The Pulpit Commentary — Ephesians — Section 99

if we think of the time when these buildings were going up together, extending in all directions, different sets of builders being employed at different points, would there not have been appropriateness i1;1 saying that the buildings were growing into, or toward, a holy templ_e? These Eph_es1ans knew what a massive imposing structure was, in their temple which covered an immense area. And such ie the Church of God, as it is now going forward in the world. Buildings, each with its set of builders, and they are growing, not into separate temples, but into one holy tP,mple. Let us p:o out with the Master and view them, and form some idea of the imposing structure it is to be. (4) The temple takes its whole conformati071, from Ohrist. "In whom ye also are builded together." (a) Each several building in its parts. The idea. of regulation is brought out in the word which is translated" fitly framed together." "Joint" and "reason" both go into the word. There is not a mere putting of parts together, but there is a jointing as in the human body, and a jointing moreover that displays reason. It is in Christ as Corner-stone that this is done. He, then, is the reason or thought of God (Logos he is called), according to which the various parts of the building are put together. It is on this thoughtful connecting of the parts that the stability of a build- ing, which is a main excellence, depends. " A noble craft is that of mason : a good building will last longer than most books, than one book out of a million" (Carlyle). (b) The several buildings as a whole. R8t,<TUlation here also is pointed to in the word "grows." For there is a type according to which every living thing grows (which is from the Logos, by whom all things are made). So also is there a plan or distinct thought (in the mind of the Architect) according to which the buildings, separately proceeding, are made to "grow" into a holy temp_le. This also is in the Lord. The whole connecting of the spiritual struoture belongs to him, and is shadowed forth by his being Corner-stone. (5) The temple is for the habitation of God. "For a habita- tion of God in the Spirit." In the Revised translation there is an easy transition from the twenty-first verse to the twenty-second verse, from "each several building" to tb.e Ephesian Church. That Church was one of the buildings. It was designed with a view to a. habitation of God. But any one Church is too narrow for the dwelling-place of God. And so the Ephesians are reminded in the word which is employed that they were only a building along with other buildings-all of which are needed to make up the habitation of God. How intimate the union between God and his pe0ple that they are as a house in which he dwells I, We a.re the habitation of God in the Spirit who puts all holy thoughts within us. " Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? "-R. F. Vers. 1-10.-Gospel reformati071, great . and gracious. "And you bath :.e quickened," etc. This passage, though its language is somewhat obscure, sets forth most manifestly the greatness and graciousness of gospel reformation. 'l'he gospel is II refor- mative system; it is revolutionary in its spirit and its aim. It uproots the noxious in life, and plants the wholesome. It pulls down the corrupt and builds up the holy. It burns up man's old moral heavens and creates new ones, "wherein dwelleth righteous- ness." It reforms society by reforming the individual man; it reforms the individual by regenerating his spirit, and making him a new creature in Christ Jesus. It works from the centre to the circumference. Observe-- I. 'l'HE GREATNESS OF GOSPEL REFORMATION. The greatness of the change it effects in mankind will be seen if we consider two things which are so prominently set forth in this passage. 1. The state of man preceding its work. There are several striking expressions in this passage indicating the original depraved condition of sinners, their condition before the gospel touches them. (1) They are morally dead. "Dead in [through] trespasses and sins." What is moral death? Not insensibility, for sinneri. feel; not inactivity, for sinners act. What, then? Destitution of the true principle of moral Ii fe. What is that? Supreme love to God. H~ is the true Lifo of the soui. Humanity has lost it, and it is dead. Corporeal death is a separation of th-. ·ul from the body, morn! death is the separation of the soul from godly love. (2) They arc practically worldly. "They walked according to the course of this world." What is the "course of t!Jis world"? Carnal, selfish, devilish. 'l'he spirit of the world is their inspiration, the maxims of the world their law. (3) 'l'hey are Satanically ruled. "The prince of the power of the air" works in them, He rules and fashions them to 96 THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS. [OH. ll.1-22,