Devotionals: Ephesians Archives

A Closing Blessing

By Andrew YoungJanuary 25, 2018Devotionals: Ephesians

“Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith…” (Ephesians 6:21) Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:21, 22 I can vividly remember the first time I heard these final words of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians used to close a worship service. It was back in 1982, in a Presbyterian Church in St Louis, USA. It struck me then, as it still does now, as an unusually rich benediction. “Peace be to the brothers,” writes Paul, “and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible” (Ephesians […]

A Beloved Brother

By Andrew YoungJanuary 24, 2018Devotionals: Ephesians

“Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord…” (Ephesians 6:21) Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:21, 22 The closing paragraphs of Paul’s letters, as with his introductions, are typically filled with spiritual gems. They may be brief, but they usually contain gold. In this case, as Paul approaches the end of his letter to the Ephesians, he informs his readers of the special task he has given Tychicus, the bearer of his letter to them. He describes Tychicus as a “beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:21). What a rich and generous affirmation this is. There is […]

Praying for Others

By Andrew YoungJanuary 23, 2018Devotionals: Ephesians

“…making supplication for all the saints…” (Ephesians 6:18) Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:18-20 Prayer, while critical for our own safety in spiritual warfare, is not to be entirely self-focused. Rather, the “prayer-without-ceasing” kind of life that we are called to (Ephesians 6:18) is to reach out and embrace “all saints,” and especially those who like Paul, are set apart to preach the gospel (vs. 19, 20). “To that end,” the apostle writes, “keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” (v. 19). The call to alertness – or to wakefulness – and to “all perseverance” is as relevant […]

Praying Without Ceasing

By Andrew YoungJanuary 22, 2018Devotionals: Ephesians

“…praying at all times in the Spirit…” (Ephesians 6:18) Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:18 Preparedness for spiritual warfare doesn’t consist only of putting on the armour of God. There is another activity without which we will never be able to stand against the devil in the “evil day” or deflect his flaming darts. That activity is unceasing prayer (Ephesians 6:18). “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication,” Paul writes as he completes his description of the armour of God. Clearly, prayer is meant to accompany putting on the belt of truth, the helmet of salvation, taking […]

Putting on the Armour of God

By Andrew YoungJanuary 21, 2018Devotionals: Ephesians

“Therefore take up the whole armour of God…” (Ephesians 6:13) Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:13-17 While the strength we need for spiritual warfare comes from Christ alone, there is nevertheless something we must do in the conflict we experience with hostile spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12). Our responsibility – or activity, if you will – is summarised by Paul in the exhortation to “Put on the whole armour of God” (vs. 11, 13). Clearly, the imagery of warfare brings to his mind the soldiers of his day and their protective armour and equipment. There is, he says, an “armour of God” that […]

Strength for Spiritual Warfare

By Andrew YoungJanuary 20, 2018Devotionals: Ephesians

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might…” (Ephesians 6:10) Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:10-12 From the opening words of his letter to Christians in Ephesus and its surrounds, Paul has been intent on helping them see their privileged position “in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). It is not surprising, then, that as he approaches the end of what he wants to say to them that he urges them for a final time to lay hold the resources they have in their new life in the Lord. “Finally,” he writes, “be strong in the Lord and in the […]

Bondservants and Masters

By Andrew YoungJanuary 19, 2018Devotionals: Ephesians

“Bondservants, obey your earthly masters… do the same to them…” (Ephesians 6:5, 9) Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:5-9 There is a third relationship basic to “households” in Paul’s day that he treats here, namely, that involving bondservants and masters – and mistresses, for that matter (Ephesians 6:5-9). In the case of believing bondservants (those purchased by their masters, effectively their property), the instruction is “obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ” (v. 5). Paul well knew the tendency to resentful sloth and “eye-service” (working only when watched) that characterised this class of […]

Children and Parents

By Andrew YoungJanuary 18, 2018Devotionals: Ephesians

“Children, obey your parents… Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger…” (Ephesians 6:1, 4) Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:1-4 The “Household Code” for Christian conduct (as this section of Paul’s letter is sometimes called) also embraces children and their parents. The marriage relationship comes first, but after that, the parental/filial one. Children are addressed first. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right,” Paul writes (Ephesians 6:1). Obedience to parents is a basic requirement for children. They are to do so “in the Lord,” that is, out of reverence for Christ, as consistent with living under his rule. […]

Husbandly Love

By Andrew YoungJanuary 17, 2018Devotionals: Ephesians

“Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…” (Ephesians 5:25) Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:25-33 Any thought that the “headship” role of husbands gives them the right to abuse their wives is immediately ruled out by what Paul says about their responsibility within the marriage relationship (Ephesians 5:25-31). In a word, husbands are to “love their wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (v. 25). Here, the word “love” carries its common New Testament meaning, namely, the thought of self-giving for the wellbeing of another. True love is “others-centred” […]

Wifely Submission

By Andrew YoungJanuary 16, 2018Devotionals: Ephesians

“Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:22) Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:22-24 Mention of Spirit-filled Christians submitting to one another (Ephesians 5:21) leads Paul to show how this is to work itself out in family and social relationships. The first expression of “submission” that he addresses is that of a wife to her husband. “Wives,” he writes, “submit to your own husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Saviour. Now as the church submits to […]