Ephesians 2:4 10 God’s Love And Mercy

Target year level: Year Ten

Scripture text

Introduction

The text is part of the Epistle or Letter to the Ephesians. Modern scholarship is inclined to assign Ephesians to the Deutero-Pauline Epistles written after Paul’s death (circa 67 CE) but in line with Pauline tradition.

For an overview of the Letter to the Ephesians see the New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE) Introduction to Ephesians.

World behind the text

Just as contemporary scholarship asserts that the Apostle Paul is probably not the actual author of the Letter to the Ephesians, it likewise notes that the Christian community at Ephesus was not the sole Christian community envisaged by the letter’s author. For a detailed discussion of authorship and audience of the Letter to the Ephesians, see Michael Fallon 538 (pdf).

Authorship and audience of the letter is still a matter of dispute and the writer of the New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE) Introduction to Ephesians seems to favour Pauline authorship while acknowledging the Deutero-Pauline alternative. Scholars who think that the Apostle Paul is the actual author of the letter tend to date the Epistle to the Ephesians in the early 50’s CE. Those who place the letter as a Deutero-Pauline Epistle, of unknown authorship, tend to date the letter as having been written between 80 CE and 100 CE. These latter Deutero-Pauline advocates say that the ecclesiology, or theology of Church, in the letter reflect a more developed stage in the history of the Christian community than was the case during Paul’s own lifetime (circa 5-67 CE).

World of the text

Ephesians 2:4-10 is in Part One of the letter which the commentator Michael Fallon labels ‘God’s plan revealed’ Eph 2:1-3:21. In particular, Michael Fallon summarises the section Eph. 2:1-22 as ‘The Gentiles are called to be united to the Jews living Christ’s life in the church’. Go to Michael Fallon the Structure of Ephesians 540. A major focus of Ephesians is the nature of the Christian Community (the Church). The Church is understood as a communion; as the Body of Christ. Key themes in Ephesians are oriented to the Church as the Body of Christ. God’s plan is that all - Jews and Gentiles alike - are gathered into the Church. Unity in the Church is achieved and maintained by diligent use of the gifts of the Spirit, living a moral Christ-like life and engaging in harmonious relationships with others. This means entering into the daily struggle to curb behaviours that destroy relationships and acting in ways that promote a Christ-like life.

Ephesians 2:4-10 emphasises the saving mercy and graciousness of God as the foundation on which the Christian community is built. The implication for those who follow Christ is that the mercy and graciousness that God has shown to them as members of the Body of Christ should be demonstrated by them in their relationships with others.

For a more detailed commentary on the text Ephesians 2:4-10 go to Michael Fallon 556-558 .

World in front of the text

The homily of Pope Francis on March 13, 2015 announced a Jubilee Year dedicated to Divine Mercy. Quoting Ephesians 2:8-10 the Pope said: “As the Apostle Paul reminds us, God never ceases to show the richness of His mercy throughout the ages.” Given the many evils and cruelties of our times the need for the mercy of God is perennial. As human persons we can be cruel and merciless in our relations with others but can also exhibit mercy and kindness. The daily news has items that show compassion and mercy in action as well as those which indicate lack of compassion and vindictiveness. Ephesians 2:4-10 challenges us to build communities characterised by compassion, mercy and forgiveness beginning with family, school, church and local community.