Chapter 3
V1-2 Bearing in mind that chapters and verses were only introduced by Archbishop Stephen Langton in the early 13th century, we must not lose sight of the fact that Paul’s epistles were continuous letters devoid of interruption in the message. V1 is a continuation of the train of thought commenced in 2:20. If we are dead in water immersion with Messiah, freed from the ordinances of traditions of men nailed to the cross, then also do we rise from this carnal nature with Yeshua into Holy Spirit truth in newness of life. We are thus eligible to the Holy Spirit gifts and power which are in heaven above, where our delivering, justifying, redeeming, sanctifying, saving Messiah sits at the right hand of our heavenly Father cf Rom 8:6; Matt 6:33. Earthly treasures pale in comparison to the eternal riches that await us cf 2 Cor 4:18; Matt 6:20.
V3 Messiah did the will of Elohim Jn 6:38 and abides in the Father Jn 14:10. When we mortify the deeds of the flesh, believing in (INSIDE) Yeshua, our soul-man/psuche of the first Adam is destroyed and our soul is emptied of all degeneration. It is then in a position to be filled by the Life-Giving Spirit of Yeshua, the second Adam. We then become hid with Messiah IN Elohim the Father in whom He also abides cf 1 Cor 3:21-23; 15:45-49.
V4 This concept is fully elucidated in 1 Cor 15:50-54.
V5 The list given defines idolatry and are pretty much all governed by lust. It is all selfish in nature and hence is worship of one self’s desires. Cf Rom 8:13
V6 -7 having put off this old carnal nature, risen as a new man in Messiah in Torah truth led by the Holy Spirit, we are guaranteed freedom from the wrath of Elohim to come. This ultimately shall be dispensed at the great white judgement with only but one destination, of which is everlasting punishment in the lake of fire cf Rev 20:11-15.
V8-9 An inexhaustive list is further given as admonition to shun all manner of evil, no matter how benign it may seem to be. Yeshua gives a more damning and frightening expression of our need to steer clear of evil in Matt 5:29-30. 2 more groups of sins are outlined here:
a. Anger, which if unchecked leads to thumos/wrath, fierceness and ultimately kakia/malice, desire to injure
b. blasphemia/slander related with aischrologia/obscene speech and pseudomai/lies
V10 The neos/recently born, new is endowed with epignosis/precise knowledge conformed to the image of Yeshua, of which was the predestined/predetermined will of Yehovah Elohim, for all to be saved cf Rom 8:29; 1 Tim 2:4.
V11 In Messiah there is no ethnic, racial, social nor class bias. We are all given equal opportunities without prejudice, in His body though serving different purposes according to our maturity and condition of our heart.
V12 Bowels were regarded as the seat of the more violent passions such as anger and love, but by the Hebrews as the seat of tender affections e.g. kindness, benevolence and compassion which are effectively of the heart i.e. tender mercies and affections. We are encouraged as the saints of Elohim to not bear the bowels of anger but rather of love, the characteristics of which are beautifully outlined in this verse.
V13 Endurance in the midst of adversity fosters a forgiving nature. No man harbouring unforgiveness, shall be forgiven by our heavenly Father as fearfully assured by Yeshua Himself Matt 6:14-15.
V14-16 Charity is agape/brotherly love. This binds together all the members of the body Of Messiah in moral and spiritual perfection. Unity in the body of Messiah which is the ecclesia ultimately flourishes in a state of tranquillity for which we must be ever grateful. Much division exists in many churches of today due to a lack of brotherly love for one another, most members still succumbing to the traits of the old man. If only we would willingly observe the Torah once justified by faith, the Holy Spirit would eagerly succour us to do so in Spirit and in truth, His presence in our souls eliminating all demonic enmity that craves to keep us in a state of carnality.
With Holy Spirit presence in our hearts, the interpersonal relationship in the ecclesia advised by Paul from verses 8-16, would become natural for us to follow, and perpetuate peace and love for one another, which is the fulfilment of Torah Gal 5:14, Jm 2:8-11. Love can only be true love if the word/Yeshua dwells or abides in us. We have been shown in scripture in various places that to abide in Messiah and ultimately the Father requires the observance of His commandments, which are indeed wisdom and instruction for us. Torah truth noutheteo/warns, reproves, admonishes us to keep us in good stead with Yehovah. Our songs of praise in Torah truth become more meaningful and acceptable by our Heavenly Father who is so full of grace.
