Ekklesia, was used by the Greeks to indicate a body of persons, who were set apart for a special purpose. In English it could be 'council', or 'assembly' but it is often translated as congregation and sometimes referred to as the Church.
I shall therefore substitute the original names Yahuweh and Yeshua where appropriate.
For this study I used the Nestle Greek text. Rather then using a nearest word translation, I have looked at the underlying meaning of the text, in the context and checked this against the rest of the Scriptures. I did this, to make sure they are in agreement.
My greatest advantage is that I am no Greek scholar and therefore have to rely heavily on the guidance of the
Spirit of the Holy one. Fortunately, this guidance is abundantly available for you and me.
"Paul through the will of Yahuweh an Apostle of the Messiah Yeshua, to the ones being saints [in Ephesus} and who are faithful encompassed by the Messiah Yeshua."The addition "in Ephesus" is not in most manuscripts, but might have been added in some, because a copy was found at Ephesus. This epistle is obviously directed to all the saints. Tychicus could have taken it, seeEph.6:21, to the different Assemblies.
This needs some further consideration. There are various expressions in Hebrew that depict something that is set apart. 'Qadash' means set apart. 'Qodesh' is used in the Tanakh to indicate, set apart by Yahuweh for Yahuweh. A group set apart by Yahuweh is called 'Qadosh' . We have also the word 'Chawsied.' For all these
different Hebrew expressions, there is only one Greek word used, which is 'Hagios'.
Unfortunately, it is not completely compatible. Hagios, means something that is
magnified or exalted.
The Church, having discarded their Jewish roots, has applied the Greek meaning of Hagios, to the word saint and thereby decided that only exceptional people could be Saints.
However, when we consider the Hebrew background meaning of Hagios, translated saints in this text, it means set apart by Yahuweh for His purposes.
Verse 2: "Grace to you and peace from Yahuweh the Father of us and the Adon Yeshua the Messiah"
If in old times a Hebrew Subject wanted to approach a King, he sought 'chanan', which is either favor or loathe. If he found favor he got 'chen' (grace) and was greeted with 'Shalom', meaning come near without fear (or in peace).
That is what Paul is saying here. We have grace from Yahuweh and Shalom, to approach Him.
If we look closely at the original texts, we see that Paul calls Yahuweh the Father of Yeshua the Messiah. We have a difficulty in our NT translations. The Hebrew expression "HaMoshiya" (Ha = the) could be translated Christou in the Greek, without the definite article. However if we translate it back in to English we should replace the definite article and say: The Messiah. And when they want to anglicize Christou, because they do not want to acknowledge the Jewishness of Yeshua, they should at least say the Christ.
The Greek Christou from chri meaning anoint is not equivalent to the Hebrew Moshiya. People have used Mashiyach from mashach, which means to smear or salve for the Messiah.
However, we do not find this word used in the Tanakh for the promised deliverer, the Tanakh uses Moshiya.
When we look closely to the usage of
the Hebrew word Moshiya in the Tanakh, we see that it is a form of the verb yasha = to save.
Moshiya therefore means savior or deliverer and not anointed.
Furthermore the Hebrew idiom Messiah in the English language sounds much closer to Moshiya then to Mashiyach.
The original name Yeshua and title Messiah are probably later replaced by copyists with the names Yeshua and Christ, in the time that the Church wanted to do away with everything Jewish.
Verse 3:"Blessed be the Elohiem and Father of the Adon of us Yeshua the Messiah, the one having blessed us with every blessing spiritual in the heavens encompassed by the Messiah".
The Greek word 'Theos' found in this text, really means 'deity' in English. The word God is derived from an old Teutonic idol named, Gott. I
therefore, do not like to use it personally." The Hebrew equivalent of 'Theos' is El, meaning a Supreme Being. However I believe that the name Yahuweh was in the original text and has been replaced by Theos, like it has been replaced with Lord, in our Old Testament translations
The Hebrew word for knee, is berech. The word barach, for blessing is derived from it.
