DOGMA
“Epistles to the Colossians
and Ephesians”
Christ and The Church
Nabil Shenoda
July 18, 2010
Epistles to the Ephesians and Colossians
1. Both Written by St. Paul in Rome in prison in
the last part of his life.
2. Ephesians and Colossian epistles naturally have
much in common having been written at the
same time and in the same place by the same
hand.
3. Although small epistles, they present the
understanding of Christ and the true Church.
– the main theme of the books as a whole is
the riches of Christ in the church
– they also present deep understanding of the
mysteries of the Church.
Chapter 1 of Ephesians,
9
having made known to us the mystery of His
will, according to His good pleasure which He
purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation
of the fullness of the times He might gather
together in one all things in Christ, both which
are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.
Chapter 1 of Colossians,
26
the mystery which has been hidden from ages
and from generations, but now has been
revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to
make known what are the riches of the glory of
this mystery among the Gentiles: which is
Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Chapter 2 of Colossians,
2
that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit
together in love, and attaining to all riches of the
full assurance of understanding, to the
knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the
Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
In Both Ephesians and Colossians,
 St. Paul starts by giving praise to the sovereign
Father of all creation.
 He goes on to explain that all who believe in the
Son have redemption through His blood. The
mystery of God’s will was manifested when He
sent His only Begotten Son in the fullness of
times.
 St. Paul states that it is Christ who is seated at
the right hand of God and that all things are
under His feet. He is unquestionably the head
of the church, the church itself, therefore, is His
body.
In Ephesians Chapter 1, 22 And He put all things
under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all
things to the church, 23 which is His body, the
fullness of Him who fills all in all.
 In Colossians, Chapter 1, 18 And He is the head
of the body, the church, who is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He
may have the preeminence.

In Colossians, Chapter 2, 9 For in Him dwells all
the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you
are complete in Him, who is the head of all
principality and power.
 Unfortunately some people believe they can be
“Christians” without the church.
 It is true that it is Christ who saves, not the
church, but to say we love Christ, who is the
Head of the Church, and at the same time reject
His body is to deny New Testament teaching.
 Our Lord told St. Peter “On this Rock, I will build
My Church”

If the Church is the object of that redeeming
work by which God everlastingly determined to
reveal Himself, and that this revealing of God is
the mystery of creation,
then
 The Church must be and is the central and
the greatest object in history, takes
precedence over all institutions, orders,
systems which may have gone before her.
Certainly nothing after her, for she is the
bride, the body, the spouse of Christ and the
total fruit of His sacrifice of Himself at
Calvary.

but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in
all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16
from whom the whole body, joined and knit
together by what every joint supplies, according to
the effective working by which every part does its
share, causes growth of the body for the edifying
of itself in love.
15
1. Christ, Head of the Church
(1) What do the metaphors, "Head" and "body"
convey? That will help us to understand the
organic relationship between Christ and the
church.
"Head" is a common metaphor used of Christ. In
this instance it conveys the idea of rule, or the one
who gives direction and meaning to the body, It
also expresses the concept of the body living in
dependence upon the head. No body can function
without a head
(2) By using these terms we are reminded that the
church is more than an organization; it is an
organism, fully alive, functioning under the
authority of its head. This concept must penetrate
our thinking about the church. Otherwise, we will
find ourselves having a low-view of what the
church is. It is a living organism which we need;
which must not be neglected; of which we are a
part.
a. "that the church is a living organism, composed
of members joined vitally to one another.
b. that the church is the means by which Christ
carries out His purposes and performs His work.
c. that the union which exists between Christ and
His people is most intimate and vital"
2. Christ, first in rank
The phrases, "And He is the beginning, the
firstborn from the dead," are somewhat parallel
in meaning. Both imply the idea of Christ being
first in rank or priority , with both pointing to His
rule and authority over the church.
(1) By virtue of Christ's pre-existence, he is first in
rank to the church. This is the implication of the
term "beginning" it points to Christ as the one
who is pre-existent, the one in whom the church
originates.
The Church: (Household, dwelling place)

19
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and
foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and
members of the household of God, 20 having been
built on the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief
cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being
fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
22 in whom you also are being built together for a
dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
4. Christ, the Reconciler
In Ephesians Chapter 2:
St. Paul explains the Reconciliation, 13 But now
in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have
been brought near by the blood of Christ.
In Colossians (Chapter 1):
 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the
fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to
reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether
things on earth or things in heaven, having
made peace through the blood of His cross.

Chapter 4
 Who are the members of the Church?
In Ephesians,
And He Himself gave some to be
apostles, some prophets, some
evangelists, and some pastors and
teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints
for the work of ministry, for the edifying of
the body of Christ,
 11

All the members must work together in
love.
but, speaking the truth in love, may
grow up in all things into Him who is the
head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole
body, joined and knit together by what
every joint supplies, according to the
effective working by which every part
does its share, causes growth of the body
for the edifying of itself in love.
 15
The mysteries of the Church,
All the mysteries of the Church are mentioned
or hinted upon in the Books of Epesians and
Colosians
Baptism: In Ephesians Chapter 4, verses 4-5
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you
were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one
Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and
Father of all, who is above all, and through
all, and in you all.
Baptism: In Colossians Chapter 2,
11 In Him you were also circumcised with the
circumcision made without hands, by putting
off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the
circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in
baptism, in which you also were raised with
Him through faith in the working of God, who
raised Him from the dead.
Confirmation: Ephesians Chapter 2
13 In Him you also trusted, after you
heard the word of truth, the gospel of
your salvation; in whom also, having
believed, you were sealed with the
Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the
guarantee of our inheritance until the
redemption of the purchased
possession, to the praise of His glory.
The 2 most Spiritual and most important
Verses in the Bible
Ephesians Chapter 5 Verses 22 -23
Wives, submit to your own
husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For
the husband is head of the
wife, as also Christ is head of
the church; and He is the
Savior of the body. 24
Therefore, just as the church is
subject to Christ, so let the
wives be to their own husbands
in everything.
22
Not as powerful as the previous but still counts…
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ
also loved the church and gave
Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify
and cleanse her with the washing of water
by the word, 27 that He might present her
to Himself a glorious church, not having
spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that
she should be holy and without blemish. 28
So husbands ought to love their own wives
as their own bodies; he who loves his wife
loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his
own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it,
just as the Lord does the church.
25
Also in Colossians Chapter 3,

The Christian Home
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as
is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not
be bitter toward them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all
things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
21 Fathers, do not provoke your children,
lest they become discouraged.
18
The Character of the Church (Colossians Chapter 3)
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and
beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness,
humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13
bearing with one another, and forgiving
one another, if anyone has a complaint
against another; even as Christ forgave
you, so you also must do. 14 But above all
these things put on love, which is the bond
of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God
rule in your hearts, to which also you were
called in one body; and be thankful.
12
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in
all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one
another in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing with grace in your hearts to
the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word
or deed, do all in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through Him.
16