212-9-Ephesians
Ephesus was: 1.
Visited briefly by Paul returning from his 2nd mission. 2. The junction of several trade routes. 3. The capital of the Roman province of
Asia. 4. Population of about 250,000. 5.
The site of pagan Temple of Artemis (Diana) which was one of the 7 Wonders of
the Ancient World. It measured 425'X225' with 127 columns which were 60 feet
high. 6. A center of literature and
art.
7. Paul taught here for about 2 years on his 3rd mission. (Acts 19:10,
18) 8. Worshippers of Diana revolted
against Paul here. (Acts 9:23-24) 9.
The Book of Revelation (1:11 and 2:1-8) refers to Ephesus as one of the 7
Churches. 10. It had a famous theatre
which was said to hold 25,000 people.
11. Tradition says that John the Revelator spent several years of his
life here and so may have Mary, the mother of the Savior. 12. Most of the converts from here had been
Gentiles. (2:11-14)
Ephesians was one of Paul's "Letters of
Imprisonment." (Ephesians 4:1) By this time, Paul has been a missionary
for 30 years. (Ephesians 4:1) It was written at the same time as Colossians and
Philippians (61-61 AD) and delivered to Ephesus by Tychicus. (He is mentioned 5
times (Acts 20:4; Col.4:7; Eph. 6:21; 2 Tim. 4:12; Titus 3:12) It may have been a circular
letter for many branches in Asia. Philemon was the other Prison Epistle.
Ephesians is most similar to Colossians. Of the 155 verses in Ephesians, 78 are
also found in Colossians.
Members of the restored Church will find in Ephesians a
checklist of characteristics of Christ's true church. Not tied to particular
problems, it vividly challenges Saints to be worthy of their high calling.
(Anderson p. 262) Doctrines to look for include; foreordination, restoration,
the Holy Spirit of Promise, grace, Church leadership, Christ's love, unity of
faith, righteous living, spousal love, honoring of parents, and the armor of
God.
Chapter 1
Vs. 1 - Note that Paul certifies his call as an apostle
of Jesus in the 1st verse of most his epistles.
Vs. 2 - Grace and Peace are major themes of this epistle.
Grace appears 12 times and peace 7.
Vs. 3, 17, 20 - Paul has no question about the question
as to whether Heavenly Father and Jesus are distinct individuals.
Vs. 4 - Another apparent reference to the Pre-earth life.
(John 9:2; Romans 8:29; 1 Peter 1:2; Alma 13)
Vs. 5 - The Greek "Prophoridzo" (here translated predestinated) means to
anticipate, to set before or to cause in advance. It does not imply a
deprivation of agency. "The
doctrine of election has been distorted by post-apostolic Christians who, in
affirming the immateriality of God, deny the premortal existence of man.
Prominent theologians have compounded these errors with another: the doctrine
of unconditional election or predestination to salvation or damnation as touted
by Augustine in the 4th century and later by John Calvin in the 16th. It is
argued that since fallen man, being depraved, can be saved only by divine
grace, it logically follows that God must determine who will and who will not
partake of that grace. One is numbered among God's elect, not for any act of
his, but by God's good pleasure." (Turner
"Studies in Scripture V. 6":109) President Hinckley's Patriarchal blessing
given to him when he was 11 years old by a man he never saw before nor again,
"The nations of the earth shall hear thy voice and be brought to a
knowledge of the truth by the wonderful testimony which thou shalt bear."
