Letter to the Ephesians from Paul

The Letter to the Ephesians from Paul

(Comments in these parentheses are the afterthoughts of Paul himself)
[Comments in these brackets are my commentaries, based on Jewish history and background]
{Comments in these brackets are other commentaries of notoriety}

Chapter 1:1From:   Paul, an ambassador of the Good News of the Messiah Yeshua through the will of God.

     To:   The morally blameless present in the city of Ephesus, and faithful in the Messiah Yeshua; 2gracious favor and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah. [The term “morally blameless” is “holy ones” in the KJV. Strong’s definition for |0040| hagios is: physically pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated. I prefer “morally blameless” over “holy ones,” since it feels more definitive toward a fix or a covering that comes from God for the human condition than the descriptive used in KJV. In this letter you will see, from the refined opinion of a studied theologian fostered under the extremes of orthodoxy, Paul knew that the Messiah—Yeshua—was the theme of the promise made to Abraham. This covenant is the covering made by Yeshua. See below 2:12 and Galatians, Chapter3: 6-18. We concluded the scope of this promise pertains to a national status that includes the coming Messiah, however from Paul’s writings we now know that Messiah is the promise—and that cherishing the Messiah as well as his provision—through Him we are connected to national status; not through the Law or the lifestyle itself yet in Messiah’s own words: Not to abolish them either. After all, the Law was given as a gift to measure the knowledge of good against the knowledge of evil (Galatians 3:17-25). Then if we are a new man in Messiah we are rebuilt, reborn or renewed by the Holy Spirit. We no longer desire those things the Law points out under the knowledge of evil. If we are not fully developed by the Holy Spirit, then we are left to struggle with our old man’s carnal mind dealing solely with the Law as our only tool against the struggle. Paul tells us we desperately need this renewal, which is freely developed in us through our surrender of this old man to the Holy Spirit. Our joy is the total, complete deliverance from our carnal mind! Halleluiah! We get rid of the bad guy without any effort or cost on our part—it was bought and paid for at the execution stake by an innocent man, Yeshua our Passover Lamb. The key to this treasure is within us—it is our decision to submit, surrender, or turn in our old man to die as the Holy Spirit builds a new man in his place.]

3Adorable God! The God and Father of our Lord Yeshua, the Messiah, who blessed us with every kind of spiritual blessing before heaven through the Messiah. 4By all means, God selected us for His own sake prior to the foundation of the world, so that we could exist morally blameless and without fault before Him solely because of affection and generosity. 5He determined well in advance to adopt us for himself through Yeshua the Messiah, particularly satisfying the will of God. 6We praise His glory, this gracious acceptance that He highly favored us with in His love.

7We have this deliverance through His blood, in that we have the freedom from unintentional errors and willful transgressions, down to the wealth of His gracious acceptance 8so that we flourish abundantly. With all resources of wisdom and understanding 9God makes the mystery of His will clear to us, out of every purpose He has before Him; 10to administer the completion of the opportunity, He sums up all things in Messiah, both in the heavens and things on the earth—in Him. 11Also in that we were designed to inherit according to plan, every means we need to be effective by the method of His choosing 12for those of us who placed hope in Messiah to be the praise of His glory. 13In that you also heard the word of truth, the Good News of your salvation, which by then believing in the Messiah you were sealed by the promise of the Holy Spirit 14who is the guarantee that we will receive the inheritance by obtaining deliverance through the praise of His glory.

15After it was reported to me about the faith among you in the Lord Yeshua, and also the affection and generosity you have for all the morally blameless, 16I continued to pray on your behalf. I pray that your development never stop 17in order that the God of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, the Father of glory may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation for the full discernment of Him 18to shed light in the eyes of your understanding. I pray that you will know what the expectation of His invitation is and that you will know the great dignity of raising Himself up in the morally blameless. [His invitation is a request to fulfill His will intended from the foundations of the world for YOU!] 19I pray that you will know the immeasurable magnitude of His great power, which is available to us who believe. In accordance with the operating ability of His power, 20which He used in raising Messiah from death, God seated Him at the right side in the heavenly court. 21God placed him far above any ruler, privilege, power, government or authority ever named not only in this but also the coming world. 22He placed all things in subjection under Messiah’s footstool, so then gave Him control of everything. The congregation, 23which is the body of Messiah [the arms, the legs, the backbone, the connecting fiber, etc.] completes everything, therein all things being accomplished.

Ephesians 2:1You had become dead with unintentional errors, willful transgressions and offenses 2in that you formerly walked in from the beginning of this world. The prince of the privilege of air—which is the mind now working in the sons of disbelief, 3among whom even we all lived in times past in the lusts of our carnal minds, to act out the choices of our bodies and minds. We were like all people—born out of desire, also in that manner as the rest. [It sounds like the “prince of the privilege of air” is anyone who is given life—one who needs air. Perhaps even in centuries ago, man preferred to look for the fantastic explanation, when instead it is so incredibly simple.]

