OF CHRIST JESUS
(Χριστου Ιησου). So B D, though Aleph A L have Ιησου
Χριστου. Paul is named as the author and so he is. Otherwise
the Epistle is pseudepigraphic.BY THE WILL OF GOD
(δια θεληματος θεου). As in 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2
Corinthians 1:1; Romans 1:1.AT EPHESUS
(εν Εφεσω). In Aleph and B... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED
(ευλογητος). Verbal of ευλογεω, common in the LXX for
Hebrew _baruk_ (Vulgate _benedictus_) and applied usually to God,
sometimes to men (Genesis 24:31), but in N.T. always to God (Luke
1:68), while ευλογημενος (perfect passive participle) is
applied to men (Luke 1:42). "While ευλογημενος... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN AS HE CHOSE US IN HIM
(καθως εξελεξατο ημας εν αυτω). First aorist
middle indicative of εκλεγω, to pick out, to choose. Definitive
statement of God's elective grace concerning believers in
Christ.BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD
(προ καταβολης κοσμου). Old word from
καταβαλλω, to fling do... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING FOREORDAINED US
(Προορισας ημας). First aorist active participle of
προοριζω, late and rare compound to define or decide
beforehand. Already in Acts 4:28; 1 Corinthians 2:7; Romans 8:29. See
also verse Ephesians 1:11. Only other N.T. example in verse Ephesians
1:11. To be taken with εξελεξ... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THE PRAISE
(εις επαινον). Note the prepositions in this sentence.WHICH
(ης). Genitive case of the relative ην (cognate accusative with
εχαριτωσεν (he freely bestowed), late verb χαριτοω
(from χαρις, grace), in N.T. attracted to case of antecedent
χαριτος only here and Luke 1:28.IN THE BELOVE... [ Continue Reading ]
IN WHOM
(εν ω). Just like Colossians 1:14 with παραπτωματων
(trespasses) in place of αμαρτιων (sins) and with the addition
of δια του αιματος αυτου (through his blood) as in
Colossians 1:20. Clearly Paul makes the blood of Christ the cost of
redemption, the ransom money (λυτρον, Matthew 20:28; Ma... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE
(κατα το πλουτος της χαριτος αυτου). A
thoroughly Pauline phrase, riches of kindness (Romans 2:4), riches of
glory (Colossians 1:27; Ephesians 3:16; Philippians 4:19), riches of
fulness of understanding (Colossians 2:7), riches of Christ (Ephesians
3:8), and i... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL
(το μυστηριον του θεληματος αυτου). Once
hidden, now revealed as in Colossians 1:26 which see. See also
Colossians 2:3.WHICH HE PURPOSED
(ην προεθετο). Second aorist middle of προτιθημ, old
verb, for which see Romans 1:13; Romans 3:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO A DISPENSATION OF THE FULNESS OF THE TIMES
(εις οικονομιαν του πληρωματος των
καιρων). See Colossians 1:25 for οικονομιαν. In
Galatians 4:4 "the fulness of the time" (το πληρωμα του
χρονου) the time before Christ is treated as a unit, here as a
series of epochs (καιρων). Cf. Mark 1:15; Hebrew... [ Continue Reading ]
IN HIM
(εν αυτω). Repeats the idea of εν τω Χριστω of verse
Ephesians 1:10.WE WERE MADE A HERITAGE
(εκληρωθημεν). First aorist passive of κληροω, an old
word, to assign by lot (κληρος), to make a κληρος or
heritage. So in LXX and papyri. Only time in N.T., though
προσκληροω once also (Acts 17:4... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THE END THAT WE SHOULD BE
(εις το εινα ημας). Final clause with εις to and the
infinitive εινα (see the mere infinitive εινα in verse
Ephesians 1:4) and the accusative of general reference.WHO HAD BEFORE
HOPED IN CHRIST
(τους προηλπικοτας εν τω Χριστω). Articular
