Themes of Philippians Chapter Two

¹ If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, ² Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

The reasons we serve the Lord Jesus Christ are not all doctrinal and logical. We must have a tender heart and a true commitment to each other based on love for God and love for each other.

Here, Paul appeals to the Philippians to support him and to remain unified . This appeal must be seen as a response to the contention going on in the church.

¹⁴ And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. ¹⁵ Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: ¹⁶ The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: ^[1] Philippians 1:14-16.

There are five levels of unity:

• Coalition Loosely organized, suspended hostilities.
• Consonance Passive agreement, absence of tension.
• Unison Forced unity, no difference in color or tone.
• Harmony Assigned roles, varied quality.
• Oneness Full sharing of goals, ideals, principles

Unity is one of the major themes of the New Testament. Anything that threatens our unity can neutralize the church or bring it down. We can learn something from the way cracks form in basement walls:

“As most homeowners with poured-in-place concrete foundations can attest: Cracks in basement walls are a fact of life. These cracks due to drying shrinkage, thermal movement, and other causes usually are minor and result in few problems. But over time, even minor cracks can grow larger and cause big headaches, such as loss of structural integrity or, more commonly, water leakage.

“Most basements eventually leak. “Even if a crack is not leaking now, eventually water will find it,” says Lou Cole, president of Emecole Inc., Romeoville, Ill., a manufacturer of epoxies and polyurethane foams for all types of foundation crack repair”

Cracks in basements, walls or pavement must be filled in as soon as they develop or else trouble will soon appear. They do not fix themselves. They cannot be painted over. They cannot be hidden behind a piece of furniture. Superficial repairs that don’t address the real problem will not last. The damaged area must be chipped away, the surface prepared and the right repair materials must be applied correctly. Even so, problems that cause fissures or fractures between people in the church, or between people and leadership, must be thoroughly removed, hearts prepared and the right ingredients of love and forgiveness applied correctly. Otherwise, the problem will reappear in time.

³ Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. ⁴ Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

• All our motives must be pure, devoid of strife and human pride.
• Be sensitive to the feelings of others. Concern yourself with the problems, disappointments and trials of other people. Work for the success of others.
• Esteeming yourself better than others does not necessarily mean you think you are better in every way. It means that you think you are more important than others. Selfish, self-centered, egoistic people are miserable and they are a burden to the church. Some people never get it. They never understand that the more they help other people achieve their goals, the more they fulfill their own.

⁵ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: ⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: ⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: ⁸ And being found in fashion  as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

• The mind of Christ epitomizes the meaning of Christianity. 132 verses in the Bible have to do with the mind, so it is a large subject. Basically, it means that the same attitude, motive and predisposition toward life that existed in Christ must also be in each of us.
• “Thought it not robbery to be equal with God” means Christ thought that to stay in a position of total power with no vulnerability to human problems was not a thing to be grasped or retained. He emptied himself of his divine prerogatives. It is another way of saying “the Word became flesh.” These are the steps God took to become the atonement for our sins:

• Incarnation
• Denial of reputation
• Servanthood
• Became a man in the true sense of the word
• Humility
• Obedient to death
• Acceptance of crucifixion

⁹ Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: ¹⁰ That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ¹¹ And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

• The name of Jesus exceeds all other names in importance and power.
• Jesus is the highest name in heaven, earth and hell.
• One day, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. That means no other being will share that glory. (Acts 4:12)
• Paganism, New Age religion and all other beliefs, personages, faiths or ideals will be shown as false. There is no other God, no other name, no other salvation than the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Isaiah 43:1-13; 44:1-20; 45:5-19

¹² Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ¹³ For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

“Working” out your own salvation comes from the Greek word katergozomai, which literally means to accomplish or perform something thoroughly.

This is a problem verse for those who think we have nothing to do with our salvation. It is true that we cannot save ourselves. Jesus Christ supplied all the necessary components for each person’s salvation. The fact remains, however, that the application of salvation through obedience, faith and sincerity of heart will always be up to us. Why? Because that is in the realm of the human will. God will not violate the will of man to determine his own destiny. God provides everything we need for salvation. Whether or not we accept it is ours to decide.

¹⁴ Do all things without murmurings and disputings: ¹⁵ That ye may be blameless and harmless  , the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; ¹⁶ Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

• Murmurings and disputings refer to bickering and arguing about inconsequential things or things that cannot be changed. It refers more to attitudes than to issues that need to be resolved.
• A right attitude shows the world that you are a better person because Christ has come into your life. A wrong attitude makes Christianity look like a vain religion.

