When we look at the offices and the operation of those offices in the first century, we recognize that the new converts were trying to live like the Essenes, Nazarenes,Therapeutaes, the Damascus Community, and the prophets. They had everything in common; meaning they sold their possessions, lived communally, and took care of one another. But by the time that Paul started planting churches, those people were not living like the Essenes and the others. In our culture we do not live that way either. The premise is wonderful, but today the only people who would sell everything they had and live communally are poor people. Paul told us that the Holy Spirit divides the gifts of the Spirit in the Body of Christ as needed. He told us that Jesus is in charge of dividing the offices in the Body of Christ and that the Elohim divides the operation in the Body of Christ. Paul tells us that we have been invited and summoned, and that we should walk worthy of that calling. Paul tells us not to be like the nations who have dark thoughts and sexual previsions. Instead we are to walk worthy of our calling.
As we see, right after the lame man was healed people were of one heart and one soul. This is imperative if people are to live communally. Today people become Christians and have to work out the sin in their lives, they have not been living sin free up to the time of their acceptance of Jesus being Lord. Conversely the Essenes, Nazarenes,Therapeutaes, the Damascus Community, and the prophets were living sin free.
Acts 4:32 Now the company of believers was of one heart and soul, and not one of them claimed that anything which he possessed was [exclusively] his own, but everything they had was in common and for the use of all.
33 And with great strength and ability and power the apostles delivered their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace (loving-kindness and favor and goodwill) rested richly upon them all.
34 Nor was there a destitute or needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses proceeded to sell them, and one by one they brought (gave back) the amount received from the sales
35 And laid it at the feet of the apostles (special messengers). Then distribution was made according as anyone had need.
36 Now Joseph, a Levite and native of Cyprus who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles, which interpreted means Son of Encouragement,
37 Sold a field which belonged to him and brought the sum of money and laid it at the feet of the apostles.
The Amplified Bible. (1987). (Ac 4:32–37). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
Acts 5:1 BUT A certain man named Ananias with his wife Sapphira sold a piece of property,
2 And with his wife’s knowledge and connivance he kept back and wrongfully appropriated some of the proceeds, bringing only a part and putting it at the feet of the apostles.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart that you should lie to and attempt to deceive the Holy Spirit, and should [in violation of your promise] withdraw secretly and appropriate to your own use part of the price from the sale of the land?
4 As long as it remained unsold, was it not still your own? And [even] after it was sold, was not [the money] at your disposal and under your control? Why then, is it that you have proposed and purposed in your heart to do this thing? [How could you have the heart to do such a deed?] You have not [simply] lied to men [playing false and showing yourself utterly deceitful] but to God.
The Amplified Bible. (1987). (Ac 5:1–4). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
The job of the apostles in the early church was to oversee the distribution of money. As we we can see from scripture, Ananias and Sapphira died because they lied to the apostles and to the Holy Spirit. This incident probably deterred people whose hearts were not of one heart and one soul from wanting to live communally. The new converts came to Jesus with their sin in tow. Whereas the Essenes had established a sin free lifestyle before the last captivity of Judah. Also it was easier for the Essenes, Nazarenes, Therapeutaes, and the Damascus Community to live communally because they had hundreds of years of acquired land to live on and had jobs working for the community. For example the Therapeutaes made clay wine jugs that could not be tampered with once sealed. These jugs were in great demand because the wine makers had been accused of watering down their wine, but in fact, the sailors who transported the wine were drinking it, and then watering down the wine to hide it. Fortunately for us, these same jugs were used to hide scrolls in caves. But the new churches that Paul was planting were different. People lived in cities, they already had jobs in the communities. They found themselves leaving Judaism or Paganism to learn about Christianity. They came with all their “bags” of sin. Paul explains our calling in the churches as this is a new order.