perfect active participle of... [ Continue Reading ]
YE ALSO
(κα υμεις). Ye Gentiles (now Christians), in contrast to
ημας (we) in Ephesians 1:12.IN WHOM
(εν ω). Repeated third time (once in verse Ephesians 1:11, twice in
Ephesians 1:13), and note ο or ος in Ephesians 1:14.YE WERE SEALED
(εσφραγισθητε). First aorist passive indicative of
σφραγιζ... [ Continue Reading ]
AN EARNEST
(αρραβων). See 2 Corinthians 1:22 for discussion of
αρραβων. Here "of promise" (της επαγγελιας) is
added to the Holy Spirit to show that Gentiles are also included in
God's promise of salvation.OF OUR INHERITANCE
(της κληρονομιας ημων). God's gift of the Holy
Spirit is the pledge and... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHICH YE SHEW TOWARD ALL THE SAINTS
(κα την εις παντας τους αγιους). The words "ye
show" do not occur in the Greek. The Textus Receptus has τεν
αγαπην (the love) before την supported by D G K L Syr., Lat.,
Copt., but Aleph A B P Origen do not have the word αγαπην. It
could have been omitted,... [ Continue Reading ]
I DO NOT CEASE
(ου παυομα). Singular present middle, while in Colossians 1:9
Paul uses the plural (literary, or including Timothy), ου
παυομεθα.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FATHER OF GLORY
(ο πατηρ της δοξης). The God characterized by glory (the
Shekinah, Hebrews 9:5) as in Acts 7:2; 1 Corinthians 2:8; 2
Corinthians 1:3; James 2:1.THAT--MAY GIVE
(ινα--δωιη). In Colossians 1:9 ινα is preceded by
αιτουμενο, but here the sub-final use depends on the general
idea a... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING THE EYES OF YOUR HEART ENLIGHTENED
(πεφωτισμενους τους οφθαλμους της
καρδιας υμων). A beautiful figure, the heart regarded as
having eyes looking out toward Christ. But the grammar is difficult.
There are three possible interpretations. One is an anacoluthon, the
case of πεφωτισμενους being... [ Continue Reading ]
THE EXCEEDING GREATNESS OF HIS POWER
(το υπερβαλλον μεγεθος της δυναμεως
αυτου). Μεγεθος is an old word (from μεγας), but here
only in N.T. Hυπερβαλλον, present active participle of
υπερβαλλω, reappears in Ephesians 2:7; Ephesians 3:19 and
seen already in 2 Corinthians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:14. T... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH HE WROUGHT
(ενηργηκεν). Reading of A B rather than aorist
ενηργησεν. Perfect active indicative, "which he has wrought."
Hην is cognate accusative of the relative referring to
ενεργειαν (energy) with ενηργηκεν and note also
κρατους (strength) and ισχυος (might), three words trying
to express... [ Continue Reading ]
FAR ABOVE ALL RULE
(υπερανω πασης αρχης). Late compound adverbial
preposition (υπερ, ανω) with the ablative case. In N.T. only
here and Hebrews 9:5. As in Colossians 1:16, so here Paul claims
primacy for Jesus Christ above all angels, aeons, what not. These
titles all were used in the Gnostic spe... [ Continue Reading ]
HE PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION
(παντα υπεταξεν). First aorist active indicative of
υποτασσω, quoted from Psalms 8:7 as in 1 Corinthians
15:27.GAVE HIM TO BE HEAD
(αυτον εδωκεν κεφαλην).GAVE
(εδωκεν, first aorist active indicative of διδωμ) to the
church (the universal spiritual church or king... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH
(ητις). "Which in fact is," explanatory use of ητις rather
than η.THE FULNESS OF HIM THAT FILLETH ALL IN ALL
(το πληρωμα του τα παντα εν πασιν
πληρουμενου). This is probably the correct translation of a
much disputed phrase. This view takes πληρωμα in the passive
sense (that which is fille... [ Continue Reading ]