¹⁷ Yea, and if I be offered  upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. ¹⁸ For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

What if Paul does not make it out of prison? What if he is executed? He comforts the Philippians by saying that if he is put to death because of the sacrifice and service of their faith, it will be a cause for rejoicing .

¹⁹ But  I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. ²⁰ For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. ²¹ For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. ²² But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. ²³ Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. ²⁴ But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.

²⁵ Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. ²⁶ For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. ²⁷ For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. ²⁹ Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold  such in reputation: ³⁰ Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

Paul shows great appreciation for Timotheus and Epaphroditus because of their care for him and their suffering for the gospel of Christ. It is right that we should honor those who have sacrificed and work for the furtherance of the gospel.

Can you name some great saints who have already gone on to their reward? Can you name some ministers of the gospel whom you esteem very highly? You need to talk about them and let others know what they did. If it were not for those who have gone before us, we would not enjoy the blessings and benefits that exist today.

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^[1] The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995 (electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version.) (Php 1:14). Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Themes of Philippians: Chapter One

Philippi ( filʹuh-pī ), an ancient city in northeastern Greece. Its site, dominated by a high acropolis and surrounded by mountains on three sides, lies ten miles inland from the modern port city of Kavalla (ancient Neapolis). 

The history of Philippi before the fourth century b.c. remains obscure, although there are reports of two older settlements on or near the site, Krenides and Datum. Philip II of Macedonia, particularly interested in the nearby gold and silver mines of Mount Pangaeus, annexed the entire region and in 356 b.c. formally established Philippi as a city bearing his own name. Although the extensive city wall which still survives perhaps originated at this time, Philippi remained insignificant until after the Roman conquest of Macedonia in 168-167 b.c. Included by Aemilius Paulus in the first of the four districts into which Macedonia was then divided (Livy, Roman History 45.29; see Acts 16:12), it became a major stopping place on the Via Egnatia, the newly constructed road connecting Byzantium with the Adriatic ports that led to Italy.

Foundation stones of the church at Philippi:

• People Acts 16:11-15 Lydia
• Authority Acts 16:16-18 The damsel and the evil spirit.
• Suffering Acts 16:9-24 Imprisoned
• Power Acts 16:25-28 Earthquake
• Commitment Acts 16:29-34 The Philippian jailer.
• Confidence Acts 16:35-40 Release

¹ Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi , with the bishops and deacons: ² Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ I thank my God upon every remembrance  of you, ⁴ Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, ⁵ For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; ⁶ Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: ⁷ Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. ⁸ For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. ⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment  ; ¹⁰ That ye may approve  things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; ¹¹ Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

The Salutation:

Paul addresses individuals, saints, bishops and deacons. This shows unity of the body, transparency in his motive and desire to communicate with all.

“He which hath begun a good work in you…” We need confidence, not doubt about God’s ability and intention about our lives.

Fruits of righteousness Fruit implies results, rewards or proofs .

^{Hebrews 12:11} Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

^{James 3:18} And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

¹² But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; ¹³ So that my bonds in Christ  are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

God has the ability to turn things in the opposite direction. We often fret about negatives and reversals, thinking that God has something against us and is punishing us.

• Everybody knew about Paul’s imprisonment . He did not see this as a detriment, but as proof of his Apostleship.
• What would the modern reaction to Paul’s imprisonment be?
• Protest? Counter suit? Media blitz? Riot? Campaign?
• Are you guilty of thinking of your circumstances in a negative way? What if you were to take the opposite approach?

¹⁴ And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. ¹⁵ Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: ¹⁶ The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: ¹⁷ But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. ¹⁸ What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. ¹⁹ For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

What shall we do about un-Christian Christians?

²⁰ According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. ²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. ²³ For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: ²⁴ Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. ²⁵ And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; ²⁶ That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

Paul kept his Christianity at the highest level possible. He did not allow it to sink down to the level of:

• Competition
• Personal gain
• Personal peace of mind
• Pride

Question: What is your bottom line ? At what point would you say, “Enough is enough!” When will it no longer be worth it for you to be a Christian?

Paul based his determination to continue on in his suffering and humiliation on the needs of others, not his own personal agenda .

²⁷ Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; ²⁸ And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. ²⁹ For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; ³⁰ Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Only do those things that benefit the gospel of Christ.
That which others think is your destruction actually becomes your salvation .
Do we presently have the capacity to suffer for the sake of Christ?

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^[1] Achtemeier, P. J., Harper & Row, P., & Society of Biblical Literature. (1985). Harper’s Bible dictionary. Includes index. (1st ed.) (785). San Francisco: Harper & Row.

