The last post in this series on Ephesians looked at the controversial Household Code in 5.21-6.9. We saw there that, while Paul was unquestionably a spiritual revolutionary, he was very cautious — we might say conservative — in how he applied that spirit to the social structures of the first century Mediterranean world. He attempted … Continue reading The Household Codes of Ephesians 5.21-6.9 under the Microscope
Over the past two months, we've been working our way through the letter to the Ephesians. Today we come to the one of the most difficult, misinterpreted, and abused passages in all of the New Testament: the Household Code of Ephesians 5.21-6.9, which includes the infamous instructions for wives to submit to their husbands and … Continue reading Smash the Kyriarchy?: Ephesians 5.21-6.9
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
