EPHESIANS CHAPTER TWO - Made Alive in Christ Jesus

Method of Salvation

1  And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2  in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

“you were dead” literally translated from the Greek word:   “nekros nek-ros' from an apparently primary nekus (a corpse); dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun):--dead.”

In other words; you were a living being who was an empty shell - spiritually dead, devoid of the Spirit of God ( Colossians 2:13 ).  Because of this you were “unable to think, will, or do aught that is holy”. [2]

Trespass vs Sin – Is there a difference?

Trespass

Trespass is translated from the Greek word: “paraptoma par-ap'-to-mah from 3895; a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e. (unintentional) error or (willful) transgression:--fall, fault, offence, sin, trespass. see GREEK for 3895” [2].

To unintentionally willfully sin against another, or God.  An example might be to spread a malicious story about a person whether true of false.  

Sin – is translated from the Greek word “266 hamartia ham-ar-tee'-ah from 264; a sin (properly abstract):--offence, sin(-ful). see GREEK for 264” [2]

The words trespass and sin are very closely related.  “Sin is the death of the soul” [7] - Timothy writes of wanting from the Greek (to live in and for pleasure) sin - 1Timothy 5:6.  Often we fail to be the person God wants us to be. A person might not live as God wants them to live. That is *sin - ( Ephesians 4:18 ).

…2  in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

In verse 2  we see these words “you formerly walked according to the course of this world..”  - By using the word formerly Paul is contrasting how they used to live; doing as the carnal world.  “The course of this world” – literally the age of this world Paul states they were in a sinful state; see Galatians 1:4 ; because they lived in the world as carnal beings, given to the foolishness of this world or as in the present systems as described in  1 Corinthians 2:6, 2:12, 3:18-19.  God would have them and us live as He desires with wisdom, and a close relationship with Him; as it was in the beginning - ( Genesis 3:8 ).  

As believers in Christ; those who have believed, and those who will believe, are redeemed and become changed beings, changed by the Holy Spirit of Jesus and are a new creation no longer of this world ( 2^nd Corinthians 5:17 ). 

“according to the prince of power” – The word prince used here is  Satan who has authority in this world, and sways people away from God - ( 2 Corinthians 4:4;  Revelation 12:9).  Satan rules over this world as prince of the air, not supreme authority Isaiah 14:12-14.  Note: Satan has power, and is called the prince of this world; however he is subordinate to Jesus, the king, and judge of all - (Revelation 12:10-11).

We can clarify this by comparing these two references Ephesians 6:12  &John 12:31 – “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  And John 12:31 - “Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. [1]

Revelation 12:9  tells an allegorical historical event about war waged in heaven. Satan, the dragon, was cast down to earth with his angels having dominion over the earth.  This account is not to be confused with Satan being chained and cast into the bottomless pit for a thousand years (Revelation 20:2).

The “sons of disobedience” refers to the unbelievers who belong to Satan who are in darkness under his dominion - (Acts 26:18 ; Isaiah 30:9 )

“They disobey the Gospel both in faith and practice ( 2 Thessalonians 1:8 , 2 Corinthians 2:12 ).” [7]

3  Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

Paul is including himself in this verse, saying that man by his nature is carnal seeking gratification of the flesh.

All are born into sin.  The fall of man from grace was a result of Adams disobedience; Eve believed Satan’s lies.  She then using this lie convince Adam to sin ( Gen 3:1-11 ).

The phrase “children of wrath” comes from the Greek word: “orge or-gay' ; properly, desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e. (by analogy), violent passion (ire, or (justifiable) abhorrence); by implication punishment:--anger, indignation, vengeance, wrath. See GREEK for 3713” [2]

Those who are not children of God are Children of Satan; filled with anger; searching for fulfillment through the pleasures of the flesh; and filled with rage when they are not satisfied.

4  But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5  even when we were dead in our transgressions, 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, 7  so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

In verse 4, Paul speaks of grace, a gift of love from God, which awaits all who will accept Jesus as Messiah (John 5:24).  

In verse 5, Paul reminds them that even when we were “dead in our transgressions” He still loved us, and gives us eternal life, by grace, through Christ.

Verse 6 – “raised us up with Him” We, who believe in Jesus and the One who sent Him, are with Him in our spiritual walk, and through Him are seated with Him in the heavenly places.

