notes

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This page was automatically converted from a module that was shared prior to the release of Published Pages. Additionally, the arc below was auto-converted from the arc created by the author (which used the old module), and so it is possible there are misplaced logical relationships.

notes 1452680585621 Disclaimer This page was automatically converted from a module that was shared prior to the release of Published Pages. Additionally, the arc below was auto-converted from the arc created by the author (which used the old module), and so it is possible there are misplaced logical relationships.

Notes

2012-03-28 22:50:17

2012-03-31 16:51:09

I found this to be a very difficult passage to arc but, as always, worth the effort of pressing on until the logical connections begin to surface. One key interpretive question to ask is, why does Paul make this excursus before stating the substance of his prayer on their behalf in vv.14-21? Certainly it is more than that he got a bit side-tracked or that he forgot a few details back in chapter two. Consider the particular way he begins this digression, - εἴ γε ἠκούσατε... The conditional, " if indeed you have heard..." does not raise doubt concerning their knowledge of Paul's ministry. Of course many in Ephesus knew Paul well and were intimately acquainted with his ministry there. And although there would also be many who knew him only second-hand, such as new converts since his departure and those in churches he has never met who will receive this letter via its circuit (cf. Col. 2:1), the expression, "εἴ γε...," "implies a definite assumption: 'in as much as.' Though the protasis is conditional, its effect is to affirm rather than to deny or dispute." (see Eph. 4:21) (Expositors Bible Commentary, notes on v.2) Is this an If-Th clause - which finds its completion in v.13? If so, Paul is saying, "If indeed you have heard of my apostolic ministry (the nature of which is then elaboarted) , then do not lose heart at my suffering." If this is the case, then the whole excursus has little to do with motivating Paul's prayer, or at most is only secondarily offering support. It's primary aim is to encourage their hearts concerning his suffering. This to me seems unlikely. Another option is that the conditional phrase is looking back to what Paul has started to say in v. 1 and now qualifies something there, namely, the phrase, "...on behalf of you Gentiles." In this interpretation, the excursus is a full unpacking of the nature of Paul's ministry as it relates to being "... ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν τῶν ἐθνῶν." His entire ministry is for the sake of the Gentiles, these who once were, "separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world" (2:12). Paul has been given a gracious gift, a stewardship of making known this glorious mystery that Gentiles are now fellow heirs, common share-holders in the promise, and one body with all who receive the gospel. So (inference at v.13) he encourages his readers to most certainly not sorrow over his suffering for their sake - it is in fact their glory! And moreover, this excursus intentionally shows how the gospel theology of chapter two fuels Paul's prayer for them at the end of chapter three, because his is a ministry "...to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of this mystery...in order to make known the manifold wisdom of God..." It is for this reason that Paul bows his knees "before the Father, from whom every family... is named ...that you may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the [full measure] ...that you may be filled with all the fullness of God . ...to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus ... Amen." (3:14-21)

10000000110731 110731 Notes 2012-03-28 22:50:17 2012-03-31 16:51:09 I found this to be a very difficult passage to arc but, as always, worth the effort of pressing on until the logical connections begin to surface. One key interpretive question to ask is, why does Paul make this excursus before stating the substance of his prayer on their behalf in vv.14-21? Certainly it is more than that he got a bit side-tracked or that he forgot a few details back in chapter two. Consider the particular way he begins this digression, - εἴ γε ἠκούσατε... The conditional, " if indeed you have heard..." does not raise doubt concerning their knowledge of Paul's ministry. Of course many in Ephesus knew Paul well and were intimately acquainted with his ministry there. And although there would also be many who knew him only second-hand, such as new converts since his departure and those in churches he has never met who will receive this letter via its circuit (cf. Col. 2:1), the expression, "εἴ γε...," "implies a definite assumption: 'in as much as.' Though the protasis is conditional, its effect is to affirm rather than to deny or dispute." (see Eph. 4:21) (Expositors Bible Commentary, notes on v.2) Is this an If-Th clause - which finds its completion in v.13? If so, Paul is saying, "If indeed you have heard of my apostolic ministry (the nature of which is then elaboarted) , then do not lose heart at my suffering." If this is the case, then the whole excursus has little to do with motivating Paul's prayer, or at most is only secondarily offering support. It's primary aim is to encourage their hearts concerning his suffering. This to me seems unlikely. Another option is that the conditional phrase is looking back to what Paul has started to say in v. 1 and now qualifies something there, namely, the phrase, "...on behalf of you Gentiles." In this interpretation, the excursus is a full unpacking of the nature of Paul's ministry as it relates to being "... ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν τῶν ἐθνῶν." His entire ministry is for the sake of the Gentiles, these who once were, "separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world" (2:12). Paul has been given a gracious gift, a stewardship of making known this glorious mystery that Gentiles are now fellow heirs, common share-holders in the promise, and one body with all who receive the gospel. So (inference at v.13) he encourages his readers to most certainly not sorrow over his suffering for their sake - it is in fact their glory! And moreover, this excursus intentionally shows how the gospel theology of chapter two fuels Paul's prayer for them at the end of chapter three, because his is a ministry "...to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of this mystery...in order to make known the manifold wisdom of God..." It is for this reason that Paul bows his knees "before the Father, from whom every family... is named ...that you may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the [full measure] ...that you may be filled with all the fullness of God . ...to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus ... Amen." (3:14-21) notes

