Ephesians: His Glorious RichesSample

Paul began Ephesians by opening the treasure chest of grace and displaying the glories of our salvation. God has ‘blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ’ (1:3). Then he has reminded us that the gospel leads to personal salvation and reconciliation with God (2:1–10). We might describe this as the vertical dimension of salvation. He now goes on to show how this same gospel affects our horizontal relationships (vv. 11–22). It is so powerful that it reconciles former enemies. The great division between Jews and Gentiles is abolished by the gospel. 

The majority of the believers in Ephesus were converted Gentiles. Paul reminds them of their grim status as Gentiles before the coming of Jesus (vv. 11–12). It may be summarised in one word – ‘alienation’. 

They were also the ‘uncircumcised’ (v. 11). This was a sneer by the circumcised Jews, who wrongly treated Gentiles with disdain and animosity. Nevertheless, the situation of the Gentiles was truly dire (v. 12). They were Christ-less – they did not know that there was a Saviour; state-less – they were like aliens looking on from outside; friend-less – they knew nothing of God’s promises in the Covenants, for the Bible was a closed book to them; hope-less – they lived in fear of death, with nothing piercing that gloom; God-less – they had many gods, but they did not know the true God. 

Verse 13 is the turning point: ‘But now in Christ Jesus …’ God brought them near through the blood of Christ so that they: 

• know Christ as their Saviour and King – they live under His rule 
• belong to God’s kingdom and are no longer aliens 
• have inherited the promises of the Covenant
• have a sure and certain hope (1 Pet. 1:3–5)
• know God and have assurance of a relationship with Him 

The blessings promised to Israel have become those of the Gentiles too through Christ and His death on the cross. How should this humble our hearts and invoke our worship?

Reflection

All God’s promises become ours through Christ (2 Cor. 1:20; 2 Pet. 1:3–4)