Verse 7 is a promise of future richness of God’s grace Given to those who prevail to the end through Jesus the Christ - ( Revelation 3:21 )

8  For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

“by grace”  - not because we deserved salvation; but rather through His love for us we are given the chance to be saved from an eternity of darkness and torment.

“through faith”  - not through any works of our own (verse 9), but rather in the belief, and trust we have in Jesus as messiah our Lord.  Faith - ( Hebrews 11:1  -  Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.)

 “not of yourselves” - The Jews believed in salvation only through obedience to the law (works) handed down by Moses.

“not by works” - Man cannot claim salvation through his own works, for this would lead to self-acclamation.  Man has no claim on being worthy of the gift of salvation. (Romans 3:27  & 4:2 ).

10  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

“workmanship”  -  coming from the Greek word:  poiema poy'-ay-mah from 4160; a product, i.e. fabric (literally or figuratively):--thing that is made, workmanship. see GREEK for 4160 [2]

“good works”  - As a child of God, we were made anew in the image of Christ Jesus; to do good works to glorify Him as He glorified the Father.

Position of Gentiles
by Nature

11  Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12  remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

“Gentiles in the flesh” – Paul is telling them they are brothers not by circumcision of the flesh performed by man, but rather through spiritual circumcision of the heart by the Holy Spirit; who has sealed them as children of God through the blood of Jesus.  Now they are partakers in the covenant of promise through Christ Jesus (Colossians 2:11 & 3:11 ).

“separated from Christ”  -  Having no part in Jesus.  In other words Jesus was not in them (see also Colossians 1:21) . 

“excluded from the commonwealth of Israel”  - They had no part in the old covenant and were excluded from Israel, because they were not circumcised of the flesh, a sign of the Mosaic covenant.  

“having no hope and without God in the world” – Before their salvation there was no hope for the Gentile beyond this life.  ( Ephesians 4:18,19 & 22-23 ). They formerly did not have God in their lives; because they had not been told of God, and therefore, not knowing, had no hope beyond this world were trapped by their own ignorance ( Galatians 4:8) ).   

“without God” -  the Greek word for this phase is: “atheos ath'-eh-os from 1 (as a negative particle) and 2316; godless:--without God. see GREEK for 1 see GREEK for 2316.”  This is where the word atheist stems from.  Similarly the Sadducees had the stoic belief that after death there is nothing.  

13  But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

“Now” - As opposed to a time before they had Christ in their hearts.

“Far off” – A Jewish expression given to the Gentile; denoting their separation from God and thereby from Israel.  In John 10:16 Jesus speaks of some of the flock far off.

“brought near”  - The atoning blood of Jesus enabled the Gentile to be brought into a close relationship with Him (John 10:15-16). 

Jew and Gentile One Body
in Jesus

14  For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15  by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.

“Himself” – This word denotes Jesus and no one else is our peace with God.

“Barrier” -  Without Jesus man’s own sin and carnal nature prevented a relationship with God.  dividing wall  Referring to the separation between Gentile and God.  A stone wall separated the Gentile from the Jew in the temple.  In the King James version this barrier is called the middle wall.

“enmity” – enmity means hostility or extreme ill will that exists between peoples.  This enmity or barrier brought about by their carnality, was eliminated through the blood of Christ which has freed man form the “law of sin and death”.  In Romans 8:1-3 Paul talks the law sin and death being defeated.

“Law of commandments”  - This refers to the ordinances pass down through Moses to the Jew.  This same law is the causation of the barrier separating Jew and Gentile.

“one body to God”  Jesus fulfilled the law.  Jesus had satisfied the law and by His blood He has gathered his people into one body of believers (Colossians 3:15).

“Put to death enmity”  In gathering those who are in Him and He in them into one body of believers; He has dissolved the enmity which was between Gentile and Jew and between Gentile and God.

17  And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; 18  for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

“preached peace”  - Paul was preaching; no longer was there a separation between God and the circumcised and God and the uncircumcised for they are now one; through the blood of Jesus the Christ ( see also Acts 10:36  & Isaiah 57:19).

“through Him “ -  Jesus is our high priest acting on our behalf with the Father. see also Ephesians 3:12 .

“access in one spirit to God”  Paul is saying in other words that which Jesus spoke as recorded in John 14:6.   Both Jew and Gentile, who believe in Jesus as Messiah, alike have access to the Father because of the sacrifice of the Son.