Blessing is therefore associated with kneeling. When one was kneeled down in the olden days, there were two aspects. The one kneeling paid homage, the one kneeled for, shows benevolence.
Blessing depends
therefore on the rank. Blessings from us to Yahuweh are homage. Blessings from Yahuweh to us are benevolent.
Spiritual is a translation from the Greek, pneumatikee. To understand the use, we should go back to the Hebrew word it was translated from. That is Ruach. The root meaning of Ruach is:
"the noticeable effect of a not noticeable action."
The word can be used for several phenomena, the context must show what is meant. It can be used for scent and wind. We can
smell a scent but we can not see how a scent is made, even if we locate its source.
We can not observe wind with our senses. We can observe and feel the effect of wind. When we are blown of our feet, we feel the movement of air, which is an effect of wind. Ruach, can be used for breath. We do not see breath, but we see the effect in the expanding chest.
Ruach HaGodesh is the Holy Spirit (Spirit (of) the Holy one).
This is an activity of Yahuweh, which we can not observe and therefore not explain. However, we can observe the effects of 'this action from Yahuweh'.
We could say that the last part of verse 3 means:
"The benefits of Yahuweh's heavenly activities are bundled together in the Messiah, for our benefit"
Verse 4:" Just as He selected us in Him, before the foundation of the cosmos us to be holy and unblemished before Him."
Chose is from the Hebrew word 'bachar' meaning select. It is used in
Ex.18:25 were Moses selects people according to qualifications. The Greek word 'eklego' used here, is also used among others, in
Luke 6:13. This has the same meaning as bachar. It was used for instance to indicate the selection of stones from a field of stones, to get the ones most suitable for building. It is a selection according to qualifications. What the qualifications for this group are, we will see in the
verses 12 and 13.
The He in this verse is still the deity, Yahuweh, from verse 3. The ones selected, are not set apart (Godesh) or unblemished at their selection, but will be made so at some stage.
The Hebrew for unblemished is, 'tawmeen' and is used for the Passover lamb,
Ex.12:5. The Greek word used is 'amoomous'
Verse 5: "In love deciding on the forehand us to be installed as sons to Himself, through Yeshua the Messiah, according to the good purpose of the design of Him, which He thought to be good."
The word 'adoption' in many translations is not correct. Paul refers here to a well-known Hellenistic custom, as he also did in Gal.4:1-7.
In a family the slaves and the sons were raised together under a tutor. At a certain time, the son was taken from among the slaves and installed in his rightful place as a son in the family.
The word 'huiothesia' used in this verse comes from this custom. It is from huios = son and thesis = placing.
We were created as sons of Yahuweh, but ceased being sons through the fall in Paradise.
Now Yeshua the Messiah, made it possible for us that we could be restored as sons to Yahuweh. This was on the forehand decided, which means, before we were separated as sons. It was done because it is a good purpose in the plans of Yahuweh. The purpose is further contemplated on in,
verse 6: "For the praise of the glory of His grace whereby He has accepted us in the Loved One."
To see the deeper meaning of this, we must consider that Yahuweh has others in the heavenly realm watching His actions. This is apparent from the following Scriptures;
Job 1:6-9, 1Pet.1:12, Lu.15:10 and Eph.3:10.
Yahuweh uses His dealings with us to demonstrate to His creation, His love, wisdom and righteousness. The Loved One is further elaborated on in:
verse 7: "In Whom we have the redemption through the blood of Him, the forgiveness of the shortcomings, according to the abundance of the grace of Him."We must keep in mind that the blood of him points to the Loved One and the grace of Him to Yahuweh the Father.
Having our sin upon Him He had to die, that is, shed His blood.
This was complying with the abundant compassion of Yahuweh.
Verse 8: "which (this grace) he made to abound to us in all wisdom and practical knowledge".
