1. New Testament BCM 103 Dr. Dave Mathewson Gordon College/Denver Seminary

2. Purpose of Ephesians No consensus on purpose of Ephesians No consensus on purpose of Ephesians Circular letter: to be shared around Asia Minor Circular letter: to be shared around Asia Minor Clinton Arnold: Paul addressing situation of magic, spiritual demonic beings controlled the world, magic helped control that Clinton Arnold: Paul addressing situation of magic, spiritual demonic beings controlled the world, magic helped control that Paul showing you don’t have to fear these power, Jesus is true power Paul showing you don’t have to fear these power, Jesus is true power

3. To Ephesus? Lot of early and best manuscripts do not have “In Ephesus” Lot of early and best manuscripts do not have “In Ephesus” Paul was a general letter to be spread as widely as possible. Paul was a general letter to be spread as widely as possible. Not addressing any particular problem or situation but a general letter of exhortation to Christians in Greco-Roman empire Not addressing any particular problem or situation but a general letter of exhortation to Christians in Greco-Roman empire

4. Primary Theme Cosmic Reconciliation of everything in Christ (Eph. 1:9f; 19-21) Cosmic Reconciliation of everything in Christ (Eph. 1:9f; 19-21)

5. Paul’s Christology Psalm 110.1 Psalm 110.1 The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.” The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.”

6. Paul’s Christology Psalm 8 Psalm 8 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth… You have made them [humanity] a little lower than the angels, and crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth… You have made them [humanity] a little lower than the angels, and crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet.

7. Paul’s Christology Why doesn’t he talk about Christ ruling over Rome? Why doesn’t he talk about Christ ruling over Rome? Rome’s days are numbered, behind the physical world is a spiritual world where Christ has already defeated them—put on the throne Rome’s days are numbered, behind the physical world is a spiritual world where Christ has already defeated them—put on the throne Eph 2:11-22: not only has the spiritual world begun to be reconciled but earthly as well Eph 2:11-22: not only has the spiritual world begun to be reconciled but earthly as well Through death of Christ Jews and Gentiles reconciled into one new body Through death of Christ Jews and Gentiles reconciled into one new body Already but not yet aspect Already but not yet aspect

8. Ephesians Cosmic Reconciliation Ephesians 3:10—Jews and Gentiles through the church known to powers in heavenly places Ephesians 3:10—Jews and Gentiles through the church known to powers in heavenly places Why does he say that? Why would the church be interested in that? Why does he say that? Why would the church be interested in that? What does it do to the evil powers when they see a reconciled body (Jews/Gentiles)? What does it do to the evil powers when they see a reconciled body (Jews/Gentiles)? Their time is up, they are defeated Their time is up, they are defeated

9. Cosmic Reconciliation in Ephesians The universe (which God created) has suffered a dislocation and disruption because of sin. It is now under the control of evil, hostile powers. The universe (which God created) has suffered a dislocation and disruption because of sin. It is now under the control of evil, hostile powers. God’s intention is that all the universe must be reconciled to Christ. It must be rescued from sin and the evil powers. God’s intention is that all the universe must be reconciled to Christ. It must be rescued from sin and the evil powers. Through his death on the cross, Christ has begun the process of reconciling all things to himself, in heaven and earth. He has defeated sin and the powers of evil. Through his death on the cross, Christ has begun the process of reconciling all things to himself, in heaven and earth. He has defeated sin and the powers of evil. The church is the first installment and the means of this reconciliation, where Christ has reconciled Jew and Gentile into one new humanity. The church is the first installment and the means of this reconciliation, where Christ has reconciled Jew and Gentile into one new humanity.

10. Ephesians 6.10-20 He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head, he put on garments of vengeance for clothing… (Isaiah 59.17) He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head, he put on garments of vengeance for clothing… (Isaiah 59.17) How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace… (Isaiah 52.7) How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace… (Isaiah 52.7)

11. The function of Eph 6.10-20 “Already”“Not Yet” Christ has begun the We must defeat the process of universalpowers of evil and reconciliation by bring about cosmic defeating the powers reconciliation of evil