This passage is known as the “Philippian Hymn'. Paul urges the believers to think about Jesus and to copy his example of humility and love.

The leadership of a church is very important. It includes apostles, pastors and teachers, evangelists and prophets. All are under the authority of the original Apostles through Scripture.

Paul introduces the reality of spiritual warfare that every Christian faces together with the resources that God provides to fight against the enemy. Roman soldiers are guarding him and he uses their armour to explain these resources.

Paul explains that salvation means that God’s Holy Spirit comes into your life bringing the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and placed him at the right hand of the Father with all that that implies.

Paul explains the serious situation of those who do not believe - they are dead, separated from God. He balances this with the good news of grace shown by Jesus' death on the cross. Faith is all that is required.

Paul taught that the Church should be a place that welcomed people of all tribes and nations. In his day, there was a separation of Jews from Gentiles which had to be overcome. The Church is described as a building, a family and a temple.

Paul was in prison because of his calling to take the gospel to the gentiles. When Christ came, what had been promised to Abraham about the Jews being a blessing for all nations, came into being. This was a ‘mystery’ that is still being fulfilled today.

Paul prays that the Ephesians will know how wide, how long, how high and how deep God’s love is so that they can be strengthened in their faith and understanding of God.

Paul uses strong language to condemn anything that takes away from the power of the gospel which comes from faith in the cross of Jesus Christ alone. He uses the imagery of running a race and baking bread to make his points.

The Gospel and Adoption into God’s Family: Galatians 4:1-7Paul introduces the ideas of adoption and inheritance based on the experience of the Gentile areas he is preaching to. Adopted children could inherit all that belonged to the family. All those blessings are ours in Christ Jesus. We do not need to look back.