FOR THIS CAUSE; in view of all that has been said concerning your introduction through Christ, to the household of faith. THE PRISONER OF JESUS CHRIST; one who is subjected to imprisonment for the cause of Jesus Christ. FOR YOU GENTILES; he was especially called to preach the gospel to the Gentile... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MYSTERY; namely, that explained in verse Ephesians 3:6, that the Gentiles, through faith in Christ, were to be partakers of his salvation on equal terms with the Jews, and without the observance of Jewish ceremonies. AS I WROTE AFORE; as I wrote a little above, chap Ephesians 2:12-21.... [ Continue Reading ]
The gospel was designed to make all who embrace it children of God, and members of one family; to give them free access to him as their Father, and lead them to love one another as brethren. So far as it does not produce these effects on those who profess it, they have reason to fear that they have... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS POWER; his power in me, qualifying me for the office to which he has called me.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT IS THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MYSTERY; the mystery is that, through faith in Christ, Gentiles and Jews were to be united to God and one another in holy fellowship and communion for ever. "The fellowship of the mystery" would be the fellowship of Gentiles with Jews, which the revelation of this myste... [ Continue Reading ]
PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS; the different orders of heavenly beings. BY THE CHURCH; by means of God's dealings with the church. This is one of those passages which represent the angelic orders as studying with deep interest the dealings of God with men in the work of redemption. Compare 1 Peter 1:12... [ Continue Reading ]
The blessings of grace, which, for Christ's sake, God bestows on those who believe, are the fruits of his eternal purpose, and are given not merely to save them, but to show to the universe the perfections of his character as they could not otherwise be made known.... [ Continue Reading ]
MY TRIBULATIONS; on account of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, for which he was then a prisoner at Rome. YOUR GLORY; the means of promoting your glory; that is, promotive of your heavenly glory, with all the earnests of it which ye now receive through the Holy Spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THIS CAUSE; see note to verse Ephesians 3:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
OF WHOM; of God as its author and head. THE WHOLE FAMILY; or, as the original implies, every family; namely, every one of the different orders of holy beings in heaven and earth. IS NAMED; bears his name as the common Father of each; so that all orders of holy beings in heaven and earth are thus u... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE INNER MAN; by a great increase of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, and all the fruits of the Spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]
DWELL IN YOUR HEARTS; as the object of supreme affection. ROOTED AND GROUNDED; fixed as trees in a deep, fruitful soil, and firm as a building on a rock.... [ Continue Reading ]
COMPREHEND; understand more and more of the inexhaustible, eternal love of Christ, the fulness of which infinitely transcends all finite comprehension.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH ALL THE FULNESS OF GOD; more literally, unto all the fulness of God. So filled with his light, truth, love, holiness, and bliss, as to become in your measure like him, and shine in the glory of his image for ever. Faith in Christ is the means not only of justification, but of sanctification; re... [ Continue Reading ]
The glories to which God will finally exalt his people, can be comprehended by none but himself. His saints will be for ever enlarging their comprehensions; and yet, at every future period, their anticipations of what is to come will fill them with profounder adoration and a warmer zeal, and be draw... [ Continue Reading ]