For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, Ver. 1. _For this cause_] To wit, that you may be a habitation of God, through the Spirit. _ I Paul, the prisoner_] I hold not St Paul so happy for his rapture into Paradise (saith Chrysostom upon this text) as for his imprisonm... [ Continue Reading ]
If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: Ver. 2. _Of the dispensation_] Gr. economy. The Church is God's house, 1 Timothy 3:15. Paul was faithful therein as a steward, Matthew 24:45 .... [ Continue Reading ]
How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Ver. 3. _As I wrote before in few_] _sc._ Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 2:3, &c. Fulness of matter in fewness of words. This is the Scripture's precellency above all human writings.... [ Continue Reading ]
Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Ver. 4. _My knowledge in the mystery_] The highest point of heavenly learning; and hereby he proveth his calling to the ministry. The priest's lips should both preserve knowledge and present it to the people, to give th... [ Continue Reading ]
Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; Ver. 5. _Was not made known_] _sc._ So clearly and particularly. Peter himself could hardly be persuaded to it,Acts 10:14; Acts 11:2,4 .... [ Continue Reading ]
That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Ver. 6. _Gentiles should be fellowheirs_] Co-heirs, concorporate, and consorts; three sweet societies, the former founded upon the two latter.... [ Continue Reading ]
Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Ver. 7. _By the effectual working, &c._] Enabling me to accept and improve that gift of God's grace; whereunto I should otherwise turn not the palm, but the backside of the... [ Continue Reading ]
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; Ver. 8. _Less than the least_] Great Paul is least of saints, last of apostles, greatest of sinners. The best balsams sink to the bottom, the goodliest... [ Continue Reading ]
And to make all _men_ see what _is_ the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: Ver. 9. _And to make all men see_] Gr. to illighten them, far more than the preaching of the prophets could,2 Peter 1:19. To us now... [ Continue Reading ]
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly _places_ might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, Ver. 10. _Might be known by the Church_] As by a glass or theatre. _ The manifold wisdom, &c._] Gr. πολυποικιλος, that hath abundance of curious variety in it, su... [ Continue Reading ]
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: Ver. 11. _According to the eternal purpose_] Of calling and saving the Gentiles by Christ; a secret that the angels themselves could not understand till the afore appointed time came.... [ Continue Reading ]
In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Ver. 12. _Boldness and access_] True peace draws men to God, false drives them from God. Uprightness hath boldness, serenity hath security. The word προσαγωγη, rendered access, signifies such an access as is by manuduction. As... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. Ver. 13. _Wherefore I desire_] αιτουμαι, _mendico._ Or, I beg of God, as one would do an alms, Acts 3:2, humbly, heartily. And here the apostle returns to his former discourse, after a long digression,Ephesians 3:... [ Continue Reading ]
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ver. 14. _For this cause_] _sc._ That ye faint not, but gather strength. _ I bow my knees_] A most seemly and suitable gesture, usual among all nations but Turks, who kneel not, nor uncover the head at prayer, as holding those... [ Continue Reading ]
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, Ver. 15. _Of whom the whole family_] Or, paternity; πατρια, _parentela._ God is the only Father, to speak properly, Matthew 23:9. The Father of all the fatherhood in heaven and earth.... [ Continue Reading ]
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; Ver. 16. _According to the riches of his glory_] That is, of his grace; so 2 Corinthians 3:18. _See Trapp on "_ 2Co 3:18 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, Ver. 17. _That Christ may dwell_] As the sun dwells in the house by his beams. Faith fetcheth Christ into the heart, as into his habitation; and if he dwell there, he is bound to all reparations.... [ Continue Reading ]
May be able to comprehend with all saints what _is_ the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; Ver. 18. _The breadth and length, &c._] God's mercy hath all the dimensions. "Thy mercy, O God, reacheth to the heavens," Psalms 36:5. There is the height of it. "Great is thy mercy toward me, and th... [ Continue Reading ]
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Ver. 19. _With, all the fulness of God_] That is, of Christ's diffusive fulness, in whom the Godhead dwelt bodily, and in whom we are complete, Colossians 2:9,10 . _ And to know the love o... [ Continue Reading ]
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Ver. 20. _Exceeding abundantly_] Gr. υπερ εκ περισσου, more than exceedingly or excessively. God hath not only a fulness of abundance, but of redundance; of plenty, but of... [ Continue Reading ]
Unto him _be_ glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Ver. 21. _Glory in the church of Christ_] Who is the refulgency of his Father's glory, Hebrews 1:3 .... [ Continue Reading ]