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 ]