was the way we (the Church of Jesus – all born again Christians) used to live, following the ways of the world (the cravings of our sinful flesh) and thus following the ruler of the air who is Satan or the Devil as he is most commonly known as today. When we were like this, we were considered disobedient which is what those who haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour in today’s world and in the days to come are still considered as being by God!

3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

In verse 3, Paul is reminding us that we once lived as ‘wordly’ people, people who live only for themselves and to please the cravings their sinful nature and were thus deserving of God’s wrath which is eternal damnation.

1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

For mankind following the ways of the world leads to eternal damnation, but for the born again Christian, the one who has Jesus as his Lord and Saviour, that does the will of God, we receive eternal life.

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

In verses 4 and 5, Paul reminds us that because of God’s great love and mercy we (as born again Christians) are made alive in Christ and will receive eternal life. We are saved by God’s grace and not by anything we have done, but it is what Jesus did for us, he suffered and died for us so that we (those of us that are born again) do not have to face God’s wrath on Judgement Day!

Psalm 103:8 (NLT)

The Lord is compassionate and merciful,

slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

In verses 6 and 7 we are told that because we are born again in Christ Jesus, spiritually we are seated with Him in the heavenly realms so that we can experience the richness of God’s grace in the coming (eternal) ages! This is why Jesus and Paul tell us that we are in the world but not of the world!

John 17:16 (NIV)

They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

Romans 12:2 (AMP)

And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

To learn more about what is meant by the phrase “heavenly realms”, please read my blog on Chapter 1 of Ephesians. Just follow this link:

https://rayskilton.blogspot.com/2023/04/unpacking-ephesians-chapter-1.html

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

In verses 8 and 9, Paul reinforces the fact that we are saved by God’s grace alone in Christ Jesus and not by anything that we have done or achieved outside of Christ! The only one that we can boast in is not ourselves but in Christ Jesus alone. It is only in Christ and in the power of His Holy Spirit that we can do the things that God has called us to do. This is walking in faith in Jesus and without faith it is impossible to please God!

Philippians 4:13 (AMP)

I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Every human being, past and present, is the work of God’s hands, He created as and breathed life into us! He created mankind in His image whether you like to believe this or not. But because of man’s fallen (sinful) state we can only be reconciled with God by accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour and turning away from (repenting) our sinful lives. Anything we do, good or bad, outside of our being born again (outside of Christ), is worthless and counts for nothing in God’s eyes. God considers the good works that mankind does outside of Jesus as nothing but filthy rags!

Genesis 1:27 (NIV)

So God created mankind in his own image,

in the image of God he created them;

male and female he created them.

Genesis 2:7 (AMP)

then the Lord God formed [that is, created the body of] man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being [an individual complete in body and spirit].

Isaiah 64:6 (NLT)

We are all infected and impure with sin.

When we display our righteous deeds,

they are nothing but filthy rags.

Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall,

and our sins sweep us away like the wind.

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

In verses 11-13 above Paul reminds us that those of us who are not Jewish by birth were not part of God’s Old Testament covenants of promise as Israel is, but we were without God and thus without the hope of a spiritual future with God in eternity. But now, when we become born again in Christ Jesus, we become citizens in the Kingdom of God and receive eternal life and not eternal damnation as anyone who is not born again is. We are not physically circumcised as the Jews are, but we are spiritually circumcised in the heart by the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus and now become God’s children! For us, as born again Christians, it is a matter of the heart being changed by the Holy Spirit once we repented of our old sinful ways and have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour! It is the blood of Jesus that reconciles us with God!

Romans 2:29 (NLT)

No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,

In verse 14 above Paul tells us that through His death on the cross, Jesus has made the Jews and the Gentiles who have accepted His s Lord and Saviour one group – His Church. There is now no difference between Jew and Gentile because we are in Christ Jesus – He is our Lord and Saviour! We are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:26-29 (AMP)

26 For you [who are born-again have been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified and] are all children of God [set apart for His purpose with full rights and privileges] through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union with the Christ, the Anointed] have clothed yourselves with Christ [that is, you have taken on His characteristics and values]. 28 There is [now no distinction in regard to salvation] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you [who believe] are all one in Christ Jesus [no one can claim a spiritual superiority]. 29 And if you belong to Christ [if you are in Him], then you are Abraham’s descendants, and [spiritual] heirs according to [God’s] promise.