(CR Spring 2006)
Vs. 10 - The dispensation of the fullness of times. See
BD p. 657, "Dispensations". D&C 121:26-32; 124:41; 27:13;
110:11-16; 112:3-34; 128:18;TPJS p. 193. “This is the dispensation of the fullness of times, and we
see running into it, as mighty streams rush into the ocean, all the former
dispensations, putting us in touch with them, putting them in touch with us;
and we see that God has had but one great purpose in view from the beginning,
and that has been the salvation of His children. And now has come the final
day, the final dispensation, when truth and light and righteousness must flood
the earth” (BHRoberts CR, Oct. 1904)
Vs. 13 - "The Holy Spirit of Promise is the Holy
Spirit promised the saints or in other words the Holy Ghost. This name-title is
used in connection with the sealing and ratifying power of the Holy Ghost, that
is, the power given him to ratify and approve the righteous acts of men so that
those acts will be binding on earth and in heaven. All covenants, contracts,
bonds, obligations oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or
expectations, must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, if they are to have
efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead, for all
contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead."
(D&C 132:7 DNTC 2:493-4) Being sealed by the "Holy Spirit of
Promise" is the same as having your calling and election made sure. See
TPJS p. 149 & 2 Peter 1:4-19
Chapter 2
Vs. 8 - Ultimately, all are saved by grace. Works cannot
save us, but obedience to God's commandments cannot be ignored. Paul taught
that we are saved not by faith alone nor by works alone, there must be a
balance. The grace versus works controversy is, as C.S. Lewis once commented
like asking which blade in a pair of scissors is more necessary (Mere
Christianity, 129). Faith and works are two sides of the same coin. The
emphasis is not going to the extreme with either one, but maintaining balance.
(Ogden p. 202) See Hymn #111 2nd verse.
Vs. 12-14 See also 2:19-20; 4:3-6; 4:11-14; D&C
105:3-5. -More unity scriptures. The wall of partition mentioned in 2:14 is an
apparent reference to the 4 1/2' stone wall around the temple with signs
warning gentiles to keep out.
What do a foundation and
a cornerstone do for a building? The foundation provides strength and support
for the building. As the first stone placed in a foundation, the cornerstone is
the reference point for the placement of all other foundation stones and
determines the position of the whole building. It also helps to anchor the
walls in place.
Chapter 3
Vs. 1 - Paul is in prison because of his testimony of
Jesus. See also Rev. 1:9
Vs. 4 - "Paul employs the term mystery 20 times in
his letters in discussing Christ, the gospel, the resurrection, Israel, the
Gentiles, speaking in tongues, iniquity and godliness. A mystery is a sacred
truth made known by revelation. 3 mysteries are discussed in Ephesians." One
is discussed in ch. 3, "Salvation of the Gentiles". Another is the
events of the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times (1:10) and the third is
Marriage and the Church; "Just as the saints become members of his body,
of his flesh and of his bones, so those married for eternity in the Lord become
one flesh with each other - Eph. 5:30-33. (Turner in Studies in Scripture 6:136-139)
Vs. 17 - Neal A. Maxwell- “The cares and anxieties of the world
are pervasive and persistent. They also vary widely from person to person. But
it is usually the case (whatever the objective load of these cares is and even
if it is actually small) that these worries will expand so as to fill whatever
worry space is available in that individual. Thus what may be an easily
manageable load for one person may seem overwhelming to another. Hence the need
for us to put in perspective the cares and anxieties of the world. Otherwise
the cares and anxieties will spread, crowding out space needed for spiritual
things. “…It is well, then, to put the cares of the day and the anxieties of
the moment in the context of the things of eternity. After all, the little
things are little. “Peter and Paul urged us to become ‘grounded,’ ‘rooted,’
‘established,’ and ‘settled’ (Col.1:23;
2:7; Eph. 3:17).
Being thus settled does not immunize us against trials, but it does against
concerns over the basic realities about God, life, meaning, and the universe.
We can and will be tried tactically, but this can occur without our calling
into question the whole strategy of God's plan of salvation. Enduring involves
coping with those moments when we cannot give an easy explanation for what is
happening to us or around us, but we can still know that God loves us (1 Nephi 11:17).” (If
Thou Endure It Well p.127.)