Ephesians 4:1 G3870 I appeal G3767 then G1473 to you, G1473 I G3588 the G1198 prisoner G1722 in G2962 the Lord, G516 [2worthily G4043 1to walk] G3588 of the G2821 calling G3739 of which G2564 you were called,
516 Dodson:ἀξίωσ worthily, in a manner worthy of.
TBESG:ἀξίως appropriately
G:Adv
ἀξίως,
adv. [in LXX:
worthily:
(AS)
Thayer:
1) suitably, worthily, in a manner worthy of
ἀξίως
axiōs ax-ee'-oce Adverb from G514; appropriately KJV Usage: as becometh, after a godly sort, worthily (-thy).
2821 LSJ Gloss:κλῆσις a calling, call
Dodson:κλῆσις a calling, summons a calling, invitation; in the NT, always of a divine call.
TBESG:κλῆσις calling
G:N-F
κλῆσις, -εως, ἡ (καλέω)
[in LXX: Jer.31:6 (קָרָא), Jdth.12:10 A, 3Ma.5:14 * ;]
a calling, call; in NT, always of the Divine call to salvation:
(Cremer, 332).†
(AS)
Thayer:
1) a calling, calling to
2) a call, invitation
2a) to a feast
2b) of the divine invitation to embrace salvation of God
κλῆσις
klēsis klay'-sis From a shorter form of G2564; an invitation (figuratively) KJV Usage: calling.
2564 LSJ Gloss:καλέω to call, summon
Dodson:καλέω I call, invite, name (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name.
TBESG:καλέω to call
G:V
καλέω, -ῶ,
[in LXX chiefly for קרא ;]
__1. to call, summon: with accusative of person(s)
__2. to call to one's house, invite:
__3. to call, name call by name: pass.,
Thayer:
1) to call
1a) to call aloud, utter in a loud voice
1b) to invite
2) to call i.e. to name, by name
2a) to give a name to
2a1) to receive the name of, receive as a name
2a2) to give some name to one, call his name
2b) to be called i.e. to bear a name or title (among men)
2c) to salute one by name
For Synonyms see entry G5823
καλέω
kaleō kal-eh'-o Akin to the base of G2753; to “call” (properly aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise) KJV Usage: bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-) name (was [called]).
Paul wants us to walk about, wherever we go, worthy of the invitation that we have been summoned to. We have been invited and summoned to the mystery of the Gospel and this gospel is that the nations are fellow heirs of the same body, partakers of his promise in Christ, which is the fellowship of the mystery, which was hidden from the beginning of the world intentionally so that the principalities and powers in the heavens, via the church, find out about the manifold wisdom of the Elohim.
Ephesians 3:5 G3739 which G1722 unto G2087 other G1074 generations G3756 was not G1107 made known G3588 to the G5207 sons G3588 G444 of men, G5613 as G3568 now G601 it was revealed G3588 to G39 [2holy G652 3apostles G1473 1his] G2532 and G4396 prophets G1722 in G4151 spirit;
This is the kind of mystery where the one’s who know the secret (which would be Yahweh and the Holy Spirit) are not leaking that information to humans until a specific time. This mystery was apokaluptō, it uncovered what was stolen and hidden by a kleptomaniac. Who would want to hide information that Jesus is the Christ? Who would want to hide the information that we are joint heirs with Christ? This mystery was uncovered to the apostles and prophets by the Holy Spirit. This was the start of a new administration after Jesus died and rose up; and the Holy Spirit came down to indwell those who believe on Jesus as Lord. Before Jesus died there was a different era because the Holy Spirit only dwelt in prophets, those who were holy, but not in everyone. After the Messiah was crucified and rose on the third day, a new age was in place. The age of grace. This age is different than the previous age. Now all people, all nations, can be partners with Christ.