15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

In verses 15-18 above we learn that Jesus set aside that dividing wall between Jew and Gentile by fulfilling the law in every way. No sin was found in him! The purpose of this act was to create His Church of born again believers no matter who you are or what nationality you come from.

Thus, as brothers and sister in Christ, the born again Church becomes one body and by His death on the cross for our sins, we are reconciled to God. Through this act of selfless love (He died for each one of us) we all have access to the Father by one Spirit – the Holy Spirit! We therefore receive His peace, the peace that surpasses all understanding!

1 John 3:4-6 (AMP)

4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness [ignoring God’s law by action or neglect or by tolerating wrongdoing—being unrestrained by His commands and His will]. 5 You know that He appeared [in visible form as a man] in order to take away sins; and in Him there is [absolutely] no sin [for He has neither the sin nature nor has He committed sin or acts worthy of blame]. 6 No one who abides in Him [who remains united in fellowship with Him—deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin. No one who habitually sins has seen Him or known Him.

John 14:25-27 (NIV)

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

As we allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in all things so receive the peace of Jesus so that we do not have to be troubled and stressed about anything that happens to us in this world. We are overcomers of the world in Christ Jesus and Jesus is the Prince of Peace!

1 John 5:3-4 (AMP)

3 For the [true] love of God is this: that we habitually keep His commandments and remain focused on His precepts. And His commandments and His precepts are not difficult [to obey]. 4 For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God].

Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,

In verse 19 above we are told that because every born again Christian has given his life to Jesus to be his Lord and Saviour, we all (whether Jew or Gentile) now become citizens in God’s Kingdom and members of His household. We have the right to call ourselves children of God!

John 1:12-13 (NIV)

12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

1 John 3:1 (NIV)

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

In verse 20 Paul explains that God’s household (the Church) is built on the foundations laid by the teachings and prophecies of the apostles and the Old Testament prophets. This foundation on which the Church is built has Jesus Christ as it’s cornerstone, the foundation stone that holds everything together and is immovable and unshakeable! Christ reigns supreme over all things in heaven and on earth!

Colossians 1:15-20 (NIV)

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.

It is only in Christ Jesus that the Church (every born again Christian) is joined together as one and will reach the unity of the Spirit. The Church in Christ Jesus is His Holy Temple. The Church has many parts, you and I included, but it is one body – the body of Christ Jesus. And we are to function as one in the unity of the Holy Spirit who lives within us!

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (AMP)

12 For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For by one [Holy] Spirit we were all baptized into one body, [spiritually transformed—united together] whether Jews or Greeks (Gentiles), slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit [since the same Holy Spirit fills each life].

It is only through Jesus that all things are held together, our lives and indeed the whole of creation in heaven and on earth! Jesus is the fulness of the Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) in bodily form! Jesus is the head over all things!

Colossians 1:17 (AMP)

And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [His is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.]

Colossians 2:9-10 (NIV)

9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.

22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Each and every believer in Christ Jesus becomes a temple in which God lives by His Spirit. We, the Church, individually and collectively are God’s Holy Temple!

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NIV)

16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.

So now, my Dear Readers, in closing off this article, let us consider how we as His Church, need to love each other and work together in the unity of the Spirit. There is only one Church, we are many congregations across the world, but there is only on Church the Church of Jesus our Lord and Saviour. There is only one faith and that is in Jesus Christ and Him crucified. There can be no division in His Church! It is Jesus that holds all things together – He is the fulness of the Godhead in bodily form and he has given us the ministry of reconciliation. Jesus – one Saviour, one Lord and one God! Do everything in the love of God!

2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (NIV)

16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Prayer
Heavenly Father I pray in the name of Jesus that you would continually fill me with your Holy Spirit and with a hunger and thirst to read and study your Word more and more. I pray that my life in the power of the Holy Spirit would bring glory, honour and praise to the name of Jesus. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for you reading and studying the Bible for yourself. I am flawed the Bible is not!

