Ephesians 2:1-10

Ephesians 2:1-10
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Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
- Chapter VIII, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians, Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110). (Longer Version - 4th cent interpolation)
- Chapter I, The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians, Polycarp of Smyrna (c 115).
- IV.V.1, V.XXIV.4, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
- Chapter VII, On Baptism, Tertullian (c. 198)
- Chapter I, Chapter II, Exhortation to the Greeks, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- II.10, III.9, III.18, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- Chapter XVI, Chapter XXI, On the Soul, Tertullian (c. 210)
- V.17, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 212)
- Chapter XVII, On Modesty, Tertullian (c. 217)
- II.III.5, II.XI.5, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen. (c.225)
- IV.LXXII, VII.LII, Against Celsus, Origen (c. 246)
- X.14, XIII.8, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)
- Part 25, On the Incarnation of the Word, Athanasius of Alexandria, c. 318.
- Commentary by St. John Chrysostom: Homily IV.
- From the Geneva Notes.
- God The Fountain of Salvation for All His Elect, Thomas Goodwin, c. 1650.
- The Greatness of God's Love to His Elect, Thomas Goodwin, c. 1650.
- From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
- From Wesley's Notes.
- Salvation by Faith (Eph 2:8), The Scripture Way of Salvation (Eph 2:8): Sermons by John Wesley.
- From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
- From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
- "All of Grace: Ephesians 2:8," Charles H. Spurgeon, 1915.
  - "Salvation may be called Theodora, or God's gift: and each saved soul may be surnamed Dorothea, which is another form of the same expression. Multiply your phrases, and expand your expositions; but salvation truly traced to its well-head is all contained in the gift unspeakable, the free, unmeasured benison of love."
Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:
- Commentary, Ephesians 2:1-10, Kyle Fever, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2015.
  - "Our transfer is a genuinely new thing; we are created new. We're not just to feel better about our relationship with God while still dwelling in the old house."
- The Center for Excellence in Preaching, Stan Mast, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, illustration ideas, 2015.
  - "It is only because of God's grace, his undeserved, unearned love and mercy and kindness for sinners, that we are saved. That is the very heart of Christianity. Well, not quite. As the Reformers put it, it's not just sola gratia. It's also solus Christus."
- Lectionary Greek, Rob Myallis, 2015.
- Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2015.
- "Paul," sermon discussion from Frederick Buechner, Frederick Buechner Blog.
  - "And how long was the whole great circus to last? Paul said, why, until we all become human beings at last, until we all 'come to maturity,' as he put it; and then, since there had been only one really human being since the world began, until we all make it to where we're like him, he said - 'to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ' (Ephesians 4:13). Christs to each other, Christs to God. All of us. Finally. It was just as easy, and just as hard, as that."
- "Grace," sermon discussion from Frederick Buechner, Frederick Buechner Blog.
  - "The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn't have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us. It's for you I created the universe. I love you."
- Commentary, Ephesians 2:1-10, Daniel G. Deffenbaugh, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2012.
  - "What a difference a generation makes..."
- "Stop Right There," Martha Spong, Reflectionary, 2012.
- Commentary, Ephesians 2:1-10, Richard Carlson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
  - "This text presents the immeasurable nature of God's grace which has totally changed both our reality and conduct forever."
- "First Thoughts on Year B Epistle Passages in the Lectionary," Lent 4, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
  - "The being of God is the gift which persuades people to choose the offer of life."
- Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
- "Life and Light, Death and Darkness," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation.
  - "...in his letter to the Ephesians, Paul describes our human condition as a titanic struggle between forces of life and death. Ignoring our own best interests, he writes, we gratify our selfish cravings, follow dark desires, and relish irrational thoughts. This includes, he tells the Ephesians, 'all of us.'"
- "God Gives Us New Life in Christ," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
- Environmental & earth-centered reflections from the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota Environmental Stewardship Commission.
  - "The Fourth Sunday in Lent is our recess in the practices of Lenten observance, and is called "Refreshment Sunday" for that reason, and also because of the feeding of the five thousand told about in the Gospel of John this day."
- "Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry," Faith and Order Paper No. 111. World Council of Churches, 1982. Theological and practical commentary.
Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links)
- Allen, Thomas G., "Exaltation and Solidarity with Christ: Ephesians 1:20 and 2:6," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 1986.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Buechner, Frederick, "Journey toward Wholeness," Theology Today, 1993.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Craddock, Fred B., "From God, to God," The Christian Century, 2003.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Long, Thomas G., "Just As I Am," The Christian Century, 2006.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- López, René A., "Is Faith a Gift from God or a Human Exercise?" Bibliotheca Sacra, 2007.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Roose, Hanna, "Sharing in Christ's Rule: Tracing a Debate in Earliest Christianity," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2004.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Sundberg, Walter, "Satan the Enemy," Word & World, 2008.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Sermons:
- "What's in Your Future?" the Rev. Dr. Donovan Drake, Day 1, 2009.
- "The Spiritual Resurrection of Believers: A Sermon on Ephesians 2:4-5," Geerhaudus Vos, in Kerux: The Online Journal of Biblical Theology (Reformed).
With Children:
- Worshiping with Children, Lent 4B, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2015. 2012.
- "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," March.8, 2015, Union Presbyterian Seminary. 2012.
- "God's Free Gift," and "The Master Designer," Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
- "The Gift of God," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
- "By Grace through Faith," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
Drama:
- "Circle of Love," John McNeil, dramatix.
- "Don't You See Me?" Glenn A. Hascall, dramatix.
- "The Burden," Diane Schaffner, dramatix.
- "Dirty Laundry," Eric Stapleton, dramatix.
- "The Great Veggie Heist of Artesian Valley," Glenn A. Hascall, dramatix.
- "Check, Please," Scott Phillips, dramatix.
Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
- Images for this week's readings, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
Hymns and Music:
- By Grace We Have Been Saved Through Faith, Text: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, Tune: ST. ANNE 8.6.8.6 ("Our God, Our Help in Ages Past"), a new hymn that celebrates being saved from sin for life based on Ephesians 2:1-10.
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Ephesians 2:4, 7, 8. The Cyber Hymnal.
- Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
- At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
  - I Gave My Life for Thee
Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
Movies Linked at The Text This Week's Art Concordance:
Study Links and Resources for the Book of Ephesians