Tag: the same access to the Father

Therefore, No Longer Strangers and Foreigners (Tues. Oct. 4)

· Fr. Basil
The word of the day is “therefore.”  In today’s reading of Ephesians 2:19-3:7, Paul writes that though they are gentiles, the Ephesians are “no longer strangers and foreigners.”  They are “fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (vs. 2:19).  In this way the apostle  teaches that Gentiles are qualified to be equal members of the church and are being “built together” with the believing Jews into a temple, a dwelling place of God. The Controversy is Over: Gentiles Are Fully Accepted Note the triumphant tone of this letter compared with Paul’s earlier letters.  Time has passed since the apostle wrote his fiery letters to the flocks in Corinth and Galatia. Now the controversy over the…

Therefore, No Longer Strangers and Foreigners (Tues, Oct. 12)

· Fr. Basil
The word of the day is “therefore.”  In today’s reading of Ephesians 2:19-3:7, Paul writes that though they are gentiles, the Ephesians are “no longer strangers and foreigners.”  They are “fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (vs. 2:19).  That is, non-Jews are equal members of the church. And both Jews and Gentiles are being “built together” into a temple, a dwelling place of God. The Controversy is Over: Gentiles Are Fully Accepted Note the triumphant tone of this letter compared with Paul’s earlier letters.  Time has passed.  The controversy over the incorporation of the Gentiles into the church has been resolved.  The Holy Spirit has made known the “mystery” of God’s plan “to His…