Pericope:Ephesians 1:1-23	Word Study (5 words) use studylight.org: “Lexicon”	
3 Questions or Initial Thoughts		
1. How is the book of Ephesians different in focus, message, or scope from the book of Galatians?  Why have both rather than one or the other?

2. What does it mean in v. 23 that the church is the “the fullness” of Christ?  Is Christ somehow lacking or incomplete without the Church?  

3.   What truths are taught regarding God’s election in ch. 1?  How is this doctrine to bring comfort, as opposed to fear or division as is seen in history?
	1.   predestined 
He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will (v.5)

2. mystery
made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure (v. 9)

3. purposed and chosen
which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, (v. 9-12)
 
4. deposit guaranteeing:
 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. (v.14)

5.   Power:
That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms (v. 19-20)	
3 Translation Comparisons(highlight variations in grammar)
bible.cc “translation comparison”	Theological Analysis (teachings, problems addressed, connections to rest of scripture) wlsessays.net	
1.	The Message: It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. 

2.	NASB: having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, (NASB)

3. ESV: having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 

	1.	 By implicitly identifying false teachings (part of the reason for writing the letter) concerning Ephesus, Paul is emphasizing the sovereignty of God incarnate to reveal all mysteries unilaterally by his clear will and purpose.

2.	While Gnosticism teaches that by man’s ascent, he can know the mind of God through the imperfect rationalism of the mind, Paul sharply contrasts with his focus on the Holy Spirit.  The HS is not a demiurge or force, but a person with a will who loves and blesses.  The work of knowledge is intimate, immediate, and unifying.

3.	 The church stands in relation to this doctrine of election as compliments to Christ are very being as head of the church.  He willingly promotes us, through the Spirit, to be redeemed in the Body, to serve in the Body.  While He needs nothing, we are filled in Christ, and bring about the fulfillment of His command. 

3 Historical-Cultural Points (cite source)	Christocentric Analysis (Symbols, prophecies, archetypes, and events connected to Jesus)	
1.	 Ephesus is a port town with a strong and vibrant trade metropolis.  Religious devotions were subject to syncretic and profiteering motives.  Often, churches and philosophers were in the business of making money through prostitution, classes, and creating “othering” societies claiming “secret knowledge”.  
2.	 The Ephesians church would have been in a deluge of competing thoughts and theories regarding creation, divinity, the nature of fate, and the importance of good works/the body in achieving some form of reward.
3.	 The Greek mind was constantly discussing the nature of fate, the gods, moral objectivity, and the pursuit of goodness over an against uncontrollable forces.  The after-life was often a bleak mythology, with only a platonic glimmer towards the philosophical pursuit of knowledge in a “divine mind”	1.	 Christ is the one who makes his declarative will known, especially regarding forgiveness, healing, and ultimately resurrection.  Christ tells Lazarus to rise.  Lazurus, being dead and unable to resurrect himself, has no say in his coming back to life.
2.	Christ is the one who is also “crucified before the foundations of the world” according to Rev. 13:8.  The will and purpose of God is inextricably bound in the mediation of the cross.
3.	Christ is the head of both the church through special revelation and divine election, and sovereign over all creation, both now and the prophetic last day.

	
Structural Analysis (immediate context)	3 Commentary points	
V. 1-3: Salutation and Prayer (evoking the Trinity through Hebrew Barakah format)

Making known mysteries the wisdom of his good pleasure in Christ (v. 8-9)

Redemption and seal by the HS of those who are God’s Posession (v. 13-14)

Predestined to Adoption as Sons. (v. 5-8)

Unity of all things under the headship of Christ. (v. 10)

	1:8 all wisdom. Many ancient religions and philosophies, such as Gnosticism, promised special knowledge (4:14; Col 2:16–23), but Paul taught that true wisdom is found in Christ (cf Mt 13:54; 1Co 1:24, 30; Col 2:3). See pp 775–78.
1:9 mystery. An astonishing revelation—the Gospel is for the Gentiles as well as the Jews (3:6). “Mystery religions” in the ancient world promised to reveal mysterious truths as adherents progressed to higher levels. For Paul, the emphasis is not on things kept hidden, but that things once hidden in God’s plan are now revealed to all (3:9). Paul defines the mystery primarily as Jesus Himself (5:32; Col 1:27; 2:2–3), whom God revealed as the Messiah to the apostles and prophets (Eph 3:3–5), and whom they revealed to the world in their preaching (3:8–9; 6:19; Col 1:25–27). See note, 1Co 14:2. 	
Trinitarian Analysis (describe the interaction of Father, Son, and Spirit)	

Father:  The one who gives the blessings to us

Son:  The one who redeems the blessings for us

Holy Spirit:  The one who guarantees the blessings in us	
Prayer (Use your data to write back to God!  Tell Him your concerns throughout the week)	
Thank you for the gift of election.  Be with Tina as she goes through a difficult medical treatment.  Commit her body, soul and family to your care.