1. Paul and the Ephesians - June 24-30, 2023

Sabbath Afternoon - June 24, 2023

Reading for the Week

Acts 18:18-21; Acts 19:13-20:1; Acts 20:17-38; Eph. 1:1, 2; Eph. 6:21-24; Eph. 3:13; Eph. 1:9, 10. 

Prayer Thought

The hearts of Paul and his associate workers were drawn out in behalf of those who were "without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world." Through the untiring ministrations of the apostles to the Gentiles, the "strangers and foreigners," who "sometimes were far off," learned that they had been "made nigh by the blood of Christ," and that through faith in His atoning sacrifice they might become "fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God." Ephesians 2:12, 13, 19.  {AA 175.1}  

Memory Text

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him: {Ephesians 1:9, 10}

This week's SS Lesson will gaze into the letter of Paul which motivates himself and encourage the Ephesians to bear the difficulties in life, especially in facing persecutions and temptations. This also includes Paul's personal reminders to the believers of how Christ becomes everything in their lives and the church in particular.

Study Outline
Authorship: Who wrote this Epistle? 

Sunday - June 25, 2023

Ephesus: Paul as an Evangelist and a Preacher

Acts 18:18-21, 24, 25; 19:1-12, 13-20; 20:31 

Monday - June 26 , 2023

Response: A Riot in the Amphitheater

Acts 19:21-20:1; 20:17-38

The Addressees

Tuesday - June 27, 2023

The Letters' Content: Read and Listen

Eph. 5:21-6:9; Eph. 1:1, 2, 3-14, 15-23, 2:1-10, 11-22:3:1-13, 14-21; 4:1-16, 17-32

The Theme

Wednesday - June 28, 2023

Exalted Style and Metaphors Ephesians in Its Time

Eph. 1:1, 2, 3-14, 15-23; 3:14-21, 1-13; 4:1-16; 5:21-33; 6:10-20). 6:21-24; Col. 4:7, 8; Rom. 8:31-39

Thursday - June 29, 2023

The Main Subject: Christ-Saturated Letter

 Eph. 1:9, 10; 2:14, 19-22; 1:22, 23; 2:16; 3:6; 4:1-16, 25; 5:22-27, 29, 30;  6:10-20; Rev. 14:6, 7.

Friday - June  30, 2023

Further Study and Meditation

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Authorship: Who wrote this Epistle? 

Sunday - June 25, 2023

Ephesus: Paul as an Evangelist and a Preacher

Acts 18:18-21, 24, 25; 19:1-12, 13-20; 20:31 

“And he came to Ephesus […] entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.” (Acts 18:19)

Reasoned with the Jews in the Church - Gained a Favor to Continue in Service

After leaving Corinth, Paul's next scene of labor was Ephesus. He was on his way to Jerusalem to attend an approaching festival, and his stay at Ephesus was necessarily brief. He reasoned with the Jews in the synagogue, and so favorable was the impression made upon them that they entreated him to continue his labors among them. His plan to visit Jerusalem prevented him from tarrying then, but he promised to return to them, "if God will." Aquila and Priscilla had accompanied him to Ephesus, and he left them there to carry on the work that he had begun.  {AA 269.1}  

Adaptability in the Ministry: Bear with the Slow Learners 

Paul had necessarily adapted his manner to teaching to the condition of the church. "I, brethren could not speak unto you as unto spiritual," he afterward explained to them, "but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able." 1 Corinthians 3:1, 2. Many of the Corinthian believers had been slow to learn the lessons that he was endeavoring to teach them. Their advancement in spiritual knowledge had not been proportionate to their privileges and opportunities. When they should have been far advanced in Christian experience, and able to comprehend and to practice the deeper truths of the word, they were standing where the disciples stood when Christ said to them, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now." John 16:12. Jealousy, evil surmising, and accusation had closed the hearts of many of the Corinthian believers against the full working of the Holy Spirit, which "searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." 1 Corinthians 2:10. However wise they might be in worldly knowledge, they were but babes in the knowledge of Christ.  {AA 271.1}  

Consider the Following

In Paul’s times, Ephesus was a prosperous city and the capital of Asia (the Roman province). The temple of Artemis (Diana for the Romans) was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Paul preached in Ephesus for a brief time by the end of his second missionary journey. He consolidated his work there during his third journey.

