Please read all of Ephesians. Choose one of the questions below and select a verse that particular helps in answering that question. Please explain your choice.1. What seem to be the most import ethical challenges the Ephesian Christians are facing?
2. In what ways does Ephesians seem different than Romans and I Corinthians?
3. What specific standards does Paul set for servants, masters, children, wives, and husbands? Is he right is saying that the husband is the “head” of the wife? How do Paul’s ideas differ from those of contemporary society?
4. What is Paul’s advice to leaders on handling ethical problems?
Ephesians seems importantly different from other letters like Romans and 1 Corinthians in that there isn't one or several major issues being addressed by Paul. In Romans, the main issue was that salvation was for Jews and Gentiles and that it didn't come from the law, and 1 Corinthians had issues like internal factions, immorality, disorderly worship, etc. Paul doesn't pinpoint anything like this in Ephesians, but rather seems to be bolstering their faith, showing them how to go deeper.
ReplyDeleteI think one off the ethical challenges that Paul sees for those in Ephesus is learning how to live in unity after becoming followers of Christ. 4:22-24 talks about "putting off your old self" and "putting on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesus, as far as I'm concerned, was a major pagan city, so many new followers probably came from cultures shaped by idolatry and immoral behaviors. So, Paul makes sure to call them to reject things like lying, anger, theft, corrupt speech (4:25-29). I think Paul is trying to tell these Ephesians that they aren't necessarily working to behave better, but become new people in Christ, hence why Paul is exhorting them to live opposite of their environment.
Paul sets a very different standard for servants and masters, husbands and wives, and children in comparison to contemporary society.
ReplyDeleteHis standard for husbands and wives has been specifically "controversial" recently with many women, even in my home church, becoming upset or outright offended by Paul's expectation for women to submit to their husbands, and respect them - Ephesians 5:22, 33. Society does not seem to appreciate the idea that women are called to show respect and submission to their husbands. However, it seems to me that Paul's standard for men is far more difficult and challenging. Paul asks that men love their wives, not just surface level, but as they love their own bodies, and even further as Christ loves his church - Ephesians 5:25-31. Men should be much more intimidated by that than women are to submit.
Society's expectations often flip this concept on its head with ideas of women being in charge of the household and "dumb" husbands not listening to their wives.
The standards that Paul set for servants, masters, children, wives, and husbands reminded me a lot of the teachings of John the Baptist. “Soldiers be content with your wages” Etc. The standard Paul set can pretty well be summed up as “all people, be content in the roles you are in and do them to the best of your ability as working for the Lord.” Servants are to obey their masters wholeheartedly. Paul explains elsewhere something like: if you're a slave and are given the opportunity to be free that is good, but don't worry about it too much because it doesn't matter to God if you are a slave or free, and really it is how you act toward God that is important. This passage in Ephesians goes along with that as well. Don't worry that you are a slave; do the role God has allowed you have as if you are doing it for Him, because you are.
ReplyDeleteHe says to masters to treat their slaves well, since they both, slaves and masters, have the same Master, God. He reiterates that God does not value anyone more because they are free or because they are a slave.
Children must obey their parents because that is the role they are given. Their parents have a responsibility to them, to train and raise them, and the children likewise have a responsibility to their parents to obey and honor them. This also comes with a blessing, that you may live long in the land. But this is not something that is owed the children for their favor of obedience. A child has a duty to their parents regardless of if they will receive a reward or not.
“Wives submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.” This is one of those passages that people don't seem to like to preach about, at least in the denominations I am familiar with, which is unfortunate because I have grown to love this passage after studying it. I think if more people studied it it wouldn't come up as a controversial issue, because everyone would understand the goodness of it, even if they didn't fully like everything about it.
