FREE ESSAY ON EPHESIANS

EPHESIANS

Bib Lit
Don Blosser
3-16-01
Ephesians
2. Vs. 25: Paul begins with Therefore...
Context is always important... Summarize the previous paragraph in one or two sentances,
and show how it connects with the new paragraph.
Paul is saying that that the way that these people had been living their lives is not the
way that they were brought up. Paul is encouraging them to begin a new way of life as a
Christian. In the next few paragraphs Paul is suggesting ways to live their new lives as
Christians more thoroughly.
3. Vs. 25: Why is telling the truth so important?
Why do people not tell the truth?
What should we do when they don't?
Ephesians 4:25 say that we should stop telling lies because we are a part of a whole
congregation. As Christians we are not independent individuals, we are people who are
united through faith to form one body. By lying we deny each other the truth which
changes decisions we would make and the way we would act. (Carson 1240) By not telling
the truth, we can jeopardize the relationship of the believers. (Fee 189) People
sometimes do not tell the truth because they are afraid. In the end the consequences of
not telling the truth tend to be worse than if someone had told the truth in the first
place. Often, this is hard to see, this is what makes telling the truth difficult for
many people. When someone doesn't tell the truth, it is good to let him or her know how
their decision has hurt people. Sometimes people don't tell the truth because they think
that it would be in the best interest of themselves, or someone else, if they withheld,
or changed some of the information. It is important to inform people who lie about the
impact of their actions.
4.Vs. 26: Paul says we should be angry. What were you taught a child about anger?
Give one or two examples of when we should and shouldn't be angry.
What is the danger (sin) in being angry?
What are appropriate ways to deal with anger?
As a child I was taught that it was okay to be angry or mad sometimes, but it is
important to know how to deal with our emotions so that we don't hurt other people. I was
told that if we are angry with someone, we should tell that person how we feel and why we
fell that way. Then, we should work together to find a solution so that both of us will
be happy. Before we are done we should forgive the person, because we all make mistakes.
It is also important to realize our own faults, as well as others. We also learned not to
stay angry for too long, holding anger inside builds up, and when it is released, it can
be hurtful. Not dealing with our anger is not constructive behavior. Lastly we learned
that we don't always have to be angry when something doesn't go our way; it is okay to be
frustrated, but sometimes you can't have everything your way. Learning how to adapt and
accept others differences will help to avoid feelings of anger and frustration. It is
okay to be angry when someone hurts you or someone else, but do not get angry just
because things aren't exactly the way you like them, or the way that you are used to. We
also learned that you shouldn't get angry when things don't turn out the way you
expected. As Stephen Schwartz wrote in Godspell: 
Don't forget that when you get to
Heaven you'll be blessed...
Yes, it's all for the best...
Sometime things happen that we don't expect, and sometimes it makes us angry, but in the
end it is all for the best. Paul is warning us to watch our behavior when we are angry.
When Paul says, Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. He is warning us
not to go to bed angry, so we can resolve things before a new day starts. In the West,
anger is thought of as a sign of manliness, but in the Jewish culture it is thought of as
a divisor and a corrupting power. Anger is socially destructive and it withdraws and
comes between people in a congregation. (Carson1240) Throughout the book of Ephesians,
Paul emphasizes unity amongst the congregation.
5. Vs. 28: What is Paul's' counsel about why we should work?
What should we do with the money we earn from working?
How can we determine how much money to spend on out selves and how much to give to the
needy? When is enough - enough?
Christians say that all things that they do should be done in service to Christ.
According to Ephesians 4:28, manual labor is good. Jesus was a carpenter, therefor, How
could the followers of the carpenter do other than welcome manual work? (Morris 233)
Verse 28 also talks about thieves; thieves should stop stealing and work, so that they
may have something to share. It's not enough that they stopped stealing, in addition they
must do some good. (Barker 1799) What we earn we should share with those less fortunate,
it is enough when we have gone beyond helping ourselves, and have helped others.
6. Vs. 30: How do we grieve the Holy Spirit? What is the seal that marks us?
Grieving the Holy Spirit is similar to extinguishing a flame of some sort; when it tells
us not to grieve the Holy Spirit it is saying don't put out the spirit's fire. (Morris
175) In most Christian religions, baptism is a symbol of rebirth in Christ. Baptism is
also referred to as a seal, or mark of redemption to let the baptized into heaven. 
7. 5:1-2 is a very nice summary statement. Paraphrase this in a simple sentence. How can
we be imitators of God?
Instead of being angry, we should reflect on God's forgiving character, and the
self-sacrificial love of Jesus who died on the cross for us. (Carson 1240) We should
forgive those who lie and steal, and also those who make us angry to continue serving God
as an impression of the spirit of Jesus here on Earth. It is not only a means of
salvation, but also a way that we can live for the sake of others. (Baker 1799)
8. Paul is commited to salvation by faith, yet he puts a lot of emohasis upon right 
ethical behavior. What is your understanding of the relationship between salvation and
ethics?
Salvation is a concept I'm not completely clear on yet. My understanding so far is that
people do not receive salvation by the things they do but the way they live their life.
It is hard to lead a fulfilling life of faith without some basic morals. Paul is only
giving us some ethical guidelines so that a life in faith will be a little less
confusing.
Bibliography
Works Sited
Baker, Kenneth The NIV Study Bible. Zondervan Publishing House. Grand 
Rapids, MI. 1995.
Carson, D. A., France, R.T., Motyer, J. A., Wenham, G. J. New Bible 
Commentary 21st Edition. Intervarsity Press, Leicester, England. 1994.
Fee, Gordon D. Paul's Letter to the Philippians. William B. Eerdmans's 
Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI. 1991.
Morris, Leon. The First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians. William B. 
Eerdmons's Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI. 1991.