The Pulpit Commentary — Ephesians — Section 100

his purpose. (4) They are wickedly associated. "Among whom also we all bad our conversation in times past." Their social natures are so perverted that they a.re linked with the corrupt; all their social alliance1 i,.re false and impure. (6) They are carnally ~eba..•ed. . "In the !us~ of the flesh, fulfill1ng the desires of the flesh." The body with its gross impulses dommates over the soul ; they are "carnally sold under sin." Their souls are animalized. (6) They are perilo'U$ly situated. "Children of wrath." Where is the wrath? It is of their own creation. "They treasure up wrath." From the eternal_ law_ of retribution their sins must bring on their ruin. 2. The state of man S111Xttt11,ig ,ts work. The pas...~ teaches that they are brought by the gospel into the most ntal connection with him who is the embodiment, the standard, nnd the medium of all human excellence, "the Lord Jesus Christ." (1) Hi:i life is theirs. .. Quicke.ned us k~ther with Christ." That love 'l"l'hich is the life of the soul has been in1pa.rted. Th.is life is his life. "Together with him." They are quickened by his ide.as, with his Spirit, with his aim. (2) His resurrection is theirs. They are" raised"- raised from the grave of carnality, worldliness, and moral corruption, and their resurrec- tion is with him. " Raised us up together." Christ's resurrection is not merely the instrumental cause of their spiritual resurrection, but its inspiration and its type. (3) His e;:rol,tatwn is theirs. They are made to " sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." They are morally exalted-xalted in their power over themselves and over circumstances; exalted in their sympathies, ideas, and aims; exalted in their fellowship. They are in "heavenly places " now, their " citizenship is in heaven." All this exalta- tion is enjoyed together with Christ. (4) His character is theirs. "They a.re created in Christ Jesus unto good works." God has recast their character; he has moulded it after the ideal embodied in Jesus Christ. The general meaning of all these expressions is thorongh (Jhristwniz.ation. Man, after the gospel reformation has been eff'ected, is like Christ in spirit and character. "He is conformed to the image of Christ." How great the change ! how thorongh ! how sublime l How infinitely transcending all the reformations of men ! This is the reformation that is wanted ; this is the reformation thllt every true philanthropist should strenuously advocate and zealously promote. II. TBE GBACIOUEKESS OF GOSPEL BBFOBJU.TION. What is the great, originating, effi- cient ea.use of this glorious moral reformation? The text answers the question. "God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, bath quickened 1lS together with Christ.D Instrumental ca.usel!, such as the Word of God, gospel ministry, Christian example and influence, are many, but eternal grace is the cause which originates all and blesses all. The passage indicates four things concerning this Divine grace. 1. It is great. It is ascribed to the richness of mercy and the greatness of love. " God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love,'' etc. God's love is the spring of all his activities; it is as deep as his own heart; it is as infinite as him.self. "It passeth knowledge." 11 0 Love I the one sun I O Love I the one sea I What life bas begun that breathes not in thee P Thy rays have no limit, thy waves have no shore; Thou giv'st without merit to worlds evermore." 2. B I, mighty. It quickens, raises, exalts, recreates human eonle. It is as mighty aa the power that raised Christ from the dead. How mighty is that power that thoroughly Christianizes even one soul! No power but the power of God can do that. "Not by mi"ht, nor by power." 3. It ia manifestable. "In the ages to come be might show thi'.' exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness t.oward us through Christ Jesus." The oonversion of every one is desv.Jned t.o manifest it. The conversion of the sinner, thongb a good in itself, is not an ultimate end; the event has remote issues, ulterior poi.r.u, bearings and relations interminable. "Ages to come; n intelligences that will rise tboumn& of years in the future will study and adore the infinite grace of God in the i;piritual reformation of mankind. "Howbeit for this _ea.use I obtained mercy, that. in me fin;t J esU6 Christ might show forth a.ll long-suffenng, for a pattern t.o them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting " (1 'l'im. i. 16 ). 4. It is unmeri- toriOWJ. "For by grace are ye se.ved through faith; e.nd that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God : not of works." The expression, "not of works," does not mean, of course, that men are to do nothing. This would be co~tre.ry to the general teaching of Scrip- OR, D. 1-22) THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS. 97