This verse is not saying, “husbands, you get to make your wives submit to you, and if they object tell them your the boss because the Bible says so.” That's not what this says at all, even though I have met people who would much rather like to use the verse that way. Rather, based off of the context and surrounding scriptures we can see that it means something like. “Wives, your husbands are held accountable before God to protect you, take care of you, and lead your family well. So much so, that when Eve ate the forbidden fruit, it was Adam who the Bible says brought sin into the world. Your husband is commanded to be responsible for you, to protect you, provide for your needs, love you above himself, and die for you if necessary. That being said, wives, don't make things difficult for your husband. Respect him and the role he has to fill as your husband. If he makes a decision, support him, be his biggest fan, have his back, and don't try to usurp his authority, don't try to make him look bad in front of your friends. This is basic respect. Unmarried women, don't marry someone you're not willing to respect.
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Jesus died for his church. Husbands, if necessary do the same for your wife. Love her more than yourself, Paul continues to say, and once you've married her, no one except God comes before her, not your parents, not yourself. You feed and care for your own body. You are no longer two but one. Feed and care for her.
To me, the verse that sticks out as something many might have been dealing with or facing is Ephesians 5:11-12 which reads, "Have nothing to do with the acts of darkness. They don't produce anything good. Show what they are really like. It is shameful even to talk about what people who don't obey do in secret."
ReplyDeleteIt's clear to me that many were living in darkness because of the rich Pagan lifestyle the Christians were surrounded by. I would tend to suggest also that a lot of this is reiterating how they need to turn from those sinful ways because God has so much more to offer them. Since God offers much more, we should be humbled yet accept this gift that was freely given for us.
This leads me to what fully stood out to me which is Ephesians 1:7-8 which reads, "We have been set free because of what Christ has done. Through his blood our sins have been forgiven. We have been set free because God's grace is so rich. He poured his grace on us by giving us great wisdom and understanding." When we have great wisdom and understanding, we need to acknowledge that it was so because of God's grace. His grace is displayed because God sent Jesus to die for us all on the cross.
A big issue was that the church had to leave its old pagan practices.
ReplyDeleteEphesians 4:17
You must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.
Speaking to a large Gentile audience it was difficult for them to grasp especially seeming like this is a Jewish religion. They don't have the background and the texts to look back to. This is completely new for them and giving up certain polytheistic practices would've been very difficult. Ephesians focuses on the spiritual component and that there is a war going on in the spiritual realm and the practices they use to partake in are dangerous.
Paul’s instruction shows that one of the biggest ethical challenges for the Ephesian Christians was learning how to treat one another in a way that reflected their faith. Instead of acting with hostility or resentment, they were encouraged to practice kindness, forgiveness, and compassion. This guidance helped them build a stronger and more supportive Christian community. this is shown in verses Ephesians 4 32-33 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
ReplyDeleteMaybe one spiritual issue the Ephesians were struggling with was division, or some form of problems with their relationships. I infer this because half of the book is about how Christians should view their relationships, and how they should interact with each other. A few great verses that shows this is Ephesians 4:1b-7,
ReplyDelete"walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call - one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of use according to the measure of Christ's gift."
Paul is asking the Ephesians to be unified as if they were 1 body in Christ, which they are. Unity is extremely important in a religion in its early years like Christianity, so it's no wonder why Paul emphasizes it in this letter.
~What specific standards does Paul set for servants, masters, children, wives, and husbands? Is he right in saying that the husband is the “head” of the wife? How do Paul’s ideas differ from those of contemporary society?
ReplyDelete- Wives and husbands - "Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ."
- Children- "Children, obey your parents [in the Lord], for this is right."
- Slaves and Master- " Slaves, be obedient to your human masters with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ... Masters, act in the same way towards them and stop bullying."
- The culture of biblical times and today's society is radically different. Ephesians does not accept the practices of slavery or condemn women to be less than their counterparts. Instead, Ephesians is a guide on how to keep love in the center of relationships. In every piece of advice, Christ is at the center of reasoning. Therefore, love (in its highest form of sacrifice) is too. This concept applies to modern times as much as ancient. We, as the readers, must interpret the context and meaning.