Because the Lord God chose them, adopted and redeemed them, subdued them, raised them from death and united them to Christ, and reconciled them completely (nothing else needs to be done) to Himself and one another because of Christ, their status with Him was changed. Paul explained to them how much their status had changed; they are now equally the people of God just like all the believers before. With the believing Jews, from Abraham forward, they had become fellow citizens, members of God’s household, a holy temple in the Lord, a habitation of God in the Spirit, fellow heirs, of the same body, partakers of [God’s] promise in Christ. Paul chose this language because it described the OT encounters between YHWH and the Israel believers; now this language applies to both Jews and Gentiles equally, to all who believed on Christ for their righteousness. This was God’s plan all along, from before creation, to have a world-wide worshiping people of all nations, whom He will display before all observers so that they will better understand His wisdom.
Their changed and elevated status does not negate their need for ongoing, sustaining, growing and persevering grace if they are to bring glory to the God of such grace. Paul prayed so for them, that the believing Ephesians would be so strengthened, so enlightened, and so filled by the triune God, that He will be glorified by the church. It was the Apostle praying as if their Intercessor prayed, to teach them Christ’s love and ongoing labors for them. Paul in his requests, laid out the means the church will use to glorify the God of creation and salvation. |