Ephesians 3:6 G1510.1 [3to be G3588 1for the G1484 2nations] G4789 joint-heirs, G2532 and G4954 joint-bodies, G2532 and G4830 joint-partners, G3588 G1860 of his promise G1473 G1722 in G3588 the G5547 Christ G1223 through G3588 the G2098 good news,
We are heirs jointly with Christ. We belong to the same body with Christ. We are participants with Christ. All of this is through the good news. Truly, how can anyone throw out all or parts of the Bible.This is a book of “good news”. The good news is that we do not live a defeated life and dry up like grass, instead we have an opportunity to partner with Christ in sharing the gospel. Like David mentioned, those who share the good news have a lot of miracle working power. Paul goes on about this mystery, but adds a few parenthetical sentences. Paul is going to tell us about the fellowship or partnership of the mystery that was hidden from all beings throughout the eons.
Ephesians 3:10 G2443 that G1107 should be made known G3568 now G3588 to the G746 sovereignties G2532 and G3588 to the G1849 authorities G1722 among G3588 the G2032 heavenlies G1223 through G3588 the G1577 assembly, G3588 the G4182 multifarious G4678 wisdom G3588 G2316 of God,
When this age started on the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came to indwell believers in Christ, the new terms of the age had to be declared to rulers and authorities, the other sons of God, both the fallen sons of God and the aligned sons of God. How was this announcement made? Through the ekklēsia, the called out assembly. Our lives as believers in Christ have something different going on as compared to before the Day of Pentecost. This is the manifold, multifarious, many different, or much varied, wisdom of the Elohim. Wisdom, sophia, is a varied knowledge of diverse matters. What Paul is emphasizing here by basically saying the same thing twice is that the very much varied knowledge of diverse things was the superior intelligence of the Elohim to change the dynamic of humans by way of their own belief, in this age.
Ephesians 3:11 G2596 according to G4286 the intention G3588 of the G165 eons, G3739 which G4160 he made G1722 in G5547 Christ G* Jesus G3588 G2962 our Lord; G1473
The word prothesis, translated intention means "a setting forth”, like the showbread in the temple. The showbread is exposed before God. The church, the ekklesia, is exposed before the Elohim. The multifaceted and varied intelligence and knowledge of the Elohim was to keep secret until the new age of the Holy Spirit who the called out are and what their purpose is. Our purpose is for us to be partners with Jesus Christ. The multifaceted wisdom of God is that our words have miracle working power, especially in the good news. We were created to be joint heirs and of the same body as Christ, and to be set forth or exposed before the Elohim. There is no veil between the table of showbread and the holy of holies.
Let’s think about this. The declaration made to the other sons of God was that the church would have access to the holy of holies because of their belief in the good news which was given to holy men of God as the Holy Spirit led them to speak.
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2020/08/rhema-spiritual-downloads-presented-in.html
This is what we are invited and summoned to walk worthy of. We are to walk around every day as partners with the Elohim. Do any of the other sons of God have Christ in them, the hope of glory? Do any of the other sons of God have the Holy Spirit in them? The angels? The cherubim? The seraphim? We are the ultimate answer to the sin of the fallen sons of God, because they are judged as to their behavior regarding us. Humanity was created as the plumb line for the judgment of the fallen sons of God. We show the manifold wisdom of God because we are part of a plan that they could not see or know about. But we are not to walk around high minded about this, simply confident.
Ephesians 4:2 G3326 with G3956 all G5012 humility G2532 and G4236 gentleness, G3326 with G3115 leniency, G430 enduring G240 one another G1722 in G26 love;
3 G4704 hurrying G5083 to keep G3588 the G1775 unity G3588 of the G4151 spirit G1722 in G3588 the G4886 bonding together G3588 G1515 of peace.
Being patient with one another in love is difficult yet we are to be speedy and prompt to the unity of the Holy Spirit in a unified bond of peace. We come to Jesus with all our sin, hurts, failures, and faults, and it takes time to become a new man in Christ.
