Ephesians, Volume 42 by Dr. Andrew T. Lincoln

Author:Dr. Andrew T. Lincoln
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: REL006070 Religion / Biblical Commentary / New Testament
Publisher: Zondervan

Explanation

The prayer-report in the name of Paul had begun in v 1 but had then been interrupted by the digression on the apostle’s ministry; it is now carried through in two parts—an intercession (vv 14–19) and a doxology (vv 20, 21). Each part consists of one sentence and, not surprisingly in explicitly liturgical material, exhibits the same linguistic style we have noted throughout the first part of the letter, particularly in the earlier berakah and thanksgiving period. Just as the digression had been dependent on Col 1:23c–28, so now this prayer-report is dependent on the next section of that letter, Col 1:29—2:10.

The digression on the apostle’s stewardship of the mystery had developed the notion of the Church as God’s instrument for demonstrating to the powers his purpose of unifying the cosmos. The writer senses that if the Church is going to become in history an effective preview of God’s purposes for the end of history, then God is going to have to help it in a big way. Adopting an attitude of deep reverence and fervent entreaty, he makes three major requests, with a subsidiary one between the first and second. As he begins the intercessory prayer-report, however, he first extols God the Father as the Creator and Lord of all family groupings in the cosmos and then, as he launches into the first request, reminds himself and his readers that this God’s giving in response to supplication is in accord with the inexhaustible wealth of his glory, that is, of his radiance and power active on behalf of humanity. This first main request is that the readers should be strengthened through the Spirit in their inner persons, which need to be renewed constantly by the Spirit’s energy. The request is then spelled out in different terms as the writer asks that Christ might take up permanent residence in their hearts, at the center of their personalities, so that through a relationship of faith Christ’s character and the pattern of his death and resurrection increasingly shape their values and their living. A subsidiary prayer follows, which asks that the readers be rooted in the soil and built on the foundation of the love that is the principle of the new age.

The second major request concerns the readers’ knowledge. The writer desires that, as they are strengthened, they will be enabled to grasp in company with the whole Church the vast dimensions of the all-embracing love of Christ and then, stating a similar wish, that, despite its ultimate incomprehensibility and mystery, they might know this love of Christ personally and in a way that controls their lives. The final and climactic request is that the recipients of the letter be filled up to all the fullness of God, that they experience to their capacity the life and power of God himself.

These are no small petitions; but both at the beginning of this section, in the address to God as cosmic Father, and now at the end, as he moves from intercession to doxology, the writer expresses his conviction that he has a great God.

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