Liveblogging the Bible: Ephesians

The end of this undertaking is in sight, which means, if I approach it the way I usually do things, I will probably begin taking it seriously again.

1:3 I already like this book; Paul alerts us early that it's not about Christ at all, except tangentially.

1:4 Of course, if it treats this topic, namely predestination, it's bound for a sticky theological undertaking . . .

1:9 I can't help but think that Paul is using the royal "we" here, that when he says ". . . has made known to us" he is referring to his own personal revelations.

1:18 again, seemingly referring to a vision that he alone has witnessed, and hoping it for those he considers his brothers and sisters.

2:1 I'm feeling unaccountably moved by Paul's words here, by the tone of hope and charity that he is adopting. Really a contrast to some of his other letters.

2:5 a nice echo of 1:20, and a continuation of that as a metaphor

2:15 there is a definite pronoun blurring here, and I am a little reminiscent for the capitalization of "he" when it refers to God. That would clear up when Paul is talking about God, as opposed to Christ, although Paul himself seems to pass liquidly from one referent to the next. Does Paul really mean to say that Christ himself has broken down the walls, or that God has done it through Christ? If the former, it brings in an interesting question of agency.

3:3 Of course, there is little hope of the exact nature of this vision being made known. If it is at all as revelatory as Paul indicates, it is likely to be impossible to put into words. It occurs to me that John and Paul saw the same thing, but either John foolishly put it into words where Paul knew it could not be done, or John was able to put something into words that Paul couldn't quite grasp.

3:6 Or is it really just a simple truth that was revealed, as it was to Peter: that Gentiles and Jews are now one body in the eyes of God?

3:9 He certainly seems to indicate that there is more to it: a future plan, a mystery . . .

4:1 This is a much better framework for the works/faith question than we have seen elsewhere. The salvation of the Spirit is a done deal. Just try to be worthy of it.

4:16 If only Paul knew how disappointingly unable humans are of fulfilling his wish here, at least for any length of time.

4:25 Paul is hitting on what may the only universal truth here: that what is good for you is good for me, not because you are my brother, but because you are me.

4:30 and this ties nicely with what is said in 4:1. Rather than "do not sin", he tells them not to make the Holy Spirit sorry for its gift. . .

5:10 I love that he urges them to "try to find out what is pleasing in the Lord," rather than commanding them. He knows that sin is unavoidable.

5:21 before any mention of subjection to husbands, he instructs the Ephesians to be subject to one another. How is it possible for both people in a relationship to be the slave, and for both to be the master? That is the very definition of love.

5:22 which makes it difficult to reconcile this verse.

5:32 " great mystery" indeed, one that many spend a lifetime puzzling out.

5:33 He does seem to present a subtle double standard here. What is the difference between loving one as one's own body, as husbands are instructed to do, and respecting that person, as wives are directed?

6:2 not sure that what he says here holds water: Surely there are other commandments with promises, and compared to the weight Christ gave "love one another" et al.

6:4 although, reading further, this whole chapter just seems to one long "for example;"

6:13 What evil day? This is his first mention of it here, but he acts as if they will know what he is talking about.

6:13-17 I love this translation of a passage that was familiar to me in my youth. He makes it more clear here that he is speaking, not of a laundry list of qualities, but of focusing one's energy on what will make the Spirit proud.

6:22 Who are "we"? Paul in the royal here again, or is somebody with him?