Week 46, November 9–15: Ephesians 1–5; Philippians 1–4; Colossians 1–4; 1 Thessalonians 1–5; Psalms 119–122

• Sun      Nov 9  Ps. 119
• Mon     Nov 10  Eph. 1–3         
• Tue      Nov 11  Eph. 4–6         
• Wed     Nov 12  Phil. 1–4         
• Thu      Nov 13  Col. 1–4  Ps. 120
• Fri        Nov 14  1 Thess. 1–3  Ps. 121
• Sat       Nov 15  1 Thess. 4–5  Ps. 122

We begin this week by reading Psalm 119 on Sunday. It is a long psalm, composed in an acrostic pattern with every line in each of the twenty-two stanzas beginning with a subsequent letter of the Hebrew alphabet—one stanza for each letter. The psalm is all about the Torah, which is translated “law” in our ESV Bibles, but it means “teaching” more broadly. It refers to Scripture, God’s word. The psalmist uses several words basically as synonyms for “Torah.” They all refer to what has been revealed through the writings of Moses and the other biblical authors: law, testimonies, statutes, commandments, precepts, rules, etc. The written word of God is the subject of Psalm 119, and this psalm shapes our own hearts and minds to seek the Lord in the Scriptures he inspired.

The psalm begins in a way that recalls the opening of the Psalter in Psalm 1. Those who walk in the Torah of the Lord, who keep his testimonies, and who seek the Lord with their whole hearts will be blessed (Ps. 119:1–2). This is like those whose delight is in the Torah of the Lord and who meditate on the Torah day and night. (Ps. 1:1–2)

Psalm 119 explores and extols Scripture from several angles. Here are a few representative verses that highlight some of the main motifs interwoven throughout Psalm 119.

• God’s word is a guide to living a life pleasing to God.

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (vv9–11)

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. (v37)

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (v105)

• We should seek and long for God’s word.

With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! (v10)

My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times. (v20)

My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. My eyes long for your promise; I ask, “When will you comfort me?” (vv81–82)

• God’s word is a comfort in suffering.

My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! (v28)

Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law. When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O LORD. (vv49–52)

It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. (v71)

I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word! (v107)

Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight. (v143)

• God’s word judges those who reject it.

You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments. (v21)

You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain. All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies. (vv118–119)

Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes. (v155)

• We should be grieved and troubled when God’s word is neglected and rejected.

It is time for the LORD to act, for your law has been broken. Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way. (vv126–128)

My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law. (v136)

My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words. (v139)

I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law. (v163)

• We should declare God’s word to others.

With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. (v13)

I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame. (v46)

My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. (vv171–172)

• God’s word is a joyful delight.

In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. (v14)

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (v103)

Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. (v127)

• We need God’s help to love and know him through his word.

Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. (vv17–18)

Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. (vv33–37)

• Praising God cannot be separated from reading and loving his word.

Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! (v12)

The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes! (v64)

Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O LORD, and teach me your rules. (v108)

My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. (v171)

By doing this Bible read thru, we are investing time and effort into doing these very things. We believe what Psalm 119 has to say and we are acting on that belief by prioritizing regular time in God’s word. Let us remind ourselves of why we are doing this by returning to this psalm again in times of joy and in times of weariness or struggle.

The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. (v160)

 This week’s reading also includes several of Paul’s shorter Epistles; Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 Thessalonians.

Ephesians is perhaps the most profound and concise treatment of gospel’s implications for the church in all the Bible. It is packed with rich theology and practical instruction and exhortation. Paul’s letters often have a characteristic structure in which the first part focuses on theological teaching, truth for the recipients to understand; and the second part unpacks practical implications of that teaching, exhortation for living in light of gospel truth.

However, it is important not to overstate this two-part structure. Some of Paul’s letters do not have a clear demarcation between first-half theological teaching and a second-half practical exhortation. And in every one of his letters, practical and ethical instruction is integrated withing the theological teaching, and the exhortations to live godly lives are always thoroughly grounded in the theological truth of the gospel.

