Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: BY, [ dia (G1223)] - 'through the will of God:' called to the apostleship through that same "will" which originated the Church (Ephesians 1:5; Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 1:... [ Continue Reading ]
Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. (; ; ; .) GRACE - God's undeserved favour. PEACE - to man, resulting from God's "grace." "Mercy" is added in the letters to pastors individually (; ; ). FROM GOD OUR FATHER, AND FROM THE LORD JESUS. There being... [ Continue Reading ]
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: The doxologies in the letters imply real sense of grace experienced by the writers and their readers (1 Peter 1:3). Ephesians 1:3 set forth summarily the Gospel o... [ Continue Reading ]
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: HATH CHOSEN US, [ exelexato (G1586)] - 'chose us out for Himself' (namely, out of the world, Galatians 1:4): His original choice, spoken of as past. IN HIM. The... [ Continue Reading ]
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, PREDESTINATED - having respect to the end and means. We are "chosen" or 'elected' out of the rest of the world; "predestinated" to all things that secure the inheritance... [ Continue Reading ]
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 1:17.) The grand end of His predestination (Ps. 1:23 ) - i:e., that the glory of His grace may be praised by all His creatures. WHEREIN. So Delta G C f g, Vulgate. But 'Aleph (')... [ Continue Reading ]
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; IN WHOM - "the Beloved" (Ephesians 1:6; Romans 3:24). WE HAVE - as a present possession. REDEMPTION, [ teen (G3588) apolutroosin (G629)] - 'our (literally, the) redemption;' THE redemp... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Ellicott, 'Which He made to abound toward us' [ hees (G3757) eperisseusen (G4052)]: the transitive is the more common meaning. ALL WISDOM AND PRUDENCE - "wisdom" in devising the redemption plan; "prudence" in executing it by the mean... [ Continue Reading ]
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: Which He 'made to abound toward us' (), in that He made known to us-namely, experimentally in our hearts. THE MYSTERY - God's purpose of redemption hidden heretofore in His counse... [ Continue Reading ]
That in the dispensation of the fulness 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: IN, [ eis (G1519): rather unto] - i:e., 'which He purposed in Himself' (Ephesians 1:9), with a view to the dispensation of (i:e., t... [ Continue Reading ]
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: IN WHOM - in union to whom. OBTAINED AN INHERITANCE, [ ekleerootheemen (G2820)] - 'Aleph (') B, Vulgate, 'We were made to have an inheritan... [ Continue Reading ]
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. WHO FIRST TRUSTED IN CHRIST - rather (we Jewish Christians), 'who have before hoped [ proeelpikotas (G4276)] in the [ too (G3588)] Christ:' who before He came have had our hope in Him (not merely 'toward Him'), waiting for... [ Continue Reading ]
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, IN WHOM YE ALSO - ye Gentiles. Supply "trusted" or 'hoped' [the simple verb taken out of the compound proeelpikotas ... [ Continue Reading ]
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. EARNEST - the first instalment paid as a pledge that the rest of the purchased inheritance will follow [ arraboon (G728)] (Romans 8:23); 2 Corinthians 5:5): a portion of the pu... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, WHEREFORE - because ye are in Christ sealed by His Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). I ALSO - on my part, in return for God's so great benefits to you. AFTER (EVER SINCE) I HEARD - not implying that he had o... [ Continue Reading ]
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; OF YOU (so G f g, Vulgate: omitted in 'Aleph (') A B Delta). Then translate as English version, not as Alford, 'making mention of them' (your 'faith and love'). See .... [ Continue Reading ]
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: A fit prayer for all. "I also," corresponding to "ye also," Ephesians 1:13. Paul joins his praises and prayers to theirs. THE GOD OF OUR LORD JESUS - approp... [ Continue Reading ]
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, Result of the gift of the Spirit. UNDERSTANDING. 'Aleph (') A B Delta G f g, Vulgate, read 'heart.' Compare the contrary state of... [ Continue Reading ]
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, EXCEEDING - `surpassing.' POWER TO US-WARD WHO BELIEVE - the whole working of His grace which He is carrying on, and will carry on to glory, in us who believe. This is that where... [ Continue Reading ]
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, WHICH - `working.' IN CHRIST - the 'first-fruits' of the resurrection, our Head. WHEN HE RAISED HIM - `in that He (the Father) raised Him.' The raising of Christ is not only... [ Continue Reading ]
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: [ Huperanoo (G5231)] 'Far (or high) above all principality [ archees (G746), rule, 1 Corinthians 15:24 ], and [ exousias (G1849)] authority, and... [ Continue Reading ]
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, PUT ALL THINGS UNDER, [ hupetaxen (G5293)] - 'put in subjection under' (Genesis 1:28; Psalms 8:6; 1 Corinthians 15:27). Not only is He infinitely exalted (Ephesians 1:21), but He has universal domi... [ Continue Reading ]
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. WHICH IS, [ heetis (G3748)] - inasmuch as she is. HIS BODY - His mystical body. Not merely figurative. He is really, though spiritually, the Church's Head. His life is her life. She shares His crucifixion and His consequent glory.... [ Continue Reading ]