Monday - June 26 , 2023

Response: A Riot in the Amphitheater

Acts 19:21-20:1; 20:17-38

“Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.” (Acts 19:19)

The Magic Books of Today Should be Shunned as the Ephesians

We do not charge you with the evil that had bound the Ephesians, or claim that you have practiced magic, and dealt in the arts of sorcery in the same way as they had. We do not say that you have followed the mysteries of necromancy, or held communion with evil spirits. 

1. But are you not in communion with the author of all evil, with the deviser of all these mysteries and hellish arts? 

2. Do you not listen to the suggestions of him who is the god of this world, the prince of the power of the air? 

3. Have you not submitted to his falsehoods, and yielded yourselves as his agents to work that which was in harmony with your life before conversion? 

4. Have you not given yourselves up to be Satan's agents and, in a broader sense, are you not holding intercourse with fallen angels, and learning lessons from them in the art of deceiving your own souls and the souls of others?  {MYP 275.3}  

5.  What about magical books? 

6. What have you been reading? 

7. How have you been employing your time? 

8. Have you been seeking to study the sacred oracles in order that you may hear the voice of God speaking to you out of His word? 

The world is deluged with books that sow the seeds of skepticism, infidelity, and atheism, and to a larger or less degree you have been learning your lessons from these books, and they are magical books. They put God out of the mind, and separate the soul from the true Shepherd.  {MYP 276.1}

Willingness to Let Go the Valuable Things: A Desirable Trait of Ephesians

Numerous and costly books were written by the Ephesians to explain the meaning and use of these mysterious symbols.  {ST, May 18, 1882 par. 1}  

In this city, the very stronghold of superstition and sorcery, the apostle Paul labored for several years. Here the power of God was mightily displayed through his servant. The sick were healed, and evil spirits were cast out.  {ST, May 18, 1882 par. 2}  

The miracles wrought by Paul in the name of Jesus, created great excitement in Ephesus. Among those who practiced magic arts were certain Jewish exorcists, who claimed to possess the same power exercised by Paul. Believing that the name of Jesus acted as a charm, they determined to cast out evil spirits by the same means which the apostle had employed.  {ST, May 18, 1882 par. 3} 

Consider the Following

The Christians in Ephesus voluntarily burned books of magic with a total value of four million US dollars (Acts 19:19). Why did they do it (Acts 19:11-18)?

They understood that Jesus is more powerful than Satan. They had to destroy any connection to Satan’s powers in order to serve Jesus.

Not everyone reacted this way. Demetrius made silver shrines of Diana, so his income was threatened. He thought that his business would go bankrupt if everyone accepted Christ (Acts 19:23-28).

Paul had to leave Ephesus because of the turmoil that Demetrius provoked (Acts 19:29-41).

A tentative chronology of Paul’s relationship to Ephesus:

• A.D. 52: Paul’s initial, brief visit to Ephesus (Acts 18:18-21).

• A.D. 53-56: Paul’s three-year ministry in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-20:1). He composes 1 Corinthians near the end of his stay there (1 Cor. 16:5-9).

• A.D. 57: While at Miletus, Paul meets with the elders from Ephesus (Acts 20:17-38).

• A.D. 62: Paul composes his letter to the Ephesians, probably from confinement in Rome.