The good news of what God has done for us in Christ crucially impacts our lives as Christians, and it bears fruit in the healthy function of local churches and the universal Church. And the only way for Christians and churches to behave in ways that honor Christ and display a God-glorifying unity is for them to be grounded in the knowledge of Christ and the gospel.

In Ephesians, the first three chapters cover rich, worshipful theology about God’s gracious acts for us through Christ. Paul blesses and thanks the God who called us to himself and sovereignly carries out the purposes he knew he would accomplish before time began. Paul reminds the Ephesian church, and us, that apart from Christ’s saving work, we were dead in our sins. It was only by his grace we were saved, and nothing of ourselves contributes to our salvation. Those who were previously far off from God are reconciled to him by Christ’s blood, and all, both Jew and Gentile, are included in this gospel plan for his church. This plan is meant to display God’s manifold wisdom to the world and beyond the world to the heavenly realm. Paul prays for his readers to grasp the immeasurable love of God, then concludes the first half of the book with a beautiful doxology.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Eph. 3:20–21)

The second half of Ephesians, chapters 4–6, picks up where the first half left off. Paul moves into instruction and exhortation for the church by urging them to walk in a manner worthy of the gracious calling they have received from God in Christ. They are to conduct themselves—we are to conduct ourselves—“with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bod of peace.” (Eph. 4:2–3)

This exhortation is based on the unity of God himself (4:4–6). Since we have been brought from death to life by God who loves us, we are to walk in love. We are to put off our old self and put on the new life we have been graciously given, a life marked by sacrificial love. This should impact all our relationships—in our family, our workplace, our public life, and our church life. And we cannot live the life we are called to live without the strength of the Lord, the armor of God himself, the power of Christ in us, working through his Spirit and his word. The message of Ephesians is a message worth reading, re-reading, meditating upon, and praying through.

Philippians comes next. Like Ephesians, Philippians was written by Paul while he was in prison. He wrote to the Christians who gathered as a church in Philippi, encouraging them with a reminder of the gospel and an encouragement to carry on joyfully in humble unity with one another. Three themes that are repeated throughout Philippians are Joy and Rejoicing, Partnership in the gospel, and God’s glory in Christ. Watch for those themes as you read through, and if you have already read Philippians, you may find it helpful to go back and review this list of verses that include these themes in the book.

• Joy and Rejoicing

1:4 Paul prays with joy

1:18 Paul rejoices that Christ is proclaimed, and he will rejoice

1:25 Paul will continue for the Philippians’ joy in the faith

2:2 Paul asks the Philippians to complete his joy

2:17–18 Paul is glad and rejoices with the Philippians and asks the same of them

2:28 Paul sends Epaphroditus that the Philippians might rejoice

2:29 Paul tells the Philippians to receive Epaphroditus with joy

3:1 Paul tells the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord

4:1 Paul tells the Philippians they are his joy

4:4 Paul tells the Philippians, and tells them again, to rejoice in the Lord

4:10 Paul rejoiced in the Lord at the Philippians’ concern for him

• Partnership/fellowship in the gospel

1:5 “your partnership [fellowship] in the gospel”

1:7 “partakers with me of grace . . . in the defense and confirmation of the gospel”

1:27 “worthy of the gospel of Christ . . . striving side by side for the faith of the gospel”

2:1 “participation [fellowship] in the Spirit”

2:22 “served with me in the gospel”

2:25 “my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier”

3:10 “share his sufferings”

3:17 “join in imitating me”

4:3 “true companion . . . labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers”

4:14 “share [partner in] my trouble”

4:15 “partnership with me in giving and receiving”

• The glory of God in Christ

1:11 “to the glory and praise of God”

1:20 “Christ will be honored in my body”

1:21 “to live is Christ, and to die is gain”

1:26 “to glory in Christ Jesus”

2:9–11 “God highly exalted him . . . the name that is above every name . . . every knee should bow . . . every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

3:3 “who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus”

3:21 “to be like his glorious body…”

4:19 “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

4:20 “To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”