4Nevertheless, God is rich in mercy, because of His great generosity and affection through which He loves us 5even though we became dead with unintentional errors and willful transgressions, God made us alive with the Messiah. You have been delivered by gracious love; 6then raised us with and sat down together in the heavenly world with the Messiah Yeshua. 7God wanted to demonstrate for the impending ages the lavish richness of this gracious gift of His through gentleness to us in Messiah Yeshua. 8You are delivered and preserved by gracious love through trust in the truth about Messiah and that is not from you; it’s a gift from God. 9It does not come from human effort or actions, so not one should boast. 10Indeed, we are God’s instruments; we were fabricated in Messiah Yeshua for doing good deeds that God has previously arranged and intends for us to do. [In Jewish tradition, any commandment of God is considered a “mitzvah” or a good deed.]

11Consequently, remember that when you were carnally minded, you were not considered Jewish. You were called “the uncircumcised” by those who were carnally minded, but had been physically circumcised 12as I [once] was.

When someone is without Messiah: they are estranged from the commonwealth of Israel; never using the covenant of promise and not having hope; they are in the world without God. 13You who were just recently given wholly over to the Messiah Yeshua used to be far away, but now you became ready by the blood of the Messiah 14for He is our prospering peace. Since He made both [Jews and non-Jews] intending also that the middle wall of separation and 15the hostility of those carnally minded melt be destroyed.   The Law that entails dogma or doctrine became utterly useless because the two [Jews and non-Jews] were found in Messiah as one new whole body, making peace 16and could reconcile both in one body through the execution stake to destroy this development [disdain, if not open hatred] between them.

17He appeared to you declaring the Good News of:

                                Peace to those who are far away and peace to those who are near!

18Because through the Messiah, both [Jews and non-Jews] hold admission by one Spirit to the Father! 19Truly and certainly you are no longer aliens or alien residents anymore—No! You are fellow citizens, the morally blameless and household of God. 20You have been built upon the foundation of the emissaries and inspired speakers with the Messiah Yeshua as the main stone [in this foundation]. 21This whole architecture fits together to enlarge into a Holy sanctuary of the Lord 22in that together we also build a dwelling place for God’s spirit.

Ephesians 3:1Through favor I, Paul, (and for this reason) am captivated by Messiah Yeshua for the sake of non-Jews 2who have heard about the administration of God’s gracious gift of acceptance. It was given to me for you, 3so that according to revelation this mystery is made clear, as I briefly wrote about before. 4After you read this, you may be able to comprehend this understanding of mine about the mystery of the Messiah. 5In other generations this was not made known to the sons of men, but now it has been revealed to God’s emissaries and inspired speakers by Spirit. 6It is clear that non-Jewish people are co-heirs to participate in common. They have been entirely offered to partake in this promise for those in Messiah by this Good News 7that I continue to serve, pertaining to this gift, this gracious gift of God’s acceptance that was given to me by His proficient power. 8To me, far less than the least of all the morally blameless, this gracious gift of acceptance was given to declare among the non-Jews the incalculable wealth of Messiah; 9and to shed light on the extent their participation in this mystery had been concealed away from the ages by God, by whom all things were made. 10Now, in order that it be made known to the first—and to the privileged among the heavenly world, through the congregation God’s diverse wisdom 11regarding the intended purpose through the ages, which He finished in the Messiah Yeshua, our Lord. 12We, by all means, possess boldness and confidence to access Him through faith.

13I’ll ask you to not be weary under the pressure I place over you in that this is your glory; 14and on account of this I bend my knee to the Father, 15after who all families in heaven and on earth profess, 16to give you accordingly the glorious wealth of His miraculous power. I pray to make the person inside you strengthened through His Spirit 17to permanently live in Messiah through the amount of truth established in your heart. You have been rooted and made in generosity and affection 18so that you will be able to understand all the morally blameless. When you comprehend the width and length and depth and height 19you will also know Messiah’s immeasurable love, so that you may be crammed with all the magnitude of God; 20because He is able to do all things over and above and greater than what we ask or think according to His power working in us—21Glory be to God—among the congregation in Messiah Yeshua for all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 4:1I, captive to the Lord, certainly beg you to live in a manner worthy of God’s invitation: 2amid all humility, gentleness, and patience tolerate each other with generosity and affection; 3be eager to preserve this unity through the Holy Spirit to come together in peace 4before the body. Therefore, to one Spirit and just as your invitation was written for one hope, 5one Lord, one faith, one immersion, 6one God and the Father of all—He is above all, through all, and in all.