Ephesians 4:4 G1520 One G4983 body, G2532 and G1520 one G4151 spirit, G2531 as G2532 also G2564 you were called G1722 in G1520 one G1680 hope G3588 G2821 of your calling. G1473
Paul is going to narrow down seven basic tenets of Christianity. There is one flesh, the Body of Christ. There is no other body that we are a part of or can be part of. It is one unit, unified. One Holy Spirit. There are no other “spirits” we are a part of. When we are invited and summoned, we are given the Holy Spirit to indwell us. The Holy Spirit indwells humans, not the angels, cherubim, seraphim, etc. And just as we were summoned, in one expectation, of our invitation. We are invited. We got the invitation and are going to party.
Ephesians 4:5 G1520 One G2962 Lord, G1520 one G4102 belief, G1520 one G908 immersion;
There is one Yahweh. We do not follow any other lords. There is one faith, or moral conviction. There are no version 2.0’s of the Bible, what has been given to us has been around for at least two thousand years. There is one immersion or baptism. Like Cornelius’ house we should all be baptized in the Holy Spirit, even if that is before the declaration of water baptism. The weightier baptism is the baptism of fire while water baptism is a public announcement.
Ephesians 4:6 G1520 one G2316 God G2532 and G3962 father G3956 of all, G3588 the one G1909 over G3956 all, G2532 and G1223 through G3956 all, G2532 and G1722 in G3956 you all. G1473
There is one Elohim and Father of everything/everyone. The Father is over all, and through all, and in all. These seven precepts of Christianity are what we are invited and summoned to. This mystery which was hidden, is the party.
Ephesians 4:7 G1520 [3one G1161 1And G1538 2in each] G1473 of us G1325 was given G3588 the G5484 favor G2596 according to G3588 the G3358 measure G3588 of the G1431 gift G3588 of the G5547 Christ.
It pleased Jesus to give each of us from heaven a measure or portion of the present of Christ.
Ephesians 4:8 G1352 Therefore G3004 he says, G305 Having ascended G1519 into G5311 the height G162 he captured G161 the captivity, G2532 and G1325 he gave G1390 gifts G3588 G444 to men.
Having ascended into heaven he captured captivity and gave presents to manfaced. Paul is quoting David.
Psalms 68:18 G305 You ascended G1519 into G5311 the height; G162 you captured G161 captivity; G2983 you received G1390 gifts G1722 by G444 men; G2532 for even G1063 G544 [2 the ones resisting persuasion G3588 G2681 1to encamp among].
Paul has two parenthetical sentences next explaining the fact that Jesus ascended and descended.
(Ephesians 4:9 G3588 And the one G1161 G305 that ascended, G5100 what G1510.2.3 is it G1508 unless G3754 that G2532 also G2597 he came down G4412 first G1519 unto G3588 the G2737 lower G3313 parts G3588 of the G1093 earth?
Jesus stormed the gates of hell, taking back the keys to death and Hades. This is why he went into the lower parts of the earth, but death and Hades could not keep a sinless man. While Jesus was taking back the keys he freed the captives in Abraham’s Bay, taking them to Paradise where they await the harpazo.
Ephesians 4:10 G3588 The one G2597 having come down, G1473 he G1510.2.3 is G2532 also G3588 the one G305 having ascended G5231 up above G3956 all G3588 the G3772 heavens, G2443 that G4137 he should fulfill G3588 all things . G3956 )
When Jesus freed the captives he returned to heaven, at the right hand of the Father. He now awaits the proper time to call us up and meet us in the air.
Now this is the entire point of the gifts that Jesus gave the Body of Christ. Some people are called to different ministries. These are not the only ministries. But if we remember, the Holy Spirit divides the gifts of the Spirit in the Body of Christ, Jesus divides the offices in the Body of Christ, and the Elohim divides the operations in the Body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11 G2532 And G1473 he G1325 gave G3588 some indeed for G3303 G652 apostles, G3588 G1161 and some G4396 prophets, G3588 G1161 and some G2099 evangelists; G3588 G1161 but some G4166 shepherds G2532 and G1320 teachers,
“And he gave truly the apostles but the prophets, but the evangelists but the shepherds and teachers.”
