Truth in Ephesians
Truth has rightly been defined as ‘a concept that is compatible with God’. There has to be an absolute dimension to truth. The phrase “The truth is out there” is famously associated with the 1990’s television series The X-Files in which FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully repeatedly used this phrase. There is real truth and philosophically this demands that there is an absolute God.
In medicine we are searching for the true cause of a person’s symptoms. There is a true cause in there, we need to search for this. In law there is truth out there concerning who committed a crime, and investigators have to search using all the evidence available for the truth. Different individuals may think that some philosophy or religion is true, that may be called ‘their truth’ but God alone knows for certain what the real absolute truth is. Religions rely on revelation yet they all differ - the great question is which, if any, is true. Any faith should be evidence based and this applies to religions as much as to science.
When Paul uses the word truth he does not use it in this philosophical way. Nor is he simply saying that Christians should tell the truth, that goes without saying. When he talks about the truth he is referring to one parrticular revelation.. In his letter to the Ephesians he uses the word ‘truth’ five times. In this short letter it is likely that the meaning does not change but is always used in the way it is defined early in the letter, the truth he is referring to is the gospel of Jesus Christ. These are the times the word is used.
1. “…the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation…” Ephesians 1:13
This clearly identifies the word “truth” as the gospel, the message about Jesus Christ and the eternal salvation he gives to those who follow him.
2. “Speaking the truth in love…”. Ephesians 4:15
This refers to the importance of sharing the gospel truth with others in a loving way, not just being factually correct. The previous verse tells how people have been ‘blown here and there by every kind of teaching . . ‘. Christians share God’s truth with others. Ephesians 4:11 has just emphasised that the role of church leaders is ‘to prepare prepare God’s people for works of service’ which will include ‘speaking the truth’ of the gospel to others.. Building up the body of Christ both in numbers and in quality requires both proclamation, as well as godly behaviour. The Ephesians had become Christians by someone teaching them the gospel and this is the work that must continue. This ‘truth’ is the message about the eternal salvation that is available for those who follow the Lord Jesus.
3. “…taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.” Ephesians 4:21
Again, truth is centred in Christ, the message of the gospel. This truth is the teaching about Jesus that Christians pass on and this truth is both evangelistic and life-transforming.
4. “The fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth…” Ephesians 5:9
The fruit is the outworking of the gospel in people’s lives. Christ-like characteristics of goodness and righteousness became theirs. Part of this new life will also be the sharing or proclamation of the truth of the gospel..
5. “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:14-15
Every Christian is a soldier for Christ and is involved in spiritual warfare,. The ‘belt of truth’, the sharing of the gospel gospel is foundational. This supports the notion that truth is the gospel, and that integrity in living and proclaiming this gospel is essential. This view is supported by the next reference to the ‘feet fitted with readiness’, which can only mean a readiness to go out to others to share this gospel of peace with God.
In Ephesians, Paul consistently uses the word truth to refer to the gospel of Christ — the message that saves individuals and builds up the church. Speaking and living this truth are not optional; it demands integrity, love, and spiritual readiness. Truth is not only what we believe, but also what we share and who we become.
BVP