The Church A Temple Dwelling
Place for the Spirit of God

19  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,  20  having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21  in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22  in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

“You are no longer strangers” The Gentiles as being uncircumcised and unbelievers were strangers to the saints and citizens of the family of God.  However through the blood of Jesus they are strangers no longer.

“the foundation”  The metaphor of the church as a building makes clear the need for a good foundation built upon a true coner stone. 

“the corner stone” – The corner stone is the first stone laid in a corner of the buildings foundation.  The corner stone must be strong and true; a perfect metaphor for Jesus.  This stone is laid in a corner of the building’s foundation.  The corner stone is the first and most important stone because all remaining stones ( the apostles and elders and followers) guided by the trueness of the corner stone (Jesus Ephesians 3:11, 3:17&18).

V21 - “in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord”. As in any building it grows from the corner stone, stone upon stone until it is completed.”  The church, is built upon Jesus, and each member is like a stone being part of the foundation guided by Jesus.

 V 22  - Each stone (member) is critical to the strength of the structure, each having a purpose; each depending on the other for stability, and for strength; while all are governed by the head of the church - “Jesus”.  The church (the body of believers) is the holy dwelling place of God.  With each member giving of their skills and gifts for the glory of Jesus.

Credits and Citations

[1] – All verses are copied from the New American Standard Bible

[2]- Greek translation are derived from Crosswire.org/study bible and Strong’s Exhaustive concordance

[4] – Wikipedia.org

[5] – commentary The Scofield bible and it’s commentaries.

[7] – Commentary Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown

[6] – Commentary Christian beliefs and behavior

[6]- Commentary  Alan Turner

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EPHESIANS - INTRODUCTION AND CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

The Pauline Epistles

The Pauline epistles, of Paul, or Letters of Paul, are the thirteen New Testament books which have the name Paul (Παῦλος) as the first word, hence claiming authorship by Paul the Apostle. Among these letters are some of the earliest extant Christian documents. They provide an insight into the beliefs and controversies of early Christianity and as part of the canon of the New Testament they are foundational texts for both Christian theology and ethics. The Epistle to the Hebrews, although it does not bear his name, was traditionally considered Pauline for a thousand years, but from the 16th century onwards opinion steadily moved against Pauline authorship and few scholars now ascribe it to Paul, mostly because it doesn't read like any of his other epistles in style and content.^[1] Most scholars agree that Paul really wrote seven of the Pauline epistles, but that four of the epistles in Paul's name are pseudepigraphic; scholars are divided on the authenticity of two of the epistles.

The Pauline epistles are usually placed between the Book of Acts and the General epistles in modern editions. Most Greek manuscripts, however, place the General epistles first,^[2] and a few minuscules (175, 325, 336, and 1424) place the Pauline epistles at the end of the New Testament. [4]

Background

“The letter to the Ephesians was written in Rome and was the first of the Prison letters (Acts 20-27; see Acts 28:30.)  Trchicus carried this letter along with Colossians and Philemon, Probably the two larger letters were written at the return of Onesimus to Philemon.  Ephesians is the most impersonal of Pau’s letters.  Indeed the words “at Ephesus” are not in the best manuscripts.  Colossians 4:16 mentions a letter to the Laodiceans.  It has been conjectured that the letter know as Ephesians is really the laodicean letter.  Possible it was sent to Ephesus and Laodicea without being addressed to any specific church.  The letter would then be “to the saints who are …faithful in Christ Jesus” anywhere.”

The Truths in Ephesians

“The doctrine of the Epistle confirms this view. It contains the highest church truth, but has nothing about church order. The church here is the true church, "His body," not the local church, as in Philippians, Corinthians, etc. Essentially, three lines of truth make up this Epistle: the believer's exalted position through grace; the truth concerning the body of Christ; and a walk in accordance with that position” [4]

This book has three major truths

1. The Christians position through Grace
2. The truth about the Body of Christ.
3. The live the believer lives in accordance with that position.

The book of Ephesians is broken down into 6 chapters which could be entitled thusly:

Chapter 1. The Blessings of Redemption.

Chapter 2. Made Alive in Christ.

Chapter 3. Paul’s Stewardship.

Chapter 4.  Unity of the Spirit.

Chapter 5.  Be Imitators of God.

Chapter 6.  Family Relationships and the Armor of God.

