Letter of Paulus (Sha’ul) the Envoy
to the Called-Out Community in
Efesos
Letter of Paulus (Sha’ul) the Envoy
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Efesos was An Anatolian settlement colonized by Ionians around the time of David and Shlomo, it was conquered by Croesus around 560 B.C.E., and he glorified it with great artistry. 16 years later it fell to the Persians and became part of the Kingdom of Pergamum, which Attalus III bequeathed to Roma in 133 B.C.E. It was now the principal city in the Roman province of Asiya on the west coast of what is now Turkey. Situated at the mouth of the Caÿster River between the Coressus Mountains and the sea and at the end of a major land trade route, it was an important export center. The shoreline has since been silted in and the city is 10 miles from the coast. Its ruins are still plentiful and well-preserved. Paulus (Sha'ul) visited here on at least two occasions (Acts 18:19; 19:1), and sent for the elders of the congregation there to meet him at his port of call in nearby Miletos on a later occasion. A significant number of Jews lived here (19:17), despite its being the headquarters of an imperial cult, and for a long time they enjoyed a privileged position under Roman rule. (Josephus, Antiquities, 14:10:12, 25) However, they were skeptical of the “Gentiles” who were responding to the message of Paulus, Aküla, and Priskillah. Paulus wrote this letter to assure them that they were no longer Gentiles if they belonged to the King of Israel, and to guide them into a lifestyle that would prove to the Jews that they too were true Israelites, though they did not convert to Judaism as such. Efesos would later become the headquarters of Yochanan the Envoy, and by a generation after his time, the congregation here was still well-known and faithful, according to Ignatius, a contemporary writer. |
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CHAPTER 1[still being translated]... 22. And He put all things into subjection under his feet, and granted that he should be head over all things to the assembly of called-out ones-- 23. that which is body, the filling-up of him who fills all with everything--
2. in which you once walked, according to the way things are done in this [present] arrangement, [which comes] down from the chief commander of the authority of the atmosphere, the spirit now operative in the sons of stubborn opposition to compliance, Once: emphasizing a former time. Arrangement: world-order, constitution, the whole mass of humanity that functions apart from YHWH’s Torah. Atmosphere: particular the lower, denser air—possibly contrasted with the clearer air at the top of the holy mountains. Stubborn opposition to compliance: not those who try to obey but sometimes misstep.3. among whom indeed we all were once turned upside-down by the lusts of our flesh, carrying out the wishes of the flesh and the imagination, so naturally we were children of impulse just like the rest. 4. But Elohim, being rich in mercy because of the great mercy with which He loved us-- 5. even when we were dead in the deviations [from truth]—made us alive together with Messiah (by [the supply of His] favor you are being delivered) 6. and roused us together [from the sleep of death] and seated us together, in Yahshua [the] Messiah, above the [things of] heavenly [origin], Things of heavenly origin: including that commander-in-chief of the authority of the atmosphere, who was cast down from the heavens.7. so that in the oncoming ages He might demonstrate the surpassing riches of His bountiful supply through His kindness toward us through Yahshua [the] Messiah. Ages: or worlds. Kindness: integrity, fitness for use, mildness and benignity as opposed to being harsh, sharp, or bitter.8. Because [it is] by [the supply of His] favor that you are being kept safe, by means of faithfulness—and [even] that [does] not [come] from yourselves; it is the gift of Elohim, 9. not [as a result] of accomplishments, so that no one might boast-- Accomplishments: or works, actions.10. because we are the product of His craftsmanship, being founded through Yahshua [the] Messiah upon noble accomplishments which Elohim had prepared beforehand so that we could walk in them. Craftsmanship: the same word from which we derive the English word “poem”. Founded: created, made habitable, or [completely] transformed. With all the attention verses 8 and 9 have received, this verse that immediately follows them puts it all into the right perspective, because the fact that our own accomplishments (misguided as they had to be because of our position as described earlier in the chapter) are not what brought us into favor with YHWH does not mean we should not be involved in noble works; on the contrary, noble works are by its very nature what the Torah is made up of, and it is our guide. But the footing He has put us on is much firmer, and if we follow the works that He ordained long ago rather than what we imagined might be what He would want, the result will be much greater effectiveness, no longer missing the target but actually pleasing Him.11. Therefore, remember that you [who were] formerly Gentiles in the flesh (those who were being described as “foreskinned” by those who are called “physical