Key Thoughts:
Ephesians:
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Colossians:
"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." (Colossians 2:9-10)
v Written to churches in the provinces of Asia (Ephesus, Colossae, Laodicea, Hierapolis, see Colossians 1:1, 4:13-16, Revelation 2-3)
v Greek speaking, heavily influenced by a mix of Greek and Roman culture
v Include references to a number of Paul's friends / companions: Tychicus, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (see Colossians 4:10-17 for more on these individuals)
v Follows the structure of a presentation of the gospel followed by a description of how that works out in our lives.
For example:
· The presentation of the gospel: Ephesians 1-3, and Colossians 1-2
· The working out of the gospel in our lives: Ephesians 4-6, and Colossians 3-4
v Ephesians and Colossians share common "theological" themes as outlined below
· Christ's supremacy:
- Colossians 1:15-23
- Ephesians 1:15-23
· What we have received in Christ, and our salvation
- Colossians 2:9-15
- Ephesians 1:1-14, 2:1-10
· Exhortation to remain in Christ
- Colossians 2:4-8, 16-23
- Ephesians 2:11-22
· What God has accomplished in the heavenly realms: the "mystery"
- Colossians 1:24-29
- Ephesians 3:1-13
v Ephesians and Colossians share common exhortations on the outworking of the gospel:
· Put off / Put on language which has to do with ceasing to live according to the former ways of paganism and beginning to live as a follower of Christ "in the light".
- Colossians 3:1-14
- Ephesians 4:17-24
· Mutual encouragement
- Colossians 3:15-17
- Ephesians 5:17-21
· Family
- Colossians 3:18-19
- Ephesians 5:22-33
· Children / Parents
- Colossians 3:20-21
- Ephesians 6:1-4
· Work Life (Slaves / Masters)
- Colossians 3:22-4:1
- Ephesians 6:5-9
· Exhortation to prayer
- Colossians 4:2-6
- Ephesians 6:18-19
Understanding of the Believer's Position in Christ and the Reality of Spiritual Warfare:
Ë Christ is seated in the heavenly realms far above all rule and authority (Eph. 1:20-23)
Ë We have been raised and seated with him (Eph. 2:4-6)
Ë The fullness of God is in Christ, and Christ is in us (Colossians 2:9-10)
Ë The spiritual forces of wickedness have been defeated (Colossians 2:15)
Ë Yet, they still war against us: our battle is not with flesh and blood but against principalities and powers in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6: 12)
Notes:
- Battle: indicates that our battle is not between inherently equal forces (earthly realm, spiritual realm). We need spiritual strength supplied by God
- Schemes: indicates a deliberate method by which the devil seeks to discourage us, or bring us down, or defeat us
Ë We are to stand, strengthened with the strength that God supplies (Ephesians 6:10-11)
- Indication is that we acquire strength by participating with God in receiving the strength that God gives. This is not our strength, but imparted strength
- Standing calls up the picture of remaining strong, and stationary
Ë We fight, not with aggression, but with the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-20)