Paul echoes the language of Malachi. “Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us?” (Malachi 2:10). “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him…” (1 Corinthians 8:6). “Thanks be to God, who came to show us the way to the Father and to show us the Father Himself. Our appreciation of the Fatherhood of God is deeper than it could have been before Christ came. Now Gentiles as well as Jews have come through Christ to know this one God as their Father” (F.F. Bruce). “The fatherhood of God, all embracing, all pervading, speaks of family unity and rebukes all discord” (T. Croskery).
God is Father of all by creation, but in Ephesians He is God and Father of all—Jews and Gentiles—in the church. Both are reconciled “unto God in one body by the cross” (Ephesians 2:16).
Our understanding of the “one God and Father” presented in Ephesians will increase our love and motivate us to endeavor “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). First, Paul was an “apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God” (Ephesians 1:1). Second, grace and peace come from “God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:2). Third, the God we serve is “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:3, 17; 3:14; 6:23). Fourth, He has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). Fifth, He has made a way whereby we can be His adopted children (Ephesians 1:5). Sixth, He has made known unto us His will (Ephesians 1:9-11). Seventh, He is “the Father of glory” and gives unto us “the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him” (Ephesians 1:17).
Eighth, He “hath put all things under his [Christ’s] feet, and gave him [Christ’s] to be the head over all things to the church” (Ephesians 1:22). Ninth, our God is “rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4), love and kindness (Ephesians 2:4-7). Tenth, God prepared the works we should walk in (Ephesians 2:10). Eleventh, we now have “access by one spirit unto the Father” (Ephesians 2:18). Twelfth, we are “fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19). Thirteenth, He is the God of “manifold wisdom” (Ephesians 3:10). Fourteenth, He is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:10). Fifteenth, He has made it possible for us to be filled with His fullness (Ephesians 3:19). With such a God and Father how can we do anything but strive for the unity that His eternal purpose included in the one body?
With such a God and Father we will strive to do those things that please God. First, we will practice those good works “which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10. Second, we will give glory to God “in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages” (Ephesians 3:21). Third, we will not walk as we formerly walked in the ways of the world (Ephesians 4:17-19). Fourth, we will “put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). Fifth, we will strive not to grieve “the holy spirit of God” (Ephesians 4:30). Sixth, we will follow God, as dear children (Ephesians 5:1). Seventh, we will give “thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). Eighth, we will do “the will of God from the heart” (Ephesians 6:6). Ninth, we will put on the “whole armour of God” (Ephesians 6:10-13), which includes the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).
God is “above all, and through all, and in you all.” “All,” in the context of Ephesians, refers to those who make up the church—“he is a common Father to all who believe.” He is “above all” through His Son that has “all things under his feet” and who reigns as “head over all things to the church” (Ephesians 1:21-22). He is “through all” in the church through which His manifold wisdom is known (Ephesians 3:10) and in which He is glorified (Ephesians 3:21). He is “in all” as He dwells in the church “builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22).
The Christian believes that he lives in a “God-created, God-controlled, God-filled world” (William Barclay), and that access to the Father through Jesus Christ by one Spirit is his to enjoy (Ephesians 2:18).
