pensation of the grace of God | body, and partakers of his promwhich is given me to you-ward:ise in Christ by the gospel: 3 How that by revelation he 7 Whereof I was made a made known unto me the mys-minister, according to the gift tery; (as I wrote afore in few of the grace of God given unto words; me by the effectual working of his power. 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ,) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same &c.-Doddridge. Dispensation of the grace, &c. By the gracious appointment of God, Paul had been commissioned to preach the gospel, not only to the Ephesians, but to the Gentiles generally; and this appointment he regarded as a favor, notwithstanding it involved so much labor and hardship. See note on 2 Cor. iv. 1. See also 1 Tim. i. 12. 3. How that by revelation, &c. See note on Gal. i. 1. T Mystery. That which before was unknown. See note on Rom. xi. 25. T As I wrote afore in few words. Or, "a little before," as in the margin. Commentators differ in opinion in regard to the apostle's meaning here: some understand him to refer to a former epistle, now lost; others, and with apparently better reason, understand him to refer to what he had previously written in this epistle. 4. Whereby, when ye read, &c. When they should receive and read this epistle, they would understand Paul's knowledge concerning the divine plan of justification by faith, and its extent to the Gentiles equally with the Jews. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid low heirs, &c. This was a mystery, hid from all the posterity of Abraham, until Christ appeared in the flesh. The Jews "stumbled at that stumbling stone," Rom. ix. 32, imagining that a strict observance of the law was indispensable to justification. But the mystery was revealed, "that God would justify the heathen through faith," Gal. iii. 8, and save the fulness of the Gentiles," as well as "all Israel." Rom. xi. 25, 26. 7. &c. 8. Paul of his Whereof I was made a minister, See note on ver. 2. Less than the least of all saints. fully realized the worthlessness own works, as the meritorious cause of the blessings which God had bestowed on him. Indeed, he acknowledged himself to be blameworthy before God, on account of his early opposition to Christianity. See note on 1 Cor. xv. 9. Yet his conscience bore him witness, that, after his conversion, he "was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles." See note on 2 Cor. xi. 5. T Unsearchable riches of Christ. The full glory of the blessings revealed in the "promise in Christ by the gospel," ver. 6, whereof Paul "was made a minister," ver. 7, surpasses the most vivid conceptions of the human mind. See note on 1 Cor. 5. Which in other ages was not known, &c. Namely, the "mystery of Christ," ver. 4. This explains the meaning of the word mystery,-name-ii. 9. ly, something unknown for a time, and afterwards "revealed." 6. That the Gentiles should be fel 66 9. The fellowship of the mystery, &c. Archbishop Whately (Errors of Romanism, ch. ii., § 1) renders it' the in God, who created all things | ness and access with confidence by Jesus Christ: by the faith of him. 10 To the intent that now 13 Wherefore I desire that ye unto the principalities and pow-faint not at my tribulations for ers in heavenly places might be you, which is your glory. known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is 12 In whom we have bold-named, impossible to escape from that idea. Who could respect or honor an intelligent being that had no plan, no purpose, no intention, and that did all things by caprice and hap-hazard? If God has any plan, it must be eternal. He has no new schemes; he has no intentions which he did not always have." common participation of the mystery;' disputed. It is as undesirable as it is that is, of truths formerly unknown, and which could not be known by man's unaided powers, but which were now laid open by the gracious dispensation of Divine Providence; no longer concealed, or confined to a few, but to be partaken of by all." Barnes. Who created all things by Jesus Christ. "Who frames and manages this whole new creation by Jesus Christ. St. Paul speaks of the work of redemption under the name of creation. So 2 Cor. v. 17, and Gal. vi. 15."- Locke. “ Διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ (by Jesus Christ) is not in the best Mss."- -Conybeare. The phrase is rejected by Griesbach, and the best critics. 10. Principalities and powers. Most commentators suppose that different orders of angels are here intended. I prefer the interpretation by Locke and others, that the phrase denotes ecclesiastical rulers. T Manifold wisdom, &c. See note on 1 Cor. ii. 7. "That which calls forth the expressions of rapturous admiration here, and in the similar passage, Rom. xi. 33, is the divine plan of including all mankind in a universal redemption."- Conybeare. 