Tuesday 19 October 2010

Background

In many respects the letter to the Ephesians provides a maturesummary of Paul's thought. This is evident in the way Paul outlineshis theology of his mission to the Gentiles (non-Jews), which wasthe hallmark of his own particular ministry. 'Aliens' and'strangers' have been brought into the covenant with God throughany hostility between Jews and Gentiles being destroyed byChrist.

In today's passage, Paul argues that the basis of God's acceptanceof any human being lies not in thenature of their human descent (Jew or Gentile), nor in anyreligious ritual (such as circumcision). The only basis of God'sacceptance of a person was the grace of God.

Although Paul's theology has often been summarised in these terms,it is only here in this letter that we read the clear explicitphrase "by grace you have been saved through faith". On otheroccasions, Paul has emphasised the place of 'faith' over that of'law' in his attempt to clarify the foundation of his Gentilemission. Often this has led him to state that the Old Testamentfigure Abraham had faith a long time before the coming of theJewish Law.

Sadly, an emphasis on faith has led by some to a distortion of whatPaul meant, especially when faith has simply become a substitutefor law. Here Paul is crystal clear: we are not saved by either lawor faith or by any other human merit. Our relationship with God isnot dependent on us at all. Its basis is solely the free,undeserved grace of God. This clear statement of the basis ofPaul's theology is the foundation of his mission to the Gentiles.It is the justification of his life's work. And it is brought aboutonly through God in Christ. Christ's work is the means of peacebetween two previously opposing groups - Jews and Gentiles. And hehas brought this peace about by breaking down the dividing wall ofhostility.

It is therefore very important for Paul that this theologicalbelief is seen in practice within the Christian groups whom he isaddressing in this letter. 'Unity' emerges as its key theme,precisely because only unity can witness to the grace of God havingbroken down the wall of hostility.

To Ponder

In what ways do you still prefer to think and actas though you have gained God's love through some merit of yourown?

What other phrases would you use to summarise thebasis of your faith?

In what ways would you seek to show theoutworking of the grace of God in human lives?