Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Ephesians 1:15-23

This passage from Ephesians consists of the author’s prayer for the audience and consists of many things, beginning with the fundamental prayer that they may receive a spirit of wisdom from God. I say “the author” here as although the letter is attributed to the apostle Paul, many Pauline scholars do not think that Paul wrote it, but a later person, who wrote in his name. Such a practice, called pseudepigraphy (“false writing”), was widespread in the ancient world. Such a label may seem pejorative, but because a text may not have been written by the person it claims to be by does not make the text false. It is another significant voice in the emerging church. What is particular striking in this passage is the description of Christ as the “head” of the church. Nowhere in Paul’s undisputed letters do we encounter such an idea. The letter also indicates that Christ is above all, including all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but in the age to come (v. 22). For this author, clearly no human or cosmic power is above Christ. He is making it clear to whom his readership should be loyal. 

- Alicia Batten