  The overall theme of this book is the Christs church which is the body of believers; with Jesus as it’s head.

Chapter One

The Blessings of Redemption

1  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul begins his letter by first stating his name as the author of the letter and secondly stating who he was writing to.

This part of the letter is known as the salutation.

Paul calls himself an apostle of Christ.

Translated from the Greek word: apostolos ap-os'-tol-os meaning one who is sent.

Does the word saint used here refer to persons who are without sin?

No! The word saints was translated from the Greek word hagios hag'-ee-os which meaning consecrated or set apart blameless through Jesus, dedicated to the holy service of God.

All who have accepted Jesus as savior and Lord of their lives and are dedicated to His service can be called saints. 

3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4  just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5  He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will 6  to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

In the original Greek manuscripts this doxology (verses 3-14) was one sentence praising God.  These verses, and the word predestined, might indicate to the unbeliever that we were preselected or predestined, and have no choice.  The word predestined is used six times in the New Testament.  Time was created by God (Gen 1: 2-5) for our benefit, and as its creator, God is not bound by His creation, as we are.    He see our time as one occurrence and therefore He knows our thoughts and actions before we were born even before the foundation of the earth.  He is Omniscient (complete knowledge).

7   In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8  which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight

Because of the fall of mankind through the sin of Adam (Gen 1:26); all sons and daughters of Adam share in this sin and are in need of redemption to be restored to a state of grace (Galatian 1:4).  All of mankind, who accept this sacrifice and confess with their lips Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:11; Romans 10-9), have been redeemed through the blood sacrifice of Jesus, and all shall be saved through the abundant Grace of God (Romans 10-9).  God does not forgive sin by any other sacrifice than that of blood.  Blood sacrifice is the ultimate sacrifice.  DNA (the bio instruction code), a determining code of who we are, is in our blood, and all our cells.  Our blood carries life giving oxygen and nourishment throughout our bodies.  Notice Paul uses the word lavished, which was translated from the Greek word perisseuo per-is-syoo'-o meaning abundance.  God does not apportion His grace in just sufficient quantity, but rather in abundance.

9  He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him.

 What does Paul mean when he says “the mystery of His will”?  Before Jesus, there was only the Law.  What then is this mystery?  Redemption through Jesus Christ our Lord.  God desires all, Jew and Gentile, to know His will and be saved Mathew 18:14.  The mystery is to be known only by those who believe in Christ Jesus.  The sacrifice of His Son Lord Jesus, who by His suffering and death; willing took upon Him the sins of the world. He rose from the dead having victory over the grave. By doing this He saves all who believe and gives us the hope of eternal life with Him in Paradise through His resurrection.  For those who do not believe there is no revelation of this mystery.

10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.

Time has always been an interesting subject probably, in part, because we are bound by time.  What is the fullness of time?  The fullness of times are the times as recorded in the Gospel.  The following are references to such times:

Galatians 4:4 – Time was full when Jesus was born.

Corinthians 10:11 – End of the ages.

Luke 21:24 – Until the time of the Gentile is completed.

Acts 1:7 – Not for us to know Gods times.

Acts 3: 20 & 21 – Restoration of all things through Christ Jesus (Colossians 1:20).

The Father has placed all of creation under the rule of Christ Jesus.

11  also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12  to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.

What is an inheritance, and what does it mean in this context?  The word inheritance is translated from the Greek word: kleroo klay-ro'-o meaning; to allot, i.e. (figuratively) to assign or pass down (a privilege). [2]  In this context I believe God has passed down through Jesus the keys to the kingdom.  The word predestined may mean, to some, that we have no choice.  This could not be further from the truth; in fact predestined in this context means Gods plan was conceived before time.  From the beginning God knew man would fall from grace and His plan was to afford us the chance to choose His Son as redeemer; this was His predetermined plan for us.  All Jews believed in the coming Messiah, the deliverer, as prophesied by the prophets.  They did not, however, realize that Christ Jesus was this promised deliverer.  Far too many people today fail to see Jesus as the son of God and the only way ( John 14:6 ) to eternal heavenly life with Christ Jesus.