circumcision done manually”) Formerly: this one word makes all the difference. Those who are “in Messiah” are no longer Gentiles, but are now part of Israel, and it is a sin to treat anyone who joins Israel as any different from one who was born into it. (Lev. 19:34; Num. 15:15-30) With “just scales”, the same laws apply equally to both. (Ex. 12:49) In fact, the ancestors of most believers were Israelites who willingly followed the ways of the Gentiles and were punished by being counted as gentiles by YHWH. (Hoshea 7:8 - 9:3) But He promised to again make us a people. (Hos. 1:10)12. –that at that time you were apart from [the] Messiah, being alienated from the rights of a citizen of Israel, strangers to the promised covenants, having no hope, and without Elohim among [the inhabitants of] the world. Alienated: or estranged; again, see Hoshea 8:12. Strangers: as in foreigners as well as being no longer familiar with Israel’s heritage. Promised: or, announced ahead of time—that is, the renewed covenant with both the House of Yehudah and the House of Israel. (Yirmeyahu/Jer. 31:31) Without Elohim: as abandoned or cut loose by Him to drift wherever we would.13. But now through Yahshua [the] Messiah you, who were once “far off” have been brought near through the blood of [the] Messiah, Far off: A direct allusion to Daniel 9:7, in which the prophet uses this as a term for part of Israel which was driven away by YHWH because of our transgressions. The blood: i.e., not just the blood shed at his death, but the blood connection that allowed him, as a Jew, to be a kinsman-redeemer for his long-estranged relatives of the Northern Kingdom, who had become these specific “Gentiles” being addressed here.14. because he is our peace-concord, the one who is making both into one, having undone the middle wall which separated [us] An example of this is seen in Acts 11:9-18. Wall: There was a literal such wall in the second Temple, dividing the area non-Jews could enter from the area on Jews could enter. This was not a bad idea, since it prevented actions by foreigners such as had been experienced under Antiochus IV of Greece, the events of which are described in the book of First Maccabees and recounted at Hanukkah. However, now it was also screening out those who were returning to Torah and covenant from among the Gentiles, perpetuating a no-longer-warranted prejudice that now stood in YHWH’s way. (e.g., Acts 21:28-29) Separated us: kept the two (Israel and Yehudah) from coming back together.15. having deprived the enmity (the injunction of prescribed rules through dogmatic decrees) of its force through his flesh, in order that he might in himself transform the two into one new man, producing harmony, Decrees: “fences” added to preserve and protect the holy things from falling into profane hands, such as the ruling that no Jew should ever eat with a Gentile or enter his house—taboos exemplified in Acts 10:28. It is only through wishful wresting of Paulus’ words from the entire context of Scripture (see 2 Keyfa 3;16) that men have misconstrued this as a reference to the Torah of YHWH itself. Man: a human being generically; the equivalent of the Hebrew term Adam, who before Chawwah was taken out of him would have possessed the elements of both male and female.16. and might bring both back, in one body, into [their former state of] reconciliation with Elohim through the crucifixion-stake, having by it abolished the [cause of] enmity. Abolished: literally, killed off. Cause of enmity: the Jews were estranged from and suspicious of those from the Northern Kingdom because they had forsaken the Torah. But by providing amnesty that allowed any who wished to return to their heritage because of the price paid to redeem them, they could again become Torah-observant and therefore no longer odious to those who had continued to keep Torah to a greater extent.17. And coming [forth], he announced the glad news of peace to you [who were] far off and to those who [were] near. Peace: with the connotation of concord between the two estranged parties and the reunification of the divided nation of Israel. Those who were near: those of Yehudah who had not only stayed in the Land of Israel but remained close to YHWH and were therefore ready to hear the news that the Kingdom was being reestablished.18. For through him we both have access, in one spirit, to the Father. Access: the term includes the sense of being assured that we are in YHWH’s favor and accepted by Him.19. So therefore you are no longer foreigners or aliens [living among us with no rights of citizenship], but fellow citizens with the holy ones, and belonging to the household fo Elohim, 20. which has been built on the foundation of the delegated envoys and prophets, the cornerstone being Yahshua the Messiah himself, 21. in whom the whole building, being laid out and framed together, is growing into a holy Temple through the Master, 22. through whom you also are being built together into a dwelling-place of Elohim in spirit. 2. with all modesty [in a realistic appraisal of oneself] and gentleness, with patient perseverance, putting up with one another in committed love,
3. being diligent to carefully guard the unanimity of the spirit in the bond of [harmonious] peace.
