Ephesians 1:8-10

I feel I need to give a prefatory comment. These opening verses of Ephesians carry so much theological meaning that they always strongly tempt me to delve into that aspect. But I resolved from the beginning of this exercise to focus on how these verses, this book, apply(ies) to me. Then if those applications fit with where you are in your pilgrimage with Christ, all the better. So, since the focus was on application, I discover that the comments/musings/whatever with these words and phrases end up being rather brief. But these first 3 chapters, as with most of Paul's letters, lay the groundwork for the application section in the 2nd half. So, if these musings seem too lightweight, I accept that charge. But in my musings this morning (from chapter 6), I spent 45 minutes writing and musing just on the word "peace." So stick with me if you can. More is to come. Meanwhile, any replies and interaction are eagerly welcomed.

1:8

that he lavished – wasteful outpouring [NLT: showered]

on us – the community of faith, and on me in particular

with – grace accompanied by…

all wisdom & understanding – He gives these along with grace. Or His wisdom and understanding guide the lavishness of his outpouring. Wisdom: seeing life situations from God’s perspective. Understanding: living in a way to bring greatest long-range benefit

1:9

And – in addition to “chosen,” “adopted,” & “redemption,” I/we receive what is next, i.e., revelation or insight

he made known – revealed; we cannot know everything about God and His ways; but He reveals certain things

to us – the community of believers

the mystery – definite article means this is a specific mystery, previously kept hidden, now made known

of his will – determination, purpose; the mystery depends on His will and/or it arises from His will

according to – consistent with

his good pleasure – this mystery now revealed pleases Him

which – his determined will

he purposed in Christ – set this as His goal, His reason for acting on our behalf

1:10

to be put into effect – previously a different pattern prevailed. Even that pattern was part of God’s plan leading to the unveiling of His eternal plan, here called “mystery”

when the times will have reached their fulfillment – Other places make it clearer that God caused the times to reach such a climax; that He directed events to fulfill prophecy at that point in time when Christ was born. Similarly, future perfect tense in this verse indicates that there is more to God’s plan that has yet to be revealed and fulfilled

to bring – draw, attract from distant points

all things – not just all people, but animals and inanimates too

in heaven and on earth – spirit beings as well as human beings

together – cooperation, community, agreement, common goal or purpose

under – submission, one way or another Christ will reign supreme and all creation will submit to him

one – a divided man is unstable in all his ways. A divided home, city, nation or world is unstable in all its ways. How can I hope for or work for a united world when I continue divided myself?

head – leadership, authority; at some point I must bow

even Christ – in case there was any uncertainty who the Head is