By the will of God. As frequently in the introductions of the epistles, to emphasize his divine appointment. In Romans 1:1; 1 Corinthians 1:1, called is added. To the saints. See on Romans 1:7; Colossians 1:2; Philippians 1:1. At Ephesus. There is much discussion as to the genuineness of these word... [ Continue Reading ]
Grace. One of the leading words of the epistle. 166 It is used thirteen times.... [ Continue Reading ]
Blessed [ε υ λ ο γ η τ ο ς]. Placed first in the clause for emphasis, as always in the corresponding Hebrew in the Old Testament. The verb is commonly omitted - blessed the God. In the New Testament used of God only. The perfect participle of the verb, eujloghmenov blessed, is used of men. See on 1... [ Continue Reading ]
Even as [κ α θ ω ς]. Explaining blessed us, in ver. 3. His blessing is in conformity with the fact that He chose. Chose [ε ξ ε λ ε ξ α τ ο]. Middle voice, for himself. In Him. As the head and representative of our spiritual humanity. Compare 1 Corinthians 14:22. Divine election is in Christ the R... [ Continue Reading ]
Having predestinated [π ρ ο ο ρ ι σ α ς]. Rev. foreordained. From pro before, oJrizw to define, the latter word being from opov a boundary. Hence to define or determine beforehand. Adoption [υ ι ο θ ε σ ι α ν]. See on Romans 8:15. Never used of Christ. Good pleasure [ε υ δ ο κ ι α ν]. Not strictly... [ Continue Reading ]
To the praise of the glory of His grace. The ultimate aim of foreordained. Glory is an attribute of grace : that in which grace grandly and resplendently displays itself. Praise is called forth from the children of God by this divine glory which thus appears in grace. The grace is not merely favor,... [ Continue Reading ]
We have. Or are having. The freely bestowed (ver. 6) is thus illustrated by experience. The divine purpose is being accomplished in the lives of believers. Redemption [τ η ν α π ο λ υ τ ρ ω σ ι ν]. See on Romans 3:24. Note the article : our redemption. Through His blood. Further defining and expla... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherein He hath abounded [η ς ε π ε ρ ι σ σ ε υ σ ε ν]. Rev., correctly, which He made to abound. The verb is used both transitively and intransitively in the New Testament. The transitive use belongs mainly to later Greek. Compare, for the transitive sense, Matthew 13:12; 2 Corinthians 4:15. In all... [ Continue Reading ]
Having made known. The participle is explanatory of which He made to abound, etc. : in that He made known. The mystery of His will. For mystery, see on Romans 11:25; Colossians 1:26. Another key - word of this epistle. God's grace as manifested in redemption is a mystery in virtue of its riches and... [ Continue Reading ]
That in the dispensation, etc. [ε ι ς ο ι κ ο ν ο μ ι α ν]. The A. V. is faulty and clumsy. EiJv does not mean in, but unto, with a view to. Dispensation has no article. The clause is directly connected with the preceding : the mystery which He purposed in Himself unto a dispensation. For oijkonomia... [ Continue Reading ]
In Him. Resuming emphatically : in Christ. We have obtained an inheritance [ε κ λ η ρ ω θ η μ ε ν]. Only here in the New Testament. From klhrov a lot. Hence the verb means literally to determine, choose, or assign by lot. From the custom of assigning portions of land by lot, klhrov acquires the mean... [ Continue Reading ]
That we should be. Connect with we were made a heritage. Who first trusted [τ ο υ ς π ρ ο η λ π ι κ ο τ α ς]. In apposition with we [σ η ο υ λ δ β ε]. So Rev., we who had, etc., trusted, more properly hoped; and first trusted is ambiguous. We refers to Jewish Christians, and the verb describes thei... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye also trusted. Gentile Christians. Trusted, which is not in the Greek, is unnecessary. The pronoun ye is nominative to were sealed. In whom. Resuming the in whom at the beginning of the verse, and repeated on account of the length of the clause. Ye were sealed [ε σ φ ρ α γ ι σ θ η τ ε]. See on Jo... [ Continue Reading ]
Earnest. See on 2 Corinthians 1:22. Unto the redemption, etc. Construe with ye were sealed. Of the purchased possession [τ η ς π ε ρ ι π ο ι η σ ε ω ς]. See on peculiar, 1 Peter 2:9. The word originally means a making to remain over and above; hence preservation; preservation for one's self; acquis... [ Continue Reading ]
Your faith [τ η ν κ α θ υ μ α ς π ι σ τ ι ν]. The Greek phrase is nowhere else used by Paul. Lit., as Rev., the faith which is among you. Expositors endeavor to make a distinction between this and Paul's common phrase hJ pistiv uJmwn your faith, but they differ widely, and the distinction is at best... [ Continue Reading ]
Making mention, etc. As I make mention. The same expression occurs Romans 1:9; Philippians 1:4; Philippians 1:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
God of our Lord Jesus Christ. Compare John 20:17; Matthew 27:46, and see on ver. 3. Father of glory [ο π α τ η ρ τ η ς δ ο ξ η ς]. The Father to whom the glory belongs. Note the article, the glory, preeminently. Compare Acts 7:2; 1 Corinthians 2:8. See Psalms 18:3, "who is worthy to be praised;" whe... [ Continue Reading ]
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened [π ε φ ω τ ι σ μ ε ν ο υ ς τ ο υ ς ο φ θ α λ μ ο υ ς τ η ς κ α ρ δ ι α ς υ μ ω ν]. Rev., eyes of your heart. Lit., being enlightened as to the eyes of your heart; enlightened being joined with you (ver. 17) by a somewhat irregular construction : may g... [ Continue Reading ]
Exceeding [υ π ε ρ β α λ λ ο ν]. Compounds with uJper over, beyond, are characteristic of Paul's intensity of style, and mark the struggle of language with the immensity of the divine mysteries, and the opulence of the divine grace. See ver. 21; Ephesians 3:20; 2 Corinthians 4:17, etc. According to... [ Continue Reading ]
Which [η ν]. Refer to working (ver. 19). He wrought [ε ν η ρ γ η σ ε ν]. The best texts read ejnhrghken, perfect tense, He hath wrought. The verb is kindred with working (ver. 19). In Christ. In the case of Christ. Christ's dead body was the point on which this working of divine power was exhibite... [ Continue Reading ]
Far above [υ π ε ρ α ν ω]. Lit., over above. See on ver. 19. Connect with made Him to sit. Principality, power, etc. These words usually refer to angelic powers; either good, as ch. 3 10; Colossians 1:16; Colossians 2:10; or bad, as ch. 6 12; 1 Corinthians 14:24; Colossians 2:15; or both, as Romans... [ Continue Reading ]
Put all things in subjection. Compare Colossians 1:15-18; Psalms 8:5-8. Gave Him. Him is emphatic : and Him He gave. Not merely set Him over the Church, but gave Him as a gift. See 2 Corinthians 9:15. The Church [τ η ε κ κ λ η σ ι α]. See on Matthew 16:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
Which is His body [η τ ι ς]. The double relative is explanatory, seeing it is : by which I mean. Body, a living organism of which He is the head. See on Colossians 1:18. The fullness. See on John 1:16; Romans 11:12; Colossians 1:19. That which is filled. The Church, viewed as a receptacle. Compare c... [ Continue Reading ]