6. one Elohim and Father of all, the one who is above all and through all and in you all.
7. But to each one of us is furnished a supply of favor according to the extent determined by what the Messiah provides.
10. The one descending is the very one who is also ascending further than above all the heavens, in order that he might fill all [kinds of] things.)
11. Now indeed he provided some [to be] delegated envoys, and some prophets, and some bearers of glad news, and some shepherds, and some teachers
16. from whom the whole body, being laid out and framed together and caused to coalesce by means of every joint that assists according to the energizing through one standard measurement of each of the constituent parts, producing [for itself] the growth of the body into [something that can keep] building itself up through benevolent affection.
21. since indeed you have heard him and been taught by him, just as [was] in fact the case in the Messiah--
22. [that], as regards [your] former manner of conduct, you put off the old man, which is being [further and further] corrupted in accordance with the deceitful cravings for what is forbidden,
23. be renewed in the disposition of your mind,
24. and put on the new man—the one [that is] in agreement with Elohim, being made habitable through righteousness and true undefiled piety.
25. Therefore, putting off what is false, everyone must speak the truth with his neighbors, because we are members of one another.
27. and do not give any place to the accuser either.
30. And do not frustrate YHWH’s set-apart Spirit, by which you are marked to prove your genuineness for the day [you will be] liberated by a ransom.
31. Let all bitterness and boiling anger and violent emotion and clamoring [for attention] and speech that injures [others] be removed from you, along with any desire to hurt [them],
32. and be useful to one another, with strong compassion forgiving one another [freely], just as YHWH forgives you through the Messiah.
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The Kingdom is on hold until this process is complete for all of us. When all the gifts are in place (the whole body is mature), the bread is baked and presented as a tribute to YHWH. Leviticus 2 prescribes that it is to be brought with oil (a picture of the anointing of the Spirit) and frankincense (which in Hebrew is the feminine form of the word for white, for this “bread” will then be a bride that is acceptable for the Messiah).
Caused to adhere: has the connotation of exerting force, as is necessary if a thing being connected together is to have the right amount of tension on it once the proper connection is completed. Here, the imagery shifts to that of muscles and ligaments fitting properly over and through bones, as well as a building with great stability, but the picture is the same. Assists: or supplies. Energizing: or efficiency, effectiveness. One standard measurement: An allusion to the manna in the wilderness, which was to be gathered by each person according to what he thought was an appropriate amount for one day, but then was pooled and redistributed using a standardized omer measure, and thereby no one came up short and no one had excess. (Ex. 16:16-18) An omer thus represents one person. 10 omers make one eyfah (Ex 16:36), representative of a full congregation. An omer is worth half a sheqel. 5 sheqels (the value of ten omers) is the price of redemption of a firstborn son. (Lev 27:16) YHWH called Israel His firstborn. (Ex. 4:22) Ten eyfoth = one chomer, of which the eyfah is a tithe. Thus a chomer (“heap”) symbolizes the whole world, of which a tithe (the congregation of Israel) belongs to YHWH in a special way (His firstfruits—Yaaqov/James 1:17). An eyfah also equals 3 se’im, the three “measures” which Sarah leavened. (Mat. 13:33; Gen. 18:6) It represents the fact that a community permeated by the Kingdom is as hard to break as a 3-fold cord. This can represent the synergy of the priests, Levites, and the rest of Israel, or Efrayim and Yehudah with their one king, Yahshua. When each is fully permeated with the Kingdom, unity will come.