Arc

2012-03-28 22:50:17

2012-06-29 19:13:09

editing

Ephesians

Ephesians 3:1-13

NT

na27

esv

Τούτου χάριν ἐγὼ Παῦλος ὁ δέσμιος τοῦ Χριστοῦ [Ἰησοῦ] ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν τῶν ἐθνῶν

For this reason I, Paul , a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles-- [... bow my knees before the Father] (v.14)

- εἴ γε ἠκούσατε τὴν οἰκονομίαν τῆς χάριτος τοῦ θεοῦ τῆς δοθείσης μοι εἰς ὑμᾶς,

assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you,

[ὅτι] κατὰ ἀποκάλυψιν ἐγνωρίσθη μοι τὸ μυστήριον,

how the mystery was made known to me by revelation,

ideaexplanation

καθὼς προέγραψα ἐν ὀλίγῳ,

as I have written briefly.

ground

πρὸς ὃ δύνασθε ἀναγινώσκοντες

When you read this,

νοῆσαι τὴν σύνεσίν μου ἐν τῷ μυστηρίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ,

you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,

actionmanner

ὃ ἑτέραις γενεαῖς οὐκ ἐγνωρίσθη τοῖς υἱοῖς τῶν ἀνθρώπων

which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations

ὡς νῦν ἀπεκαλύφθη τοῖς ἁγίοις ἀποστόλοις αὐτοῦ καὶ προφήταις ἐν πνεύματι,

as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

negativepositive

εἶναι τὰ ἔθνη συγκληρονόμα καὶ σύσσωμα καὶ συμμέτοχα τῆς ἐπαγγελίας ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διὰ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου,

This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

actionresult

οὗ ἐγενήθην διάκονος κατὰ τὴν δωρεὰν τῆς χάριτος τοῦ θεοῦ τῆς δοθείσης μοι κατὰ τὴν ἐνέργειαν τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ.

Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power.

Ἐμοὶ τῷ ἐλαχιστοτέρῳ πάντων ἁγίων

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints,

ἐδόθη ἡ χάρις αὕτη,

this grace was given ,

τοῖς ἔθνεσιν εὐαγγελίσασθαι τὸ ἀνεξιχνίαστον πλοῦτος τοῦ Χριστοῦ

to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

καὶ φωτίσαι [πάντας] τίς ἡ οἰκονομία τοῦ μυστηρίου τοῦ ἀποκεκρυμμένου ἀπὸ τῶν αἰώνων ἐν τῷ θεῷ τῷ τὰ πάντα κτίσαντι,

and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things,

series

concessive

ἵνα γνωρισθῇ νῦν ταῖς ἀρχαῖς καὶ ταῖς ἐξουσίαις ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις διὰ τῆς ἐκκλησίας ἡ πολυποίκιλος σοφία τοῦ θεοῦ, κατὰ πρόθεσιν τῶν αἰώνων ἣν ἐποίησεν ἐν τῷ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν,

so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,

ἐν ᾧ ἔχομεν τὴν παρρησίαν καὶ προσαγωγὴν ἐν πεποιθήσει διὰ τῆς πίστεως αὐτοῦ.

in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

actionpurpose

progression

διὸ αἰτοῦμαι μὴ ἐγκακεῖν ἐν ταῖς θλίψεσίν μου ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν, ἥτις ἐστὶν δόξα ὑμῶν.

