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Dimensions of Grace in Ephesians



Ephesians captures many dimensions of God’s grace.  I offer an overview here with
quotes from the English Standard Version.

1.     Goal of the Mission of the Triune God:
a. God has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing, chose us before the foundation of the earth to be holy and blameless before Him in love, predestined us to be His adopted children—to the praise of His glorious grace with which He blessed us in the Beloved (Ephesians 1.3-6).
b. Christ has redeemed us with his blood, forgiven our trespasses, lavished his grace upon us, made known the mystery of God’s will in Christ to unite all things in heaven and earth under one head, made us heirs that we might be for the praise of his glory (1.7-12).
c. The Spirit has sealed us, guaranteeing our inheritance to the praise of his glory (1.13-14).

2. Revelation of grace: Ephesians 1:17-18 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him,  18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened,

3. Content of grace: Ephesians 3:6 … that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

4. Understanding of grace: Ephesians 1:18 … you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints,

5. Empowering of grace: Ephesians 1:19 … and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.

6. Ministry of grace: Ephesians 3:7 Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power.

7. Motivation of grace: Ephesians 2:4 … But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us.

8. Salvation by grace: Ephesians 2:5-6 … even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-- by grace you have been saved--  6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

9. Extent of salvation by grace: Ephesians 2:10 … For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

10. Indwelling of grace: Ephesians 3:16-17 … I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit,  17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love…. Ephesians 3:20   20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine,…

11. Future of grace: Ephesians 2:7 … so that in the ages to come he might show the
immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

12. Means of grace: Ephesians 2:13 … But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
           
13. Effects of grace: Ephesians 2:14-18 … For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.  15 He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace,  16 and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it.  17 So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near;  18 for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father…. (cf. 3.12) 22 in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

14. Stewardship of grace:  Ephesians 3:2 … assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you….  This involves suffering: Ephesians 3:1 This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles--        ... Ephesians 3:13 I pray therefore that you may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory.

15. Prayer of grace (Eph. 3.16-19):
a. for strength within through the Spirit’s power: Ephesians 3:16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit,
b. for Christ’s indwelling
            i. through faith
            ii. rooted and grounded in love
c. for understanding of the dimensions of Christ’s love
d. so that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.

16. The ultimate goal of grace: Ephesians 3:20-21 … Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine,  21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

17. Response to grace: Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

18. Administration of grace in the Church: Ephesians 4:11-13 The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,  13 until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.
a. No longer living with futile and darkened minds, ignorant and hard-hearted, with no  sensitivity and having abandoned themselves to licentiousness with an insatiable desire for the work of uncleanness (4.19)
b. Instead, speak the truth in love to each other (4.15, 25) as you were taught in Christ: Ephesians 4:22-23   22 You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts,  23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
c. Imitate God and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us (5.1f).

19. Living in grace in the family (5.21-6.9)

20. Standing in grace against the devil: truth, righteousness, Gospel of peace, faith, salvation, Spirit, word of God, and prayer in the Spirit (6.14-18).

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