The Addressees

Tuesday - June 27, 2023

The Letters' Content: Read and Listen

Eph. 5:21-6:9; Eph. 1:1, 2, 3-14, 15-23, 2:1-10, 11-22:3:1-13, 14-21; 4:1-16, 17-32

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:” (Ephesians 1:1)

The Household of God, Buit Upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets

To the saints at Ephesus he writes: "Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and the household of God, and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building, fitly framed together, groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit." Says Peter, "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."  {RH, May 6, 1884 par. 2} 

The Engagement in A Great Work

You are engaged in a great work, but you are treating yourself unwisely. You must guard yourself and those who look to you for instruction, that you may not work away the healthy tone and fragrance which reveals the sound, sensible principles that make sound, sensible workers who can advance God's cause. This thing you must remember: every standard raised in the work is to be founded on the Book, that storm and tempest may be unable to sweep it away.  {21MR 52.3}  

We are Pilgrims and Strangers in this World to Represent Christ

The people of God profess to be pilgrims and strangers, seeking a better country, even a heavenly, and while here they should resemble its inhabitants as nearly as possible. The testimonies borne by ministers of the gospel should be calculated to educate. Patiently, step by step, they should carry forward those who are defective in character, until they shall become worthy representatives of Christ, such as he is not ashamed to call his brethren.  {RH, May 6, 1884 par. 7} 

Consider the Following

Paul wrote a letter (epistle). It was not a letter to a specific person, but to the church. It had to be read in public by Tychicus who carried it (Ephesians 6:21-22).

In that time, the church gathered in homes where several families came together to worship (See Philemon 1).

The assembled groups likely included members of the host household, slaves, clients (free persons who depended on the householder for support), and even customers.

The Theme

Wednesday - June 28, 2023

Exalted Style and Metaphors - Ephesians in Its Time

Eph. 1:1, 2, 3-14, 15-23; 3:14-21, 1-13; 4:1-16; 5:21-33; 6:10-20). 6:21-24; Col. 4:7, 8; Rom. 8:31-39

“Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.” (Ephesians 3:13)

To Every Man His Work. Ephesians 4:11-13.

The Lord has need of all kinds of skillful workmen. "He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists, and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.{LLM 336.5}  

An Active Growing Church - Paul Remained Until After the Pentecost 

For over three years Ephesus was the center of Paul's work. A flourishing church was raised up here, and from this city the gospel spread throughout the province of Asia, among both Jews and Gentiles.  {RH, September 14, 1911 par. 1}  

The apostle had now for some time been contemplating another missionary journey. He "purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome." In harmony with this plan, "he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus;" but feeling that the cause in Ephesus still demanded his presence, he decided to remain until after Pentecost. An event soon occurred, however, which hastened his departure.  {RH, September 14, 1911 par. 2}  

The Writer of the Bible Moved by the Spirit and They are in Harmony of Truth

The Bible is God's word, and is for His people. It was communicated by men; but "they spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." It was given at different periods, and the men called to express the divine will and diffuse the light of truth, were chosen from all stations, from the humblest to the most exalted. The wonderful thing about it is the harmony there is in the divine word, coming to us, as it does, through these different channels and such widely separated periods. Each wrote in his own natural style, giving utterance, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to his own personal impressions, relating the events and scenes opened before him, or made to pass before his eyes; yet link is connected with link in the chain of precious truth given us in the word of God. The plan of redemption, and the will and character of God, are revealed to meet the necessities of man in every age; for these human instrumentalities were under divine control, and are not false witnesses of what they saw and heard.  {BEcho, August 19, 1895 par. 4} 

Consider the Following

Some years after saying goodbye to the elders of Ephesus, Paul was imprisoned in a rented house in Rome (Acts 20:17, 36-38; 28:30).

He thought that situation could discourage the Ephesians (3:13). Therefore, he wrote a letter in an exalted literary style, beautifully written, and with well-thought repetitions that would imbue his listeners/readers with spiritual truths.

He also included four metaphors to better explain the purpose of the Church:

(1) The Church as a body

(2) The Church as a building/temple

(3) The Church as a wife

(4) The Church as an army

Thursday - June 29, 2023

The Main Subject: Christ-Saturated Letter

 Eph. 1:9, 10; 2:14, 19-22; 1:22, 23; 2:16; 3:6; 4:1-16, 25; 5:22-27, 29, 30;  6:10-20; Rev. 14:6, 7.

