John Mark Hicks

Parallel to Ephesians 4:17-19, Paul reminds the gentiles that they no longer participate in their past practices, the way of the nations. This is the case because they have been taught by the Jewish Messiah and live in harmony with the ethics of the God of Israel. They are now part of the commonwealth of […]

The focus of Paul’s prayer is not that the Ephesians would be filled with information (though Paul does want them to understand the mystery of Christ and live with wisdom) but that they might be filled with the fullness of God. He prays that through the Spirit strengthening their inner persons and Christ dwelling in […]

Woodmont Hills Church of Christ, February 17-19, 2025. The link below is a PDF copy of the 30+ page handout with bibliography shared with 50 ministers. This is the table of contents. Table of Contents                                                                                 Page Commentaries                                                                                            27 Special Studies                                                                                          28 Specific Texts                                                                                             29 Restoration Movement (Churches of Christ)                                     35 Videos/Podcasts                                                                                        37

Ephesians has two lengthy prayers. The first is in Ephesians 1:15-19, and the second is Ephesians 3:14-19. The first is followed by teaching material about God’s exaltation of Jesus to the right hand of God (1:20-23), and the second is followed by a doxology (3:20-21). Ephesians 1-3 begins with a doxology (1:3-14) and ends with […]

Paul opens the letter with a long blessing or doxology that is a single sentence (from verse 3 to verse 14). While our English translations do not reflect this (because that would be bad English), the rhetorical flare of the single Greek sentence is magnificent, explosive, and comprehensive. Summary Opening the letter by blessing God […]

Ephesians is Paul’s most comprehensive letter. It was intended for circulation among various congregations for public reading in their assemblies. The first three chapters unfold the mystery of God in Christ by the power of the Spirit as the plan of salvation, and the final three chapters invite believers to participate in that mystery by […]