Jesus who descended and ascended after capturing captivity divides these offices. We do not divide the offices amongst ourselves. No one decides who gets what office when and where, that is up to Jesus. I have friends who, on their way into a grocery store, in the parking lot, can witness to three people. I have friends who can be incredibly patient with people as they walk through life. I have friends who see and know and are never wrong. I have friends who blaze a trail for people to receive the gospel in the church. I have friends who teach all the time, young and old, no matter the situation. Every evangelist doesn’t evangelize the same way. There is no set speech or formula to evangelizing. The operation is up to the Elohim. Not every shepherd guides people the same way. The operation is up to the Elohim. Not every prophet receives and speaks the same way, the operation is up to the Elohim. Not every apostle blazes the trail delivering a clear message the same way. The operation is up to the Elohim. Not every teacher teaches the same things the same way. The operation is up to the Elohim.
652
ἀπόστολος
apostolos ap-os'-tol-os
From G649; a delegate; specifically an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (“apostle”), (with miraculous powers) KJV Usage: apostle, messenger, he that is sent.
4396
προφήτης
prophētēs prof-ay'-tace
From a compound of G4253 and G5346; a foreteller (“prophet”); by analogy an inspired speaker; by extension a poet KJV Usage: prophet.
2099
εὐαγγελιστής
euaggelistēs
yoo-ang-ghel-is-tace'
From G2097; a preacher of the gospel
KJV Usage: evangelist.
4166
ποιμήν
poimēn poy-mane'
Of uncertain affinity; a shepherd (literally or figuratively)KJV Usage: shepherd, pastor.
1320
διδάσκαλος
didaskalos did-as'-kal-os
From G1321; an instructor (generally or specifically)KJV Usage: doctor, master, teacher.
We have had a problem with these designations as somehow they became positions of lordship in the church. These are not ruling positions at all. The person who is invited and summoned may function as a shepherd, but the shepherd is no more important than the apostle or the evangelist. Paul explains this.
Ephesians 4:12 G4314 for G3588 the G2677 readying G3588 of the G39 holy ones G1519 for G2041 a work G1248 of service, G1519 for G3619 edification G3588 of the G4983 body G3588 of the G5547 Christ;
The word katartismos is the “downward perfecting” or “downward completion”. The saints are perfected from heaven to earth by these offices. The saints are perfected for works of service. This is for building up the Body of Christ. The offices are for the downward perfecting of the saints so that the saints can serve the Body of Christ and build it up. There is no lordship here but simply enablement. Those with the office empower the younger saints in their office.
Ephesians 4:13 G3360 until G2658 we should [2arrive G3588 G3956 1all] G1519 in G3588 the G1775 unity G3588 of the G4102 belief, G2532 and G3588 of the G1922 full knowledge G3588 of the G5207 son G3588 G2316 of God, G1519 in G435 [2man G5046 1a perfect], G1519 in G3358 the measure G2244 of the stature G3588 of the G4138 fullness G3588 of the G5547 Christ;
1922 LSJ Gloss:ἐπίγνωσις full knowledge
Dodson:ἐπίγνωσις knowledge, discernment, recognition knowledge of a particular point (directed towards a particular object); perception, discernment, recognition, intuition.
TBESG:ἐπίγνωσις knowledge
G:N-F
ἐπί-γνωσις, -εως, ἡ
(< ἐπιγινώσκω, which see), [in LXX: 3Ki.7:14 (B. γν-),
Thayer:
1) precise and correct knowledge
1a) used in the NT of the knowledge of things ethical and divine
ἐπίγνωσις
epignōsis ip-ig'-no-sis From G1921; recognition, that is, (by implication) full discernment, acknowledgement KJV Usage: (ac-) knowledge (-ing, -ment).
