September 22

Isaiah 39:1-41:16; Ephesians 1:1-23; Psalm 66:1-20; Proverbs 23:25-28

Today we start Ephesians. As much as I love The One Year Bible, there are times I wish I could sit a bit longer in something. I feel like we just flew through Galatians and now it’s time to start digesting Ephesians. Do you ever feel that way?

Anyway, there are so many beautiful and amazing truths in Ephesians. This is such an encouraging book. As is my MO when we’re starting a new book, I thought some background might be helpful.

This book was written by Paul, as you probably know, most likely around AD 58/59. That means Paul wrote this letter while he was under house arrest in Rome, and I am struck again by what a fruitful time that was for Paul. Here’s a refresher on how he ended up there, clearly by God’s design.

So Paul writes this letter to the believers in Ephesus, a leading city in the richest region of the Roman empire. Paul started this church after his 18 months in Corinth, with the help of Priscilla and Aquila. (See Acts 19 for some highlights of his ministry there.) Paul was in Ephesus for two years and made many converts so that by the time of the writing of this letter, the church there consisted of many converted Jews as well as Gentile believers coming right out of paganism. Given the likely size of the church (if the silversmith guild is losing revenues because of a sales decrease of their images, the church must have been large – see Acts 19:23-27), it is probable that these believers met in smaller groups in several homes, rather than one large gathering place.

Paul writes Ephesians to give these new believers (some who were Jewish, some who were steeped in local religions/magic/astrology) a deep grounding in the gospel of Jesus. Along with that comes his exhortation to live a life that is distinctive from the rest of the pagan culture. Some of the key themes in the letter are:

• Christ is supreme over all of creation, especially the powers of darkness.
• Believers participate with Christ in his death, resurrection, and fullness.
• The church is the one body of Christ and is composed of Jews and Gentiles.

(See Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, pg. 301-303, for further information on the church of Ephesus and themes.)

So it’s with this in mind that we begin our journey in Ephesians, eager to soak up verses like this one: “He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will…in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us…” (Eph. 1:4-7). Look at those words again – he chose us, we are holy and blameless, he predestined us, he adopted us, have redemption, forgiveness, grace that is lavished upon us. I mean, can I get an AMEN or what?! Paul’s words are so encouraging and such a true picture of a God who is absolutely crazy about you and me. He loves us so much and I’m so thankful today for this reminder. And I’m thankful for God’s word, preserved for thousands of years so that I could read it today, September 22^nd, and be reminded that the riches of God’s grace have been lavished upon me.

Thank you, Lord!

PS – Was anyone besides me totally irritated at Hezekiah in today’s reading? I was struck by this when we read the account in 2 Kings 20 and I was struck by it again today. He doesn’t care that God’s punishment is coming because of his arrogant boasting as long as it’s not coming during his lifetime. Doesn’t say too much for his paternal nature, does it?

- Esther McCurry

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