The Pulpit Commentary — Ephesians — Section 73

more glorious. It is not that we a.re called to work, but rather to allow God to work- to have a.11 within us open and unobstructed for the full and free exercise of God's almighty renewing power. Vere. 11-13.-0ontrast between the past and the present. The Ephesians are here called to look back, to remember what they were; not, however, with the feeling of a man who has raised himself in the world, and whom such retrospect usually fills with pride, but with the feeling of those whom God has raised, a feeling that ought to produce the deepest humility and gratitude. I. THE PA.BT is presented under two aspects-<>ne having respect chiefly to their outward condition, the other chiefly to their inward. 1. Outward condition. They were Gentiles-" the Uncircumcision" (ver. 11). 2. Inward condition, denoted by five negatives: (1) without Christ; (2) without a country; (3) without promises; (4) without hope; (5) without God (ver. 12). What a.n accumulation of miseries! Yet men often ignorant of their misery and without desire for change. Need of Holy Spirit to convince us of our sin and misery. II. THE ORANGE. (Ver. 13.) This is one of the brightest verses in the Bible, as ver. 12 is one of the darkest. From being "far off,'' they are "brought nigh.'' (1) Rrought nigh in justification; (2) in adoption; (3) in sanctification ; ( 4) to be finally brought nigh in glory. To be nigh or near to God is to be in a blessed relation to him, to be restored to a.n orbit in which we get a.11 the blessed influences of his presence, so that the light of his countenance falls richly upon us, and we become changed into the same image, from glory to glory. Ill. THE GROUND AND MEDIUM OF THE ORANGE. " In Christ Jesus.'' "By the blood of Christ." Great difference between God's dealiugs with us in nature and in grace. The blood of Jesus omnipotent to save. "All ha.ii the power of Jesus' Name!" Vera. 14-19.-0hrist and his work of reconciliation. Here we have three topics: (1) Ohrist our Peace; (2) thereby bringing us nigh; (3) the subject rummed up. I. CHRIST OUR PEAOE. Observe the several statements (vers. 14-17). 1. He made both Jew and Gentile one (see Exposition). 2. He broke down the middle wall of parti- tion. 3. He abolished the cause of enmity between Jew and Gentile--tbe Law of com- mandments in ordinances. 4. He constituted himself a new Man, to which both Jew and Gentile belong. 5. He thereby reconciled both to God. 6. All this be effected by his cross. 7. He not only effected it, but came and preached peace to the far off and the nigh. The idea conveyed is that no single thing was left undone that could contribute to the great double result of reconciling Jew and Gentile, first to God, and therei.y to ea.eh other. 'l'hus reconciliation to God effects reconciliation between man and man, as sometimes a. child, mutually beloved, may effect reconciliation of pa.rents after a difference. II. CHRIST AS OUR PEACE BRINGING us NIGH. (Ver.18.) 1. True Christians have acces9 to the Father. 2; This is secured meritoriously " through Christ." 3. And efficaciously " by the one Spirit.'' How much is implied in having access to the Father! Access to his love, his wisdom, bis transforming influence, bis capacity of satisfying the soul in a.11 its lawful propensities, and blessing it for ever! III. SUMMING UP. (Ver. 19.) The relation established with God is not a temporary or occasional one, but close, abiding, indestrnctible. The reconciliation is effected, not for a. day, but for evermore (Rom. viii. 35-39). Vers. 20-22.-The Christian temple. This the climax of the comparison between past and present pursued in this chapter. Temple of Diana at Ephesus may have suggested the figure. The three persons of the Godhead are concerned in this work of building. (1) 'l'be temple is the habitation of God the Father; (2) its Foundation anJ Corner- stone a.re the Son; (3) the lustre and glory of the temple are due to the Holy Spilit. 'l'he three a.re brought together in ver. 22. Glorious threefold cord, securing the salva- tion and final glory of the Church I The grace of the Lord Jesus Chritit, the love or God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost are with her for ever. While all the three nre connected with the builrling, Christ is so pre-eminently. This connection npp ars in five particulars. l. Christ is the Foundation of the temple; his Name, the u111y 70 'l'HE EPISTLE TO 'l'HE EPHESIANS. [cu. u. 1-22.