In the French novel The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas, the fictional heroes have a memorable motto: “All for one and one for all.” The group pledged to stand together in their common fight for a common goal. As I thought about Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, I realized he was trying to get the Ephesian church to adopt a similar motto of unity.

As believers we are united by our joint calling as Christ’s followers. Paul urges the Ephesians to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (v. 1). In the first three chapters of Ephesians, Paul had laid a foundation of biblical doctrine. Now, in chapter 4, he challenges them that how they are living should be an outpouring of what they believe.

Our calling changes our behavior. Notice the words Paul uses to describe this desired behavior in verses 2 and 3: humble, gentle, patient, unity, peace. We are united as believers through Christ’s death and resurrection and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When Paul says to “make every effort” in verse 3, he means that we should put energy into preserving this unity. In other words, the Spirit is the source of unity among believers, but it is our responsibility to “guard” or protect this unity (v. 3).

Paul goes into detail to illustrate the common beliefs we share. The word “one” appears over and over again: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (vv. 4–6). All for One, Lord Jesus.

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If you have coronary artery disease, it means that the arteries in your heart are narrowed or blocked by a sticky material called plaque. A doctor may recommend a procedure called an angioplasty, where a tube with a tiny balloon on the end is inserted into an artery leading to the heart. The procedure opens the blockage and restores normal blood flow to your heart muscle.

In Ephesians 3, Paul is probing the heart of the church in Ephesus with the goal of dislodging any blockage that might be hindering the work of Christ in the lives of God’s people. The blockage referred to here and in chapter 2 is division within the church. In Ephesians 2, Paul reminded the church of the past divisions that had existed between the Jewish people and the Gentiles. He gave them good news, that “now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (v. 13).

Paul prays for all of God’s people to be strengthened (v. 16) and “for God to dwell in their hearts” (v. 17). He prays that through God’s love they will be rooted (like a plant) and established (like a building). The participles “being rooted and established” are in the perfect tense, indicating a past action with continuing results. You could translate this as “having been and continuing to be rooted and established.”

The result is that through faith Christ may “dwell” (katoikēsai) in believers’ hearts. This does not refer to the beginning of Christ’s indwelling at salvation. Instead, it is the desire that Christ may, literally, “be at home in” or at the very center of our life. We can ask ourselves: Can Christ make Himself at home in a heart full of blockages?

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Have you ever watched the plot unfold in a mystery and realize you are totally clueless about what will happen next? I am drawn to movies like that because just when I think I have it all figured out there is a twist in the plot.

Paul describes God’s plan of salvation for both the Jews and Gentiles as a mystery. The word mystery is mentioned six times in the book of Ephesians. In this context, mystery refers to content which was not known before but was revealed to a particular group.

In verse 6, Paul explains this mystery, “that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” This had been God’s plan from the beginning or, as Paul puts it, “for ages past.” But only now was it being made “plain to everyone” (v. 9).

Can you imagine what it must have been like for those of Jewish and Gentile descent when this mystery was finally revealed? The plot of God’s divine purposes must have left them dumbfounded. Ephesians 2:15–17 tells us: “His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.” When we think about the hostility that once drove these people groups apart, this mystery ought to leave us in awesome wonder! Through Jesus Christ, God brought us together as one.

God’s plan had an unexpected, but joyous ending. We can be thankful to God that we are included. What was once hidden is now a joyful reality (v. 10).

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I am grateful to be married to my lovely wife for over 28 years. I will never forget purchasing the engagement ring. I knew I could not afford a big expensive diamond ring, but I could afford a small one. To help me see and appreciate the value of the diamond, the jeweler placed it against a dark backdrop. The contrasting background helped me better recognize the value of the precious stone.

In Ephesians 2, Paul helps us better understand who we used to be before the grace of God transformed our lives. Before we knew Christ, we were dead in our “transgression and sins” (v. 1). We “followed the ways of this world” while being controlled by the devil (v. 2). We gratified the “cravings of our flesh”, following its desires and thoughts. We were even “deserving of wrath” (v. 3).

