Ephesians 1:15 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

Navigator

Ephesians 1:15

Comments

It is eight years or so, perhaps a little less, since the apostle was with the church at Ephesus. He had been there for three years, pastoring the people and evangelising in the entire region. He now writes from a Roman prison, and he hears of their continuing faith and trust, so he is able to say here, ‘after I heard of your faith,’ your ongoing faith and loyalty in the Lord Jesus. They had not swerved aside, like the church at Colossae which was infected by heretics; Colossae had resisted the heretics to some extent but it was affected by their false teaching to some degree. But Ephesus by this stage had been more firm, clearer in holding on to the truth. So the apostle refers to their faith in the Lord Jesus, and he means that their faith was notable.He also hears about their personal walk, ‘and love unto all the saints.’ The church at Ephesus was not like the church at Corinth which had divided into factions where there was a form of unity. Corinth was a good church, but there was also a foolish lining up behind particular teachers. But this did not seem to be the case in Ephesus. Paul witnessed to their ‘love unto all the saints’, harmony in the church, love for believers worldwide, in the region and far afield.

Application

Faith and love go together. They showed great care for each other. Nobody went without. They tended the sick; they looked after those who travelled to preach and other believers who came to them. They were a hospitable people and, furthermore, they sent relief to those Christians who were affected by famine. They had tremendous care among themselves. This is a mark of grace. It wasn’t just a matter of having a few friends and a little clique of like-minded people and you hang together. Because grace has worked in your heart, you have care and concern and interest in all. You are approachable by all and always seeking to sow and promote fellowship one with another, with as many people as you can. Why, when you are truly saved, you feel your undeserved mercy and it inflames kinship with others. Like John Newton who perpetually says this in his hymns, you feel yourself to be the worst of sinners and therefore you are not critical of others; you are embracing towards others in your fellowship and in your church. Grace brings unselfish, outgoing concern for fellow Christians.

Questions

Outline

Purpose

Introduction

Ephesians 1:15 Commentary and Bible Study

Explain meaning of Ephesians 1:15