And you _hath he quickened_, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Ver. 1. _Who were dead_] Natural men are living carcases, walking sepulchres of themselves. In most families it is, as once it was in Egypt, Exodus 12:30, no house wherein there is not one, nay, many dead corpses. Howbeit, the natur... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Ver. 2. _Wherein ye walked_] Hence, Acts 14:16; sin is called a way, but it leads to the chambers of death. _ Accordin... [ Continue Reading ]
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. Ver. 3. _Among whom also we all, &c._] Let the best look back often on what they were before calling, t... [ Continue Reading ]
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Ver. 4. _But God, who is rich in mercy_] Such a mercy as rejoiceth against judgment, as a man against his adversary which he hath subdued,James 2:13 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Ver. 5. _Hath quickened, &c._] The very first stirrings in the womb of grace are precious to God; he blesseth our very buds,Isaiah 44:3, according to the Geneva translation. _ Even when we were dead_]... [ Continue Reading ]
And hath raised _us_ up together, and made _us_ sit together in heavenly _places_ in Christ Jesus: Ver. 6. _And made us sit together_] We have taken up our rooms beforehand in heaven, whereunto we have just right upon earth by virtue of the union, the ground of communion,1 John 5:12. He that hath t... [ Continue Reading ]
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in _his_ kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ver. 7. _In his kindness toward us_] We come not to the knowledge of God but by his works. And even this way of knowing him we naturally abuse to idolatry.... [ Continue Reading ]
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: _it is_ the gift of God: Ver. 8. _For by grace ye are saved_] So Ephesians 2:5, and everywhere almost St Paul is a most constant preacher of the grace of God, as Chrysostom styleth him. _Sub laudibus naturae latent inimici gratiae... [ Continue Reading ]
Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ver. 9. _Lest any man should boast_] As that fool did that said, _Caelum gratis non accipiam, _ I will not have heaven but at a rate. (Vega.) _Non sic Deos coluimus, aut sic vivimus, ut ille nos vinceret, _ said the emperor Antoninus Philosophus. We have not... [ Continue Reading ]
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ver. 10. _For we are his workmanship_] ποιημα, his artificial facture, or creature, that wherein he hath showed singular skill, by erecting the glorious fabric of the new... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore remember, that ye _being_ in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; Ver. 11. _Who are called uncircumcision_] In great scorn and reproach, as1 Samuel 17:26. Howbeit unregenerate Israel was to God... [ Continue Reading ]
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: Ver. 12. _Strangers from the covenant_] The saints only are heirs to the promises; but the devil sweeps all the wicked,... [ Continue Reading ]
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Ver. 13. _Are made nigh by the blood_] Christ hath paved us a new and living way to the throne of God's grace by his own most precious blood. Oh, happy _lapidi pavium!_ jewel of the peacock. Oh, Golgotha bec... [ Continue Reading ]
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition _between us_; Ver. 14. _For he is our peace_] That is, our peace maker and peace matter. _a_ When he was born, there was among all nations a general _aut pax, aut pactio, _ either peace or an agreement fo... [ Continue Reading ]
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, _even_ the law of commandments _contained_ in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, _so_ making peace; Ver. 15. _Having abolished in his flesh_] That is, by his death in the flesh, Colossians 1:22. At which time the veil rent, and the cer... [ Continue Reading ]
And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: Ver. 16. _In one body_] _Ubi igitur Separatistae?_ Therefore, where are the separatists? saith one. All other sins destroy the Church consequentially; but division and separation demolish it directl... [ Continue Reading ]
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. Ver. 17. _To them that were nigh_] That is, "the children of Israel, a people near unto him," Psalms 148:14 .... [ Continue Reading ]
For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Ver. 18. _We both have an access_] With good assurance of success. The Persian kings held it a piece of their silly glory to hold off their best friends, who might not come near them but upon special licence, Ezra 4:11. Not so our k... [ Continue Reading ]
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; Ver. 19. _Fellow citizens with the saints_] Paul, as a citizen of Rome, escaped whipping, Acts 22:6; we, as citizens with the saints, escape hell tortures and torments.... [ Continue Reading ]
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner _stone_; Ver. 20. _Upon the foundation_] Foundation is taken either for Christ, 1 Corinthians 3:11; Matthew 16:16, or the doctrine of the Scriptures which teach salvation only by Jesus Christ... [ Continue Reading ]
In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: Ver. 21. _Fitly framed together_] Or, perfectly joined together by the cement of the Holy Spirit, working in the saints faith in Christ and love one toward another, which the apostle calleth the bond of perfecti... [ Continue Reading ]
In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Ver. 22. _For a habitation of God, &c._] The Father makes choice of this house, the Son purchaseth it, the Holy Ghost taketh possession of it. This happiness he best understandeth that most feeleth. The cock on the du... [ Continue Reading ]