“even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),” (Ephesians 2:5)

Faithfulness Begets Active Labor for Christ: All are God's Messengers

All who have put on Christ, and are workers together with God, are like faithful minute men, ever ready to say, "Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth." They do not call anything they possess their own, whether it be wealth, position, influence, talent, or learning; but they regard themselves as stewards of the grace of God, and servants of the church for Christ's sake. Their hearts are bound up with the heart of Christ. They are not cold and unimpressible, but their ears are quick to hear every cry from the fatherless, the widow, and those in need; and they never hear in vain. Be they laymen or ministers, they are messengers of God's mercy.  {HM, July 1, 1891 par. 11}  

The Center of All True Doctrine

Christ is the center of all true doctrine. All true religion is found in His word and in nature. He is the One in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered; and the teacher who learns from Him finds a safe anchorage.  {CT 453.3}  

All that the mind can grasp is opened before us in the Bible. This is our spiritual food. We are to contemplate the wonderful works of God and repeat to our children the lessons learned, that we may lead them to see His skill, His power, and His grandeur in His created works.  {CT 453.4}  

What a God is our God! He rules over His kingdom with diligence and care, and He has built a hedge-- the Ten Commandments--about His subjects to preserve them from the results of transgression. In requiring obedience to the laws of His kingdom, God gives His people health and happiness, peace and joy. He teaches them that the perfection of character He requires can be attained only by becoming familiar with His word.  {CT 454.1}  

Christ-Centered Church

It was Christ who bade the apostle record that which was to be opened before him. "What thou seest, write in a book," He commanded, "and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea." "I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore. . . . Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches." Revelation 1:11, 18-20.  {AA 585.2}  

Consider the Following

The main subject of the letter is noticeably clear. Paul mentioned Jesus 49 times in diverse ways (Jesus, Christ, Jesus Christ).

1. Jesus saves us (2:5), 

2. makes us similar to Him to do good (2:10), 

3. unites Jews and Gentiles (2:11-14), 

4. makes sure we can reach the Father (3:10-12), 

5. lives in our hearts (3:17), 

6. gives us spiritual gifts (4:7-8), 

7. helps us to grow (4:15), 

8. is our love example (5:2), and 

9. is the Lord we serve (6:5-6).

Paul wanted to revive the spiritual commitment of the Ephesians. He reminded them that they were part of the Church which is the core of God’s plan to unite everything in Christ.

Friday - June 23, 2023

Further Study, and Meditation

We are living in a most solemn period of this earth's history. There is never time to sin; it is always perilous to continue in transgression; but in a special sense is this true at the present time. We are now upon the very borders of the eternal world and stand in a more solemn relation to time and to eternity than ever before. Now let every person search his own heart, and plead for the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness to expel all spiritual darkness and cleanse from defilement. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Through faith, irrespective of feeling, Jesus, the Author of our salvation, the Finisher of our faith, will, by His precious grace, strengthen the moral powers, and the sinner may reckon himself "to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ." Simple faith, with the love of Christ in the soul, unites the believer to God. While toiling in battle as a faithful soldier of Christ, he has the sympathy of the whole loyal universe. The ministering angels are round about him to aid in the conflict, so that he may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper," "the Lord is my strength and my shield"; I shall not be overcome. "By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."  {LHU 369.2}  

Questions to Ponder

1. Upon knowing the mystery of His will, what motivates Paul to write the book of Ephesians? What important principles can we glean from this motivation?

2. What's the primary purpose of the Book and its relevance to our time?

3. How do Ephesians react when they have seen God's power through miracles brought by Paul? What's the meaning of their burning the valuable magical books?

4. How do we respond, when Paul warns about the so-called, exegetical, scientific, and intellectual research of today (private interpretation)? 

5. What was the keyword or theme, do you find in the book of Ephesians?

6. In what way does Apostle Paul urge the Ephesians to be faithful?

7. Based on the statement above, {LHU 369.2}, for what are we being fortified, and from whom do our salvation and victory determine?

From the Pen of Inspiration

“These messages [Paul’s letters], written with a power not of man but of God, contain lessons which should be studied by all and which may with profit be often repeated. In them practical godliness is outlined, principles are laid down that should be followed in every church, and the way that leads to life eternal is made plain.” E. G. W. (The Acts of the Apostles, cp. 45, p. 470)

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