Tuesday 21 January 2014

Background

Today's passage marks the start of the second part of the letterto the Ephesians. The first part (chapters 1-3) is more aboutdoctrine; the second part (chapters 4-6) is more about morality.The first part concludes with a wonderful act of praise (Ephesians 3:20-21) and, in one sense, it wouldhave made a good ending to the letter. But there is more to say andit arises from what has already been said; the word 'therefore' inverse 1 makes that clear.

The vast majority of the second part of the letter is a seriesof exhortations in which "the saints who are in Ephesus and arefaithful to Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 1:1) are told what "the power at workwithin [them] is able to accomplish" (Ephesians 3:20). They are begged, told, orencouraged to live, behave, and act in certain ways; eachexhortation is understood to deal with an aspect of leading a lifeworthy of the calling to which they have been called. Verses 2-3say that leading such a life entails living "with all humility andgentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, makingevery effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond ofpeace". Verses 4-6 say why it is vital to make that effort: thereis one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one Baptism, and oneGod and Father of all.

To Ponder

• Who are the people you know that clearly demonstrate humility,gentleness, patience, and love in ways that help to maintain theunity of the Spirit in the bond of peace?

• What do you think detracts from or even destroys the unity ofthe Spirit?

• What other characteristics and activities do you think areimportant for those who seek to lead lives worthy of the calling towhich they have been called?

• What is the power at work within you accomplishing in you andthrough you?