Themes in Ephesians Chapter Six

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. ² Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) ³ That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. ⁴ And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Children are to obey parents in all things. (Colossians 3:20)

In the Lord does not mean to obey believing parents only. It only confirms the law.
Honoring parents. Regardless of individual cases, this command is fundamental to social stability. Dishonor would soon destroy the family unit.
There is never a good reason for dishonoring parents, even parents who are dishonorable.

Two reasons for obeying and honoring parents:
    Your life may go well .
    You will have long life . (Disobedient children were stoned in the Old Testament!)
Hophni and Phineas (1 Samuel 4:11)

Fathers are to treat their children with mutual respect .

This was a relatively new development in social and familial thinking. In the ancient world, children were considered to be chattel or possessions. They did not become persons in their own right until the father recognized them as such or they reached a certain age. Before that, a child’s life was literally in the hands of the father.

Jewish and Greco-Roman writers unanimously agreed that children needed to honor their parents, and, at least till they grew up, needed to obey them as well. The command to honor one’s parents was in the Old Testament (Ex 20:12; Deut 5:16) and included living in such a way as to bring honor on them in a godly society (Deut 21:18–21). Many Jewish writers believed that honoring one’s parents was the most important commandment.

At the same time, children were often taught through beating, which was standard in child rearing and education; fathers were considered responsible for their education. Paul is among the minority of ancient writers who seem to disapprove of excessive discipline (6:4). (Greek and Roman society was even harsher on newborn children; because an infant was accepted as a legal person only when the father officially recognized it, babies could be abandoned or, if deformed, killed. Early Christians and Jews unanimously opposed both abortion and abandonment. This text, however, addresses the discipline of minors in the household.) ^[1] Keener, C. S., & InterVarsity Press. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary : New Testament (Eph 6:10 ). Downers Grove , Ill. : InterVarsity Press.

Fathers are also commanded to raise their children with:

Nurture - Greek - paidea, (Educate; further their development)
Admonition of the Lord – Greek - nouthesia, (teach, warn, instruct)

Every decision, every act of the parents should be taken with the children in mind. Will it be good for their spirituality? Will it be a good example? Can it be defended in the scripture?

5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. 9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

This passage about servants and masters corresponds to employees and bosses or owners.
The greater principle is that the job you work at in this life becomes an illustration of your faith in Christ. You should do your job with:

Sincerity
Doing God’s will
Knowing that God rewards honest, hard work even if an employer does not
If you always work for God and not men, you will always have a good report.
Employers have spiritual principles to follow as well:

Do not threaten ( apeilē ) - threaten to do harm
Do not show respect of persons ( prosōpolēmpsia ) - show partiality

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we wrestle not against flesh  and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Our strength is in the Lord and in the power of his might.

Do not place undue confidence in your own ability . Zechariah 4:6
1 Corinthians 1:19-31
Stand against the wiles of the devil. (We are in a spiritual warfare.)
Wrestling. (Grapple, hold, try to submit, overcome, contest of strength)
Our opponent is not flesh and blood.
Spouse, neighbor, boss, fellow worker, children, relative.
Physical armies, military powers

The real enemies of the church:

• Principalities (Units of government)
• Powers (Enforcers, determiners of rights, agents of worldly power)
• Rulers of the darkness of this world (Those who rule in evil. Jude 13)
• Spiritual wickedness (pornea=wickedness)
• High places (Not in the background, but in places of honor and influence.)

Daniel’s experience:

¹⁰ And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. ¹¹ And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. ¹² Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. ¹³ But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. ¹⁴ Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. ¹⁵ And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.

This is why we ought to be keying on the spiritual mission of the church.

Romans 8:1-16.

The gift of the Holy Ghost is not only to complete our new birth experience .
The Spirit of God lives in us to help us fight our enemies.
If you are not fighting your enemies with the Spirit of God, you are losing !

¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; ¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Equipment needed to fight the battle:

• Armor: Protection is absolutely necessary.
• Whole: Nothing is to be minimized or left out.
• Loins girt about with truth . Clothed with truth.
• Breastplate of righteousness. Heart protection. (Keep thy heart…)
• Feet shod with preparation of the gospel of peace. Ready to witness)
• Shield of faith . (Faith is not a weapon, it is an instrument of protection)
• Helmut of salvation. Guard your thought processes.
• Sword of the Spirit . (The Word of God)

¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; ¹⁹And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

We need to pray in the Holy Ghost.

Jude 20-25

²¹ But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: ²² Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. ²³ Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity  . Amen.

