CHAPTER 1 THE INTRODUCTION THE WRITER AND READERS Ephesians 1:1 In passing from the Galatian to the Ephesian epistle we are conscious of entering a different atmosphere. We leave the region of controversy for that of meditation. From the battle-field we step into the hush and stillness of the tem... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 2 THE ETERNAL PURPOSE Ephesians 1:3 WE enter this epistle through magnificent gateway. The introductory Act of Praise, extending from verse 3 to 14, Ephesians 1:3 is one of the most sublime of inspired utterances, an overture worthy of the composition that it introduces. Its first sentenc... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 3 THE BESTOWMENT OF GRACE Ephesians 1:6 THE blessedness of men in Christ is not matter of purpose only, but of reality and experience. With the word grace in the middle of the sixth verse the apostle's thought begins a new movement. We have seen Grace hidden in the depths of eternity in th... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 4 THE FINAL REDEMPTION Ephesians 1:12 WHEN the apostle reaches the "heritage" conferred upon us in Christ (Ephesians 1:11), he is on the boundary between the present and the future. Into that future he now presses forward, gathering from it his crowning tribute "to the praise of God's glo... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 5 FOR THE EYES OF THE HEART Ephesians 1:15 "BECAUSE of this": because you have heard the glad tidings, and believing it have been sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). "I too": I your apostle, with so great an interest in your salvation, in return give thanks for you. Thus St. Pau... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 6 THE DOCTRINE. WHAT GOD WROUGHT IN THE CHRIST Ephesians 1:20 The division that we make at Ephesians 1:20, marking off at this point the commencement of the Doctrine of the epistle, may appear somewhat forced. The great doxology of the first half of the chapter is intensely theological; an... [ Continue Reading ]