Journal: Journal of Ministry and Theology
Volume: JMAT 19:2 (Fall 2015)
Article: The Plan And Power Of God The Father In Ephesians
Author: Gary R. Gromacki

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JMAT 19:2 (Fall 2015) p. 9

The Plan And Power Of God The Father In Ephesians

Gary Gromacki

Professor of Bible and Homiletics
Baptist Bible Seminary
Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania

Introduction

Ephesians: Paul’s Trinitarian Epistle

Ephesians is Paul’s trinitarian epistle.1 The trinity is seen in several texts in Ephesians (Eph 1:3–14; 2:18, 22; 3:14–17; 4:4–6; 5:18–20). Ephesians 1:3–14 focuses on the work of the triune God in accomplishing our salvation. God the Father planned our salvation (Eph 1:3–6). God the Son (Jesus Christ) purchased our salvation by his death on the cross (Eph 1:7–12). God the Spirit (the Holy Spirit) protects our salvation as the seal (Eph 1:13–14).

The three divine persons of the trinity are involved in prayer as Paul writes, “For through Him [Christ] we both have access by one Spirit to the Father” (Eph 2:18). The triune God is involved with the church as the temple of the Lord. Jesus Christ

JMAT 19:2 (Fall 2015) p. 10

is the cornerstone in the temple into which believers are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit (Eph 2:22). Paul prayed to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ that the Ephesians might be strengthened through his Spirit in the inner man with the result that Christ would dwell in their hearts through faith (Eph 3:14–17). Paul mentions the one Spirit, one Lord, and one God and Father of all in Ephesians 4:4–6. Paul commands that Christians be filled by means of the Spirit. An evidence of this filling is that they will give thanks to God the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 5:18–20).

Hoehner writes, “Therefore, the work of Trinity is important in Ephesians. It is the Father to whom believers direct their prayers and the one who is over all and plans or initiates all things. It is the Son through whom believers pray and the one who carries out the Father’s plan in redemption, reconciliation, and un...

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