Unpacking Ephesians: Chapter 1

 

Brief background to the Book of Ephesians

Today’s Ephesus is located in modern day Turkey. At the time the Church was established in Ephesus (+-AD50) the region was called Asia Minor and the Roman Empire had made the city of Ephesus a provincial capital and it hosted around 250,000 residents—the third largest city in the Roman empire.

Ephesus was known as a city of size, wealth, and power. The major economies of the city were rooted in trade and idol worship. The temple of Artemis, located in the heart of the city, was prized as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. From the ocean ports to the theatre to the stadium to the library, Ephesus had so much to offer its inhabitants and visitors and it was considered to be a major cultural centre in the Roman world.

The church at Ephesus was established by the Apostle Paul approximately 15-20 years after the death of Jesus. Paul visited the city on his second missionary journey through the ancient world (Acts 18:19). After planting the church in Ephesus, Paul put a couple named Pricilla and Aquila in charge of the church. Later a man named Apollos joined the leadership team as the main teacher of the local churches in Ephesus. Years later, Paul returned to the city of Ephesus on his third missionary journey and stayed in the city for three years, which was the longest time Paul spent with any of his church plants (Acts 19:8-10).

Paul was eventually forced out of the city when the silversmith union staged a riot (Acts 19:26-41). The reason for this is that the gospel was impacting the sale of trinkets and idols devoted to the goddess Diana.

Over the years, Paul maintained close contact with the leadership of the church in Ephesus. Paul’s farewell to the elders and leaders of the church in Ephesus is recorded in Acts 20. It is one of the most moving and emotional passages in the Bible.

Paul wrote a letter to the Churches in and around Ephesus in about AD62 from prison in Rome and this is what we call the book of Ephesians in the Bible. He appointed his protégé, Timothy, to pastor the church in Ephesus. Later, the apostle John took up the pastorate from Timothy and pastored the church for many years until he was forced into exile on Patmos.

We know more about the church in Ephesus than any other church in the Bible. Seven of the New Testament letters were either written to or about the church in Ephesus, including Ephesians, first and second Timothy, first, second, and third John, and Revelation. The preaching team in Ephesus during this period was very strong and spiritually deep. Paul, Apollos, Timothy, and John all pastored the church in different seasons.

However, it declined in its faith sometime after the Apostle John was exiled to Patmos where he wrote the book of Revelation. In the end, Jesus pointed out to them that they had lost their first love (Revelation 2:1-7).

The word Ephesus means desirable, and in many ways, it was certainly a desirable place to live. In the ancient world, Ephesus was a centre of travel and commerce. Situated on the Aegean Sea at the mouth of the Cayster River, the city was one of the greatest seaports of the ancient world. Three major roads led from the seaport:

• One road went east towards Babylon via Laodicea

• Another to the north via Smyrna

• A third south to the Meander Valley

On Paul’s third missionary journey (A.D. 54-56) he spent between two and three years teaching in the city (Acts 19:8-10). He spent his time addressing false doctrines and pagan practices. Paul’s teaching in the rented school of Tyrannus was so successful that those who practiced magic brought their books and burned them as an act of repentance (Acts 19:18-20). As the sale of silver idolatrous images began to fall off, the silversmiths caused an uproar (Acts 19:26-41). Shortly after this dust-up was settled Paul left for Macedonia. It was during this stay in Ephesus that he wrote 1 Corinthians.

Several months later (A.D. 57) Paul met with the Ephesian elders on the nearby island of Miletus and made his farewell address (Acts 20). Their mutual love is evident as these tender-hearted men weep over what God has done – and they know they will not see Paul again.

Tradition says that Ephesus became the home of the Apostle John (mid-late 60’s). This may or may not be true, but circumstances make it very possible, if not probable. He was supposed to have taken Mary, the mother of Jesus, there to live (cf. John 19:26-27). John wrote three letters (1st, 2nd, and 3rd John), probably no later than the early A.D. 90s. He wrote from Ephesus and probably to the churches mentioned in Revelation 2:8–3:22. The church by that time had some difficult problems and had apparently undergone a church split.

