THANKSGIVING FOR THEIR DIVINE ORDINATION TO THE BLESSINGS OF GRACE . In this glorious anthem, in which the apostle, tracing all to the Divine Fountain, enumerates the glorious privileges of the Church, and blesses God for them, he first ( Ephesians 1:3 ) states summarily the ground of thanksgiving, expanding it with glowing fullness in Ephesians 1:4-14 . read more
The thanksgiving. The condition of believers is fitted to excite the profoundest emotions of gratitude and praise in all who know them. Grounds of this thankfulness are— I. STATED SUMMARILY . ( Ephesians 1:3 .) (For outline discourse on this text, see Exposition.) II. STATED IN DETAIL . ( Ephesians 1:4-14 .) The chief elements of blessing are: 1. Holiness and blamelessness in love, secured by God's eternal election ( Ephesians 1:4 ). 2. Adoption, secured in... read more
The forgiveness and inspiration of the adopted children. From the electing and adopting love of God, Paul proceeds next to show how it manifests itself in the thorough culture of the adopted children. We saw how they are accepted into the charmed circle for the Beloved's sake, and to him, indeed, owe all. We are now to notice how thorough is the provision made for the upbringing of these adopted ones. And— I. THROUGH THE BLOOD OF THE BELOVED THEY ARE REDEEMED AND ... read more
The redemptive predestination of God in its subjective and objective aspects. "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in... read more
The believer's inheritance. This is for the children, who are not only partakers of the knowledge of redemption, but heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ Jesus ( Romans 8:17 ). Property in this world usually goes by inheritance, but it is not so with Heaven's highest blessings. They are "not of blood, neither of the will of man," but of God. The serious question suggests itself—Have we any part or lot in the great gathering together in Christ of which the apostle has just spoken?... read more
Priority in the purpose of redemption. The connecting thought is the divulging of the purpose of redemption ( Ephesians 1:9 ), in which there is development and a consummation ( Ephesians 1:10 ). Under successive epochs or dispensations men must occupy different standpoints relative' to the purpose as more or less fully manifested. And there are those to whom it is earlier divulged than to others. The conspicuous instance is that of Jews and Gentiles. There is a special reference here... read more
That we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ. The "we" which hitherto has been applied to the whole Church, Jewish and Gentile, begins to have a more limited reference, and to contrast with "you" in Ephesians 1:13 . The first "we" in this verse embraces all, as in the preceding part of the chapter; the second (omitted in the A.V.) is conditioned by the words following, and is applicable to the Jewish Christians, who, through the promises given to the... read more
Hope in Christ. "Who first hoped in Christ." Hope, as one of the great springs of human action, is to be distinguished from simple foresight or simple expectation; for the one may be a foresight of evil, the other an expectation of coming misfortune. Hope, on the contrary, is the expectation of future good. We do not hope for mistake, or for misfortune, or for pain; we hope for what will fill our future with brightness. "Hope is the noblest offspring, the first born, the last buried child... read more
In whom are ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the good news of your salvation. A.V. has "in whom ye also trusted," or hoped, supplying a verb from προηλπικότας in Ephesians 1:13 , but without the prefix. This seems hardly natural, because the prefix πρὸ is characteristic and emphatic in Ephesians 1:12 . It is a much less strain to supply simply ἐστὲ , the important point being that you are now in him—in Christ. This expression, "in Christ," is one of the hinges of... read more
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John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 1:14
Verse 14 14.Which is the earnest (115) of our inheritance. This phrase is twice used by Paul in another Epistle. (2 Corinthians 1:22.) The metaphor is taken from bargains, in which, when a pledge has been given and accepted, the whole is confirmed, and no room is left for a change of mind. Thus, when we have received the Spirit of God, his promises are confirmed to us, and no dread is felt that they will be revoked. In themselves, indeed, the promises of God are not weak; but, until we are... read more