Fishers Of Men Study

I want to start today by pointing out that there are so many things competing for our time and attention. For me the challenge is not allowing there to be a competition for my time and attention between the Lord and my family. My time with the Lord is important to the overall well being of my family, my time with my family is one of the things that the Lord has taught me is part of His will and purpose for me in my life. So the issue is one of balance! Pray for me because business is one of the ways that the enemy attacks me. That being said I did not get the opportunity to post a daily tip let alone more than one like I wanted. But I did want to look at one thing before the call tomorrow. Using the same format as in the tip on 5-23-08 I want to look at verse 3- 4

INTERPRETATION Context Is Crucial: Looking at what we already discussed we see in verse 1-2 that…

In verse 1 we see that Paul an Apostle (one sent forth with orders) of Jesus Christ by the will (purpose commands, choice and pleasure) of God is speaking (in an epistle or letter) to the saints (those who are consecrated, devoted, set apart to God) at Ephesus and the faithful (those who trusts in God’s promise of eternal life and forgiveness of sins having believed and trusted in Jesus, who has been raised from the dead, who is the Messiah and author of salvation ) in Christ Jesus. In verse 2 and the cross references in Rom 1:7; 2 Cor 1:2 and Gal 1:3 we see that Paul says that Grace and Peace come from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We were able to come to this understanding in these two verse by looking at the key words (their meaning) and cross-referencing other scripture. Now lets do the same with verse 3-5…

Keeping it in context- 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 3 (a) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath (b) blessed us with all spiritual (c) blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Key Word (3a) Blessed – simply means praised or blessed; now I want you to notice that the English words blessed and blessing are used in this verse also there is a distinction. Here in (3a) the Greek word is an adjective, describing the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God the Father is the one to who is praised He is the one to whom all praise is due.

Cross-reference Gen 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. 1Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 2Co 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

Note: Notice that in each of the verses there is some thing identified as the reason to bless (praise) God. What is that reason in Eph 1:3?
Here are some suggestions for the rest of this verse look at the key words blessed and blessing. Cross-reference heavenly places in Christ, look at these verse (Eph 1:20, Eph 2:6, Eph 3:10, Eph 6:12 )

Verse 4 (a) According as he hath (b) chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be (c) holy and without blame (d) before him in love:

Key Word: According this word is a compound word in the Greek and carries the idea of Just as or Even as, which makes it a Term Of Comparison. It is comparing something said to something about to be said. What was said in verse 3? Verse 3 is talking about God being worthy of praise because He has blessed us with all spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Now that is being compared to what is about to be said in verse 4. This comparison makes what is about to be said equal to or in the same way or having the characteristics as what was said in verse 3. “He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world." The fact that God chose us before the laying of the foundation of the world is JUST AS or is one of the spiritual blessing He has blessed us with in the heavenly places in Christ therefore it is something that warrants our praise being given to God. Now the rest of verse 4 goes on to talk about some of the characteristics, purpose and nature of that choice. Answering the question For what reason or what purpose did God choose us?
Cross references: The same cross references (Eph 1:20, Eph 2:6, Eph 3:10, Eph 6:12 ) deal with the idea of God blessing us in Christ and why He is worthy of our praise.

I am praying for you all please pray for me. I am look forward to talking to you all tomorrow. Bro. Brian

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