13  In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,

This verse has so much to tell us; let’s break down this verse into some key components.  “You also” - with these words Paul a Jew was once again pointing to the inclusiveness of the Jew and Gentile in God’s plan for salvation.  “message of truth” can be explained in this way:  The message was given by Jesus, who had no deceit in Him, and therefore spoke only the truth, to all who would believe in Him. See also ( John 17:17 ).  Who is “the Holy Spirit of promise” and what is this promise?  Let’s read the following: Joel 2:28 ; Zechariah 12:10 ; John 7:38&39  “You and I were sealed in Him by the Holy Spirit of promise”.  To be sealed in this context means to be confirmed, by way of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, as an adopted child of God.   Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would come to all who believe and accept Jesus.

14  who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

Once again let’s break down this verse:  The “who” - is the Holy Spirit who is promised.  “Given as a pledge” - “The word pledge is translated from the Greek word: arrhabon ar-hrab-ohn' of Hebrew origin; a pledge, i.e. part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest:--earnest.”[4]  We can now see the Holy Spirit of God was given to us as a promise, a pledge of our inheritance to all who will believe ( Romans 8:23 ; 2 Corinthians 1:22 ). All of mankind has been purchased in blood by Jesus ( Acts 20:28 ).  Much to the sorrow of Jesus some of mankind will reject His sacrifice and be lost for all eternity ( 1 Timothy 5:15 ; Matthew 28:17 ).  “God’s own possession” – We, who are believers are His bond servants, belonging to Jesus, who has purchased us with His blood; we who are adopted into His kingdom, will then, by promise, receive our full inheritance as children of God.   

15  For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16  do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers

This verse is a continuation of verses 13 & 14 and therefore Paul uses the phrase “for this reason”.  We see Paul using the same words here as in the case of Philemon as recorded in Philemon 1:4 & 5.  The use of the words among you indicate to me that not all had this love of the saints.   Saints here means only those who by reason of anointing served God to spread the word as apostles of Jesus.  In verse 16 Paul writes words of being thankful to God for their devotion and offers the assuredness and encouragement of them being remembered in his prayers.  A true characteristic of Christianity is faith and love often found together in Paul’s writings.

; 17  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.

What do these words mean in this context “spirit of wisdom”?  Wisdom is the first and perhaps the most prized gift of the Holy Spirit.   In I Corinthians 2:10 Paul writes: “For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.”  The last few words of this verse shows Paul asking the Father to open their eyes to the knowledge of those things which were taught to them, by Christ, through Paul, his servant. 

This is a short prayer, I say when I read scripture.  Father open my eyes to the truths your word, and give me the wisdom to use this knowledge in your perfect will.

18  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

The “heart” is our very center of being, where our deepest emotions are kept.  “the eyes” - In this context the eyes, are  metaphorically described as the gateway to knowledge.  The eyes allow light into the mind to dispel the unknown; they serve to illuminate the mind to previously unknown things.  The eyes by themselves do not discern what is good and what is evil this comes only from God.  “heart may be enlightened” - Paul is calling for a deeper  knowledge of God to be revealed.  We cannot understand God’s calling for us unless our eyes are opened by the Holy Spirit and our love for Him is deepened (Matthew 6:22).   

…These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20  which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Nothing can compare with the power of God, who Became flesh, and lived as a man and was called the son of man, and as God’s only begotten Son was also called the Son of God.  Jesus the Son of man was tempted, tested and suffered as a mortal man; and being sinless as the Son of God, took upon Himself the sins of the world; atoning for the sin with His life on Calvary. Thus we see Gods perfect sacrifice, in Jesus.  He was raised from the dead to be glorified and to sit at the right hand (seat of power) of the Father for all the ages.

In verse 22 & 23 we see The Father placed all creation under His authority.

22  And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Jesus has authority over creation (Psalms 8:6  & 1 Corinthians 15:27 ).  Jesus is the head of the church and is Lord over all things; He has absolute authority.  The church is the body of believers; consisting of all who believe and accept Jesus as Lord of their lives and as such are in Him.  These are the believers who Jesus knew before the foundation of the world. God’s plan has been fulfilled by the Son of God and was then, and is now, the head of the church ( John 1:15-18 ; Colossians 1:15-19 ).

Credits and Citations

[1] – All verses are copied from the New American Standard Bible

[2]- Greek translation are derived from Crosswire.org/study bible and Strong’s Exhaustive concordance

[4] – Wikipedia.org

[5] - The Scofield bible and it’s commentaries.

[7] - Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown

[6]- Commentary  Alan Turner