Chapter 4
Vs. 5 - see D&C 1:30
Vs. 11-14-Reasons we need apostles & prophets
Vs. 17-19 - Our walk should be different
Vs. 26 - Note the JST- “A cunning part of [Satan’s]
strategy is to dissociate anger from agency, making us believe that we are
victims of an emotion that we cannot control. We hear, ‘I lost my temper.’
Losing one’s temper is an interesting choice of words that has become a widely
used idiom. To ‘lose something’ implies ‘not meaning to,’ ‘accidental,’
‘involuntary,’ ‘not responsible’—careless perhaps but ‘not responsible.’ “‘He
made me mad.’ This is another phrase we hear, also implying lack of control or
agency. This is a myth that must be debunked. No one makes us mad. Others don’t
make us angry. There is no force involved. Becoming angry is a conscious
choice, a decision; therefore, we can make the choice not to become angry. We choose!”
(LGRobbins Ensign, May 1998)
Vs. 29- Paul encouraged the Saints to avoid “corrupt
communication,” including all forms of inappropriate speech: lying, deceit,
vulgar or profane expressions, gossip, irreverent or disrespectful speech, &
offensive, corrupt, degrading, belittling, or profane language, among others.
Chapter 5
Vs. 5 - Shortly after Paul says we are saved by grace, he
devotes ch. 5 to what we must do, to be saved.
Vs. 25- “A woman need have no fear of being imposed upon
or of any dictatorial measures or of any improper demands when the husband is
self-sacrificing and worthy. …“Husbands are commanded: love your
wives, even as Christ also loveth the church, and gave himself for it.’ (Eph. 5:25.) “Christ loved the church and its people so much
that he voluntarily endured persecution for them, suffered humiliating
indignities for them, stoically withstood pain and physical abuse for them, and
finally gave his precious life for them. “When the husband is ready to treat
his household in that manner, not only the wife but all the family will respond
to his leadership.” (SWKimball, Ensign, Jan.
1975, 5).
Vs. 22-33 - See D&C 121:36,37,41.
Chapter 6
Vs. 1-4 - A good family home evening.
Vs. 5-9 -Perhaps
30% of people in the Roman Empire were slaves. The Church did not advocate
social reform. Advise here is given to servants and masters.
Vs. 11-18 - "Put on the Whole Armor of God" by
Harold B. Lee-"Speeches of the Year, 1954, p. 2-7"
The most deadly contest in life is not with human enemies
but with the devil.
“The weapons of eternal worth reflecting the whole armor
of God are truth, righteousness, faith,
prayer, and the word of God (see Eph.
6:13–18). These weapons are wielded in our minds, mouths, and
movements. Every righteous thought, word, and deed is a victory for the
Lord. …
“The stakes are extremely high. The prizes are the very
souls of the sons and daughters of God, their eternal salvation. And these
souls will be won or lost on the basis of virtue and cleanliness, on the basis
of charity and service, and on the basis of faith and hope” (RCOaks, Ensign May 2005, 49–50).
212-9 - Galatians
Paul
wrote to the Saints in Galatia, deeply concerned that they were straying from the Lord by following the
teachings of some who sought to “pervert the gospel” (1:6–7). Details in
the letter make clear that these people were Jewish Christians—sometimes
referred to as Judaizers by New Testament commentators—who were
teaching Gentile Christians the false doctrine that they had to be circumcised
and observe the ritual requirements of the law of Moses in order to be saved.
Who are the Galatians? In the third century BC, a group
of Celts from Europe invaded Asia Minor and settled in what is now north
central Turkey. The Romans called Celts Galli, hence this region was called
“Galatia.” It was an independent
kingdom opposed to the Hellenistic (Greekspeaking) kingdoms of Asia minor, it
eventually was made a client kingdom and then in 25 BC a province of the Roman
Empire. The region of Laconia in south
central Asia Minor was added to the province for administrative purposes. This
included several Greek cities and Roman colonies, including ones visited by
Paul and Barnabas in the “First” Missionary Journey of AD 46–48. See BD
p. 744
This epistle has been called a declaration of
independence from Judaism. The terms free and freedom are used 11 times in the
letter (Ogden p. 159) Luther used this epistle and Romans as the basis for his
split with the Catholic Church. The idea that we are saved by faith and not by
obedience to the law. We remember that Paul is speaking of the Law of Moses and
not the law of the Gospel.
