Ephesians (Lectio Cintinua)

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul elaborates on, in a most wonderful way, the God-given, Christ-secured, Holy Spirit-applied privileges of the Christian life. Here, perhaps more than anywhere else in the New Testament, we are brought face to face with the “unsearchable riches of Christ” (3:8). Step by adoring step, Paul introduces us to the spiritual blessings that are the predestined, blood-bought privileges of all who have put their self-abandoning trust in Jesus Christ. His letter to the Ephesians is a spiritual Mount Everest, turning us away from ourselves and placing the spotlight of God’s great salvation wholly on Christ.

Table of Contents:

Series Introduction

Preface

Introduction

1. Paul’s greeting (1:1-2)

2. So great a salvation (1:3-7)

3. God’s ultimate plan (1:8-10)

4. Spirit-sealed inheritance (1:11-14)

5. Prayer for the church (1:15-19)

6. The power that resides in the church (1:20-23)

7. What we all once were (2:1-3)

8. ‘But God’ (2:4-7)

9. Amazing grace (2:8-10)

10. Transforming unity (2:11-16)

11. The preaching Jesus (2:17-18)

12. No longer strangers (2:19-22)

13. Revealed mystery (3:1-6)

14. Unsearchable riches of Christ (3:7-13)

15. Prayer for strength (3:14-19)

16. Inevitable doxology (3:20-21)

17. Unity of the Spirit (4:1-6)

18. Christ’s gifts (4:7-11)

19. Perfect manhood (4:12-16)

20. New life in Christ (4:17-24)

21. Living the life (4:25-32)

22. Be like God (5:1-2)

23. Live differently (5:3-16)

24. Filled with the Spirit (5:17-21)

25. Wives and husbands (5:22-24)

26. Husbands and wives (5:25-33)

27. Children and parents (6:1-3)

28. Fathers and children (6:4)

29. Bondservants and masters (6:5-9)

30. The enemy (6:10-12)

31. The whole armour of God (6:13-18)

32. Praying in the Spirit (6:18-20)

33. Greetings and grace (6:21-24)

About the Author

Ian Hamilton is minister to Cambridge Presbyterian Church in Cambridge England and author of The Erosion of Calvinist Orthodoxy.

The Lectio Continua: Expository Commentary on the New Testament

“The greatest need of the church today is the recovery of sound biblical preaching. We need preaching that faithfully explains and applies the text, courageously confronts sin, and boldly trumpets forth the sovereign majesty, law, and gospel promises of God. It is for this reason that we are pleased to publish the Revelation volume of The Lectio Continua Expository Commentary on the New Testament,a new series of expository commentaries authored by an array of seasoned pastor-scholars from various Reformed denominations on both sides of the Atlantic.” - Jon D. Payne and Joel R. Beeke, from the Series Introduction

“This promises to be a great resource for churches seeking to know the Word of God more fully.” — Carl R. Trueman

Series Editors

Jon D. Payne (MTh New College, University of Edinburgh; DMin Reformed Theological Seminary) is series editor for The Lectio Continua Expository Commentary on the New Testament. He is pastor of Christ Church Presbyterian (PCA) in Charleston, South Carolina, and visiting lecturer in practical theology/homiletics at Reformed Theological Seminary, Atlanta. 

Joel R. Beeke (PhD, Westminster Seminary) is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary; a pastor of the Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan; editor of Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth; editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books; and a prolific author.

Series Endorsements

“There are so many fine commentaries available today, but it’s great to have a reliable author you can turn to for solid Reformed reflections on Scripture. In this case, there are sixteen of them—friends and fellow shepherds who have given me great insight into God’s Word over the years. I’m looking forward eagerly to each one of these sermonic commentaries!” — Michael S. Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Westminster Seminary California, host of the White Horse Inn radio show, editor-in-chief of Modern Reformation magazine

“Those of us who have promoted and practiced lectio continua expository preaching through the years eagerly await the volumes announced in The Lectio Continua Expository Commentary on the New Testament. We are equally eager to read such a series written by pastors who have practiced the method in their churches. The international and interdenominational character of the series will only add to the richness of its insights.” — T. David Gordon, professor of religion and Greek at Grove City College, author of Why Johnny Can’t Preach

“As the history of preaching is unfolded, it becomes clear how important the orderly, systematic preaching through the Scriptures has been and why it has been a favorite homiletic approach over the centuries. One is surprised to discover how many of history’s great preachers made a regular practice of preaching through one book of the Bible after another. Origen, the first Christian preacher from whom we have any sizable collection of sermons, preached most of his sermons on the lectio continua. We find the same with John Chrysostom who is usually referred to as the greatest Christian preacher. We find the same true of Augustine as well. At the time of the Protestant Reformation, Zwingli, Calvin, Bucer, and Knox followed this system regularly, and they passed it on to the Puritans. Today, we see a real revival of lectio continua preaching. The Lectio Continua Expository Commentary on the New Testament represents a wonderful opportunity for the church to recover a truly expository pulpit.” — Hughes Oliphant Old, formerly John H. Leith Professor of Reformed Theology and Worship at Erskine Theological Seminary, author of The Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures in the Worship of the Christian Church

“The concept behind this series is a fascinating one, and, given the list of authors, I am confident that the final product will not disappoint. This promises to be a great resource for churches seeking to know the Word of God more fully.” — Carl R. Trueman, Paul Woolley Professor of Church History, Westminster Theological Seminary, and pastor of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church (OPC), Ambler, Pennsylvania