Ephesians 1:3-4 KJV

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:3-6

The redemptive predestination of God a reason for man's exultant gratitude. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 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: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:3-14

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:3-14

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:4

Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world ; literally, he chose us out , or selected us ( ἐξελέξατο ) for himself (middle voice). The Father chose the heirs of salvation, selected those who were to be quickened from the dead ( Ephesians 2:1 ) and saved, they chose them in Christ —in connection with his work and office as Mediator, giving them to him to be re-decreed ( John 17:11 , John 17:12 ); not after man was created, nor after man had fallen, but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:4

The origin of our blessings: the election of grace. The difficulties that attach to this doctrine do not arise from any ambiguity in the Scripture proofs which support it, but from the nature of the doctrine itself, and its apparent inconsistency with other doctrines of Scripture. Many of the difficulties, indeed, that we associate with the doctrine are involved in the doctrine of Divine providence; so much so that William III . could say to Bishop Burnett, "Did I not believe absolute... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:4-6

God's idea of humanity. We commonly regard our lives from a human standpoint, which we cannot well leave even in thought. But, if it were possible, it would be most interesting to see how God looks upon them. Now, it is one of the objects of revelation to help us to do this—to lead us to see ourselves as God sees us. Next to the vision of God himself, such a picture of humanity as it appears in the eyes of God is of the greatest importance. The manifestation of our present condition in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:4-10

Origination of the Church. I. THE CHURCH TRACED UP TO THE ELECTIVE LOVE OF GOD . 1. Chosen for himself . "Even as he chose us." He chose us out of the sinful mass of humanity. He chose us for himself, as he chose ancient Israel for himself. 2. Chosen in Christ as covenant Head . "In him." He was God's sovereign choice: "Behold my Servant, whom I have chosen." Abraham, notably among men, was chosen; and, viewed as existing in him as their covenant... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:3-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:3-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:3-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:3-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:4-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:4-10

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