Paul’s
main purposes in writing the Epistle to the Galatians included
(1) defending himself against the accusations of the false teachers who
opposed him; (2) teaching that all people, whether Jew or Gentile, are
saved by the Atonement of Jesus Christ by placing their faith in Jesus Christ,
not by performing the works of the law of Moses; (3) clarifying the role
of the law of Moses in God’s plan; (4) distinguishing between the old
covenant God made through Moses and the new covenant in Christ; and
(5) calling upon the Saints to live by the Spirit.
Chapter 1-This
chapter is important in learning about Paul's pre and early Christian life. In
vs. 10-12 he makes it clear that he was not called by man, but by God. In vs.
14 he tells that he was anything but a wishy-washy Jew before his conversion.
Vs. 15-19 tell about his early Christian years.
Chapter 2 -
Vs. 1-10 tells of taking a gentile convert named Titus to Jerusalem. In vs.
10-16 Paul tell about an interesting disagreement he had with Peter because of
Peter's not being willing to hang out with the Gentile converts when the Jews
were around. Remember that when Paul talks of the law (as he does in vs. 16 and
frequently throughout his epistles) he is speaking of the Law of Moses and not
the fullness of the gospel as taught by Jesus and the apostles. In vs. 21 Paul
teaches that if salvation came through the law of Moses then Christ suffered and
died in vain. This same argument is made in Romans. Both texts have been
misunderstood as Christians have used them to save we are not saved by our
works. (vs. 21)
Chapter 3 - In vs. 7-8 Paul says
that as gentiles accept the ordinances of the gospel they are adopted into God's
family, thus it is adoption and not circumcision that saves. Vs. 24-25- “Our
willingness to accept change in the kingdom helps the Lord hasten His work
(see D&C 88:73).
Resistance to inspired change hinders progress of the kingdom. For example, in
the last half of the New Testament a major challenge the Church faced was the
issue of gentile converts being assimilated as Christians. This issue surfaces
in the book of Acts and is a theme in many of Paul’s epistles. The problem
stemmed from the fact that many Jewish Christians felt that gentile converts
should be required to adhere to the ceremonial law of Moses. Even Peter’s
dramatic revelation in the case of Cornelius, that the gospel should be taught
to the Gentiles (see Acts 10–11),
did not wipe the slate clean. And even after a special council in Jerusalem
decided that the gentile converts need not be subject to the law and an epistle
was written explaining this decision, the issue remained a source of contention
and division (see Acts 15).
This was a major change for the Church, and many members struggled with it.
“… Many Jews, and even Jewish Christians, …
had lost sight of the intent and proper position of the law. One reason for
this was the unauthorized addition of requirements and traditions around the
law that helped obscure its real intent. These additions and traditions were no
longer a ‘schoolmaster … unto Christ’ (Galatians 3:24),
‘pointing our souls to him’ (Jacob 4:5),
but rather were so burdensome and consuming that many Jews looked ‘beyond the
mark’ (Jacob 4:14)
and put the perverted law in place of the Lawgiver Himself. …“… I
hope when we face change in the kingdom we can be like Paul and help foster
that change rather than reacting like those who fought the change and hindered
the progress of the work” (Paul Johnson SM p. 416-417)
Read vs. 27 the next time someone tells you that baptism
in not necessary.
Chapter 4 - In
vs. 7-9 Paul marvels that with the blessings of accepting the ordinances
associated with the gospel that some return to their former life. Vs. 14-19
Paul extends his marveling that with the great love shown to him at the time of
the Galatian's conversion that they would not be faithful when he was not
present.
