Hope of His calling. ope, not, as sometimes, the thing hoped for, but the sentiment or principle of hope which God’s calling inspires.
The riches of the glory of His inheritance. Ellicott re- marks that this is a noble accumulation of genitives, “setting forth the inheritance on the side of its glory, and the glory on the side of its riches.” Glory is the essential characteristic of salvation, and this glory is richly abounding. //¢s inheritance: which is His, and His gift.
19. Exceeding (i7epBadrov). Compounds with tzrép over, beyond, are characteristic of Paul’s intensity of style, and mark the struggle of language with the immensity of the divine mys- teries, and the opulence of the divine grace. See ver. 213 iii. 20; 2 Cor. ive 7, etc.
According to the working of His mighty power (xara Thy évépyevay Tod KpdTous THS iaxvos adrov). The A. V. fre- quently impairs the force of a passage by combining into a single conception two words which represent distinct ideas ; translating two nouns by an adjective and a noun. Thus Philip. iii. 21, vele body, glorious body, for body of humiliation, body
372 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. I.
of glory: Rom. viii. 21, glorious liberty, for liberty of the glory: 2 Cor. iv. 4, glorious gospel, for gospel of the glory: Col. i. 11, glorious power, for power of the glory: 1 Pet. 1. 14, obedient children, for children of obedience: 2 Pet. 1. 14, cursed children, for children of cursing. So here, mighty power, for strength of might. The idea is thus diluted, and the peculiar force and distinction of the separate words is meas- urably lost. Rev., correctly, working of the strength of His might. For working, see on Col. i. 29. For strength and might, see on 2 Pet. ii. 11; John i. 12. Strength (xpatovs) is used only of God, and denotes relateve and manifested power. Might (ioxyvos) is indwelling strength. Working (évépyesav) is the active, efficient manifestation of these. Hence we have here God’s indwelling power, which inheres in the divine nat- ure (strength) ; the relative quality or measure of this power (might); and the efficient exertion of the divine quality (work- ing). The phrase, according to the working of the strength, etc., is to be connected with the exceeding greatness of His power. The magnitude of God’s power toward believers is known in the operation of the strength of His might.
20. Which (4). Refer to working (ver. 19).
He wrought (évypyncev). The best texts read évypynxer, perfect tense, He hath wrought. The verb is kindred with working (ver. 19).
In Christ. In the case of Christ. Christ’s dead body was the point on which this working of divine power was exhibited. See Rom. viii. 11; 2 Cor. iv. 14.
When He raised (éyetpas). Or, in that He raised.
And set (kai éxaSicev). Rev., made Him to sit. The best texts read xadioas having seated, or in that He caused Him to sit.
Right hand. See Acts vii. 56.
In the heavenly places. See on ver. 2. Local. Not merely of a spiritual state, which does not suit the local expres- sions made to set and right hand.
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21. Far above (imepdavw). Lit., over above. See on ver. 19. Connect with made Him to sit.
Principality, power, etc. These words usually refer to angelic powers; either good, as ch. iii. 10; Col. i. 16; ii. 10; or bad, as ch. vi. 12; 1 Cor. xv. 243; Col. ii. 15; or both, as Rom. vill. 38. See on Col. i. 16; ii. 15. Here probably good, since the passage relates to Christ’s exaltation to glory rather than to His victory over evil powers.
And every name that is named. And has a collective and summary force—and in a word. Every name, etc. What- ever a name can be given to. “Let any name be uttered, whatever it is, Christ is above it; is more exalted than that which the name so uttered affirms” (Meyer). Compare Philip. ii. 9. “We know that the emperor precedes all, though we cannot enumerate all the ministers of his court: so we know that Christ is placed above all, although we cannot name all” (Bengel).