πολυποίκιλος (a word found only this once in the NT)—not with any reference to Gnostic ideas of σοφία (as Baur ima- gined), for the use of such a term as this in that connection is of later date (Iren., Haer., i., 4, 1); nor simply in the sense of very wise, for which Aesch., Prom., 1308, is mistakenly cited; but as = multivarius, multiformis (Vulg.), having a great variety of forms. The adj. is used of the rich variety of colours in cloths, flowers, paintings, etc. (Eurip., Iph. T., 1149 ; Eubulus, ap. Athen., 15, p. 679 5; Orph. Hym., vi., 11; Ixi., 4). In different ways had God dealt with men, with the Jew in one way and with the Gentile in another, in the long course of the ages. But in all these He had had one great end in view. Now in the Church the realisation of that end is seen, and in that great spiritual harmony angels can perceive the manifoldness and majesty of that Divine wisdom which by ways so diverse had been working to this great result. That angels have an interest in man’s redemption and desire to look into it is stated in 1 Pet. i. 12. Here it is indicated that they are capable /of an enlargement of insight into it.
Ver. 11. / κατὰ πρόθεσιν τῶν αἰώνων: cordingAo the eternal purpose. Liter- ally;“according to the purpose of the
ages’? or “‘world-periods”; but repre- sented with substantial accuracy by the “eternal” of the AV and the other old English Versions with exception of Wicl. and the Rhemish. The term πρόθεσις must be taken here as elsewhere in the. proper sense of purpose, not in that of foreknowledge (Chrys.); and the clause is to be connected neither with the σοφία nor with the πολυποίκιλος in particular, but with the γνωρισθῃ. The disclosure of the manifold wisdom of God to the angelic world, contemplated in the com- mission given by God’s grace to Paul, was of further-reaching moment than that. It was contemplated in God’s eternal purpose and took place in accor- dance with that. The gen. αἰώνων may be a gen. of time (cf. Jude 6); Alf. com- pares our phrase “δὴ opinion of years” ; or it may rather be one of the many forms of the gen. of possession—‘the purpose
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