False teachers had arisen in the church who claimed to have deeper knowledge of the things of God. They claimed to have the “secret” to knowing Christ, but in reality, they denied His bodily incarnation and His deity. They taught many other heretical concepts. Their motive may have been to take some elements of pagan religion and blend them with Christianity, in order to make it more acceptable to the pagan culture.

It was probably during the reign of Domitian (81-96 A.D.) that John was banished to Patmos. He was released and died during the reign of Trajan according to Iraneus (an early church historian). Tradition relates that at a very old age John, too feeble to walk, would be carried into this church’s assembly and would admonish the members, as little children, to love one another. During this period the Lord gives His assessment of the Ephesian church through the apostle John (Revelation 2:1-7). He compliments them on their good works but rebukes them for leaving their first love (Revelation 2:4). He commands immediate action from them to repent, remember, and repeat their first works. (Revelation 2:5).

There is no way of us knowing if they corrected their problem or not, but sadly, the church died sometime during the second century.

In later centuries Ephesus became a leading city of meeting for the councils of the early Roman church – at the birth of Roman Catholisism.

Paul’s main purpose for writing this letter to the Church in Ephesus and consequently to today’s Church, you and I, is to instruct and encourage all believers in their calling to unity as the Body of Christ, and in their growing into Christian maturity.

Let’s now take at look at what we learn from the Book of Ephesians starting with chapter 1 for this article. The other chapters will be examined later on, each chapter in a separate article.

Ephesians 1

Note: All verses from Ephesians Chapter 1 are written in light italics and all other scriptures are in bold italics.

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To God’s holy people in Ephesus,[some earlier manuscripts do not have ‘in Ephesus’] the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the first two verses above Paul reinforces the fact that he is an Apostle of Christ and thus carries His authority in the Church. He then goes on to pronounce a blessing of God’s grace and peace over us in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! The custom in the Church at the time was to share these letters with the surrounding Churches in the area!

We (the Church of born again believers) have every spiritual blessing in Christ.

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

In verse 3 Paul sets us a very important lesson for us in our fellowship with God and that is to always give him praise, glory and honour for all that we receive from Him in the endless grace He shows to those in Christ Jesus – those of us that are born again and know Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. We should always display an attitude of gratitude for the gift of salvation we receive from God through Christ Jesus – we are saved by grace so that we cannot boast in our own strength!

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

In the second part of verse 3, Paul goes on to say that in Christ Jesus we receive every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.

Now here, my dear readers, it is important for us to know that although we live in the world we are not of the world and that because we are born again, we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we are seated with Him in heavenly places. Jesus Himself tells us these things!

John 17:16 (NIV)

They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

Ephesian 2:6-7 (AMP)

6 And He raised us up together with Him [when we believed], and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, [because we are] in Christ Jesus, 7 [and He did this] so that in the ages to come He might [clearly] show the immeasurable and unsurpassed riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us in Christ Jesus [by providing for our redemption].

So, our next question is this: “What are these spiritual blessings that we receive in the heavenly realms?”

In verses 4 – 14 Paul ‘lists’ these spiritual blessings, all of which we can only receive from our belief and faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. They are imputed to us by His Holy Spirit.

4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

• We have been chosen by Jesus to be Holy and blameless.

And because of this the Church has become a royal priesthood and a people that are special to God and receive His endless love, grace and mercy!

1 Peter 2:9-10 (AMP)

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—

• Through Jesus we receive our sonship (and daughtership) in accordance with the Father’s will.

John 1:12-13 (NIV)

12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

• Through Jesus we are freely given God’s glorious and all-encompassing grace.

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us.

• Through Jesus we have redemption through His blood.

• We have forgiveness of our sins in the richness of God’s grace.

With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

In Christ Jesus, God reveals to us the mystery of His will for ourselves in particular. God takes great pleasure in doing this!

• This will be put into full effect when our Lord returns.

• This will bring unity (in the Spirit) to all things in heaven and on earth under Jesus Christ our Lord.

• This will be done in all the wisdom and understanding of God!