In sincerity. How easy it is to allow ourselves to drift into complacence and become preoccupied with the affairs of life.

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Themes of Ephesians Chapter Five

¹ Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; ² And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

The context of our walk .

Therefore: Forgiveness (Eph. 4:32)
Followers of God: Made a conscious decision to pattern after God
Dear Children: Greek root is agape.
Walk in love as Christ loved us: Not self-determined, but Christ-determined.
Given himself.

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Relationship Sins

Sexual sin brings the wrath of God on a person like no other class of sin. Why is sexual more wicked in the sight of God than other sins?

• Body . The body is sacred.
• Emotion . Deepest human emotion is involved.
• Intimacy . Intimacy is to be cherished.
• Reputation . Reputation and name represent the person.
• Trust . Trust is built on commitment and covenant.
• Life . Life itself is involved.

Communication sins.

• Filthiness
• Foolish talking: (Coarse language)
• Jesting: Greek (eutrapelia), indecent, dirty jokes
• Not convenient: Greek (anekin) not proper, inappropriate, out of place

Consequences.

No whoremonger…hath any inheritance. God will not reward sinful behavior.

Let no man deceive you. The context of these scriptures suggests that there was confusion about sin and forgiveness. Can a person live in sin and yet be saved? There are two perspectives here: The sinning person and the rest of the people.
The sinning person has no license to sin . He is in trouble with God.
The rest of the people have no license to withhold forgiveness . They are in trouble with God if they do.
The wrath of God may not mean the lake of fire, but it may mean chastisement, judgment and/or forfeiture of blessing . At no time will God add his blessing to sin.

Romans 6:1-23 gives the best explanation for the believer and sin.

7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

These writings are very clear without further explanation. They are to be taken as the wisdom of a man of God who has our best interests at heart. The problem is not understanding but execution . Can we have close fellowship with evil? No.

• When the light is turned on, the darkness flees.
• When the light is turned on, the works of darkness can be examined.
• Light equals understanding.
• Would you search for food in a dumpster?
• Would you wallow in a germ infested bed?

(If you lay down with the dogs, you’ll get up with fleas!)

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Be not drunk with wine… Proverbs 23:30-32.

(Read attached article)

But be filled with the Spirit. Do not let drink or drugs control you. Let the Spirit of God control you.

Spirit control is more than speaking in tongues. It also involves psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, singing and giving thanks.

21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

Submitting. Greek (hypotasso) To obey; to put oneself under the control of another.

The sense here does not include anything improper or harmful. It means to act in accordance with one’s relational position. We expect an employee to do his boss’s bidding. We expect a servant to abide by the wishes of his master.

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. This means that husbands and wives are to be submitted relationally to each other. Unilateral submission creates resentment and rebellion. Submitted wives are disadvantaged by unsubmitted husbands. The only way this works is for both to be submitted to each other and to God.

Remember, all of this is based on Ephesians 5:1-2.

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. This submission is not for wives to be degraded, demeaned or abused . An abusive husband gives up his privilege to have a submissive wife. A wife should expect the same care and concern from her husband as she does from the Lord himself.

What is abuse?

• Physical . Hitting, pushing, causing physical pain of any kind.
• Sexual . Perverse, degrading, harmful, exploitative behavior.
• Psychological . To scream, show rage, berate, lie, deceive, threaten, humiliate, coercive control, isolation, deprivation, abandonment, financial guilt.
• Emotional . Denial of affection, constant accusations and fault-finding, made to feel guilty, minimization of feelings, blame for everything bad, recriminations
• Spiritual . Either no God talk or total God talk, Badgering, misuse of scripture, withholding forgiveness, fear tactics,

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

The organizational structure of the family. The husband has God-given authority to make decisions for his household. This authority, however, should be considered equal parts responsibility and privilege. I am a privileged man to have a wife like mine; therefore, I assume full responsibility for her care and for the welfare of my home.

As Christ is the head…as the church is subject unto Christ…so let the wives. The subjection of wives is relational, not absolute . Think of it like this: The light bulb does not work independently. As a light bulb is connected to the power supply, so let it burn. When the husband does not supply a reason for his wife to submit to him, he cuts off her willingness to do so. In other words, when the husband no longer submits to Christ’s authority, he can no longer demand submission from his wife.

So let the wives be… If a husband does submit himself to Christ, the wife must follow through with submission to him. If she does not, she is in rebellion and inexcusable disobedience .

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

How would a marriage work if husbands approached their marriages as a spiritual project of creating a loving and caring home?