11. Eternal purpose, &c. See note on ch. i. 9. "The fair meaning of the passage here is, that God had formed a plan which was eternal in reference to the salvation of men; that that plan had reference to the Lord Jesus, and that it was now executed by the gospel. It is impossible to get away from the idea that God has a plan. It is too often affirmed in the Scriptures, and is too consonant with our reason, to be ·Barnes. I only add, that it is utterly inconceivable that this eternal plan should involve the endless misery of men who were not yet created, and who had not done good or evil. Such a design or plan is wholly inconsistent with the character of that God whose essential characteristic is Love. 1 John iv. 16. 12. In whom we have boldness, &c. As disciples of Jesus, and through faith in his assurance that God is our Father, more kind and gracious than earthly parents, Matt. vii. 11, we may approach the mercy-seat without fear, believing that the Father will receive us kindly, and bestow the blessings which we need. 13. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not, &c. Paul was then a "prisoner " at Rome, ver. 1; but he would not have his brethren disheartened on account of his persecutions. On the contrary, he would have their faith confirmed by his own fortitude in the midst of tribulations. See ver. 16. 14. For this cause. Namely, that ye may not faint, but be encouraged. T I bow my knees. I offer prayer. 15. Of whom the whole family, &c. God "hath made of one blood all nations of men." Acts xvii. 26. ¶ In heaven and earth. Some commentators understand angels and men; others, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; the spirits of just men made perfect in the future life and those who remain on earth; others, the Jews and the Gentiles. In either case, the pervading idea is universality; God is the universal Father of intelligent beings. See note on ch. i. 10. 18. May be able to comprehend, &c. In the next verse the apostle declares that the "love of Christ - passeth knowledge," though he here prays that his brethren may comprehend it. In like manner, although "by searching," no man can "find out the Almighty unto perfection," yet to every one comes the exhortation, "Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace." Job xi. 7; xxii. 21. We may learn much, though perfect knowledge be beyond our present capacity. The breadth, and length, and depth, and height. The extent, in all directions. The apostle would express the greatness of the love of Christ. 19. The love of Christ. His love for us; see note on Rom. viii. 35. Which passeth knowledge. Which cannot be perfectly understood; see note on ver. 18. Filled with all the fulness of God. "That you may have abundantly in you whatsoever things are requisite to make you perfect with God; that you 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. may be replenished with all spiritual graces.”—Assemb. Annot. 20. Now unto him that is able, &c. See note on Rom. xvi. 25. ¶ Exceeding abundantly. See note on 2 Cor. iv. 17. Above all that we ask or think. We cannot now fully comprehend the vastness or riches of the blessings which divine grace will bestow. See note on 1 Cor.ii.9. 21. Unto him be glory, &c. "This sublime doxology is to be considered, not only as a strong expression of the apostle's admiration of God's goodness to men, but also as a means of strengthening the faith of the Ephesians. For lest the great blessing which the apostle had taught them to expect might seem too much for sinful creatures to receive, and more than God would bestow on them, he ends the doctrinal part of his epistle, in which these blessings are described, with a doxology to God, as both able and willing to bestow on believers blessings far more and greater than they are able to ask or even to conceive." - Macknight. T Throughout all ages, world without end. "To all the generations of the age of the ages. The cumulative expression is somewhat peculiar. It is not improbable, as Grotius suggests, that the two formulæ expressive of endless continuity are here blended together." - Ellicott. erally, 'unto all generations of the age of ages,' or 'unto all the generations of the eternity of eternities, or the eternity of ages.' It is a language of a heart full of the love of God, and desiring that he might be praised without ceasing forever and ever."- Barnes. "Lit "St. Paul having concluded the special part of his epistle with the foregoing chapter, he comes in this, as his manner is, to practical exhortations. He begins with unity, love, and concord, which he presses upon them, upon a consideration that he makes use of in more of his epistles than one, that is, their being all members of one and the same body, whereof Christ is the head."- Locke. 