Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Ver. 1. _To the saints-to the faithful_] Fitly; for it is by faith that we become saints, Acts 15:9 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Grace _be_ to you, and peace, from God our Father, and _from_ the Lord Jesus Christ. Ver. 2. _Grace be to you, and peace_] These go fitly together; because we must seek our peace in the free grace and favour of God. The ark and mercy seat were never sundered.... [ Continue Reading ]
Blessed _be_ the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly _places_ in Christ: Ver. 3. _Blessed be God_] _Gratiae cessat decursus, ubi gratiarum recursus._ A thankful man shall abound with blessings. _ With all spiritual blessings_] εν πα... [ Continue Reading ]
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Ver. 4. _He hath chosen us in him_] Christ was mediator therefore from eternity, viz. by virtue of that human nature which he should assume. _ That we should be ho... [ Continue Reading ]
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Ver. 5. _Having predestinated us_] Interpreters have observed that this word that signifies to predestinate is but six times to be found in the New Testament (never in the O... [ Continue Reading ]
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Ver. 6. _To the praise of the glory_] This is the end whereunto it is destined; and hence it is called predestination. Note here, that all the causes of predestination are merely without us. The efficient, God... [ Continue Reading ]
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Ver. 7. _In whom we have redemption_] As captives ransomed at a price. What this price was, see1 Peter 1:19. Should not Christ therefore reap the travails of his soul? Isa 53:11-12 _ The fo... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Ver. 8. _In all wisdom and prudence_] That properly respecteth contemplation, this action. Socrates made no distinction between them. For, said he, who so knoweth good to practise it, and evil to avoid it, he is a man truly wise and pru... [ Continue Reading ]
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: Ver. 9. _The mystery of his will_] That is, the gospel, a mystery both to men, 1 Corinthians 2:8, and angels,Ephesians 3:10 .... [ Continue Reading ]
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; _even_ in him: Ver. 10. _That in the dispensation_] God is the best economic; his house is exactly ordered for matter of good husbandry, οικονομια... [ Continue Reading ]
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: Ver. 11. _We have obtained inheritance_] Or we are taken into the Church, as magistrates were by lot into their office. Or we are made God's in... [ Continue Reading ]
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. Ver. 12. _Who first trusted_] It is a singular honour to be first in so good a matter. Hope is here put for faith, whereof it is both the daughter and the nurse.... [ Continue Reading ]
In whom ye also _trusted_, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Ver. 13. _After that ye believed_] They, 1. Heard. 2. Believed. 3. Were sealed, _i.e._ full assured. Assurance is God... [ Continue Reading ]
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Ver. 14. _Which is the earnest_] Not the pawn, but the earnest, _Quia pignus redditur, arrha retinetur, _ saith Jerome. A pawn is to be returned again, but an earnest is part of t... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Ver. 15. _Your faith in the Lord Jesus_] Love is the fruit of faith, therefore the apostles pray for increase of faith, that they might be able seven times a day to forgive an offending brother, Luke 17:5... [ Continue Reading ]
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; Ver. 16. _Making mention of you_] Whether a minister shall do more good to others by his prayers or preaching, I will not determine (saith a grave divine), but he shall certainly by his prayers reap more comfort to himself.... [ Continue Reading ]
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: Ver. 17. _The Father of glory_] That is, the glorious Father,Acts 7:2. Chrysostom expounds it the Father of Christ, as Ephesians 1:3 . _ The Spirit of wisdom a... [ Continue Reading ]
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, Ver. 18. _The glory of his inheritance_] The glory of heaven is inconceivable,Revelation 21:1,27, search is made through all the bow... [ Continue Reading ]
And what _is_ the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Ver. 19. _And what is the exceeding_] Here is a most emphatic heap of most divine and significant words to express that which can never sufficiently be conceived or uttered. A si... [ Continue Reading ]
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set _him_ at his own right hand in the heavenly _places_, Ver. 20. _Which he wrought in Christ_] God puts forth the same almighty power in quickening the heart by faith, that he did in raising up his Son Christ from the dead; it must... [ Continue Reading ]
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: Ver. 21. _Far above all principality_] _Quantum inter stellas luna minores._ Oh, do but think with thyself (saith oue), though it far pass the rea... [ Continue Reading ]
And hath put all _things_ under his feet, and gave him _to be_ the head over all _things_ to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Ver. 23. _The fulness of him_] That is, of Christ, who having voluntarily subjected himself to be our Head, accounts not himsel... [ Continue Reading ]