The Pulpit Commentary — Ephesians — Section 80

, er. 'i.-Thi <ksign <I Uie di.spe,isation of mercy. The salvation of these Ephesians vras t.o stand out as a remarkable wonument of " the exceedina riches of God's irrace" to all succeeding generations. It was in this sense that the iq>ostle regarded himself "as a pattern to them which .mould hereafter believe on him to life everlasting " (1 Tim. i. 16). I. IT '\,AS TO ENOOUB.AGE THE GREATEST SINNEBS TO HOPE IN GoD's MERCY THROUGH CHBIBT. Sinners often, when pressed with the urgent calls of the gospel, plead that they are too wicked to be reached by it. The examples of salvation in the Scriptures- those of the Ephesians, the dying thief, Lydia, the Philippian jailor, the Apostle Paul himself-a.re all designed to meet the difficulties that men interpose in the way of their receiving Christ, as if any worthiness could attach to the persons thus described. It is a great comfort that what God did then he does now and will do till the end of the world. His mercy and grace are not exhausted. II. IT IS IMPLIED THAT SALVATION 18 NOT OF WORKS, BUT BY GRACE, This fact cuts up by the roots all theological systems which imply that man has any power to save hi.mselL ill lT IS DIPLIED THAT THERE Wil.L BE A CHURCH ON EARTH THROUGH "ALL THE AGES TO OO)[E," in spite of all the malignity, the ungodliness, the unbelief oi mer;. IT. IT IS llll'LIED THAT THE ScnIPTUBES ARE TO C01''VEY THE RECORDS OP GoD'B GRACE oowx ~o THE LATEST GENEllATI01''S. We could not know of God's gracious work at Ephesus but by the Scriptures. How much we ought to prize such records I V. THE HISTORY OF THE CBUBca SINCE THE DAYS OF THE APOSTLES proves how God has fulfilled the design involved in the dispensation of mercy. The stream of grace has flowed more or less freely and fully in every age. VL MARK THE TRUE sUBJEar OF PREACHING. Not mere moral counsels, not mere philosophizings, but" the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Jesus Christ." A noble text for the pulpit of all ages! VIL THE ULTill1ATE DESIGN OF GOD 18 TO MANIFEST BIB OWN GLORY. Not the mere glory of his power and wisdom, but of his abounding grace and mercy. Vfil lT IS IMPLIED IN THE TEXT THAT THE APOSTLE DID NOT EXPECT, AS SOME AFFIBJI[, THAT THE END OF THE WORLD W.AB AT BAND. There were ages to come in which the exceeding riches of hiB grace could be shown forth in the salvation of sinners.-T. C. Vers. B-10.-&loation in its completeness: the place of faith and works. One thought runs through these two verses like a thread of gold. We are not saved by works, but unto works. L Tm: PRIVILEGE OF BELIEVERS. "Ye are saved." 1. It is implied that the salvation i.;; a present, reality. It is not," Ye shall be saved." They were already in an actual Et.at,; of salvation; they had passed from death unto life; and the life was 1:verla.sting. 2. The salvation was more than a deliverance from the guilt of sin, so as to exempt sinners from future punishment. 'l'his is, indeed, the first step in salvation. There must be likewise a deliverance from the power of sin. To be saved from sin is the climax, the consummation, the essence of salvation. Holiness is the most essential tbiDg in i;alvation. Therefore, while believers may rejoice that they have receiveu CR, II, 1-22,] 'fllE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS. 77