Chapter 5
- In vs. 14-15 Paul gives
another of his pleas for unity. Vs. 19- 21 list the fruits of the carnally
minded, while vs. 22-26 tell of the fruits of those who are spiritually minded.
Chapter 6 -
Vs. 1-2 is a request for the saints in Galatia to reach out to their fallen
brethren and lead them back into the Church. (Mosiah 18) Vs. 5-9 contain some
of his finest Paulisms.
212-8 - 2
Corinthians
A follow-up letter apparently written a few months after
1 Cor. From Macedonia, near the end of Paul's 3rd mission. 2 Cor. is not a
great doctrinal letter but an intense letter of relationship, a letter standing
above all others in revealing Paul's feelings about the gospel and his
converts. (Anderson, p. 132. ) 2 Corinthians serves as a call for all Saints to
remain true and faithful to the eternal covenants they have made with God, the
Eternal Father, no matter the circumstances or the consequences.
Shortly after
Paul wrote 1 Corinthians, a riot developed in Ephesus in opposition to his
teachings (Acts 19:23–41), and
he departed to Macedonia (see Acts 20:1; 2 Cor. 2:13;7:5). It appears that
while he was there he wrote 2 Corinthians, likely about A.D. 57. Much
of 2 Cor. addresses the problems caused by unwelcome teachers. Paul
referred to them as “false apostles” and “deceitful workers,” who were
“transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ” (2 Cor. 11:13).
Chapter 1
Vs. 1 - Timothy and Achaia
Vs. 2-3 - Paul is not confused upon the issue of whether
or not Heavenly Father and Jesus are the same person.
Vs. 4 - Note a reason for us being comforted in our times
of affliction and an expectation from the Lord when he comforts us. “‘Was I sorry
that I chose to come by handcart? No. Neither then nor any minute of my life
since. The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to
pay, and I am thankful that I was privileged to come in the Martin
Handcart Company.
Vs.
11- Paul and Poll believe that our prayers for each other make a difference.
Vs. 12-24 - Paul explains that he had intended to visit
the Saints in Corinth previously, but had not been able to.
Vs. 19- For the obedient, all the promises of God are
YEA!
Vs. 22 - Paul teaches us that the Spirit is our
"earnest money" that God will have us home. Thus, we are sealed with
the Holy Spirit of Promise. See Ephesians 1:13 & D&C 88:3-4.
Chapter 2
Vs. 5-11- "There is no peace in reflecting on the
pain of old wounds. There is peace only in repentance and forgiveness. (GBH
Ensign, June 1991, p. 5) D&C 64:9-11.
“When we take the position of withholding forgiveness from our fellow men, we are
attempting to block his progress towards salvation. This position is not
Christlike. We are endeavoring to impede the progress of a living soul and deny
him the forgiving blessings of the atonement. This philosophy is saturated with
impure motives that are designed to destroy the soul” (Caldwell, Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants, 1:314)
Chapter 3
Vs. 2 & 3 - What kind of an epistle am I? "This work will be judged by
what the world sees of our behavior." (GBH, Ensign, Nov. 1996)
Vs. 6 - The letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth light.
A comparison of the Law of Moses with the fullness of the gospel. Richard
Poll's, what kind of a Latter-day Saint are you, a hold to the rodder or
Liahoner?