We started the church on Pentecost, where there were apostles, disciples, and believers, who all became filled with the Holy Spirit. Those people went out to tell others about Jesus’ death and that he rose up on the third day. Then the people who learned this became believers and disciples with offices in the Body of Christ. They went out and told others. This process continues until we arrive. Arrive where? Arrive in unity of faith, and in the “above knowledge”. Above knowledge, epignōsis, is a “knowledge from above”. It is more than what we can know by our five senses. It is a knowledge from heaven of the Son of God. This is what makes us a perfect or completed human. If people could become unified in faith and become perfect via the above knowledge of Jesus Christ, then we are measured into maturity in the completion of the Messiah.
The idea of being measured into maturity is like a balance scale. As we learn and grow we put on more weight until the measure is equal, making us mature. We don’t age over night, we age and mature slowly. Maturity means we are filled up with Christ. To read this backwards, we need an above knowledge of Jesus Christ the Son of God, which will unify us in the faith with others. We have then become perfect and complete. We are no longer infants.
Ephesians 4:14 G2443 that G3371 no longer G1510.3 should we be G3516 infants, G2831 being swelled G2532 and G4064 carried round about G3956 by every G417 wind G3588 of the G1319 instruction, G1722 in G3588 the G2940 cunning G3588 G444 of men, G1722 in G3834 cleverness G4314 to G3588 the G3180 craft G3588 of the G4106 delusion.
Paul sure packs these sentences full. We are growing up, and growing others up in the Lord so that we are not infants on a swell or a wave. We all know what it is like to play in the ocean and ride the waves, but imagine a baby riding a wave, the baby would drown. Or a baby being carried out to sea in a riptide. This is a common occurrence in the church. Many people follow after this one or that one, or this new thing or that new thing. It suggests infancy. Every time the wind blows a new special secret ministry floats by, with teaching and instruction that is trickery. The wind blows and another deceptive group of men come to deceive others with their knavery or shrewdness, in the scheme of fraud. The craft of delusion is something people bring into the church to lure others out, mixing heretical doctrines, religious rites, and secrets only the select few know about. Ridiculous.
There are groups that claim that this rabbi or that Jewish scholar are teaching prophetically. Impossible. One must have the Holy Spirit to be prophetic, which in turn means that one must believe on Jesus Christ to be prophetic. There are people who also claim that Jesus is Lord, but they twist something just enough that they are completely wrong. Such as claiming Jesus and Satanas are brothers. Or how about today someone who claims they believe on Jesus but they are of the one hundred and forty four thousand. No, those two things cannot be true together. One is either saved or not. Let’s not be infants rolling around in the waves and riptides being sucked into every nonsensical thing that comes along.
Ephesians 4:15 G226 But being truthful G1161 G1722 in G26 love, G837 we should grow G1519 in G1473 him G3588 in all things, G3956 G3739 which G1510.2.3 is G3588 the G2776 head -- G3588 the G5547 Christ;
The context is that we are invited and summoned to the offices which are for the downward perfecting of the saints for works of service that edify the Body of Christ. We are to become a complete human measured into maturity in the completion of Christ. Speak truth in love. This is how we increase or grow into Him, all that is the head or cornerstone Christ. Speak the truth in love. Christ is the head. We speak the truth to others to grow them up into Christ the head of the Body.
Ephesians 4:16 G1537 from G3739 whom G3956 all G3588 the G4983 body G4883 being fitted together, G2532 and G4822 being instructed G1223 by G3956 every G860 ligament G3588 G2024 of supply, G2596 according to G1753 energy G1722 in G3358 measure G1520 [2one G1538 1of each] G3313 part, G3588 the G838 growth G3588 of the G4983 body G4160 to produce for itself G1519 to G3619 the construction G1438 of itself G1722 in G26 love.
Christ is the head of the body. Everyone else is fitting together and united by all the ligaments. The ligaments supply downward energy in measure a portion or division to everyone. The body grows and manufactures into building up itself in love. Christ is the head, we are not. The ligaments give us a portion of energy from heaven which grows and builds us up in love. Speak truth in love. This is how: be part of the Body of Christ. Not the head, but another part of the body, which has the ability to grow itself up.
