The Pulpit Commentary — Ephesians — Section 41

ment and his 1upport. He had no personal merit entitling him to the position of apostle. At the same time, that position was not a self-chosen one. It was the will of God that Christ (such is the idea) should station him, now here and now there, among the Churches. And whether he was anxiously engaged in the composition of an Epistle, or whether he was pleading tremblingly with his voice for Christ, he was supported by the feeling that he was acting at the Divine instance and under the Divine authority. 2. The persons addressed. (1) Generic designation. "To the saints which are at Ephesus." The members of the Ephesian Church are designated "saints." We are to think of the Old Testament meaning. Temple, city, land, priests, people, were all holy, or devoted to God. We are to take this name to ourselves, not vauntingly as what we are, but humbly e.s what we aspire to be. (2) Specific desig- nation. "And the faithful in Christ Jesus." This is a designation associated with Christ. They were distinctively a Christian community. We are marked off not merely from those who have no faith (infidels) or an unholy faith (such as those who think it right to offer human sacrifices), but also from the Old '£estament Church (the one Sacrifice having now been offered), and also from angels, who admire and adore Christ but have not the same close interest in him as sinners of mankind. In the cross we see the Divine purpose of salvation fully disclosed; and, under a sense of our great demerit, we rest upon Christ (in his boundless merit) as he is offered to us in the gospel. II. THE SALUTATION. 1. The two words of salutation. (1) Grace. "Grace to vou." The idea to which grace (on God's part) is opposed is merit (on our part). "For merit lives from man to man, And not from man, 0 Lord, to thee." We feel that, if it were only to fare with our friends according to their deserving before God, it would not be well with them. There would be innumerable things for which they could not answer. We therefore recognize the great condition of their welfare to be that there should be the outgoing of undeserved favour and of loving care toward them. And so that is the first thing we put into our greeting. (2) Peace. "And peace." This is not peace of e.ny description, which may only be a curse in disguise. But it is a peace which is conjoined with grace. It is a freedom from anxiety, which results from the consciousness of being loved and mercifully deal~ with. It is the child's feeling at rest under the shelter of his father's roof, and, when he acts amiss, in the enjoyment of hie forgiveness. 2. The twofold source to which u·e look in salutation. (I) First source. "From God our Father." The fatherly in God is higher up than his omnipotence. The Father's heart we have found to be the source of blessing to ourselves, and we feel that it is only from that source that othr•s can be truly blessed. He who is gracious to us be gracious also to them. (2) Second aource. "And the Lord Jesus Christ." He is the glorious Manifestation of the Father's grace. It is by him that blessings have been obtained, and through him that they come to us. "No man cometh to the Father but by me." We must, therefore, in seeking blessings for our friends, recognize him as the lordly Dispenser in his Father's house.-R. F. Ver. 3. -.Ascription of praise by the <Jhurch. I. THE BLESSED OF THE Cnuacu. 1. God. "Blessed be the God.'' It seems better to read," Blessed be God." 'l'hinkin~ of God as infinitely glorious, how can we add to him by our praises? how co.n we by any words or deeds make him more glorious than he is? And yet he isl.leased to say, "Whoso offereth pre.ise glorifieth me." Our praises are pleasing to Go , according as they a.re sincere and intelligent. When we come upon new and more impressive views of the Divine character, we cannot help saying with lowly adoring hearts, "Blessed be God." There is this outburst of adoration here at the beginning, and there will be fresh outbursts e.s we proceed. 2. God in relation to the Oliurch's Lord. " And Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." The Lord of the Church is he who was anointed Saviour of mankind. He is in the Church, not like a. servant, as Moses was, but as a Son over his own house. He has absolute authority to act in the Father's Name in the rue.king of all arrangements, in the dispensing of all blessings. ~nd in all that Christ has done, or is doing, for the Church, God ho.s the glory, o.nd 1s to be adored u Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  3S THE EPISTLE TO TH:E,. EPHESIANS. [oil, I. 1-23.