As we’ve worked through the difficult section of moral instruction in Ephesians, which stretches from the middle of chapter 4 through all of chapter 5 and into chapter 6, we’ve attempted to keep the big picture in mind. Rules and regulation are not what Paul is all about (and far less so, Jesus), but rather … Continue reading Toward a Wise Life: Ephesians 5.15-21
I started the recent study here of Ephesians 4.25-5.2 by saying that crossing from the first half of Ephesians 4 to the rest of chapters 4-5 feels like dropping from heaven to earth. In place of grand spiritual theology calling us to the fullest heights of the human experience, we have lists commandments and prohibitions. … Continue reading Children of Love and Light: Ephesians 5.1-14
There are few parts of our Scriptures that offer a richer picture of Christian life than Ephesians 4-5. But that rich picture, which is nothing other than to grow into the fullness of Christ’s very own life, makes us more and more aware of the contrast between this new way of life and the default … Continue reading Idolatry and Excess: The Moral Code of Ephesians 4-5 in its Historical Context
As we’ve seen the past couple weeks, the first twenty-four verses of Ephesians 4 offer a glimpse at just how grand Paul’s vision for the Christian life is: It is nothing less than growing into the fullness of Jesus Christ, who is the perfect exemplar of human life. The possibility of such a life is … Continue reading Body Building: Ephesians 4.25-32
There’s an ancient and ongoing debate — in religion, philosophy, and culture — about the possibility of personal change. Is real change possible? Or are we always going to be more-or-less the same and any apparent changes merely superficial? Paul is squarely on the side believing that change and even genuine transformation is possible. In … Continue reading Old and New: Ephesians 4.17-24
Matthew Root 