But look at the contrast that begins in verse 4! The conjunction “but” introduces God’s actions toward us while sinners. This is the good news: “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ.” In the Greek text, the word “God” immediately follows “but,” placing it in an emphatic position. God is the subject of the passage. When highlighted against the backdrop of our desperate and sinful condition, God’s grace toward us is abundant and invaluable! To emphasize the fact, Ephesians mentions “riches” five times and “grace” twelve times.

God expressed the value of His grace by making us alive with Christ! He raised us up with Christ and “seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (v. 6). Saved by His grace, we are His “handiwork” or “workmanship”—you are a work of art, God’s masterpiece! (v. 10). What an incredible contrast! What a transformation!

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If I asked, “How can I pray for you?” What would you answer? I am always deeply appreciative when someone thinks enough of me to take the time to pray on my behalf. In Ephesians chapter 1, the Apostle Paul explains why intercessory prayer is so important in the body of Christ. Paul informed the saints in Ephesians that he continuously prayed for them (vv. 16–17). Then he became even more transparent and shared with them specifically what he was constantly asking God to do for them.

First, he prayed for them to have the “Spirit of wisdom and revelation” so they could know God better (v. 17). Second, he prayed for them to know the hope to which they were called, of being his “glorious inheritance” (v. 18). Lastly, he prayed for them to know the “incomparably great power” of God for those who believe in Him (v. 19). How great is this power? This is the same power that raised Christ from the dead and exalted Him to the right hand of God! In other words, He has all power and according to verse 22, He did it for the church!

Paul sets an excellent example for us to follow as believers. We should not only pray for one another but also know what to request on behalf of one another. He explains that it is very important for us to pray for one another lest we become prey. Paul understood this potential danger: “With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and stay alert in this, with all perseverance and intercession for all saints” (Eph. 6:18). It is a privilege to pray for fellow believers.

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I have the privilege to serve as a professor at Moody Theological Seminary. When I was hired, I was informed of my benefits. Benefits include vacation time, medical coverage, or retirement savings plans. The older I get and the longer I work the more I see that benefits are just as important as the salary.

In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul was informing the church in Ephesus of the benefits we have received by being chosen in Christ. In the original Greek (vv. 3–14), Paul writes one long sentence that sets the tone for the rest of the letter, explaining what it means to be in Christ. “In Christ” or “in him” is mentioned at least 10 times in 12 verses and many more times throughout the letter.

Jesus Christ is the source of who we are and all we have as believers. He has chosen us, and as a result, “has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing” (v. 3). He has made us “holy and blameless in his sight” (v. 4). He has adopted us (v. 5). He has redeemed and forgiven us (v. 7). He has sealed us with the Holy Spirit and guaranteed us our eternal inheritance (v. 13). All this is done for the praise of His glory!

Unfortunately, many believers live without fully understanding the blessings we have in Christ. God has “made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ” (v. 9). Mystery refers to what was once hidden, but now God has revealed it to us. In this study of Paul’s letters to the Ephesians and Colossians, we will learn what it means to be in Christ and all it entails to the praise of His glory!

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Today, we wait with great longing for the return of the risen Christ. According to one of Jesus’ parables, it is like servants who waited for their master to return from a wedding feast. “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,” Jesus urged his disciples in Luke 12:35.

In today’s reading, Paul encourages the Thessalonians to wait and serve. On this side of the Second Coming, waiting is one of the marks of genuine faith. But this type of waiting is not passive, but both expectant and active. As the Thessalonians waited for the return of the risen Christ, they served Him, motivated by a combination of love and hope (v. 3). For those who have faith, the gospel comes “not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction” (v. 5). This combination of truth and power enables those who wait for Jesus to imitate His life (v. 6). This is not a matter of trying to live up to Jesus’ example. It is living in the power of His resurrection.

Faith involves turning. The Thessalonians turned away from idols “to serve the living and true God” (vv. 9–10). Paul emphasizes the contrast between the empty promise offered by false idols that the Thessalonians had previously served and the living hope of the true God. Although it may seem as if there are two distinct motions in this, the text only speaks of one. It is a turning toward God. The very act of turning toward God sets us on a path away from the one which is not of God. The Greek term that the NIV translates as “turned” can also mean “to return.” This meaning implies that the conversion Paul describes is not only a return to God but also a kind of homecoming.

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