In the Body of Christ we are portioned out energy from heaven so that we can grow up in love. If we are not fitted together with Christ the head via the ligaments, then we are not connected to him. We have to be connected to him. The ligaments supply the portion of energy, so we cannot cut ourselves off from the Body and expect to grow. But the Body of Christ is not in just one church or one building, or one denomination, it is the world wide connection to all believers.
Ephesians 4:17 G3778 This G3767 then G3004 I say G2532 and G3143 testify G1722 in G2962 the Lord, G3371 for you to no longer G1473 G4043 walk G2531 as G2532 also G3588 the G3062 rest G1484 of the nations G4043 walk, G1722 in G3153 the folly G3588 G3563 of their mind, G1473
Paul is calling us to witness in Yahweh that they/we no longer walk just as the remaining nations walk. In Ephesus the remaining nations as a whole were shrinking and becoming less dominant. That should be the case with our cities today, but we seem to have the non-believers growing in numbers. The ethnos walk vainly and without purpose. They are empty. They do not know the Messiah, they do have truth or above knowledge of Jesus Christ. They are empty. Don’t follow them. The word translated “folly” is mataiotēs, meaning moral depravity. Their mind and reasoning are morally depraved. We should be speaking the truth in love, right? Point out, in love, that the non-believers are empty morally depraved individuals. We could ask non-believers if they like being empty and morally depraved, in love of course. But wait, there’s more.
Ephesians 4:18 G4654 being darkened G3588 in the G1271 mind, G1510.6 being G526 separated from G3588 the G2222 life G3588 G2316 of God, G1223 through G3588 the G52 ignorance G3588 G1510.6 being G1722 in G1473 them, G1223 through G3588 the G4457 callousness G3588 G2588 of their heart; G1473
The ethnos who are unsaved, have dark thoughts that are deprived of light. Why? Because they are estranged and alienated from the Living Elohim. Their imaginations are obscure and gloomy and they think we are the same way they are. We are not because we are not alienated from the Living Elohim, our thoughts and imaginations are light and life. They have dark thoughts because of their own ignorance and willful blindness. Their hearts are callous, hard, and blind. Shouldn’t we tell them by speaking the truth in love?
Ephesians 4:19 G3748 ones who G524 being numbed, G1438 delivered themselves up G3860 G3588 to G766 lewdness, G1519 for G2039 a work G167 of all uncleanness G3956 G1722 in G4124 a desire for wealth.
These unbelievers become apathetic. They feel no pain and cease to care. They surrender to lewdness, licentiousness, wantonness, debauchery, and lasciviousness. This is speaking of sexual promiscuity, crude sexual behaviors, vulgarity, sexually unrestrained, excessive sexual indulgence, etc. Paul is saying their dark thoughts and obscure imaginations lead unbelievers into not caring about the Living God and they become overly sexualized and labor in physical and moral impurity for avarice and extortion.
Although Paul wrote this about two thousand years ago, Paul just described all unsaved politicians, unsaved world leaders, and unsaved corporate executives, and some unsaved religious leaders. They have dark thoughts and are willfully blind with hard hearts. They feel no pain and cease to care about their sexual perversity so they work in impurity, and greedy extortion. They don’t know the Living God. Speak the truth in love.
If we look at these people from a thirty thousand foot view what we see are humans acting animalistic in nature, with no higher consciousness. That is their base nature. If we keep in mind that the other sons of God do not procreate among themselves we can see the root of the many distortions regarding sexual behaviors. Demonically influenced, people resort to all sorts of criminal behavior, from peeping toms, to pornography, to rape of men and women, boys and girls, to trafficking humans, to murdering infants, and so on. The distortion of these behaviors is due to not caring about others, and having a calloused heart. These people believe that they are descended from apes and they behave in that manner, alienating themselves from their Creator. We know that we have been created in the image of the Elohim, and we want to know our Creator, the Living Elohim.