So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

inference

na27

discourse

10000000110731 110731 Arc 2012-03-28 22:50:17 2012-06-29 19:13:09 editing Ephesians 3 1 3 13 Ephesians 3:1-13 49 NT na27 esv i80010 i79993 Τούτου χάριν ἐγὼ Παῦλος ὁ δέσμιος τοῦ Χριστοῦ [Ἰησοῦ] ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν τῶν ἐθνῶν For this reason I, Paul , a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles-- [... bow my knees before the Father] (v.14) i80011 i80012 i80013 i80014 i80015 i80016 i79994 - εἴ γε ἠκούσατε τὴν οἰκονομίαν τῆς χάριτος τοῦ θεοῦ τῆς δοθείσης μοι εἰς ὑμᾶς, assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, i79995 [ὅτι] κατὰ ἀποκάλυψιν ἐγνωρίσθη μοι τὸ μυστήριον, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, ideaexplanation 1 i79996 καθὼς προέγραψα ἐν ὀλίγῳ, as I have written briefly. ground 1 i80017 i80018 i80019 i79997 πρὸς ὃ δύνασθε ἀναγινώσκοντες When you read this, i79998 νοῆσαι τὴν σύνεσίν μου ἐν τῷ μυστηρίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, actionmanner 1 1 i80020 i79999 ὃ ἑτέραις γενεαῖς οὐκ ἐγνωρίσθη τοῖς υἱοῖς τῶν ἀνθρώπων which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations i80000 ὡς νῦν ἀπεκαλύφθη τοῖς ἁγίοις ἀποστόλοις αὐτοῦ καὶ προφήταις ἐν πνεύματι, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. negativepositive 2 ideaexplanation 1 i80001 εἶναι τὰ ἔθνη συγκληρονόμα καὶ σύσσωμα καὶ συμμέτοχα τῆς ἐπαγγελίας ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διὰ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. ideaexplanation 1 actionresult 2 i80002 οὗ ἐγενήθην διάκονος κατὰ τὴν δωρεὰν τῆς χάριτος τοῦ θεοῦ τῆς δοθείσης μοι κατὰ τὴν ἐνέργειαν τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. ideaexplanation 1 i80021 i80022 i80003 Ἐμοὶ τῷ ἐλαχιστοτέρῳ πάντων ἁγίων To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, i80023 i80004 ἐδόθη ἡ χάρις αὕτη, this grace was given , i80024 i80005 τοῖς ἔθνεσιν εὐαγγελίσασθαι τὸ ἀνεξιχνίαστον πλοῦτος τοῦ Χριστοῦ to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, i80006 καὶ φωτίσαι [πάντας] τίς ἡ οἰκονομία τοῦ μυστηρίου τοῦ ἀποκεκρυμμένου ἀπὸ τῶν αἰώνων ἐν τῷ θεῷ τῷ τὰ πάντα κτίσαντι, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, series ideaexplanation 1 concessive 2 i80025 i80007 ἵνα γνωρισθῇ νῦν ταῖς ἀρχαῖς καὶ ταῖς ἐξουσίαις ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις διὰ τῆς ἐκκλησίας ἡ πολυποίκιλος σοφία τοῦ θεοῦ, κατὰ πρόθεσιν τῶν αἰώνων ἣν ἐποίησεν ἐν τῷ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, i80008 ἐν ᾧ ἔχομεν τὴν παρρησίαν καὶ προσαγωγὴν ἐν πεποιθήσει διὰ τῆς πίστεως αὐτοῦ. in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. ideaexplanation 1 actionpurpose 2 progression i80009 διὸ αἰτοῦμαι μὴ ἐγκακεῖν ἐν ταῖς θλίψεσίν μου ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν, ἥτις ἐστὶν δόξα ὑμῶν. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. inference 2 ground 1 1 1 1 na27 25 esv 25 a 50 discourse