1._And you who were dead. _This is an ἐπεξεργασία of the former statements, that is, an exposition accompanied by an illustration. (118) To bring home more effectually to the Ephesians the general doctrine of Divine grace, he reminds them of their former condition. This application consists of two p... [ Continue Reading ]
2._In which for some time ye walked. _From the effects or fruits, he draws a proof that sin formerly reigned in them; for, until sin displays itself in outward acts, men are not sufficiently aware of its power. When he adds, _according to the course of this world, _(120) he intimates that the death... [ Continue Reading ]
3._Among whom also we all had our conversation. _Lest it should be supposed that what he had now said was a slanderous reproach against the former character of the Ephesians, or that Jewish pride had led him to treat the Gentiles as an inferior race, he associates himself and his countrymen along wi... [ Continue Reading ]
4._But God, who is rich in mercy. _(122) Now follows the second member of the sentence, the substance of which is, that God had delivered the Ephesians from the destruction to which they were formerly liable; but the words which he employs are different. _God, who is rich in mercy, hath quickened yo... [ Continue Reading ]
5._Even when we were dead in sin. _These words have the same emphasis as similar expressions in another Epistle. “For _when we were yet without strength, _in due time Christ died, for the ungodly. — But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, _while we were yet sinners, _Christ died for us.” (R... [ Continue Reading ]
6._And hath raised us up together. _The resurrection and sitting in heaven, which are here mentioned, are not yet seen by mortal eyes. Yet, as if those blessings were presently in our possession, he states that we have received them; and illustrates the change which has taken place in our condition,... [ Continue Reading ]
7._That in the ages to come. _The final and true cause — the glory of God — is again mentioned, that the Ephesians, by making it the subject of earnest study, might be more fully assured of their salvation. He likewise adds, that it was the design of God to hallow, in all ages, the remembrance of so... [ Continue Reading ]
8._For by grace are ye saved. _This is an inference from the former statements. Having treated of election and of effectual calling, he arrives at this general conclusion, that they had obtained salvation by faith alone. First, he asserts, that the salvation of the Ephesians was entirely the work, t... [ Continue Reading ]
9._Not of works. _Instead of what he had said, that their salvation is of grace, he now affirms, that “it is the gift of God.” (124) Instead of what he had said, _“ _Not of yourselves,_” _he now says, _“ _Not of works._” _Hence we see, that the apostle leaves nothing to men in procuring salvation. I... [ Continue Reading ]
10._For we are his work. _By setting aside the contrary supposition, he proves his statement, that _by grace we are saved, _— that we have no remaining works by which we can merit salvation; for all the good works which we possess are the fruit of regeneration. Hence it follows, that works themselve... [ Continue Reading ]
11._Wherefore remember. _The apostle never once loses sight of his subject, marks it out clearly, and pursues it with increasing earnestness. He again exhorts the Ephesians to remember what their character had been before they were called. This consideration was fitted to convince them that they had... [ Continue Reading ]
12._That at that time ye were without Christ. _He now declares that the Ephesians had been excluded, not only from the outward badge, but from everything necessary to the salvation and happiness of men. As Christ is the foundation of hope and of all the promises, he mentions, first of all, that they... [ Continue Reading ]
13._But now in Christ Jesus. _We must either supply the verb, _now that ye have been received in Christ Jesus, _or connect the word _now _with the conclusion of the verse, _now through the blood of Christ, _— which will be a still clearer exposition. In either case, the meaning is, that the Ephesian... [ Continue Reading ]
14._For he is our peace. _He now includes Jews in the privilege of reconciliation, and shows that, through one Messiah, all are united to God. This consideration was fitted to repress the false confidence of the Jews, who, despising the grace of Christ, boasted that they were the holy people, and ch... [ Continue Reading ]
15._Having abolished in his flesh the enmity. _The meaning of Paul’s words is now clear. _The middle wall of partition _hindered Christ from forming Jews and Gentiles into one body, and therefore the wall has been _broken down. _The reason why it is broken down is now added — _to abolish the enmity,... [ Continue Reading ]
16._And that he might reconcile both. _The reconciliation between ourselves which has now been described is not the only advantage which we derive from Christ. We have been brought back into favor with God. The Jews are thus led to consider that they have not less need of a Mediator than the Gentile... [ Continue Reading ]
17._And came and preached peace. _All that Christ had done towards effecting a reconciliation would have been of no service, if it had not been proclaimed by the gospel; and therefore he adds, that the fruit of this peace has now been offered both to Jews and to Gentiles. Hence it follows, that to s... [ Continue Reading ]
18._For through him we both have access. _This is an argument from the fact, that we are permitted to draw near to God. But it may be viewed also as an announcement of peace; for wicked men, lulled into a profound sleep, sometimes deceive themselves by false notions of peace, but are never at rest,... [ Continue Reading ]
19._Now therefore ye are no more strangers. _The Ephesians are now exclusively addressed. They were formerly _strangers from the covenants of promise, _but their condition was now changed. They were _foreigners, _but God had made them _citizens _of his church. The high value of that honor which God... [ Continue Reading ]
20._And are built_. The third comparison illustrates the manner in which the Ephesians, and all other Christians are admitted to the honor of being _fellow-citizens with the saints and of the household of God. _They are _built on the foundation, _— they are founded on the doctrine, _of the apostles... [ Continue Reading ]
21._In whom all the building groweth. _If this be true, what will become of Peter? When Paul, in writing to the Corinthians, speaks of Christ as a “Foundation,” he does not mean that the church is begun by him and completed by others, but draws a distinction arising out of a comparison of his own la... [ Continue Reading ]
22._In whom ye also are builded together, _or _in whom also _Be Ye Builded _together. _The termination of the Greek verb , συνοικοδομεῖσθε, like that of the Latin, _cooedificamini, _ does not enable us to determine whether it is in the imperative or indicative mood. The context will admit either, bu... [ Continue Reading ]