Eph 6:23 Peace to the brothers and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (24) Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruptibility. Rev 2:4 But I have one thing against you [church in Ephesus], that you have left your first love.
The reason for this insertion [love between peace and grace] is that the only way we can be kept in a situation of peace is by continually enjoying the Lord in love. The phrase "in love" is used six times in this book. This connects this Epistle to Christ's word to the church in Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-7. There the Lord rebukes the church because she left her first love. The problem with the church at Ephesus was not the lack of works or knowledge, but the loss of the first love. Because Paul realized that love is crucial, he spoke of love in relation to peace and grace, indicating thereby that love is needed to preserve us in a condition of peace. This love is from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This indicates that love does not originate with us; it originates with God. Eventually, however, God's love becomes our love. This is the reason Paul speaks, in verse 24, of those who love our Lord Jesus Christ. God's love to us becomes our love for Him. Peace is maintained by this kind of love. By living in the intimacy of God's presence, love comes to us. Then this love returns to the Lord and becomes our love for Him. By this traffic of love, peace is maintained, and we are preserved in the enjoyment of grace. This is the reason Paul speaks of peace, love, and grace.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-study of Ephesians, pp. 561-562. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA. Please visit us at www.emanna.com. Send comments to: [email protected].
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