Ephesians 1:2-3 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:1-2

The salutation. The apostle introduces his Epistle by a duplicate order of ideas: a double blessing—"grace and peace;" a double source of blessing—"God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ;" a double designation of the Christian people—"saints and faithful in Christ Jesus;" and a double source of authority—"an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God." I. THE AUTHOR . "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God." As one standing outside the circle of the twelve, who... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:1-2

The salutation of the saints. In the present case Paul, without associating any brethren with himself, proceeds to state his apostleship, and to transmit his salutation to the saints at Ephesus. These saints had been gathered for the most part out of paganism, and this will account for the introduction, as well as many of the contents, of this magnificent Epistle. We note the following lessons as here suggested:— I. THE APOSTLESHIP OF PAUL HAD BEEN RECEIVED DIRECTLY ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:1-2

Address and salutation. The great verity of which the Epistle to the Ephesians treats is the Church of Christ . It has its place along with other everlasting verities in the twelfth chapter of the Hebrews. It exists in no visible community as it exists in the mind of God. This letter is addressed to the Ephesian Church; but there is nothing peculiarly Ephesian about it. There are no Ephesian errors which are combated. There are no salutations sent to particular members of the Church of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:1-2

The highest things in the world. "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." The words set before us three of the greatest things in human life. I. THE HIGHEST OFFICE IN THE WORLD . "Can apostle of Jesus Christ." 1. He was a messenger of the greatest Person . How great was his Master! Messengers of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:2

Grace unto you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. As in most of Paul's Epistles, "grace" is virtually the first word and the last ( Ephesians 6:24 ), equivalent to free, undeserved mercy in all its manifold forms and manifestations. This Epistle is so full of the subject, that it has been called "The Epistle of Grace." The apostle dwells more fully on it than even in the Epistle to the Romans, and with a more jubilant sense of its richness and sufficiency. Peace is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every blessing of the Spirit, in heavenly places in Christ. Here we have (1) the Author of our blessings; (2) their nature and sphere; (3) the Medium through whom we have them. 1. The Author is "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Jesus called God his God and his Father ( John 20:17 ) in virtue of the state of subjection to him in which, as the Son of man, he had voluntarily placed himself. In... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:3

The blessings of redemption. Full minds overflow in long sentences. The sentence which begins with the third verse runs on continuously to the fourteenth, marked all the way by many rich and happy turns of expression. The apostle pours forth his thoughts with a splendid exuberance, which dazzles common readers, but is kindling to congenial minds. The whole passage is "a magnificent anthem," in which the ideas "suggest each other by a law of powerful association." It takes up the spirit of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:3

Ascription of praise by the Church. I. THE BLESSED OF THE CHURCH . 1. God . "Blessed be the God." It seems better to read, "Blessed be God." Thinking of God as infinitely glorious, how can we add to him by our praises? how can we by any words or deeds make him more glorious than he is? And yet he is pleased to say, "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me ." Our praises are pleasing to God, according as they are sincere and intelligent. When we come upon new and more... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:3

The Christian blessings. I. CHRISTIANS HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH MANY BLESSINGS . 1. Christianity involves blessedness . The declaration of its truths is a gospel. It is the religion of the cross; yet it is far happier to bear Christ's cross than to wear the yoke of sin, and there is no other alternative. The way of the cross is itself the way of peace and highest happiness. 2. Christian blessedness is now enjoyed . "Hath blessed us"—literally, "did bless... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:3-6

The electing and adopting love of God. As soon as the salutation of the saints is over, Paul proceeds to speak about the blessings he and they have received from God. One curious expression meets us and constitutes the key of the whole passage; it is "the heavenly places" ( ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις ) wherein the spiritual blessing is experienced. This cannot mean merely that out of the heavenly places the gracious Father pours his spiritual blessings upon selected souls; but, as a... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:3-6

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