by Gary L. Evans
(revised 7/30/23)
Ephesians — Part 3
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
By our Father’s unmerited favor toward us have we been saved through our belief coupled with our actions. And even our belief is not by our own abilities or intellect, but is in fact God’s Gift to us.
Joh 3:14-18 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
We believe in The Name of The Only Begotten Son of God.
Rev 19:11-13 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
The Name of The Only Begotten is The Word of God. And because we believe in Him, we have Eternal Life.
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Our belief is not by our own talents, wisdom, or special efforts, otherwise some could brag about how they obtained salvation by their own endeavors.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Our Father predestined us, foreordained us, to this purpose that we would receive The New Covenant and obey God’s Will from the Heart and Mind in spirit and in truth.
Psa 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
God made us and gave each of us our talents to learn and to understand, therefore even our faith in Jesus is God’s Gift to us.
Eph 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Paul is addressing Gentiles, people not descendants of Abraham by birth, people referred to as the uncircumcised by Israelites.
Eph 2:12-13 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Now by The Blood of Christ the Gentiles have been brought into The New Covenant along with Israel, so that they also would receive a New Heart and Mind, even The Mind of Christ.
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Christ has unified Gentiles and Israelites together, so that there is no difference in God’s eyes. Because all who enter into The New Covenant receive The Holy Spirit, and receive God’s Law written in their Hearts and Minds, and do it, and become God’s People, and our Father becomes their God.
Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
The blood ordinances of The Law are superseded by our Lord’s Sacrifice on the cross, and specifically in this case the law of circumcision which separated Israel from the Gentiles.
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Both Gentiles and Israelites are of Christ’s Body on earth, that is, they all are counted among The Called-Out Ones.
Eph 2:17-18 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Isaiah spoke of the preaching of peace.
Isa 57:19 I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.
Gentiles and Israel both receive the same Holy Spirit.
Mat 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Our Lord commanded His disciples to go out and teach the Gentiles, and that is Paul’s primary commission.
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
The Gentiles are now The Lord’s People, just as Israel.
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Our Lord is The Chief Corner Stone of The Heavenly Temple.
Isa 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
All who believe in Him will not be ashamed, Israel and Gentile alike.
Eph 2:21-22 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
We all, both Gentiles and Israelites together, are of our Lord’s Body on earth, and are also becoming the various parts of The Temple which is in Heaven, not a temple that men are building with their own hands, but The Temple our Lord is building.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Ephesians — Part 4
Eph 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
The word “prisoner” is from the Greek “des’-mee-os” which means “a captive (as bound).” Paul was The Lord’s captive, bound in his commission to teach the Gentiles.
Act 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
The Lord called upon a disciple named Ananias and commanded him to go to Saul who had become blinded by The Glory of Christ, whose name was changed to Paul, and to help him and lay hands on him to restore his eye-sight.
Act 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
Paul was chosen before the destruction of The First Earth Age for this purpose, to teach the Gentiles about The New Covenant. In that each of us has been purchased by The Blood of Christ from slavery to Satan, we are become The Lord’s slaves for His service.
Eph 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
Paul was commissioned by The Holy Spirit.
Act 13:1-3 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Paul and Barnabas were selected for the ministry.
Eph 3:3-4 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
The “mystery” that Paul refers to is that our Father had always planned to bring the Gentiles into The New Covenant.
Eph 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
The word “ages” is from “ghen-eh-ah’” which means “a generation; by implication an age (the period or the persons).” This precept is often referred to as dispensations of The Truth of God’s Plan.
Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
The Gentiles were also foreordained to receive The New Covenant and become part of The Body of Christ on earth.
Eph 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
The word “minister” is from “dee-ak’-on-os” which means “an attendant, that is, (generally) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specifically a Christian teacher and pastor (technically a deacon or deaconess).”
Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Paul had become a very humble man, because before his sudden conversion, he had persecuted Christians.
Psa 31:19-20 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
Our Lord has made us very rich for The Eternity.
Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
The Most High God created all things, the heavens and the earth and all that is in them, by Jesus Christ, The Word of God.
Psa 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
Isa 44:24 Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
Joh 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
The Most High created all things by His Word.
Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Paul was commissioned to teach about heavenly things and about The Wisdom of God to The Called-Out Ones.
Mat 11:25-27 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Only Christ Jesus, The Son, can know The Father, and only He can reveal The Father to others. And only The Father can know The Son. This is a dark saying; who can understand it? Everyone who enters into The New Covenant can understand.
Eph 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
Our Father’s Plan is for The Eternity. In contrast, everything in this world will fade away like the images in a foggy dream that have no real importance.
Isa 14:24-25 The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand: That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders.
The “Assyrian” is symbolic of The Antichrist that comes in the end of this flesh world pretending to be Jesus Christ returned.
Isa 14:26 This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.
Part of The Gospel of Jesus Christ is The Seven Seals, which teach us about the signs that lead up to the end of the world.
Eph 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
It is by our faith in The Gospel that we now may boldly approach God our Father in Heaven, and also that we may have confidence in this world in our service to Christ Jesus our Lord.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Ephesians — Part 5
Eph 3:13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
The word “faint” is from the Greek “ek-kak-eh’-o” which means “to be (bad or) weak, that is, (by implication) to fail (in heart).”
The word “tribulations” is from “thlip’-sis” which means “pressure (literally or figuratively).”
The word “glory” is from “dox’-ah” which means “glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literally or figuratively, objectively or subjectively).” It is derived from “dok-eh’-o” which means “to think; by implication to seem (truthfully or uncertainly).” So “glory” is perceived in the mind of the beholder, that is, in his thoughts.
Paul does not want us to lose heart as we consider all of the trouble he has suffered in his ministry of The Gospel to us. Instead we should consider how wonderful are God’s works to call us into The New Covenant in spite of Satan’s attacks.
Act 13:44-45 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
Certain unrepentant Israelites, no doubt some of the elite leaders of their religion, hated Paul and Barnabas, because so many people wanted to hear what they were teaching.
Act 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Paul declared that he had fulfilled his duty to preach to Israel, but they had rejected Christ, The Word of God. Therefore he was going to devote his teaching to the Gentiles.
Act 13:47-48 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
The Gentiles who heard Paul and Barnabas teach, and who were predestined to believe, immediately accepted Christ and entered into The New Covenant.
Act 13:49-50 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
The religious hypocrites stirred up a mob to attack them and had them run out of town.
Act 14:19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
Some religious hypocrites among the Israelites stoned Paul and dragged his body outside the city thinking he was dead.
Act 14:20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
While the disciples stood around looking at his body, Paul just got up and went about his business.
Act 16:22-24 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
Paul and Silas were beaten with whips and thrown into prison. Their feet were put into stocks, because the jailer wanted to make sure they could not escape.
Act 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
What did Paul and Silas do? They prayed and were thankful.
Act 16:26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
The prison doors were opened by the earthquake and also the chains and stocks were loosened, so they were free to go. And many other times Paul suffered attacks and other trouble.
Eph 3:14-15 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
The word “family” is from “pat-ree-ah’” which means “paternal descent, that is, (concretely) a group of families or a whole race (nation).”
The Entire Family in Heaven and on earth is Named after The Lord Jesus Christ. My friends, we are also in His Name.
Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
We can look at the suffering that Paul endured in his service to Christ, and from his example be strengthened ourselves.
Eph 3:17-19 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
The word “passeth” is from “hoop-er-bal’-lo” which means “to throw beyond the usual mark, that is, (figuratively) to surpass (only active participle supereminent).”
The Love of Christ for us surpasses all knowledge.
Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
What Divine Work is being done in us by The Holy Spirit?
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
The Lord said “I will put,” and “I will write.” This is the Work of The Holy Spirit, the Heart and Mind of Christ in us.
Joh 16:12-13 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
The New Covenant promised us a new Heart and Mind, The Holy Spirit of Christ, also called The Comforter and The Spirit of Truth. He is our guide into The Truth and into all Prophesy.
Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
The phrase “world without end” is from “ahee-ohn’” which is repeated as “ahee-ohn’ ahee-ohn’.” This word means “properly an age; by extension perpetuity (also past); by implication the world; specifically (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future).”
There are Three World Ages, one is past, this one is The Second, and The Eternity will be The Third Earth Age that will never end.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.