The Hebrew 'chokmah' in Greek 'sophia', translated as 'wisdom', means all-round knowledge. The Hebrew 'chakam' meaning skilful is in the Greek 'phroneesei' meaning practical knowledge to accomplish. The accomplishment is mentioned in:
verse 9: "making known to us, which He first hid from us, about what He set out to do, in accordance with what He thinks is good, which He intended for Himself"
This text is again, translated in such a way that the underlying meaning is given. His intention is given in:
verse 10: "For a management when the time that was set out is fulfilled, to bring under one head all the things within the Messiah, the things in the Heavens and the things on the Earth, within Him."
The Greek word 'oikonomian' means the running of a household. It is best translated with management.
Pleeroumatos, often translated 'fullness' means, the quantity required is present.
Yahuweh has set out a time for the people to run this Earth by themselves.
When this probation time runs out, The Messiah will take over in the Heavens and on the Earth.
Verse 11: "To Whom (the Messiah) we also are given as a possession, being selected on the forehand, in accordance to show that all things should operate according to the advice of His (Yahuweh's) will."
The NASB says that we have an inheritance, The NIV says in Him we are chosen, the AV "In Him we are also chosen." This is not correct when we take the context and underlying meaning into consideration.
The Greek 'ekleerootheemen' means, "were made an inheritance of the whom". It is a passive voice of the word 'kleroo'. This word means actually, chosen by casting of a lot.
This has been interpreted by some theologians as to mean that there is no free will in election. Actually it is more likely that Paul used the Hebrew word 'nachala' indicating, inheritance or possession. We find this word used in
Deu.4:20 for, Israel as Yahuweh's possession.
The Greek word 'prothesin' is often translated as 'purpose', but it actually means, "put in sight". The word is used in the Septuagint (the Tanakh in Greek) to translate the Hebrew word 'paniym', meaning, bring to face. It is used among others for the shewbread as 'lechem haphaniym' in
Exo.35:13.
Verse 12: "So that we should be to the praise of His Glory the ones having previously put their hope in the Messiah"
We could translate the beginning also as:
"That we should be a commendation of His Exalted state"
.Here we find one of the requirements, needed to belong to the ekklesia. The Greek word 'proelpizo', only appears in this text. It might be an idiom, the translator might have tried to combine any of the Hebrew expressions for hope, with 'paniym' which also means, before. He came up with 'pro'= before and 'elpizo'= expectations. Whatever, the meaning is clear.
The requirement is that we have to put our trust in the Messiah, before we can belong to the ekklesia.
Verse 13: "In Whom also you, hearing the word concerning the truth, the good news of your salvation, in whom also believing you were sealed with the spirit the holy in accordance with the promise."
Two more requirements for the ekklesia are mentioned in this verse.
You have to believe in your salvation and you have to be sealed with the Holy Spirit.
Sealing was used to prevent the falsification or alteration of a certificate of ownership.
An example is Jeremiah 32:8-15.
Because we believe, the certificate stating that we belong to the Messiah, is sealed by the Holy Spirit. That is, by Yahuweh through being active in us.
The promise was made in John 14:16-17 and Acts 1:4-5.
Verse 14 "Who is a pledge of the property deed of us till the possession is redeemed, to the praise of His exalted state"
In this text we find a pure Hebrew word, 'arraboon'. This word is used in Gen.38:17-18. This is not surprising since a comparison is made to the Jewish custom of sealing a property deed. To make sure no one claims the property before the seal is broken, which is the redemption, the Holy Spirit shall not only be the seal but also a pledge. You can compare this to a piece of land that others may use till the rightful owner claims His exclusive rights.
