The Messenger 14
Introduction
Put your thinking-caps on as I quote something to you from the Quick Reference Dictionary: “Christianity is a religion founded on a message of good news rooted in the significance of the life of Jesus Christ. In Scripture, then, doctrine refers to the entire body of essential theological truths that define and describe that message ( 1 Timothy 1:10 ; 4:16 ; 6:3 ; Titus 1:9 )……. Doctrine is indispensable to Christianity. Christianity does not exist without it.”
The division of Ephesians into two distinct sections, with chapters 1-3 focusing on doctrine and chapters 3-4 focusing on practical action, was something that was highlighted in the very first reflection in this series. As we come now to the end of Ephesians chapter three, the doctrinal section of Paul’s letter, it is important to be reminded that for Paul sound doctrine and practical action belonged together. Too many Christians have a negative perception of doctrine for they have failed to see how doctrine is meant to influence our actions.
To drive this point home, I want to quote something that RC Sproul has to say on the subject of doctrine: “Tired of endless disputes, Christians today embrace the idea that what really matters is right relationships, not right doctrine. The idea that one is more important than the other is a faulty premise; both right relationships and right doctrine matter. Furthermore to say that relationships hold more value than doctrine is an arrogant attitude that violates the character of the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of truth.”
In no way is Sproul underplaying the importance of right relationships. Similarly, Selwyn Hughes is not undermining the significance of spiritual experiences when he writes: “How wonderful it is when Christians allow the Word of God to be at home in their hearts, when they draw their sustenance from the Word of God and not from other things, however exciting they might be. This is not to say that we cannot enjoy spiritual experiences, but we are not to let them divert us from attention to the Word.”
Both men are highlighting the very point that has been made time and again in these reflections – that it is the Word that is the foundation and touchstone of God’s revelation. But if Paul in Ephesians 1-3 has highlighted the significance and importance of doctrine, he never leaves us feeling that doctrine is an end in itself. Chapters 4-6 of Ephesians is there to remind us of the kind of actions that ought to flow out of sound doctrine. It is doctrine plus action that produces the balanced biblical Christian life.
The exaltation of the Trinity
We have spent some time looking at the contents of Paul’s prayer in Ephesians chapter 3. It has, I trust, opened many fascinating and important challenges. Paul concludes his prayer at the end of chapter three with a doxology – a liturgical formula of praise to God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus, throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
The doxology that rounds off Paul’s prayer, however, needs to be seen as carrying a far greater significance than just that of a liturgical formula. It stands out as a glorious declaration of praise to the triune God, an acknowledgement of His power and transcendence. It is worth far more than a casual glance. As we draw to a close these reflections on the doctrinal section of Paul’s letter, therefore, I want to conclude by taking a closer look at the message of Ephesians 3:20-21.
To communicate to his readers God’s ability to answer prayer, and in particular his prayer for the saints, Paul describes God as the “One who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…” Some interesting Greek words are used here that disserve our attention. The first is huper panta. Kenneth Wuest in his Greek New Testament Word Study explains the phrase thus: “in a measure exceeding all things.” The second is huperekperissou. “The compound word huperekperissou is a superlative of superlatives in force. It speaks of the ability of God to do something, that ability having more than enough potential power, this power exhaustless, and then some on top of that!” (Kenneth Wuest).
To get the picture clearly in our minds, here is how the Amplified Bible expresses that passage: “Now to Him who by (in consequence of) the (action of His) power that is at work within us, is able to (carry out His purpose and) do superabundantly, far over and above all that we (dare) ask or think – infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams…”
The theoretical physicist and cosmologist, Stephen Hawking, was once asked why the universe, with its billions of galaxies and trillions of stars, is as it is. His reply, and Hawking is not a believer in God, I found interesting. “Because if it wasn’t” he said “there would be no one around to ask the question.” There is a finely-tuned, inter-connectedness that runs through this entire, incomprehensively vast universe, and if it wasn’t the way it is we would not exist. That is how I understand Hawking’s response to the question.
From a Christian perspective that thought provides us with an insight into the wisdom and power of God. In creation God purposefully designed the universe as it is so that we could exist on this amazing, beautiful blue planet. That is a thought to keep in mind should we be tempted to think that Paul was being overly-extravagant in the use of the words huper panta and huperekperissou. Perhaps, like us when we consider the magnitude, design and beauty of creation, Paul found himself struggling to find words when he thought of all that God had planned. The word that came to mind for Paul was the word huperekperissou – “the ability of God to do something, that ability having more than enough potential power, this power exhaustless, and then some on top of that!” The chorus of Hamblen Stuart’s spiritual song captures something of the meaning of this word huperekperissou:
How big is God? How big and wide is His domain? To try to tell these lips can only start. He’s big enough to rule his mighty universe, yet small enough to live within my heart.
Can such a God not only answer our prayers but, in the words of Paul, “do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine?” If we doubt that then, in the words of JB Phillips, we have made our God too small.
“In verses 14-16 God is the Father of the whole family and possesses infinite riches in glory; in verses 20 and 21 He is the One who works powerfully within us. Such a God can answer prayer” (John Stott). To which we can add – Indeed He can!
What can we say before such a God except to echo Paul’s words of exaltation of the One who, as Father, is the originator of it all, as Holy Spirit, works His works of power in the believer, and who, as Jesus the Son, gave His life a ransom for our sins and has been appointed Head of the Church?
Thou art coming to a King
Large petitions with thee bring;
For His grace and power are such,
None can ever ask too much.
John Newton
We have now completed our reflections on Ephesians 1-3. If you have been challenged, blessed or enlightened as you have gone through these reflections, why not make a point of telling others about The Messenger? It is free and it is a simple, practical way of sharing the Good News. You can do that simply by pointing them to www.gracemb.ca (Grace Mennonite Church website) or www.churchinknysna.org (my personal website) where they will find The Messenger. I close with these words from Paul:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.