We should notice that Paul is not shy in talking about these things. Sexual perversions are in the church today. This is a shame but it needs to be discussed in light of Paul’s words. There are leaders in the church who have alienated themselves from the Elohim. They have to in order to abuse others. When someone’s heart is separated from the Living Elohim, they have broken their own connection. They have to repent and change their behaviors. Speak the truth in love. They came to Christ with all their sins in tow and they still have to work out their dark thoughts, apathy, and sexual perversions. The ligaments are not supplying energy to these people even though they work in the church. They are going through the rituals and routines in their own strength, with their own dark thoughts. These religious leaders may believe Jesus is Lord but they are severed from the Body of Christ. They will also shun the gifts of the Spirit, because they don’t want anyone to “see” what they are doing in secret. They will become controlling and dominating of others. Tell them to repent, speak the truth in love.
Ephesians 4:20 G1473 But you G1161 G3756 [2not G3779 3thus G3129 1learned] G3588 the G5547 Christ,
21 G1489 if indeed G1473 you heard him, G191 G2532 and G1722 [2in G1473 3him G1321 1were taught], G2531 as G1510.2.3 truth is G225 G1722 in G3588 G* Jesus;
We did not learn these things from Christ, we heard and were taught truth in Jesus. We were invited and summoned. As Jesus told us many are called. Some harden their heart and mind to the Living Elohim. The nations are naturally separated but those who profess Jesus is Lord can also be hardened and separated from the Living God. Here is the solution.
Ephesians 4:22 G659 for you to put aside G1473 G2596 according to G3588 the G4387 former G391 behavior, G3588 the G3820 old G444 man, G3588 the one G5351 being corrupt G2596 according to G3588 the G1939 desires G3588 of the G539 deception;
We downwardly renounce the previous behavior of the old manfaced who is spoiled and depraved with desires and delusions. We do it. The Elohim doesn’t take sexual perversion away from us as if it was a leech somebody threw on our back. We put it aside. We stop it with every fiber of our being. We cast out the demons that prick and goad us. We do it. We cut off the desires of deception.
Ephesians 4:23 G365 and to be renewed G1161 G3588 in the G4151 spirit G3588 G3563 of your mind; G1473
But we renew or reform ourselves in the spirit of our mind. It is a renovation and a regeneration in our mind. Instead of the old way we behaved, we reform the spirit of our mind. We acted like animals, the way the nations did, but now we change our behavior and our thoughts.
Ephesians 4:24 G2532 and G1746 to put on G3588 the G2537 new G444 man, G3588 the one G2596 according to G2316 God G2936 being created G1722 in G1343 righteousness G2532 and G3742 sacredness G3588 of the G225 truth.
We clothe or wear the new, fresh manfaced which is downward from the Elohim shaped in righteousness, and holiness, and truth. We reflect our Creator, not some evolutionary biological depraved mystery. The mystery is that even as sinners we are invited and summoned to become part of the Body of Christ. We should not become a cancer to the Body, but instead bring life to the unsaved. The ministries of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, are to build others up so that they can work in ministering. There should never be one minister only. There should be many. If we are truly a new man clothed and created in righteousness, holiness, and truth, we can speak the truth in love and edify the Body of Christ.
Essenes, Nazarenes, Therapeutaes, Damascus Community:
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-god-who-walks-with-man-melchizedek.html
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2016/02/john-essene-true-prophets-nazarenes.html
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2016/02/jesus-essene-therapeutaes-joseph-zedek.html
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2016/02/therapeutaes-jesus-buddha-wild-worship.html
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2016/02/philosophies-of-death-essenes-pharisees.html
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2016/02/apollos-spirit-filled-tongues-of-fire.html
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2016/03/imprecations-birkat-ha-minim-prophecies.html
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2016/03/pauls-imprecation-self-inflicted-curses.html
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2016/03/joined-in-holy-spirit-grafted-with.html
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2016/04/dark-and-light-cursing-belial-essene.html
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2016/06/feast-of-weeks-rainbows-pentecost-lost.html