Daniel 2:22 (NIV)

He reveals deep and hidden things;

he knows what lies in darkness,

and light dwells with him.

11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,

• In Jesus we were chosen and predestined according to God’s plan for each of His children.

• In Jesus God works out everything for us in accordance with his will.

Romans 8:28-30 (AMP)

28 And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers. 30 And those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified [declared free of the guilt of sin]; and those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity].

12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

• We, the Church of Jesus Christ (those who are born again) are created and predestined to bring glory to HIM!

13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

• We have God’s mark(seal) on us which sets us apart from the world as belonging to God in His image.

• The Holy Spirit is our seal, and He is a deposit that guarantees our redemption.

Without the continual infilling of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives we will not be able to walk the path that God intends for us according to His will and we will not be able to receive our crown of eternal glory when Jesus returns!

So, what is this sealing that verse 13 talks about? It says we have been marked with a seal. The Greek word for seal in this verse is: sphragizo (pronounced sfrag-id'-zo) Strong's #4972 and its full spiritual meaning is:

“to set a seal upon, to mark with a seal, to seal for security from Satan since things sealed up are concealed (as the contents of a letter in a sealed envelope), to hide something from someone else, to keep secret from others in order to mark a person or a thing as belonging to God. This sealing by Holy Spirit confirms and authenticates us as belonging to God in much the same way that a document is sealed of stamped as being authentic – the real deal!”

In Paul’s day seals were used in at least four ways. First, seals were sometimes put on letters to guarantee that it was genuine and that it was written by who it claimed to be written by (1 Kings 21:8; Esther 8:8). Kings might seal their letters with a signet ring. We do something similar when we get a document notarized.

A seal was also sometimes placed on goods or merchandise that was traveling from one place to another to indicate who they belonged to and where they were going. It indicated ownership (2 Cor 1:22; Rev. 7:2; 9:4). Again, we do this with our possessions today all the time. We write our names in our books, or on our kid’s clothes when they go to school. Ranchers brand their cattle. They are placing a mark on it to show ownership.

The third way seals were used in Paul’s day was to show something was authentic and approved (John 6:27). Sometimes when we buy clothes, in one of the pockets will be a little piece of paper saying it has been inspected and approved by someone.

The fourth type of seal was for protection or warning. Remember when Jesus was put in the tomb, Pilate told the soldiers to put his personal seal upon the tomb (Matt 27:66; Eph 4:30). This was to protect the tomb and warn everyone to stay away and keep out!

So, Paul says here that God has placed a seal upon us as well. It is to guarantee that we are genuine, it shows his ownership, who we belong to, it shows that we are approved by God, and it provides us with protection or security from the evil one. He also confirms this in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22!

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (AMP)

20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Christ they are [all answered] “Yes.” So through Him we say our “Amen” to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who establishes and confirms us [in joint fellowship] with you in Christ, and who has anointed us [empowering us with the gifts of the Spirit]; 22 it is He who has also put His seal on us [that is, He has appropriated us and certified us as His] and has given us the [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as a pledge [like a security deposit to guarantee the fulfilment of His promise of eternal life].

Thanksgiving and Prayer

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Paul closes this first chapter in typical fashion by giving thanks to the Lord for the Church in Ephesus not only by pronouncing a blessing upon them but just as importantly reminding them of the greatness of God who has placed all things in the hands of His Son – Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour!

Paul knows that the life of a born again Christian is not his own but belongs to an Almighty God in Christ Jesus and this is reflected in his careful choice of words and turn of phrase like:

Vs 15 “Your love of all God’s people” – we need to love all our brothers and sister in Christ as Jesus does!

1 John 4:7-8 (NIV)

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Vs 16 “I have not stopped giving thanks” – we need to give God thanks for all things especially our brothers and sisters in Christ!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Vs 16 “remembering you in my prayers” – we mustn’t stop continually praying for all things especially for our brothers and sisters in Christ!

Vs 17 “asking God to fill his children with the Holy Spirit” – we mustn’t stop asking God to continually fill us and our brothers and sisters in Christ with His Holy Spirit! Only in this way will our lives bring glory to Jesus!

