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We propose a comparison of the three main epistles of our high calling,
namely Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. Anticipating the results of
such a series of comparisons, we shall find that Ephesians concentrates
attention on the high calling of the dispensation of the Mystery. Philippians
focuses attention, not so much on the calling or the hope of this calling,
but upon the added `Prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus'. Colossians
while it covers the positive teaching of Ephesians, at the same time provides
illuminating comparisons with the `Prize' element of Philippians. To know
the teaching of Ephesians and Philippians as thoroughly as is possible, this
comparison of part with part is most essential. While the presence or
absence of the words `at Ephesus' in Ephesians 1:2 is a disputed point, the
words `and to the faithful in Christ Jesus' occur in the opening of both
Ephesians and Colossians. In contrast, Philippians is addressed by
`servants' of Jesus Christ (not by the title `apostles' as in Ephesians or
Colossians) and `to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi with
the bishops and deacons' (Phil. 1:1). This is no accidental change of
address, `servants' `bishops and deacons' refer to ministry and
responsibility, and prepare for the `outworking' of grace (Phil. 2:12). In
Ephesians the apostle places in the forefront the Will of the Father, Who
hath blessed us. `Blessed be God' being the opening word of the epistle
proper. Colossians however opens with `thanks to God ... since we heard of
your faith' (Col. 1:3,4) which is parallel with Ephesians 1:15 onward. We
note therefore that while in both epistles there is a remembrance of the
faith and love of the saints, in Ephesians the unmerited favour of `all
spiritual blessings', of `heavenly places', of `adoption' and `acceptance in
the Beloved' comes first. This reveals the fundamental nature of Ephesians.
In Colossians we read `Giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us
meet' (Col. 1:12), whereas in Philippians we read `I thank my God upon every
remembrance of you ... for your fellowship in the gospel' (Phil. 1:3 -5)
again indicating the distinctive purpose of Philippians.
Ephesians opens with the words:
`Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath
blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ',
and while we `compare' `the words which the Holy Ghost teacheth' in Ephesians
itself and discover that `heavenly places' are where Christ is seated at the
right hand of God (Eph. 1:20), we find further information by turning to
Colossians 1:12,13. First, we notice that both Ephesians 1:7 and Colossians
1:12 -14 focus upon the redemptive Work of Christ:
`In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of
sins',
the wording of both Ephesians 1:7 and Colossians 1:14 being identical.
All
spiritual blessings and heavenly places therefore should be considered
together with:
`The inheritance of the saints in light' (Col. 1:12).
Being `made meet' for such an inheritance will round out `accepted in the
Beloved', and translation into the kingdom of the Son of His love (Col. 1:13)
should be read together with `made us sit together in heavenly places in
Christ Jesus' (Eph. 2:6). The choice of the Father that we should be `holy
and without blame before Him' (Eph. 1:4) is referred in Colossians not so