Verse 15 and 16: " Therefore I also, Hearing of the faith for the Adon Yeshua that lives among you and the love of all those who are set apart, do not stop giving thanks on your behalf making mention of this in my prayers"
Having shown, who and what the ekklesia is, also why they are in existence and mentioning that they are secure, Paul now encourages them. Other people apparently spoke good things about the ekklesia.
verse 17 and 18: "In order that He who is above our Adon Yeshua, the most excellent Father, may give to you an inner working of wisdom and revelation to understand Him fully, opening the ways for your heart to see, that you should know the confident expectation of His calling, the abundance of His excellence encompassing His rightful possession of the Saints"
In this text, the Greek 'Theos' is used for the original 'El' meaning superior being (He who is above). The underlying meaning of Spirit, from the original 'Ruach', I have already discussed.
Verse 19 and 20: "And the over and beyond greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the force of His Mighty strength, which force He used to raise the Messiah from the dead and setting Him on His right in the heavens."
The word sometimes translated power or operation is the Greek 'energeian' our word energy. It could be very well possible that Paul originally used the Hebrew word 'sarah' which means, power to contend and is used in the word composition Israel, see
Gen.32:18.
We therefore could translate it maybe with, 'staying power'.
Verse 21: "Higher placed then all rule and authority and power and mastership and every name heard of, not only in this age but also in the coming one."
Paul could simply have said:
"He is next to Yahuweh the highest being that ever was and shall be".
Verse 22a:"and all things subjected under the feet of Him"
This is a quotation from the Tanakh, Psalm 8:7b . The Hebrew says literally:
"Everything that has a foundation, under the foot of Him"
In the olden days one put his foot on someone's neck as a proof of superiority.
verse 22b and 23: "and gave Him as head over all things to the ekklesia, which in fact is the body of Him, the completeness of all things completing with everything".
The Greek 'sooma' translated, body, means the complete living entity.
The last part of this verse has been much disputed by the scholars but I think it simply means:
within the Messiah all things are completely fulfilled.
This complete fulfillment shall only be definitely at that time, when the ekklesia is united with the Messiah, 1Thess.3:13-18.To summarize:
Yahuweh knew before He started to lay the foundation of His creation that there were going to be problems. Problems arising because,
He is completely righteous and could not act in any other way without contradicting His righteousness.
However, He could and did plan on the forehand, for the problems that would arise.
Part of this plan is to assemble a body of people completely devoted to Him. They would be employed in the final stages of the completion of His plan. They had to be delivered out of the problems the people of the world had got themselves into.
Yahuweh used His Son the Messiah to redeem these people, by taking on Himself the punishment, which they righteously deserved.
This act gave Yahuweh back the rightful ownership and He allotted these people to the Messiah. He secured ownership by sealing these people.
He had selected these people on the forehand on their usefulness. He did know, even before they came into existence, who was useful. It would be those, who were willing to give themselves completely to Him. Those who would be open to His word, accepting it and believing it.
This particular group of people is formed after the Messiah brought His offer, so that they could accept His redemption offer.
They are firstly from the nation that Yahuweh selected to accomplish His plan. This nation Israel is Yahuweh's instrument on Earth before and also after the ekklesia's Earthly task.
The ekklesia was started from out the nation Israel. The roots of the ekklesia are still in the nation Israel. Later some people of the nations outside Israel were added. That is why Paul in this letter, addressed to Jews and Gentiles, uses both Hebrew and Hellenistic customs to illustrate his teaching.
In the next chapter Paul teaches that these people outside Israel should join the ones from Israel.
Unfortunately there are at the present myriad's of groups, divided in roughly two parts, Christians and Messianic Jews. This is not what Yeshua want. He states in
John 10:16
"They shall become one flock with one shepherd."
Most people say: "That's fine let the Jews become Christians." That is not right, it started with a Jewish Messiah and from a Jewish people.
They who call themselves Christians should return to their roots and become Messianic and be 'echad', that is one, like Yeshua prayed for in
John 17:21.
Then shall become reality what is written in John 14:20.
For those who think that returning to the Jewish roots is not necessary I would like them to read,
Isaiah 11:10 and Zechariah 8:22-23.