7But each one of us was given the gracious gift of acceptance, according to the degree left to the Messiah. 8Consequently the writings say: “He went up into the sky and led captive into captivity and He gave gifts to men.” [Psalms 68:18,You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, Even among the rebellious, That the Lord God might dwell there.] 9Now what does it mean when it says “He went up,” if not that He came down to the inferior parts of the earth [even to death, Hades]. This 10other—descending, He is also the one who went up—far over all the heavens, so that all things be accomplished.

11He even delivered this ambassador; also some inspired speakers, also some evangelists, also some guides and teachers 12for the maturing of the morally blameless to work in service of building the body of Messiah. 13[We work] until we all arrive at the unity, the faith and the discernment of the Son of God that fully completes man to the degree of maturity that filled Messiah. 14[We work] in order that we no longer would be fluctuating and carried about by every wind of doctrine of gaming men with keen ability to lay the traps of deceit, 15but to be true in doctrine and our work that we may grow into Him. All these belong to the Head—Messiah, 16out of whom the whole body fits closely together. [We are] driven together through every connecting contribution according to function within the degree of everyone’s portion, the body gained this growth to its structure, because of generosity and affection.

17Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord, no longer walk around just as the rest of the people of the world up to now walks in self-importance. Their intellect—thoughts, feelings and will—18the power of their mind has been darkened, becoming non-participants in this life of God; for this type of ignorance came upon them through the callousness of their thoughts and feelings. 19They became apathetic, surrendering themselves to this filthy extravagance, intense drive, decadence and other types of vices to gain physical and moral impurity in all covetousness and greed.

20However, that is not what you learn from Messiah, 21seeing that you hear him and are taught by him, you are consistent with the truth in Yeshua. 22You cast off by any means the behavior of this old man corrupted by these deluded longings 23to renovate the spirit of this mind of yours. 24Therefore, wear the new man, this one from God, created in equity of character and action and holiness of truth. 25Consequently, cast off the lying—speaking truth particularly amid your neighbors, because we are each other’s connection to the body. 26Also never be angry—a sin; never let the day end upon your anger 27not so much as to give a spot to this false accuser [rage, outrage, self righteous indignation, violence—the whole lot is born in anger].

28Those who steal must not steal anymore. Work hard instead; addressing the benefit that those hands hold so that it can be shared with those in need.

29Never let literally or morally worthless words go out of your mouth, yet man ought to build up the occasion to promote good in order to stir up the gracious gift of acceptance to those hearing. 30Do not make the Holy Spirit of God sorry He sealed you for the day of redemption. 31May all bitterness, anger, grudges, screaming, and evil ranting—with all kinds of evil—be taken away from you. 32Be kind and tenderhearted to each other, forgiving one another just as God in Messiah forgave you.

Ephesians 5:1Then become imitators of God as dearly beloved children do 2and walk all around in generosity and affection just as even when Messiah loved us. When [He] surrendered himself on our behalf, He became an offering and sacrifice as a fragrant sweet smell to God. 3Moreover—harlotry, adultery and incest or all physical and moral impurity or greedy fraudulence and extortion should not so much as be mentioned against you as to be conspicuous for the morally blameless; 4even shameful obscenities or foolish silly talk, crude jokes and witty offenses. These things are not proper where thankfulness as an act of worship is so much better 5a thing to be known as.   Given that every male and female prostitute as well as the morally impure and demonic as well as greedy frauds are servants to idolatry. None hold an inheritance in the kingdom of Messiah and God. 6Do not be deluded with empty reasoning; no doubt through these things come the punishment of God upon the sons of disobedience. 7Then, do not take part [in these things] with them.

8For once you were in darkness, but now shine in the manner that children in the Lord shine in their walk. 9For the fruit of this life [spirit] under all manner of goodness, virtue and helpfulness, and equity in character in righteousness and truth 10examines what is fully agreeable to the Lord. 11So never have fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but so much the more be prominent 12because these hidden things being under the other [fruitless works] are a shameful thing even to describe. 13All things examined under the light are revealed; no doubt the light makes everything apparent, as it is. [Notice nowhere does Paul direct this shunning toward people, but instead toward behavior. How can we minister to those in desperate need of the light if we are commanded to entirely avoid the people?]

14Thereby it says: “Rise up sleeping one! Stand up out of this death! And Messiah will shine on you.” [Isaiah 60:1, Arise, shine; for your light has come! and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.] 15Certainly examine how diligently to live, not as unwise but as wise, 16redeeming the occasion, since these are hurtfully evil days. 17Avoid that thing [living as unwise], never be mindless or egotistical but understand what is the will of the Lord, 18and never be drunk with wine, which is decadent wastefulness! Indeed, be filled with the Spirit 19praying alone. In music and hymns and spiritual songs, sing and make melodies in your heart to the Lord 20giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, to God and our Father.