1. I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, &c. Here the subject is resumed which was broken off at the commencement of the previous chapter. See note on ch. iii. 1. In view of the abundant grace which God had manifested to the Gentiles, the apostle exhorts the Ephesians, who had been made partakers of that grace, to "walk as children of light," or to conduct as Christians. Ch. v. 8. T Walk worthy of the vocation, &c. That your conduct be "agreeable, suitable, and con gruous, to those happy circumstances into which the grace of God hath brought you, whom he hath converted from heathenism to Christianity."Henry. 2. With all lowliness and meekness. See notes on Acts xx. 19; Rom. xii. 3. T Long suffering. Patient endurance of trials and afflictions. Forbearing one another in love. See note on Rom. xv. 1. 3. Unity of the Spirit. See note on Rom. xii. 16. As the church of Ephesus embraced both Jews and Gentiles, this exhortation was pecu liarly important, lest national jealousies should be cherished as a "root of bitterness." ¶ In the bond of peace. See note on Rom. xii. 18. 4. There is one body and one Spirit, &c. The church is often represented as the body, of which Christ is the head; and the same figure is sometimes used as descriptive of the whole human family, in which sense it is said "the head of every man is Christ." 1 Cor. xi. 3. See notes on Rom. xii. 4, 5, where the same figure occurs. 5. One Lord. See note on 1 Cor. viii. 6. TOne faith. A belief in the same gospel, the same message of grace from the universal Father to his children. One baptism. This refers to the fact; not to the mode. Whether baptism were administered in one form or another, all had been baptized as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ; and this was a bond of union. 6. One God and Father of all, &c. See note on 1 Cor. viii. 6. This God is supreme, and pervades all the works of his hands. 7. But unto every one of us is given grace, &c. See notes on Rom. xii. 3, 6. From what follows in ver. 11, it seems that the apostle had special reference to spiritual gifts, as in Rom. xii. 6-8, and 1 Cor. xii. 7-11. "But these gifts, and capacities, and qualifications for the serving of Christ in the church, are not in the same manner and measure given to all, but severally, and in diverse degrees, such as Christ in his several distribution of gifts is pleased to dispense."- Hammond. 8. Wherefore he saith, &c. "The he ascended up on high, he led | saints, for the work of the mincaptivity captive, and gave gifts istry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and 11 And he gave some, apos-fro, and carried about with tles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; quotation is from Ps. lxviii. 18, but some of the gifts mentioned in ver. 8. slightly altered, so as to correspond Evangelists. Literally, messengers neither with the Hebrew nor with the of good tidings. The title is peculiarSeptuagint. Our two authorized ver-ly appropriate to the preachers of the sions of the Psalms have here departed gospel of grace and salvation, and pefrom the original, in order to follow culiarly inappropriate to those who the present passage; probably on the proclaim endless wrath and condemsupposition that St. Paul quoted some nation. older reading."- Conybeare. Of the various interpretations which have been given of this verse, I prefer that which supposes the apostle to have adopted this language from the Old Testament, as well fitted to express his ideas concerning the bestowment of gifts by Christ upon his disciples, ver. 7, 11; without intending to declare that it was originally prophetic of this event. 9. Lower parts of the earth. "To the lowest state of humiliation. This seems to be the fair meaning of the words. Heaven stands opposed to earth. One is above, the other is beneath. From the one Christ descended to the other, and he came not only to the earth, but he stooped to the most humble condition of humanity here. See Phil. ii. 6-8."- Barnes. See note on John iii. 13. 12. For the perfecting of the saints. For their growth in grace, 2 Pet. iii. 18; for their improvement in all the Christian virtues. Absolute perfection is not to be expected; but an approximation to that condition is the legitimate fruit of Christian culture. T For the work of the ministry. The several classes enumerated in ver. 11 were engaged in the gospel ministry; and, in the apostolic age, such diversified labor was necessary. For the edifying, &c. See note on Rom. xiv. 19. Body of Christ. The church; all believers. See note on Rom. xii. 4, 5. 13. Till we all come, &c. Until we become perfect men, or attain mature manhood in faith, in contradistinction to the present state of childhood mentioned in ver. 14. T Stature of the fulness of Christ. Namely, become like him, in spirit, and word, and deed, so far as mere man may imitate him who was without sin and blame- ! 10. That he might fill all things. "That he might fill all things with his influence, and direct and overrule all by his wisdom and power."-Dod-less. dridge. 11. And he gave some, apostles, &c. See note on 1 Cor. xii. 28. These are 14. That we henceforth be no more children, &c. "In some respects Christians are to be like children, they |