He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) Truth to Learn Some Biblical truths are very important to understand correctly, others are not worth arguing about. Behind the Words Both the words translated “descended” and “ascended” are...
Ephesians 4:9 – Jesus In Hades
(And that, He ascended, what is it except that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? Truth to Learn Our Lord experienced physical death for us. Behind the Words The word “first” is translated from prōton, which is based on the superlative of pro (toward...
Ephesians 4:8 – Moving Day
Therefore He says: "Having ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men." Truth to Learn Jesus Christ moved Paradise and gave all Christians gifts. Behind the Words The word “says” is from the Greek verb legō, which literally means “to lay forth,” that is, “to...
Ephesians 4:7 – God’s Gifting
But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Truth to Learn Each Christian has a job function to perform within the church based on how God has gifted him or her. Behind the Words The word “each” is from heskatos, which...
Ephesians 4:6 – One Father God
one God and Father of all, the One above all, and through all, and in you all. Truth to Learn All Christians are united under our Father God. Behind the Words “God” is translated from the Greek word theos, from which we get our English word “theology,” meaning the...
Ephesians 4:5 – More Oneness
one Lord, one faith, one baptism; Truth to Learn There are several aspects of oneness in the church. Behind the Words “Lord” is translated from the Greek noun kurios. This word is derived from kuros, meaning “authority” or “supremacy.” The basic meaning of kurios is “owner, master, or lord.”...
Ephesians 4:4 – Only One
There is one body and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling; Truth to Learn All Christians are to work toward unity within the church. Behind the Words “One” is translated from the Greek word heis (pronounced hice). This is the masculine...
Ephesians 4:3 – Peaceful Unity
being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Truth to Learn Our service within the church should promote unity and peace. Behind the Words “Being diligent” is translated from spoudadzō. This word is derived from the noun spoudē, meaning “speed.” However, by implication...
Ephesians 4:2 – Humble, Gentle, Patience
with all humility and meekness, with longsuffering, holding up one another in love, Truth to Learn As we serve God and others within the church, we need to keep in mind how He treats us. Behind the Words The word “humility” is translated from the Greek noun tapeinophrosunē. This...
Ephesians 4:1 – Serve One, Serve All
Therefore, I, the prisoner of the Lord, encourage you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, Truth to Learn We are all called to serve in God’s church. Behind the Words “Prisoner” is from desmios, which is derived from the verb desmeō, meaning “to bind.”...
Ephesians 3:21 – Praise God!
to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Truth to Learn God deserves all our praise! Behind the Words The word “glory” is translated from doxa, from which we get our English word doxology. It is derived from...
Ephesians 3:20 – Mighty Prayer Power
Now to Him being able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power working in us, Truth to Learn God is able to answer the prayers of our greatest and most overpowering needs. Behind the Words “Now” is translated from the connective...
Ephesians 3:19 – Knowledge by Experience
and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge; that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God. Truth to Learn You can only really know God’s love by experience. Behind the Words “And” is translated from the word te, which is a particle of connection...
Ephesians 3:18 – Foundational Understanding
may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— Truth to Learn Christian lives must be based on and rooted in Jesus Christ. Behind the Words “May be able” is translated from the verb exischuō, a compound word made...
Ephesians 3:17 – Indwelling Christ
that through faith Christ may dwell in your hearts; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, Truth to Learn Christ dwells in the heart of every Christian. Behind the Words “Dwell” is from the Greek verb katoikeō, which is made up of kata, meaning “down” used here as...
Ephesians 3:16 – Prayer of Strength
that He might give you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, Truth to Learn The Apostle Paul prayed for strength for us in our time of need. Behind the Words “He might give” is from the...
Ephesians 3:15 – Father, God
from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, Truth to Learn God, the Father, is the head of our holy family. Behind the Words “From” is translated from the Greek preposition ek, which most often translates as “out of.” When used with the genitive case, as...
Ephesians 3:14 – Worship Him
Because of this I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Truth to Learn God wants us to worship Him. Behind the Words The phrase “Because of this” is translated from toutou charin. Toutou means “this” and charin is the direct object form (accusative case)...
Ephesians 3:13 – Christian Tribulation
Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. Truth to Learn It is not uncommon for Christians to suffer. Behind the Words “I ask” is translated from the Greek verb aiteō, meaning “to request, ask, or beg.” In the New...
Ephesians 3:12 – Confident Access
in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. Truth to Learn We have free access to God anytime and anywhere. Behind the Words “Boldness” is translated from parrēsia. This is made up of pas, meaning “all” and a derivative of hrehō, meaning “to speak...
Ephesians 3:11 – Eternal Plan – Accomplished!
according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, Truth to Learn God has already accomplished His eternal plan. Behind the Words “Eternal” is from the Greek word aiōn, which we have seen several times recently. It refers to “an indefinitely long period of time.”...
Ephesians 3:10 – Angelic Observers
so that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the rulers and powers in the heavenly places through the church, Truth to Learn Angels learn about God by watching you and me. Behind the Words The word translated “manifold” is an interesting Greek word that...