1. A sense of discomfort

About the short sentence, (by grace you have been saved) in Eph.2:5. You may have had a sense of discomfort for this red inserted sentence. Around this short sentence, main line is for "we", "made us alive together", "raised us up together", "seated us together". However, the sentence in the parenthesis is for "you", "saved" and "by grace". The concept is apart from the surrounding words. So, we automatically feel odd.


In some commentaries, Calvin seems to feel some sense of discomfort but he is OK, for these are the words by Paul. Other ones do not seem feeling any sense of discomfort. May be because they can't find any way to go ahead to cry out "Sense of discomfort here." So, they put such a sense aside and speak safe words only, I think.


But as for the readers, this point they want to know. But the authors will not give answer to the sense of discomfort. Why? Because they don't know. I hope the authors should be honest to say "I don't know what it means." How many are there to say such words? Sorry, very few I believe. If the authors are honest, some of the readers may be encouraged, "Oh, you don't know it? Then I will try to search it." It may be very good for the advancement of the understanding of the Bible.(added 2018.11.05)


Now let's go back to the subject.
Not only so, but at verse 8 we see similar words. In these verses "we" and "you" subjects exist. Complicated verses. In Matthew Lord Jesus said, I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand(Mat.13:13), so may be similarly we can say here.


2. Key 1 to be released from the sense of discomfort


But one thing we know. The main line 2:1-6 is for the “objective we“ and the words within () are for the "subjective we" directly for Ephesian believers.


3. Key 2 to be released from the sense of discomfort


But some sense of discomfort still remains. That is "why grace?". In 2:6 is the completed and perfect union of Christ with the “objective we“. And Paul seems to say that this union is the grace.


2:6 And raised us up together with Him and seated us together with Him in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus,


Yes, this union which came into being, the union of Christ with the “objective we“ is the grace. Paul seems to say so. By this grace you are saved untill today. Based on this recognition I continue. And he says more.

Here he says that God might display in the ages to come the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ. What does it mean? This completed and perfect union has many names, God's masterpiece(v.10), one new man(v.15), holy temple(v.21) and a dwelling place of God(v.22).　And more, Jerusalem above(Gal.4:26), the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ(Col.1:27), true tabernacle(Heb.8:2), the greater and more perfect tabernacle (9:11). These are all the same being the same existence the union of Christ with the “objective we“. More precisely, the union of Christ with all the fullness including the “objective we“. That this being has many names proves it's a very rich and abundant existence which matches the surpassing riches of His grace(to'n u[perba;llonta plou#ton th#v ca;ritov au]tou). How about it?


And he says in the ages to come. In these ages, the ones who were graced will be the same being as that which has many names. That is, you and me will be God's masterpiece, one new man, holy temple, new Jerusalem, Christ, true tabernacle... God wants to display these us. And then, the Lord will declare "Behold, I and the children whom God has given to Me.''(Heb.2:13)


8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God;


Here, grace is strengthened. He will display in the ages to come the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. And Paul strengthens the wonderfullness and awesomeness of the grace that you are saved by this surpassing and rich and abundant grace. What a blessing, what a glory! Praise the Lord of grace!


It is not likely a mistake to say, "The completed and the perfect union in Eph.2:6 is grace".

2018/11/05 added
2018/8/8 renewed
2017/6/17
東 信男(Higashi Nobuo)
ftmp2009☆gmail.com