21Put yourselves in submission to each other, be subordinate to one another to show respect for the Messiah. 22The wives to their separate husbands, be under obedience so as in that manner to the Lord 23because a husband, he is the head to the wife, even as for the Messiah [is the Head and deliverer] to the congregation, and thereby he is the deliverer to the body [the wife, see verse 28-29]. 24Indeed, just as the congregation is subordinate to Messiah, in this manner the wives to their separate husbands in all things.

25Husbands, be generous and affectionate to your wives, just as even the Messiah [was] generous and affectionate to the congregation. Also surrendering himself on behalf of them 26in order that He himself be consecrated. It was commanded He be cleansed by baptism to water 27so as to present himself to them in honor and glory (to the congregation) never to hold spot or crease or anything anywhere; and in order that both appear morally blameless. 28So the husbands ought to love their own wives in that manner similar to their own bodies; the one that loves his wife, loves himself. 29No man ever detested his flesh, yet nourishes and cherishes it, even as also the Messiah to the congregation 30because we are members of the Messiah’s body. 31For such manner as this: “A man will leave his father and mother and the two will become into one flesh.” 32This thing is a great mystery that I now describe concerning Messiah both for the congregation 33and you likewise: that concerning one another, each to his own wife, to love in this manner even like He had, so that the wife is able to respect the husband.

Ephesians 6:1To the children: Listen attentively to your parents for the sake of the Lord; this thing is no doubt righteous. 2Honor your father and mother, which He has commanded with the first announcement of a promise, 3in order that you will be well and live long in this world.

4And to the fathers: Do not enrage, provoke to anger, or tease your children; but educate with disciplinary correction and call attention to the Lord.

5And to the employees: obey your employers far more than your natural inclination, with respect and anticipation from the sincerity of your heart just as to Messiah; 6not only when your employers are watching as man pleasers, but as workers of Messiah only doing the will of God through the Holy Spirit. 7Accompany it with kindness in your service even as to the Lord and not men, 8to know that provided what ever good thing anyone does, he will get the same thing from the Lord, whether an employee or an independent representative.

9And to the employers: Do the same toward them, restrain yourself from threatening them, do not be a menace. Be aware that both of you are the same to the Lord. He is in heaven and not even close to the vicinity of favoritism.

10To the rest of my brothers: be empowered to give yourself wholly to the Lord and to give yourself wholly to the mighty strength of His ability. 11[You must] wear the full armor of God; together you can stand against the pretenses of the false accuser. 12We are not wrestling against bloodshed or human beings—nevertheless effects that pertain to the beginning about the delegated authority [given to Adam and] because of this behavior that comes from the darkness amid this spiritual depravity before the heavens.   13Therefore, through action take up the full armor of God. In order that you can withstand against the hurtfully evil times and to bring absolutely all things to a finish 14stand accordingly to fasten the belt of truth to your hip and also wear the chest plate of equity of character and act [righteousness]; 15and put shoes on to the foot prepared with the Good News of peace. 16Upon all take up the large shield of the dependability of God [faith is the result of knowing the truth or dependability of God] in which to be able to quench the inflamed darts of the hurtful evil; 17also take the helmet of salvation and the sword of judicial punishment of the Holy Spirit, which is the Word of God. [Here’s something to think about: In our own judicial system, we separate (incarcerate) people who have acted against society. We lock them away in strongholds to separate them from law-abiding people and the day-to-day access of all the freedoms that society has to offer; and sometimes we even separate criminals from their very life. We consider these forms of separation a fitting punishment as well as protecting society at large. So—in much the same way, God’s Holy Spirit separates and removes the carnally minded existence from His newly perfected creation in God. So, how does God’s Holy Spirit go about His work? Through our prayers and conversations with the Father we invite His Holy Spirit to rebuild us as we surrender the old man’s behavior and replace it with what He had in mind; and through reading and studying the Word, we verify our lives against what He reveals is good and right and what His expectations are for our development; without His Word, we cannot truly be confident regarding our development; and finally through discussions with other believers. He uses other believers to express His example of compassion, generosity and affection because Paul says we are the connecting glue in the corporate body of Messiah.]

18Through all worships and requests pray to God at every opportunity in the Holy Spirit; and concerning those guarding in all perseverance and prayer requests for the morally blameless, 19also [pray] on behalf of me! [Pray] in order that I receive a topic after opening my mouth in all confidence to make known the mystery of the Good News. 20More than acting as a representative, yet altogether captivated in order that through Him, enabled to speak frankly in that manner that it is necessary for me to speak.

21In order that you consider also the manner of what I practice, Tychicus will make all known to you. This beloved brother and trustworthy minister of the Lord 22whom I sent to you for this same thing, so that you will know about us and to bring comfort to your hearts.

23[I pray for] Peace to the brothers, generosity and affection amid truthfulness of God [which is what faith is] from God the Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah, 24gracious acceptance unto all who love our Lord Yeshua the Messiah for eternity.

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