Ephesians 5:18 (AMP)

Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be (continually) filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him.

Vs 18 “that you may know the hope to which he has called you” – we must continually recognise the fact that we have been called to do great things in Christ Jesus and that our future hope for eternal life is in Jesus and Him alone!

John 14:12 (NIV)

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Vs 19 & 20 “and his incomparably great power for us who believe” – it is so important that every born again Christian knows and continually taps into the great power that God gives us who are in Christ Jesus, the power that lives in us is the power of the Holy Spirit, the same power that raised Christ from the dead!

Acts 1:8 (AMP)

But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”

Vs 21 “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion” – we need to recognise, retain and reiterate to ourselves and others that Jesus has supreme authority over all and that His is the Name above all names and we are able to do all things in the power of the name of Jesus – we are co-heirs with Christ!

Romans 8:17 (AMP)

And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory.

Philippians 4:13 (AMP)

I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

Vs 22 & 23 here I can say nothing more than what has been written already, “22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Prayer
Heavenly Father I pray in the name of Jesus that you would continually fill me with your Holy Spirit and with a hunger and thirst to read and study your Word more and more that my life in the power of the Holy Spirit would bring glory, honour and praise to the name of Jesus. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for you reading and studying the Bible for yourself. I am flawed the Bible is not!

The Fruit of the Spirit: Are you producing good fruit - fruit that will last?

 

The Fruit of the Spirit

Paul’s letter to the Galatian Church in chapter 5 of the Book of Galatians speaks to us about life in the Spirit and tells us about the fruit of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. 

Now where did this Biblical concept of fruit originate? Well it originated with the teachings of Jesus of course when he was leading and teaching his disciples and preaching to the Jewish people.

But one of the first teachings on fruit came through John the Baptist who we all know was filled with the Holy Spirit from when he was in his mother’s womb. 

 

Luke 1:14-15 (NIV)

14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.

John the Baptist's word on fruit went like this:

Matthew 3:7-10 (NLT)

7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. 9 Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 10 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

This was a harsh word to the religious leaders of the day – repent and start producing good fruit, or you end up in hell!

Jesus is our focal point and the reason why we exist as born-again Christians. Everything we are and everything we do should be done to ensure that we become His imitators – to be conformed to His image day by day. We can’t do this unless we are Spirit filled, obedient to His every word, loving God with all our heart and loving our neighbours as we love ourselves!

Ephesians 5:1-2 (AMP)

1. Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; 2 and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.

Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV)

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

In the book of John, we will find the most significant teaching Jesus gave on the bearing of fruit in our lives that we will be able to find in the Bible. Let’s examine the Lord’s teachings on fruit before we actually move into Paul’s teaching in Galatians.

Jesus, the True Vine

John 15:1-7 (NIV)

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[cleans] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Let’s do an analysis of the above eight verses to try and emphasise the importance of what we are being told.

Verse 1. I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

Jesus is the source of our salvation and through Him we receive all that God has for us. God the Father lovingly tends and nurtures us through Jesus as a gardener tends a garden. We are connected to God through Jesus and His Holy Spirit.

2. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes [cleans] so that it will be even more fruitful.

If we don’t bear good fruit, then it is God (the gardener) that cuts us off! When we are bearing good fruit, God prunes us – this can be quite painful at times – so that we will produce more fruit.

3. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

We are cleansed from our sin by the Word and work of Jesus on the Cross. Jesus is the Word.

4. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

We must stay connected to Jesus (keep your eyes on Him) because without Him and by the leading of the Holy Spirit we can do nothing, and we will not be able to bear good fruit.

5. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Repeat of the previous verse. Jesus emphasizing the importance of remaining in Him and Him alone.

6. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

If we don’t remain in Him, we will be cut off and end up in hell.

7. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

When we remain in Jesus, our voice (prayers) is heard by God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit interceding on our behalf.

8. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

When we bear much fruit, we prove that we are Jesus’ true disciples, doing this is to the glory of the Father and Jesus the Son!

A very strong word from the Lord about remaining in Him and bearing good fruit and the consequences if we do not!

