Live Worthy of Your Call Focused on Unity (4:1 – 3) With the translation “the calling you have received,” the NIV loses the text’s double emphasis on election (lit., “the calling with which you were called”). Paul reminds the reader of the description of salvation in chapters 1 – 3 and especially of the doxology [...]
Submitted by Daniel Kim, Gracepoint Berkeley What is the great mystery which for ages past was kept hidden but now has been revealed? What is this cosmic mystery that Apostle Paul sets up with such lofty, broad words? Apostle Paul crescendos to this climax, and the grand answer that he gives is v.6 — that [...]
v.1 “Paul’s imprisonment was both a hardship and a potential embarrassment. But surprisingly, he gives little focus to his difficulty. […] Paul’s circumstances were attendant factors, but they did not define who he was. Only the gospel defined him. Paul describes himself here as both the prisoner of Christ and a servant of the gospel; [...]
Here is the recommended personal devotions schedule. Monday to Thursday For each weekday, from Monday to Thursday, – Read the assigned text several times – Do Inductive Bible Study using the questions and prompts provided in the downloadable packet – Personal Reflection based on the questions in the packet. Friday to Sunday Read the assigned Old [...]
Submitted by John Lee, Gracepoint Minneapolis In what ways does my old identity as a “foreigner” and “alien” still persist, despite the fact that I am now “fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household?” Despite experiencing a restored relationship with God and becoming “fellow citizens with God’s people and member of God’s [...]
v. 2, “’World’ has a broad semantic range in the New Testament, covering creation, people, and a world system that either leaves God out of the picture or is openly hostile to him. Clearly Paul’s intent here is to focus on this world system, a way of life shaped by a system that does not [...]
Submitted by Alice Rhee, Gracepoint Minneapolis What 3 things does this text say exercise control over unredeemed man? In what ways did I follow these things before I became a Christian? The cravings of our sinful nature, our desires, and our thoughts exercise control over unredeemed man. Before I became a Christian, I was quite [...]
Submitted by Jeannie Lee, Gracepoint Berkeley vv. 17-18 – What did the Apostle Paul pray for the Ephesians? • that they might be given the Spirit of wisdom and revelation • that the eyes of their heart may be enlightened What should the eyes of their heart being enlightened lead to? knowledge of: • the [...]
Submitted by Gary Chang, Gracepoint Hsinchu. In this introductory passage of Ephesians, Paul uses a number of related words in describing the course of God’s unfolding His salvation plan, from the creation of the world to the future. In verse 4, it says that He “chose” us before the beginning of the world to be [...]
Here is the recommended personal devotions schedule. Monday to Thursday For each weekday, from Monday to Thursday, – Read the assigned text several times – Do Inductive Bible Study using the questions and prompts provided in the downloadable packet – Personal Reflection based on the questions in the packet. Friday to Sunday Read the assigned Old [...]