The apostle presents his most elevated teaching concerning the church by speaking of it as a “new humanity” and a “living temple” created by God to manifest God’s will in the world. Tearing down walls and manifesting God’s peace is at the heart of achieving God’s plan to unite all things in Christ. Join us for our “After the Through the Bible”…
Christians talk a lot about “being saved” but what are we actually talking about. What is salvation? Why do we need it? And – most importantly – what is it’s purpose? What is it for? In today’s reading, Paul speaks of our desperate need for salvation, of God’s initiative by grace to bring it about, and of what it means to truly…
Following Paul’s explosion of worship, he prays for the churches, beginning with his “unceasing prayer” that God would grant a spirit of wisdom and revelation that the “eyes of their heart” may be enlightened by the Gospel and the great power of God behind it. Paul does not begin with prayers for healing, comfort, or blessings (as important as these are), but…
The Apostle begins this letter with a long, complex sentence (202 words long in the Greek). He begins with worship in order to give the context for all he is to say from the foundation of the “bigger picture” of God’s great plan from the foundation of the earth to bless by grace and unite all things in heaven and earth in…
Sometimes we can miss the forest for the trees. That is, we can got so focused on details that we lose sight of the bigger picture. The Apostle’s Letter to the Ephesians invites the church to remember and recommit to God’s grand universal plan of uniting all things in Christ. Only by maintaining this grand vision can our individual lives and local…
In preparation for Paul’s upcoming visit, Paul warns that he will come in boldness, wielding apostolic authority, if he needs to. But he’d rather not. He’d rather come in the meekness and gentleness of Christ, that is, he’d rather show God’s power in weakness, because it best follows the model of Christ’s love revealed in the cross. He turns the tables on…
Though the Apostle Paul knew that bragging of one’s accomplishments was the stuff of fools, he is backed into a corner, and forced to speak like a fool and “toot his own horn” in order to defend himself against the super-apostles’ accusations against him. In the end, he makes it clear that all this “foolish talk” was not for his own sake…
In defense of Paul’s legitimacy as an Apostle called into question by the “super-apostles”, Paul “foolishly” boasts in himself. However, unlike the “super-apostles”, he does not boast of his skills or physical strength, but instead, “boasts in his weakness”. For Paul has learned that it is through his weaknesses that God’s power is most fully displayed. Join us for our “After the…
The “super-apostles” have sought to undermine Paul’s authority by questioning his appearance, critiquing his speech, and scoffing at his sufferings, ultimately accusing Paul of being “all bark and no bite” – bold when away, but a wimp in person. Paul defends himself by speaking of his boldness in Christ that shapes his ministry through “meekness and gentleness”. He does not want the…
Paul concludes his appeal to the Corinthians to complete their “Jerusalem Offering” by seeking to motivate them to “sow generously” in order that they might be “cheerful givers” who reflect the abundant giving of God. Paul’s practical principles on how and why to give are timeless, and helpful in nurturing a generous and joyful heart. Join us for our “After the Through…