Author: Administrador

Once a rule-follower, always a rule follower. There seems to be something hardwired to the human condition in this regard. Psychologists tell us that first-borns are often very concerned with decorum and go to great lengths to maintain it. As a first-born myself, I have always resonated with this bit of psychological wisdom. I don’t … Continue reading “Philippians 1:3-11 Commentary by Jacob Myers”

The opening comments and introduction in Paul’s letters often give us an insight into something of the key aspects of what will follow in the letter as a whole, but also an insight into the life of the church to whom the letter is written and their relationship with Paul. In this case the opening … Continue reading “Philippians 1:3-11 Commentary by Edward Pillar”

We often speak of Philippians in terms of being a friendship or joyful letter from the apostle to one of his congregations. What we often skip over is that this is one of his prison letters (see e.g., Philippians 1:12-14). This overlooking of the social context flattens our reading of the text, missing a crucial … Continue reading “Philippians 1:1-18a Commentary by Michael Joseph Brown”

These verses form a powerful and eloquent conclusion to the letter. They represent a reworking of biblical imagery to support the author’s viewpoint that the church, having been united as one body through the work of Christ, takes an active role in pursuing God’s righteousness and justice. The author is working closely with Isaiah 59, … Continue reading “Ephesians 6:10-20 Commentary by Susan Hylen”

Extending last Sunday’s focus on Christ the bread of life, here again is exhortation to serve the one true God of liberation, to have life by eating and drinking Christ’s body and blood. When the disciples hear Jesus’ words — “the one who eats this bread will live forever” (John 6:58) — the text says … Continue reading “Ephesians 6:10-20 Commentary by Melinda Quivik”

As the letter to assemblies of believers in Ephesus and throughout the great cities of Asia Minor draws to a close, the author offers a final extended metaphor for how a person of faith in Jesus as God’s own anointed one, Lord over all, might shape the life of believers. It is important for preachers … Continue reading “Ephesians 6:10-20 Commentary by Sarah Henrich”

“Be careful then how you live…” These verses continue instructions regarding the Christian life. This life is the result of the reconciliation that God has brought about in Christ (cf. Ephesians 2:13-18). Its focus is on living in love for the building up of the body of Christ (4:1-2, 11-16). A review of the word … Continue reading “Ephesians 5:15-20 Commentary by Susan Hylen”

Most of Ephesians is found in the Revised Common Lectionary except for, chiefly, 5:21-6:9 (the Household Codes) and 5:3-6 which describes even more specifically than today’s epistle disobedient behaviors — equating, for example, fornication and impurity with vulgar talk. Greed, we are told in 5:6, as a mark of idolatry, prohibits inheritance of the kingdom. … Continue reading “Ephesians 5:15-20 Commentary by Melinda Quivik”

This unit of exhortation begins with its roots planted in the wisdom tradition. It is the “wise” who see that a new day has begun in Christ (Ephesians 5:14), and who live that out in their lives. If we are truly awakened from the sleep of sin and death, then our lives will not stumble … Continue reading “Ephesians 5:15-20 Commentary by Brian Peterson”

In the midst of a group of complex lessons (not in sequence) from Romans, this pericope from Ephesians suddenly appears. It accompanies the dramatic Johannine story of the man healed of blindness (John 9:1-41). The first reading (I Samuel 16:1-13) tells the story of God’s choice of David as a young boy to be king … Continue reading “Ephesians 5:8-14 Commentary by Sarah Henrich”