Ephesians 1:7-10 (09/27/08)

Below are the notes from last Saturday’s Bible study. Really focus this week on the concept of redemption especially the ideas of: ransom price, bought “out” of, and to set free. Also, we were able to record the Bible study and Podcast it (finally!). Keith, we will try to do this for you every week. Marc since you missed this week you can keep up too.

Ephesians 1:7-10

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

(ESV)

v.7-10

Discuses the work of the Son, Jesus

Although all three persons of the Trinity are involved in redemption, Christ is the center and the focus of this passage

• Father – plans our salvation
• Holy Spirit – applies salvation to the individuals
• Jesus – achieves our salvation by his “redemptive death for us on Calvary’s cross

Redeemer “is the name specifically of the Christ of the cross. Whenever we pronounce it, the cross is placarded before our eyes and our hearts are filled with loving remembrance not only that Christ has given us salvation, but that he paid a mighty price for it” – B.B. Warfield

There are three words for “redemption” in the NT

1) agorazo – “to buy” or “to buy in a marketplace”

a. emphasizes the price Jesus paid for our salvation

b. some scholars have tried to change the idea of redemption from that of “buying” to mere “deliverance” (setting someone free) without applying the idea of a price or ransom

i. His death was not mere deliverance, because the price of redemption is Christ’s death.

1. Luke 24:46-47

2. In the OT the idea of deliverance by payment of a price was not an uncommon idea

a. Gall – means to redeem and goel means kinsmam-redeemer

b. These were principles of Jewish law which stated that property should remain within the same family whenever possible.

c. If a Jewish person lost their property, they may get it back through an obligation placed on a close relative.

d. Relative was called Goel, and was able to purchase the property to restore it back into the family

e. Boaz did this for the husband of Ruth

c. Kofer – “a ransom price”

i. If a farm animal killed someone, the animal or owner (if negligent) could be killed

1. The owner and the family of the person who was killed would be able to settle on a price for the owner to pay the family to redeem either himself of the animal. “This price of redemption was the kofer.”

ii. In the NT Greek world, the manumission of slaves for a price was also common

1. OT ref.s Ex. 21:8 & Lev. 25:48

2. Egypt – Deut. 7:8, 9:26, 13:5, I Chron. 17:21, etc.

d. We must hold on to the idea of price because key NT verses refer to it.

i. Matthew 20:28 (life as a ransom)

ii. Titus 2:14 (gave himself)

iii. 1 Peter 1:18-19 (blood of Christ redeemed us)

2) Exagorazo – adds prefix “out of”

a. “to buy out of the marketplace”

i. Once purchased, never to return

ii. Our redemption is permanent

iii. Our redemption is from sin and we will never be sold under the power of sin again

iv. Once saved, always saved

1. “Having been purchased at the infinite cost of the blood of God’s own Son, there is no one who can possibly top the price and thus purchase us away from him.”

3) Luo – “to loose, set free or deliver” – by payment of a price

a. We are bought from sin to set us free (not bought to be resold – using the slave analogy)

Redemption is not our hope; but rather it is an existing reality, a present possession. Note the words “we have” in v.7

• How freeing is this? We don’t have to earn God’s redemption, we have it now!

Simply put, redemption brings the limitless grace of God and forgiveness of sin

v.8

“The verb lavish, which, with their connotations of wealth and extravagance, make it crystal clear that the readers’ redemption is all of grace. Words are hardly adequate to describe the inexhaustible nature of God’s giving.” (O’Brien)

“with all wisdom and insight” – refers back to preceding clause “he lavished on us”. They refer to God’s gifts of grace which help us live wisely

See also Eph. 1:17, Col. 1:9, Eph. 5:15

v.9-10

1) The “mystery” here is God’s ultimate purpose in redemption which is to bring all things in heaven and on earth together again under Jesus Christ

a. Most translations leave out the “again” in this passage

b. At one time everything was together in Jesus, ceased to be united to him through the Fall, but is to be reunited in him again by redemption

c. Not universalism – all things will be saved

a. But rather everything will be subjected to Christ

i. Some willingly

ii. Some unwillingly

2) Dispensation [plan (ESV)] of the fullness of the times – means God’s perfect arrangement or administration of events and history to accomplish His plan

a. Rev. 20: 1-6

b. Chris W. – End times section

i. Insert ref.s here

Application

“Paul recognized that such an emphasis on difficult doctrines was necessary because right God-honoring behavior always springs from right beliefs. Christians who lack a proper theological foundation will not have a proper appreciation for what God has done, nor will they adequately understand the resources at their disposal in the life of faith.” – J. Mac.

Lloyd Jones quote page 25

• Is the Christ truly a Redeemer to you?
• Do you find redemption in Him?
• Do you realize Christ is your Ransomer and has shed his blood for you as your ransom?
• Have you thought through the idea that Christ, who is God, was the one who died for you?
• Can you fathom the price that was paid?

Prison analogy – “Life”

• We don’t appreciate our freedom, because we never experienced the punishment

If we don’t think about/appreciate/are thankful for redemption, how can we live a God-honoring life?

We must understand and live in this redemption in order to live in light of it.

Jesus Paid It All

I hear the Savior say
Thy strength indeed is small
Child of weakness....watch and pray
Find in me....thine all in all

Chorus:
Jesus paid it all
All to Him I owe
Sin hath left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone
Can change the leper's spots
And melt the heart of stone

For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim
I'll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calvary's Lamb

And when before thy throne
I stand in Him complete
Jesus died my soul to save
My lips shall still repeat

Further Readings:

Gal 3:13

Gal. 4:5

References:
Ephesians - John MacArthur
Ephesians - James Boice
The Letter to the Ephesians - Peter O'Brien