Bible Study: Ephesians Part IV - Conclusion

Ephesians Chapters 5-6

We conclude the letter in which Paul offers both the announcement of, and doctrinal instruction for the mystery: namely walking by faith in grace. The entire book presumes the believer's position in Christ and seeks to edify the maturing, faithful saint.

We'll look at Paul's comparison of Christ's sacrifice of himself to the Old Testament sacrifices under the law and otherwise. Then we'll take in the sound instruction in righteousness Paul gives the sanctified believer in contract to modern accusations of his grace message as "easy believism", and see how grace is designed to transform us rather than reform our old man.

Hear Paul instruct up to become wise and know God's will by his word! Find out about submitting one to another in love, about wives and husbands submitting, and how grace offers everyone a better marriage arrangement. We discuss the "great mystery" of Christ's relationship with the church, which is now his body, inseparable, just like a marriage.

We compare Paul's instructions for children to honor father and mother, quoting the fifth commandment (and its counterpart verse in Deut 5:16) to Paul's quotation that seems to update the theme for the Body today. We also cover Paul's down to earth, (and heavenly) instructions regarding servants and masters and how they relate to our ability to manifest the righteousness of the law in this life, apart from the law, witnessed by the law and the prophets.

We examine the full armor of God in light of the first occurrence of the concept of truth with Lamech in Gen 4:24 and the helmets of David and Saul in I Samuel.

Finally we cover the making of prayer and supplication "in the Spirit" for all saints that we might boldly make known the mystery of the gospel to all men.