Ephesians 1:8

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 means, and in making all the necessary arrangements of providence for it. Paul attributes to the Gospel "all" possible "wisdom and prudence," in opposition to the boasts of wisdom and prudence which unbelieving Jews, pagan philosophers, and false apostles and legalists arrogated for their teachings. "Wisdom" in general: "prudence" [phroneesis], intelligence, the right application of the [ phreen (G5424)] mind, a res...

8._In all wisdom. _He now comes to the formal cause, the preaching of the gospel, by which the goodness of God _overflows upon us. _(113) It is through faith that we receive Christ, by whom we come to God, and by whom we enjoy the privilege of adoption. Paul gives to the gospel the magnificent appellations of _wisdom and prudence, _for the purpose of leading the Ephesians to despise all contrary doctrines. The false apostles insinuated themselves, under the pretense of imparting views more elevated than the elementary instructions which Paul conveyed. And the devil, in order to undermine our faith, labors, as far as he can, to disparage the gospel. Paul, on the other hand, builds up the authority of the gospel, that believers may rest upon it with unshaken confidence. _All wisdom _means — full or perfect wisdom....

3-8 Spiritual and heavenly blessings are the best blessings; with which we cannot be miserable, and without which we cannot but be so. This was from the choice of them in Christ, before the foundation of the world, that they should be made holy by separation from sin, being set apart to God, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, in consequence of their election in Christ. All who are chosen to happiness as the end, are chosen to holiness as the means. In love they were predestinated, or fore-ordained, to be adopted as children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, and to be openly admitted to the privileges of that high relation to himself. The reconciled and adopted believer, the pardoned sinner, gives all the praise of his salvation to his gracious Father. His love appointed this method of redemption, spared not his own Son, and brought believers to hear and embrace this salvation. It was ric...

Verse 8. _WHEREIN HE HATH ABOUNDED_] That is, in the dispensation of mercy and goodness by Christ Jesus. _IN ALL WISDOM AND PRUDENCE_] Giving us apostles the most complete instructions in heavenly things by the inspiration of his Spirit; and at the same time _prudence_, that we might know _when_ and _where_ to preach the Gospel so that it might be effectual to the salvation of those who heard it. Nothing less than the _Spirit_ of _God_ could teach the apostles that _wisdom_ by which they were to instruct a dark and sinful world; and nothing less than the same Spirit could inspire them with that _prudence_ which was necessary to be exercised in every step of their life and ministry. Every wise man is not a prudent man, and every prudent man is not a wise man. _Wisdom_ and _prudence_ may be expected in an apostle who is constantly living under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. "_Wisdom_...

WHEREIN HE HATH ABOUNDED - Which he has liberally manifested to us This grace has not been stinted and confined, but has been liberal and abundant. IN ALL WISDOM - That is, he has evinced great wisdom in the plan of salvation; wisdom in so saving people as to secure the honor of his own law, and in devising a scheme that was eminently adapted to save people; see the notes at 1 Corinthians 1:24. AND PRUDENCE - The word used here (φρονήσις phronēsis) means understanding, thinking, prudence. The meaning here is, that, so to speak, God had evinced great “intelligence” in the plan of salvation. There was ample proof of “mind” and of “thought.” It was adapted to the end in view. It was far-seeing; skillfully arrang

EXPOSITION EPHESIANS 1:1, EPHESIANS 1:2 ADDRESS AND SALUTATION. EPHESIANS 1:1 PAUL AN APOSTLE OF CHRIST JESUS. Paul's one but all-sufficient claim on the Ephesians is his relation to Christ: he is Christ's apostle, not only as sent forth by him, but also as belonging to him; elsewhere his servant or bondman. He makes no claim to their attention on the ground of his great experience in the gospel, his profound study of it, or even his gifts, but rests simply on his being Christ's apostle; thus recognizing Christ as the only Head of the Church, and source

WHEREIN HE HATH ABOUNDED TOWARD US,.... That is, in the grace which is so abundantly displayed in redemption and forgiveness of sin, through the blood of Christ: IN ALL WISDOM AND PRUDENCE; this may be understood, either of the aboundings of grace in the Gospel; which may be called all wisdom and prudence, because it is the wisdom of God; it is the product of his wisdom, and a display of it; the doctrines it contains are full of wisdom, and are the means of communicating it to men, and of making them wise unto salvation; and it may be so called, to set forth the excellency and perfection of it, as greatly transcending all human wisdom; and in this the grace of God has much abounded, for the Gospel is a declaration of the free grace of God, in the salvation of sinners by Christ; in the free justification of them by his righteousness; and in the full pardon of their sins through his blood...

In this chapter, we see what Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, has to say about the possessions and privileges of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:1. _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: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ._ Brethren and sisters in Christ, this is a benediction for you as well as for the saints at Ephesus; it is for all «the faithful in Christ Jesus.» May you all have grace without measure, and may you all have «the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,» to «keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus»! Grace and peace are both to be had by believing in Jesus. Ephesians 1:3

ANALYSIS AND ANNOTATIONS I. THE MASTERWORK OF GOD (1-3) 1. The Godhead at Work CHAPTER 1 _ 1. The introduction (Ephesians 1:1)_ 2. The great doxology (Ephesians 1:3) 3. The work of the Father (Ephesians 1:4) 4. The work of the Son (Ephesians 1:7) 5. The work of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13) 6. The parenthetical prayer to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory (Ephesians 1:15)

A PARAGRAPH OF PRAISE. God, who is also the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, is thanked for the blessings embracing every form of spiritual riches bestowed through their mystical relationship to Christ in the heavenly sphere upon the writer and upon his readers. The fact of their Christianity is evidence of their vocation to be holy and blameless before Him in love a vocation which runs back into the eternal counsels (Ephesians 1:4): God has predetermined them to be His own adopted sons through Christ, the motive being simply the good pleasure of His will (Ephesians 1:5), and the purpose in view the glorious manifestation of His kindness and the eternal praise thereof (Ephesians 1:6). This kindness is bestowed upon them in