length and breadth, the depth and height of the love of Christ which passes knowledge.’ Just as we would say, ‘That ye may know and feel.’ In knowing, ac- cording to Scriptural usage, the idea of experimental knowledge, or knowledge united with appropriate feel- ing, may well be included. This is the simpler expla- nation and gives a very good sense. According to the other view, the meaning is: ‘That ye may comprehend the length and breadth, the depth and height of and also know the love of Christ ;’ something different
from the love of Christ, being the object intended in the first clause. The great body of commentators, who adopt this view, suppose the reference is to the economy of re- demption spoken of inv. 9. Paul prays that his hearers may comprehend the immensity of that plan of mercy, and know the love of Christ. Others refer to the mani- fold wisdom displayed in the salvation of men. Others to the unsearchable riches of Christ. All these sub- jects are indeed spoken of in the preceding context ; but not in the prayer. At v.14, there is such a change of the subject and in the progress of the discourse, as to make it harsh to go back of that verse to seek for an object. It is more natural to look for it in the follow- ing clause, where one is found which makes further search unnecessary. It is the love of Christ, i. e. his love to us which passes knowledge. It is infinite; not only because it inheres in an infinite subject, but be- cause the condescension and sufferings to which it led, and the blessings which it secures for its objects, are beyond our comprehension. This love of Christ, though