for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, Truth to Learn All Christians have gifts to be used in the church. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “equipping” is katartismos. This word is made up of kata, meaning...
Ephesians 4:11 – Builders and Protectors
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, Truth to Learn God has provided gifted men to build and protect the church. Behind the Words “Apostles” is a transliteration of the Greek word apostolos, which is made up of apo, meaning...
Ephesians 4:10 – Not Worth Arguing
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 expressed...
Ephesians 4:9 – Jesus In Hades
(Now this, "He ascended"—what does it mean but 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 or...
Ephesians 4:8 – Moving Day
Therefore He says: "When He 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 indicates...
Ephesians 4:6 – One Father God
one God and Father of all, who is 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 study...
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.” It...
Ephesians 4:4 – Only One
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you 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 form of...
Ephesians 4:3 – Peaceful Unity
endeavoring 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 “Endeavoring” is translated from spoudadzō. This word is derived from the noun spoudē, meaning “speed.” However, by implication and common usage,...
Ephesians 4:2 – Humble, Gentle, Patience
with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with 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 “lowliness” is translated from the Greek noun tapeinophrosunē. This is...
Ephesians 4:1 – Serve One, Serve All
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech 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.” Thus,...
Ephesians 3:21 – Praise God!
to Him be glory in the church by 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 the verb dokeō,...
Ephesians 3:20 – Mighty Prayer Power
Ephesians 3:20 - Mighty Prayer Power Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, Truth to Learn God is able to answer our greatest and mightiest prayers. Behind the Words “Now” is translated...
Ephesians 3:19 – Knowledge by Experience
Ephesians 3:19 - Knowledge by Experience to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Truth to Learn You can only really know God’s love by experience. Behind the Words There is a tiny Greek particle that is left...
Ephesians 3:18 – Foundational Understanding
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,...
Ephesians 3:17 – Indwelling Christ
Ephesians 3:17 - Indwelling Christ that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; 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...
Ephesians 3:16 – Prayer of Strength
Ephesians 3:16 - Prayer of Strength that He would grant 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...
Ephesians 3:15 – Father, God
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...
Ephesians 3:14 – Worship Him
Ephesians 3:14 - Worship Him For this reason 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 “For this reason” is translated from toutou charin. Toutou means “this” and charin is the direct...
Ephesians 3:13 – Christian Tribulation
Ephesians 3:13 - Christian Tribulation Therefore I ask that you do not 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,...
Ephesians 3:12 – Confident Access
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...
Ephesians 3:11 – Eternal Plan – Accomplished!
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...
Ephesians 3:10 – Angelic Observers
Ephesians 3:10 - Angelic Observers to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, Truth to Learn Angels learn about God by watching you and me. Behind the Words The word translated “manifold”...
Ephesians 3:9 – New Truths
Ephesians 3:9 - New Truths and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; Truth to Learn God has revealed new truths during the church age. Behind the...
Ephesians 3:8 – A Living Oxymoron?
Ephesians 3:8 - A Living Oxymoron? To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, Truth to Learn There is no reason for pride in the body of Christ. Behind the...
Ephesians 3:7 – Humble Building Block
Ephesians 3:7 - Humble Building Block of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. Truth to Learn God places each of us in the temple of God and gives us the gifts we...
Ephesians 3:6 – Together, Together, Together
Ephesians 3:6 - Together, Together, Together that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, Truth to Learn All those who believe God’s promise share in God’s gifts. Behind the Words The words “fellow heirs” is translated from...
Ephesians 3:5 – God’s Revealed Word
Ephesians 3:5 - God's Revealed Word which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: Truth to Learn We have the Word of God in our possession. Behind the Words The...
Ephesians 3:4 – Uncovering the Mystery
Ephesians 3:4 - Uncovering the Mystery by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), Truth to Learn Mysteries are revealed in the Bible. Behind the Words “When you read” is translated from anaginōskō. This word is made up of ana, used as an...
Ephesians 3:3 – Special Revelation
Ephesians 3:3 - Special Revelation how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, Truth to Learn Paul received special revelation from God regarding the salvation of the Gentiles. Behind the Words The word “revelation” is translated from the Greek noun apokalupsis....