V17-25 These verses are a condensed version of Paul’s admonition and exhortation to the Ephesians in Eph 5:22-6:9. I shall use the commentary given on my channel in Eph to expand this further, in order for a greater understanding of Paul’s intents and purposes to be appreciated.
V17-18 cf Eph 5:21-25 Marriage is holy and is an earthly representation of Yeshua’s relationship with His ecclesia. Feminism has dominated the world in our day and age, taking over the church. Women have been conditioned into seeking and achieving headship of the home, which is contrary in the animal kingdom at large. Churches are headed by female bishops, priests, pastors, preachers and teachers who oversee men who have apathetically or effeminately surrendered their duties to women. Misogyny has been the label hurled with great guile at men who speak up against such anti-scriptural, and Elohim-defying behaviour. I fearlessly will defend the sanctity of male headship in the home and ecclesia, as much division of families and churches have arisen from female dominance where it is not suitable.
Women are not described as being slaves to men by Paul, but rather subject to them. Men, must not abuse this authority but give ourselves up in loving protection and leadership of our wives. Compare 1 Pet 3:1,7. Husbands who do not honour their wives cause hindrance of their prayers. Wives may be weaker vessels, but this means husbands are weak vessels too (though not weaker). It does not mean husbands are strong, otherwise Peter would have said wives are weak not weaker as a superlative. Also compare Rom 13:1. We live in an orderly world. If children refuse to be subject to their parents, nor wives to their husbands, how is the ecclesia possibly going to submit to Messiah? Satan and his demonic host have gained much ground in the ecclesia’s downfall by fostering disobedience and rebellion against authority.
V20-21 cf Eph 6:1-4 cf Ex 20:12; Deut 5:16. Pro 30:17 gives a more chilling description. We seem to be in the end days as this commandment goes unheeded in society and worryingly so in the churches too cf 2 Tim 3:2. Paul precisely through the Holy Spirit, specifies us to obey our parents IN Yeshua, meaning that provided our parents are following the will of the Messiah our Master, then should they be obeyed. If, however our parents demand us to do that which is anti-Torah and against the will of our heavenly Father, then are we not to obey such. Honouring differs from obeying in that obeying is but a subset of honouring. Honouring comprises other qualities such as love, respect and reverence.
Fathers must not provoke to anger their children in order not to discourage them from following Yehovah’s Torah cf Col 3:21. Fathers are the ordained head of the family, and their absenteeism in society today bears witness of the rage found in kids raised by their mothers alone, and unruly rebellious behaviour on their parts. Being too harsh to your children as a father may be as detrimental as being too lenient, hence the proverb spare the rod, spoil the child cf Pro 23:13-14, 29:15.
V22-24 cf Eph 6:5-9 Doulos/slave is translated servant in KJV. Slaves in Paul’s time and before, were a normal sector of society. The Torah outlines how one could end up being a slave e.g. to repay debts, or be willingly enslaved altogether cf Ex 21. As with the other groups of societal relationships i.e. wives to husbands representing the ecclesia to Messiah, children to parents, and fathers to children representing the ecclesia to our heavenly father, the relationship of slave to master and master to slave was to represent that between us individual members of the ecclesia, as slaves of Messiah. 7 qualifications in Ephesians were laid out to define obedience:
a. phobos/fear, reverence
b. tromos/trembling, care to not displease to avoid wrath
c. haplotes/singleness, sincerity of heart
d. service as unto Messiah
e. Not as eyeservice
f. Nor as man pleasers
g. with goodwill as unto Messiah cf 1 Pet 2:18-21; Gal 1:10; Phil 2:12.
V25 You reap what you sow cf 1 Pet 1:16-17. This includes the saints who shall be judged too at the bema seat judgement, which differs from the great white throne judgement, the latter occurring 1000 years later after the millennial reign cf 2 Cor 5:10