The clause that follows expresses the means by which the Gentile Christians were brought to be par- takers of this inheritance‘ In whom ye also have obtained an inheritance, ἀκούσαντες τὸν λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας, τὸ εὐαγγ. τῆς σωτηρίας ὑμῶν, having heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. The latter of these expressions is explanatory of the former. By the word of truth, is to be understood, the Gospel. The word of truth does not mean simply true doctrine ; but that word which is truth, or in which divine or saving truth is. Col. 1,5. 2 Cor. 6,7. Zhe gospel of your salvation, is the gospel concerning your salvation; or rather, the gospel which saves you. It is that gos- pel which is, as is said Rom. 1, 16, the power of God unto salvation. As it was by hearing this gospel the Gentiles in the days of the apostle were brought to be partakers of the inheritance of God, so it is by the same means men are to be saved now and in all coming ages until the consummation. It is by the word of truth, and not truth in general, but by that truth which con- stitutes the glad news of salvation.
In whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed. This is more than a translation, it is an exposition of the original, ἐν ᾧ καὶ πιστεύσαντες ἐσφραγίσθητε. There are three interpretations of this clause possible, of which our translators have chosen the best. The relative (ἐν 6) may be referred to the word gospel. ‘In which having believed ;’ or it may be referred to Christ and connected with the following participle, ‘ In whom having believed ;’ or it may be taken as in