Ephesians Commentary

Righteous Anger | E.4:26

September 14, 2017 by rickysmith Leave a Comment

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4:26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

Paul’s challenge is strikingly similar to Psalm 4:5, which states, “Be angry, and do not sin”. An allowance to be angry on the surface seems contradictory to the loving life to which we have been called. For example Ephesians 4:31 speaks against anger. It is important to note that there are 4 different words used for anger in the New Testament and all are forbidden except for one. Even in Ephesians 4:26 there are two different words for anger. One is allowed and the other is forbidden.

Anger that is allowed is of a righteous indignation. We should be angry against sinful acts. We should hat evil and be angry when it triumphs. Wuest writes: “A righteous wrath is acknowledged in Scripture as something that not only may but ought to be, and is seen in Christ Himself.”

This anger can shift into sin when we allow it to harbor ill will or negatively impact a relationship that should be driven by love. Romans 12:18 commands us to strive to live in peace. This daily commitment should result in efforts to make peace even before the end of the day.

Strive to live in peace, and walk in a way that hates sin!

Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader (Eph 4:26). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 4:26). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

A New Standard | E.4:20

August 31, 2017 by rickysmith Leave a Comment

4:20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!—

I remember as a child often hearing three phrases from my parents. One was, “You know better than that.” The second was , “I expect more from you than that”. The third was simply, “You better not ever let me catch you doing that.” Most often these challenges were mentioned when an observation was made of another person’s sinful actions, and a reinforcement of God’s and their expectation of my conduct. This standard of high expectations comes to mind when reading Ephesians 4:20. There is a new standard that should be considered.

In essence, Paul is a spiritual father or mentor to the Ephesian church. After a long discourse in the moral depravity of the Gentile community, Paul reminds the recent converts of the challenge and expectation to live a life that is dependent on Christ, and reflects Him to the world.

Take note of the word “learned”. Jesus even said Himself in Matthew 11:29 that we should learn from Him. While regeneration is a single act, there is a process to sanctification. The verb tense used in this verse suggest more of a specific time of change, rather than a process. While it is reasonable to recognize the process of maturing toward a healthy state of being “in the world but not of it”, it is critical to note the change that takes place in a person’s life when they give their heart to Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that a new man has been born. As believers we must recognize that God expects more from us, and that “we should know better than that”.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 4:20). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Three in One Every Day | E.2:18

May 18, 2017 by rickysmith Leave a Comment

2:18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

As believers we have the privilege of daily experiencing the work of the Triune God in our life. In Ephesians 2, Paul has offered explanation for God’s work to establish the church and extend His grace to both Jews and Gentiles. For them, and for us today, we are able to witness the Godhead, Three in One, work in us and for us.

In John 14:6 Jesus adamantly stated, that “He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father, but by Him.”

Imagine the ancient cultures of royalty and the approval process required to speak to the King. We see Esther boldly working around this protocol. We see again in Acts 9:27-28, as Barnabas validated Paul when he was presented to the apostles. We know that we required a Mediator (Isaiah 59:2), and we are blessed to have one in Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus gives us access and we are validated through the covering of His blood.

It is then the Spirit that works in us to produce a disposition of the mind that receives what the Father speaks. The Spirit also works to produce unity among the body of believers as they together seek God’s face. Given the context of this passage overwhelmingly speaks to the church, the unity through the Spirit is an important point to note.

It is then that God speaks and we can boldly approach His throne of grace. It is not because of what we have done, but because the blood of Christ has granted us permission and the Spirit of God has prepared our heart to receive His words.

For the individual believer we have confidence that every time we pray, we are experiencing the work of the Triune God. As a community of believers, we must confidently seek the Lord and rely on the Spirit to develop unity in our hearts so that we hear the same message from the Lord.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 2:18). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.