Let’s have a look at what else Jesus tells us about bearing fruit:

John 15:16 (NIV)

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

The above two verses tell us that born again Christians (true followers of Christ) are chose and appointed to go and produce fruit that will last and when we do, our prayers in the name of Jesus will be answered!

Now what kind of fruit will last? We know from the Bible that the flesh bears the perishable, but the Spirit bears the imperishable!

1 Peter 1:23 (NIV)

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

As born-again Christians we are born of the Spirit – imperishable seed!

John 3:5-8 (NLT)

5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

And as we are now born of imperishable seed, we need to be producing fruit that will last! The fruit that will last is the fruit of the Spirit.

1 Peter 1:23 (NIV)

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

If we walk by the Spirit, we won’t be pleasing ourselves and gratifying our sinful nature, but we will be walking in the will of God – His good, pleasing and perfect will and we will be empowered to do the things Jesus did – and even greater things.

John 14:12 (NIV)

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Galatians 5:16-18 (NIV)

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is

contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

When we, the Church, are living life in the spirit and operating in the gifts of the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit will be naturally produced in and through us and will become evident for all to see.

Let’s now compare the fruit or acts of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit that Paul tells us about in Galatians 5 so that we know exactly what kind of imperishable fruit we need to be producing in our lives as born-again Christians.

Acts (fruit) of the flesh – Galatians 5 verses 19-21
Sexual immorality – Impurity - Lustful pleasures – Idolatry – Sorcery – Hostility – Quarrelling – Jealousy – Outbursts of anger - Selfish ambition – Dissension – Division – Envy – Drunkenness – Wild parties – Other things like these

Galatians 5:19-21 (AMP)

19 Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], 21 envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5 verses 22-23
Love – Joy – Peace – Patience – Kindness – Goodness – Faithfulness – Gentleness – Self-control

Galatians 5:22-26 (AMP)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the [l]sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.

25 If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit]. 26 We must not become conceited, challenging or provoking one another, envying one another.

The supernatural things that come to us as born-again Christians come to us through the Holy Spirit, so it stands to reason that it is our responsibility to believe in the things of the Spirit and to be filled with the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:14

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

The above scripture implies that if we do not accept the things that come from the Spirit, and we are not Spirit filled, then our walk as Christians will not be able to reach its full potential and calling in Christ Jesus!

The fruit of righteousness

In the book of Philippians, Paul talks to us about ‘the fruit of righteousness’ and that we must be filled with it so that we can be pure and blameless when Jesus returns.

Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV)

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

So now, let’s work out what this ‘fruit of righteousness’ should look like in the daily life of a born-again Christian.

What is righteousness?

Righteousness is not something we can produce on our own. Our righteousness can only be achieved through Jesus Christ being the Lord of our life!

Righteousness is our right standing with God because of what Jesus did for us on the Cross – He cleansed us of all unrighteousness by taking our sins upon himself and dying for us.

Apart from Christ we have no right standing (righteousness) with God. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing and are nothing. Jesus is the vine and God is the gardener – we must remain in Jesus in order to bear good fruit in the power of the Holy Spirit! This is our righteousness in Christ Jesus.

The Christian life is not a life that can be self-produced by our own efforts or bought with money. The Christian life is a life that can only be supplied to us by faith in Christ Jesus, believing the Word and being filled with the Holy Spirit. 

The Christian life is a life of abundance, it is a life of service in the love of God through Christ Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit!

John 10:10 (AMP)

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].

 Romans 8:32 (NIV)

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 

Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV)

16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (NIV)

13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

James 2:14-19 (NIV)

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

When we are living life in the spirit and operating in the gifts of the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit will automatically be produced in and through us and will become evident for all to be see – a life of righteousness! Faith in Christ Jesus put into action by us doing the works that God predestined us to do!

Proverbs 12:28

In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.

Prayer

Heavenly Father I ask in the name of Jesus that you continually fill me with your Holy Spirit and continually guide my feet on the path of righteousness that I may bear good fruit, the fruit of the Spirit, and bring glory to your Name. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for you reading and studying the Bible for yourself. I am flawed the Bible is not!