The Pulpit Commentary — Ephesians — Section 108

EXPOSITION. CHAPTER m ward. The gmce or fh.vour meant is that whereby Paul was constituted the apostle Vers.1-18.-DIGRESSIONONTHEADlllISSJON of the Gentiles. Deeply though he felt OF THE GEYTILES TO THE KINGDOll OF GOD. his being sent away from preaching to his Ver. 1.-For this cause. The reference is countrymen (Acts xrii. 18), he took kindly not merely to the last statement or illustra- to the new ·sphere allotted to him, and mag- tion, bot to the whole view of the purpose of nified. his office (Rom. xi. 18). God toward the Gentiles unfolded in oh. ii. Ver. 8.-:e:ow that, by revelation, was The apodosis does not come in till ver. 14, made kno\VD. unto 111e the m_ystery. The at the beginning of which this conjunctive mystery, as is explained afterwards (ver. 6), clause is repeated. I Paul, the prisoner of was not the gospel itself, but its destination Cbrist 1esus for you Gentiles. He introduces t.o the Gentiles as much as to the Jews: himself in order to make known the feelings although, as appears afterwards, this ful- -which -were roused in his soul towards them ness of blessing is really the great glory by the consideration of the privileges just of the gospel. Mystery, that which is known enlarged on--6pecially t.o acquaint them only to the initiated, does not denote here a with the prayer,, he offered for them (see thing obscure in it.I own nature, bnt only vers. 14---19), and apparently with the in- sometb.~ng that had been concealed from direct object of getting; them to offer similar view. It was only the initiated that now p.rnyers for themsel ,es. To justify this knew that God designed the gospel for inrrodnction of himself, he delicately intro- Gentile and Jew alike. Paul had been duces the fa.et of his being a prisoner on initiated "by revelation "-not by his own their behalf. What had brought him to reflecting power, not by his study of Scrip- Rome, what had made him appeal to Cresar, ture, not by communication from other meu, was his preaching the gospel to the Gentiles; but by a special communication from God indeed, the immediate occasion of his arrest (Gal. i. 12). As I wrote before in few at Jerusalem was the suapicion that he had words. Where? In another Epistle? No; taken Trophimus, an Ephesian, one of but in the earlier pe,rt of this Epistle (see themselves, into the temple (Acts :ui. 29). eh. i. 9; ii. 18, etc.). If it be said the By this allusion to the condition into which allusions in these places to the topio in his regard for them had brought him, he question are rather vague aocl general, the conciliates sympathetic consideration of what apostle virtually admits it-he wrote of it i. to follow. "in few words; " but, as it is a great and Ver. 2.-If ye have heard of the dispen- glorious truth, he returns to it to amplify it aati.on of the grace of God. Here begins the and place it in a brighter light. d:gn,.eior,. The words, "if ye have beard," VH. 4.-In accordance with which, when ~ .. d,, Dot denote an uncertainty, but are a ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in deliei,.t,:, r-,rcinder. Doubtless they I.ad the mystery of Christ. Ilpor ?i, with reforenoo 11':ctl'd of tt,, i:=tt,-,r when he was at Ephesu~, to which, i.e. t.o what I wrote afore: to make i.r:1, as be r=rh in ver. 3, he ha<l already that more intelligible I write on the subject wrt\lsn briefh· '.!Ii it. Grar,e is here 'W!&CI in more fully now, so that you shall aee that i. ruc,re restrict.t:d ;,,ni;e than in eh. L 2-in yoar instruct.or is thoroughly informed in this th" ,.,sm,e 0f Divine favour, honour, priruege matter of the mystery 10 Chrut-this once -thEo ei.we as in ,·er. 8, "To me ... i.e this concealed but now revealed purpose of his fa.vour given." Wbich ill given me to 7011- grace. OH, DL 1-21.) THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS. 105