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Love their wives as their own bodies. Selfishness is anathema to a marriage. No husband should treat himself to a privilege or a possession without treating his wife to an equal or greater gift. He should take care of his family first, before attending to his own needs . He should do without rather than cause his family to do without.

These two shall be one flesh. Nothing is separate in each others’ hopes, dreams, sorrows, disappointments, futures.

This is a great mystery. The illustration of marriage serves as a type of relationship Christ has with his church. This makes marriage a spiritual institution and one worthy of total commitment on earth.

Let every one of you in particular… Even if marriage is a type of Christ and his church, the practical teachings still must apply on a day-to-day basis. Love and reverence form the basis of a truly happy home.

Themes of Ephesians Chapter Four

¹ I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord  , beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, ² With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; ³ Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

The concept of the call .

Vocation (Greek: klesis); means “Calling.”
Calling: the definite impression, feeling, conviction that you are supposed to do something specific with your life. (1 Corinthians 7:20-22)
Sometimes audible, usually the “inner” voice .
Rejecting the call does not cancel the call. (Romans 11:29; Jonah)
We are all called to some level of service. (Romans 1:1; 1:7) Each level is increasingly more focused and restricting.
Are you doing what God called you to do?

Walking worthy of the call.

“Be all you can be.”
Diligent, serious, committed .
Excellent , high standards, visionary.

Attitude toward your call.

Lowly, meek, longsuffering.
Forbearing others.
Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

⁴ There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; ⁵ One Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

This is a prime example of truth within truth, or cocooned scriptures. While Paul is teaching us about the overall unity of our calling, he refers to the oneness of God. In so doing, he teaches both. (Eg: marriage (Eph. 5), hair, communion, (1 Cor. 11).

This also addresses the pagan ideas of diverse gods.

⁷ But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. ⁸ Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity  captive, and gave gifts unto men. ⁹ (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill  all things.)

We all have an unlimited supply of grace, given by the accomplishment of Calvary.
Christ’s ascension enabled him to give us gifts of our calling.

Psalm 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.

This is called a targum of the Scriptures. It is a paraphrase of the Hebrew scriptures in the Aramaic vernacular. Here, Paul likens Christ to Moses ascending Mt. Sinai and bring down the law to the Israelite nation.

Leading captivity captive means that he overtook Satan and spoiled him.

Colossians 2:15.
Jesus ascended and descended. The descension of Jesus is on two levels.
He descended from heaven to earth, from deity to humanity. (Phil. 2:7)
He descended from life to death. (Phil 2:8; Acts 2:27; Romans 10:7).

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Five -fold ministry:

Apostles: Sent ones, usually to regions, nations.
Prophets: Preachers, revivalists, special messengers.
Evangelists: Bearers of good news, preachers to the lost.
Pastors: Shepherds, guiding and caring for the needs of the flock.
Teachers: Those who help others to understand.

Some people are multi-gifted, some are single gifted; all are important for the advancement of the church.

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Perfecting: Completing, equipping , correcting all that is deficient.
Work of their ministry: Every person has an individual gift and calling.
He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, (The Message)

Christ gave those gifts to prepare God’s holy people for the work of serving, to make the body of Christ stronger. (New Century Version)
To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. (New International Version.)
The sense of this scripture seems to be that God placed each person in the body of Christ for a specific reason and purpose .

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Every gift and every minister should have the unity of the faith as the common goal. We are not to strive, be jealous of each other or seek to advance our own agenda at the expense of the welfare of the church. Factions, cliques, parties and church splits violate the spirit of this scripture. (Surviving Church Storms).

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

This is an admonition to be mature , stable, anchored to the truth and not gullible.

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (New International Version).

17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

God has given us teachers who have taught us the truths of the Word. He expects us to honor their teachings and to continue in them. A word of caution here: Be very careful when you go out in search of various teachers and teachings, and forsake the teachers that God has put in your life. You will most likely seek out teachers who say what you want them to say.

³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; ⁴ And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Timothy 4:3.

22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

The “spirit” of your mind refers to the attitude , not to cognitive processes. Regardless of how true or thorough the pastor’s teaching is, if your attitude is not right, you will not receive it.

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Live your faith. The greatest principles in the world are of no value if they cannot be translated into practical, literal actions of the body and mind.

²² But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. ²³ For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: ²⁴ For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. ²⁵ But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein , he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (James 1:22-25.)

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

There is no need to tell us to be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving if we were not challenged in these areas. You cannot demand that people treat you right. You can only demand right attitudes and righteous living of yourself.