CONTENTS
The Apostle opens the Epistle with his usual Salutation. He then at
once enters upon the great Subject he had in View, and traces all the
Mercies of the Church, to God's eternal Purpose in Christ, before the
Foundation of the World.
Ephesians 1:1
(1) В¶ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ b... [ Continue Reading ]
(2) Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord
Jesus Christ.
I detain the Reader at this verse only to remark, that when the
Apostle pronounceth this blessing of grace and peace, it will be
proper for us to consider, that the latter is the fruit of the former.
Grace is the so... [ Continue Reading ]
(3) В¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in
Christ: (4) 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: (5) Having predesti... [ Continue Reading ]
(7) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of
sins, according to the riches of his grace;
In this verse we now come to the subject of redemption. Redemption! A
word, taken in all its vast dimensions, bigger than a thou sand such
worlds as ours. Let us, however, proceed regular... [ Continue Reading ]
(8) Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; (9)
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his
good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
In those verses, the Church is brought into the view of the third
great branch, of this vast subject, namely, th... [ Continue Reading ]
(10) That in the dispensation of the fullness 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:
I beg to consider this verse alone. There is not perhaps the fellow to
it, in relation to the vast subject it treats of in all t... [ Continue Reading ]
(11) 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: (12) That we should be to the praise of his
glory, who first trusted in Christ. (13) In whom ye also trusted,
after that ye heard the word... [ Continue Reading ]
(15) В¶ Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord
Jesus, and love unto all the saints, (16) Cease not to give thanks for
you, making mention of you in my prayers; (17) That the God of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit
of wisdom and revelation in... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS
My soul! look up for grace, as Paul did, to bless God, even the Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, for the wonders of divine love, as set forth
in this precious Chapter from whence flow all the mercies to the
Church, in time; and to all eternity. Behold! my soul, what method the
Lord was p... [ Continue Reading ]