To prepare for our fifth class session:
Read Ephesians 3:1-21, preparing to discuss the Greek text.
I'll provide you with a copy of Ephesians 3:1-21 which is annotated appropriately for relatively inexperienced readers.
Read Winger pp. 352-423.
Read Thielman pp. 187-245.
Read Peterson pp. 129-165.
Some thought prompts:
1) Discuss the suggestion that Paul's writing in Ephesians 3:1-13 is a digression caused by his being absent-minded. Consider the overall structure, with a central idea in verses 5-6.
2) Consider the concept of “mystery” and how it was revealed, according to Ephesians 3:4.
3) Some commentators view the references in Ephesians 3 to “ages” as a suggestion of spiritual powers as articulated by Gnostic thinkers. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this idea.
4) Consider how Ephesians 3:17 and the life of the internal man relates to various points of view in historic Lutheran thought related to the bodily presence of Christ in communion, as well as to the relationship between faith and good works.
5) Evaluate the prayers, and particularly the doxology of Ephesians 3 in their possible application to the ways you might pray.