[during the eternal ages], from the time, when not only men, but even angels, were created, to both of whom the mystery had been at first unknown, Eph. iii. 9, 10. The times are de- noted, which with their first commencement as it were touch upon the previous eternity, and are, so to speak, mixed with it ; not eternity itself, of which times are only the streams ; for the phrase, Before eternal ages (Engl. Yer. before the world began ) is used at 2 Tim. i. 9 ; Ps. lxxvii. (lxxvi.) 6, rgMoac, dpyal as na,} try uiuvia. — (fecriyyif/jevou, kept secret) The Old Testament is like a clock in its silent course : the New Testament like the sound of brass, that is struck [viz. brazen cymbals, or drums]. In the Scriptures of the prophets, the calling of the Gentiles had been foretold ; but the Jews did not understand it.
26. <x>« vspwOevrog, made manifest) Col. i. 26 ; 2 Tim. i. 10 ; Tit. i. 3. — sftirayrtVj commandment) The foundation of his apostle- ship, 1 Tim. i. 1 ; Tit. i. 3. — rou aimko ©sou, of the eternal God) a very proper epithet, comp, the preceding verse, during the eternal ages, so Tit. i. 2. The silence on the part of God pre- supposes eternal knowledge, Acts xv. 18. The new Economy implies no change in God Himself; His own work is well known to Him from eternity. Comp, presently after, to Him who is the only wise . — *0n j, nations) not merely that they may know, but also that they may enjoy [the blessing so known].
27. 2 op&) to the wise) The wisdom of God is glorified by means of the Gospel in the Church, Eph. iii. 10 ; who is of power [able] ver. 25, and to the wise [both predicated of God], are joined together in this passage, as 1 Cor. i. 24, where Christ is said to be the power of God and the wisdom of God. — w, to whom) is put for avrti, to Him. So wv, ch. iii. 14 ; comp. 2 Tim. iii. 11 ; Acts xxvi. 7 ; 2 Cor. iv. 6, note, lxx., Is. v. 28. There would be a hiatus in the sentence without a pronoun.1 — ' A/4 y i/, amen) and let every believing reader say, Amen.
1 ACD(A) Hilary and Vulg. read 5. B the oldest MS. omits it. Lachm. suggests we should adopt this omission and read with the Vulg. no n be- tween hoc and ypocQcov and yuuptarOtvTi, ‘ cognito,’ for yvaoiadivrog. “ To the only-wise God who is wade known through Jesus Christ ” Else he conjectures that if we retain re, 5, and ywpict)euTog, we must read xocptg after Qea, “ To the only-wise God be thanks through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory,” etc. —Ed.