Ephesians 3:14-21

Ephesians 3:14-21
With thanks to page sponsor 2015:
Rev. Kathryn L. Davelaar
who serves the
Douglas United Church of Christ in Michigan .

Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
- VI.7, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- Chapter VIII, Considering Repentance, Tertullian (c. 203)
- Chapter XL, On the Resurrection of the Flesh, Tertullian (c. 211)
- V.II, VI.XXIX, The Refutation of all Heresies (Philosophumena), Hippolytus of Rome. (c. 225)
- Part 16, On the Incarnation of the Word, Athanasius of Alexandria, c. 318.
- From the Geneva Notes.
  - "How perfect that work of Christ is in every part."
- From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
  - "If the law of Christ is written in our hearts, and the love of Christ is shed abroad there, then Christ dwells there. Where his Spirit dwells, there he dwells."
- From Wesley's Notes.
  - "Unrestrained liberty of speech, such as children use in addressing an indulgent father, when, without fear of offending, they disclose all their wants, and make known all their requests."
- From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
  - "Translate, "Unto Him be the glory (that is, the whole glory of the gracious dispensation of salvation just spoken of) in the Church (as the theater for the manifestation of the glory, Eph 3:10) in Christ Jesus (as in Him all the glory centers, Zec 6:13) to all the generations of eternal ages," literally, "of the age of the ages." Eternity is conceived as consisting of "ages" (these again consisting of "generations") endlessly succeeding one another."
- From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
  - "The idea is that the Father is the Father of all the families of his children, whether Jews or Gentiles on earth, or in heaven."
Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:
- Commentary, Ephesians 3:14-21, Brian Peterson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2015.
  - "As with the 1st century church for whom this letter was written, we need strengthening, and a vision of what it means to be filled for the fullness of God (which is Christ himself), so that we can recognize where the glory of God is present."
- The Center for Excellence in Preaching, Stan Mast, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, illustration ideas, 2015.
- "Jesus Christ, space of freedom," Commented Bible Passages from Taize, 2007.
- "One Human Family," Commented Bible Passages from Taize, 2007.
- "Grounded," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer.
  - "It is in the community of faith that we experience the love of God. We enjoy this mysterious internal relationship with God as we support and encourage and love one another, as we are "grounded" in the love of God."
- Commentary, Ephesians 3:14-21, Sally A. Brown, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2012.
  - "The question that leaps to mind is, 'How do you preach on an overheard prayer? Should I?' "
- Commentary, Ephesians 3:14-21, Arland J. Hultgren, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
  - "...it is in our life together as Christians that we find ever new vistas and insights into the vast world of God (Ephesians 3:18). If we have time to listen to one another, we discover stories of faith beyond our own."
- "Knowing that You Don't Know," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer, 2009.
  - "The bottom line in the Christian life is that it's all something that God does in us; in fact it's something that only God can do in us. That means we have to entrust ourselves to that mysterious and wonderful power of love that surrounds us all; it means we have to trust God to do that wonderful, unimaginable work of new life."
- "First Thoughts on Year B Epistle Passages in the Lectionary: Pentecost 9," William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
  - "We do not glorify and honour God when we imagine God is desperate for attention and affection."
- Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
- "Filled with the Fullness of God," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
- "What Is a Mystic?" study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Mysticism," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2005.
- "Thinking Fulfillment," "Thinking and Practicing Reconciliation": The Ephesians Texts for Pentecost 8-14, Ronald Olson, Word & World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1997.
- "Power to Change Behavior," Weekly Health Scripture, Faith and Health Connection.
Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
- Foster, Robert L., "'A Temple in the Lord Filled to the Fullness of God': Context and Intertextuality," Novum Testamentum, 2007.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Hollon, Vicki and Leslie, "Ephesians 3:14-21; Hebrews 12:1-2 -- For the Joy Set Before Us," Review and Expositor, 1997.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Jarvis, Cynthia A., "Ephesians 3:14-21, Expository Article," Interpretation, 1991.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Jolivet, Ira, "The Ethical Instructions in Ephesians as the Unwritten Statutes and Ordinances of God's New Temple in Ezekiel," Restoration Quarterly, 2006.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Olson, Ronald, "'Thinking and Practicing Reconciliation': The Ephesians Texts for Pentecost 8-14," Word & World, 1997.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Sermons:
- "Our Vast and Loving God," Rev. Dr. Guy Sayles, Day1, 2012.
- "The Power of God Living Within Us," "Fill 'Er Up," from a series of sermons on the book of Ephesians by Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines, Washington.
With Children:
- Worshiping with Children, Proper 12B, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2012.
- "Rooted & Grounded in Love," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
Drama:
Graphics, Multimedia & Bulletin Materials:
- Commercial Site: Ephesians 3, Visual Liturgy/Film, The Work of the People.
Hymns and Music:
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Ephesians 3:14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. The Cyber Hymnal.
- Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
- At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
  - Chief of Sinners
  - Glory Be to the Father
- "Ephesian Doxology - To God Who Is Able," based on Ephesians 3:20-21. Words and music by Jay C. Treat.
- "Ephesian Prayer," Jay C. Treat, The Christian Church in Pennsylvania.
- "Ephesian Prayer," based on Ephesians 3:16-21. Words and music by Jay C. Treat.
Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
Study Links and Resources for the Book of Ephesians