Ephesians

by Joseph S. Harvard, Allen Verhey

Overview

Historical-critical approaches to Scripture rule out some readings and commend others, but they rarely offer much help to either theological reflection or the preaching of the Word. They do not point the church forward in the life of discipleship.

These commentaries have learned from tradition, but they are most importantly commentaries for today. The authors share the conviction that their work will be more contemporary, more faithful, and more radical, to the extent that it is more biblical, honestly wrestling with the texts of the Scriptures.—from the series introduction

The volumes in Belief: A Theological Commentary on the Bible from Westminster John Knox Press offer a fresh and invigorating approach to all the books of the Bible. Building on a wide range of sources from biblical studies, the history of theology, the church's liturgical and musical traditions, contemporary culture, and the Christian tradition, noted scholars focus less on traditional historical and literary angles in favor of a theologically focused commentary that considers the contemporary relevance of the texts. This series is an invaluable resource for those who want to probe beyond the backgrounds and words of biblical texts to their deep theological and ethical meanings for the church today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780664232665
Publisher:	Westminster John Knox Press
Publication date:	05/06/2011
Series:	Belief: A Theological Commentary on the Bible
Pages:	312
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Joseph S. Harvard is Pastor Emeritus of First Presbyterian Church in Durham, North Carolina. He is a former President of Durham Congregations in Action, and he has received a number of special awards throughout his ministry.

Allen Verhey was Professor of Christian Ethics at Duke Divinity School. He was the author of several books and articles, including The Christian Art of Dying.

Table of Contents

Publisher's Note vii

Series Introduction William C. Placher Amy Plantinga Pauw ix

Preface xiii

List of Abbreviations xvii

Introduction: Why Ephesians? Why Now? 1

Commentary

1:1-2 A Letter to Us: Address and Greeting 31

1:3-14 Beginning with Prayer 40

Further Reflections: Toward a Prayerful Ethic 49

1:15-23 The Prayer for the Church, Part One 58

Further Reflections: The Powers 65

2:1-10 Saved by Grace: A New Social Reality 72

Further Reflections: An Evangelical Ethic 76

Further Reflections: Dead Men Walking: Saved by Grace 80

Further Reflections: Easter Chickens 86

2:11-22 Peace! 89

Further Reflections: Performing Peace-Breaking Down the Walls 105

3:1-13 A Prayer Resumed-and Interrupted 114

3:14-21 The Prayer for the Church, Part Two 123

4:1-16 Therefore, the Performance of Peace 131

Further Reflections: Unity, Equality, and an Oppressive "Sameness": A Response to Boyarin 141

Further Reflections: Baptism in Ephesians and the Church 149

Further Reflections: Speaking the Truth in Love 169

4:17-5:2 Learning Christ 178

Further Reflections: The Rustenburg Declaration 204

5:3-20 Children of the Light 209

5:21-6:9 Being Subject and Being One 224

6:10-24 Enlisted in the Battle for Peace 248

Further Reflections: A Sample Sermon on Ephesians 260

An Unconcluding Postscript 267

Selected Bibliography 273

Index of Ancient Sources 275

Index of Subjects 283

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Belief is extraordinary, inspiring, innovative, and passionate in its vision. An excellent resource for preaching the love of God." Andrew Sung Park, United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio

"Church leaders will delight in a ready supply of biblical resources that engage seriously with the history of interpretation and contemporary theological reflection." Philip W. Butin, copastor, First United Presbyterian Church, Fayetteville, Arkansas

"A new engagement between biblical texts and constructive theology. Expect fresh textual reading from an informed theological perspective." Walter Brueggemann, Professor Emeritus, Columbia Theological Seminary

"An impressive variety of theological voices all asking what the upshot of the biblical texts is for pressing theological issues in our day." David Kelsey, Professor Emeritus, Yale Divinity Schoo

Editorial Reviews

"Belief is extraordinary, inspiring, innovative, and passionate in its vision. An excellent resource for preaching the love of God." Andrew Sung Park, United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio

"Church leaders will delight in a ready supply of biblical resources that engage seriously with the history of interpretation and contemporary theological reflection." Philip W. Butin, copastor, First United Presbyterian Church, Fayetteville, Arkansas

"A new engagement between biblical texts and constructive theology. Expect fresh textual reading from an informed theological perspective." Walter Brueggemann, Professor Emeritus, Columbia Theological Seminary

"An impressive variety of theological voices all asking what the upshot of the biblical texts is for pressing theological issues in our day." David Kelsey, Professor Emeritus, Yale Divinity Schoo

From the Publisher