Vs. 15 & 16 & 17 - Having the scriptures is not
enough. We need to have the veil taken away
Chapter 4
Vs. 16-18- "It
is interesting that Paul uses the term ‘light affliction.’ This comes from a
person who was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned, and who experienced
many other trials I doubt many of us would label our afflictions light. Yet in
comparison to the blessings and growth we ultimately receive, both in this life
and in eternity, our afflictions truly are light” (Paul Johnson, Ensign, May 2011)
Chapter 5
Vs. 20 - Ambassadors for Christ
Vs. 17-21 - Reconciled to God. 2 Nephi 25:23; Jacob
4:10-11
Verse 21 is also one of the clearest scriptural statements on the purpose of the
Atonement and the way we are reconciled to God. Paul taught, “For he hath made
him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness
of God in him” In other words, as a result of His Atonement, Jesus Christ can
say to us, “I will take your sins and I will give you my righteousness.” Jesus
Christ became a vicarious sacrifice for our sins, meaning that all of our sins
were laid upon Him and He bore them, even though He had never sinned. Because
of this great sacrifice, upon condition of our repentance, we can share in the
Savior’s righteousness.
Chapter 6
Vs. 3-10- The responsibilities of ministers of Christ.-
What those who are called to serve must be willing to do.
Vs. 12 - Bowels are the center of pity and kindness
Vs. 14 - The Law of Moses prohibited the yoking of two
animals not the same kind, i.e., an ox and a donkey. True in marriage and where
else? See DNTC 2:427
Chapter 7
Vs. 8-10- “Godly
sorrow is a gift of the Spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions have
offended our Father and our God. It is the sharp and keen awareness that our
behavior caused the Savior, He who knew no sin, even the greatest of all, to
endure agony and suffering. Our sins caused Him to bleed at every pore. This
very real mental and spiritual anguish is what the scriptures refer to as
having ‘a broken heart and a contrite spirit.’ (3 Ne. 9:20; Moro. 6:2;D&C 20:37; 59:8; Ps. 34:18; 51:17; Isa. 57:15.) Such a
spirit is the absolute prerequisite for true repentance” (ETBenson, Ensign, Oct. 1989, 4).
Chapter 8 &
9 Hard to read chapters with a
very easy and important message; give as Christ gave. Note especially vs. 8: 9,
14 and 9:6, 7, 8, 12, 15.
Chapter 10
Vs. 5- “Thoughts
are the material from which belief is built, and to be saved men must believe
and therefore think the right things. We are, therefore, expected to govern our
thoughts. ‘Let thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord.’ (Alma 37:36.) ‘Let
virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly.’ (D. & C. 121:45.) ‘Our thoughts will also condemn us.’ (Alma 12:14.)” (DNTC 2:438). Total obedience
=clean thoughts
Vs. 10 & 11 - An important message taught throughout
the scriptures, that he who the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies and we ought to
be careful to not be critical of those, whether it be us or another. Ex. 4:10 (Moses); Moses 6:31 (Enoch); Judges
6:15 (Gideon); 1 Samuel 9:21 (Saul); Jeremiah 1:6 (Jeremiah); Conference Report
Oct. 1943 p. 16 (SW Kimball). See also
Pat Holland's comments in Student Manual.
Vs. 18 - Whose approval is important?
Chapter 11
Vs 1 & 2- Who are we spiritually married to?
Vs. 19 - Who do we listen to ahead of apostles?
Vs. 24-28 - What has Paul suffered to fulfill his
calling?
Chapter 12
1-4 - See I Corinthians 15 - Paul's vision of the 3
heavens.
Vs. 7-10 - "Much has been written about Paul's thorn
in the flesh. Numerous hypotheses have been advanced by way of identifying the
thorn, including; stuttering, epilepsy, a shrewish wife, an eye affliction,
malaria, some mortal antagonist, or some spiritual weakness. Whatever it was,
he knew why it was there, lest I should be exalted above measure. He had
pleaded with the Lord to take it away, but he learned, as we all do, that the
Lord intentionally gives each of us weaknesses to keep us humble, (Ether 2:27),
If we let them accomplish their appointed purpose, weaknesses will not weaken
us but strengthen us."(Ogden p. 157)
Chapter 13
Vs. 10 - Sometimes it is easier to say hard things from a
distance, by letter, phone, having someone else relay the message or by text.
