Second Sunday after Christmas Ephesians 1:3-14

Context of the Passage

Our text is part of the (usually brief) thanksgiving section of the epistle, which follows the greeting. In Paul's writing, such thanksgivings are typically short. In Ephesians it is not.

(Note: Ephesians is traditionally attributed to Paul, though this is now controversial among scholars. For simplicity, I will still refer to the author of Ephesians as Paul.)

Instead of a short thanksgiving, we find a rapturous eulogy for God. The form of this thanksgiving is argued to be connected to Jewish prayers by Pheme Perkins and others.

In Passover Seder prayers (and elsewhere in Jewish worship), the prayers begin with a berakah,…

1. Is it surprising to you to hear that this part of Ephesians starts with an adaptation of a common Jewish prayer (one that is still prayed today)? How does it change the way you view this passage to notice that it has roots in Paul's (and Jesus') religious upbringing?

2. How does thinking of election not being just about getting out of the consequences of sin change the way you view your relationship with God?

3. Is the call to be holy and blameless daunting? What is Paul's answer to the concern that we can't do it?

4. If adoption is not only about rescuing us from being spiritual orphans, but part of a larger inclusion in a divine mission—how does that change your view of Christianity and salvation? What…