The Pulpit Commentary — Ephesians — Section 109

Ver. 5.-Which was not made known to part, who had been II persecutor and in- the aona of men in other generations, Though Jurious, but flowing from the free grace not a new purpose, the knowledge of it is of God, his sovereign, unmerited mercy. new. Abraham, David, and the prophets, Which wu given me BOCording to the work- however much they knew of Christ and the ing of his power. This denotes the manner fuluess of blessing in him for all the families of the gift; the gift itself, apostleship to of the earth, did not know the full extent the Gentiles, would have been little had it of God's grace to the Gentiles-did not not been accompanied with Divine power. know that the middle wall was to be wholly Spiritual office without spiritual power is broken down, and all inequality removed. miserable; but in Paul's case there was the This might seem to throw some doubt on power BB well as the office; not merely the the reD.lity of this doctrine; but it WBB on power of working miracles, as some have purpose that God kept it secret, and those held, but besides this, the power of spiritual by whom he has now reveD.led it are worthy insight into the meaning of Scripture- of all regard. As it has now been revealed power of exposition, power of demonstra- unto his holy apostles and prophets in the tion, power of persuasion (comp. 1 Thess. Spirit. It is not revealed to Paul only, i. 5; Acts xiv. I; 1 Cor. iv. 7, etc.). Paul although he has got the pri rilege of an- gratefully acknowledged that all the power nouncing it to the Gentiles, but to the whole of his ministry WBB God's, not his own body of "holy apostles and prophets." 'l'he (1 Cor. iii. 6, 7). designation, "holy apostles," is rare ; it is Ver. 8.-Unto me, who am lees than the used here to magnify the office, to show thD.t leaet of all saints ; not only of apostles and those whom the Head of the Church had prophets, but even of all believers-a pro- set apart for himself were fit instruments to found expression of humility, founded not receive so important e. revelation. "Pro- only_ on his persecuting career, but on his phets" here areundoubtedlyNewTestament consciousness of sin, of inborn rebellion prophets (see eh. ii. 20), the contrast being against God's Law, of fount:i.ins of unlawful with "sons of men in other generations." desire in his flesh (Rom. vii. 18; l Tim. i. Reference may be ma<le to the experience 13-15), making him feel himself to be, in and decree of the Council of Jerusalem, heo.rt and essence, the chief of sinners. guided by the Hnly Spirit (see Acts xv. 28). The sense of siu is not usually ia proportion Ver. 6.-Thatthe Gentiles are fellow-heirs to the acts of outward transgression, but to -heirs with the Jews of the same inheri- the insight into the springs of evil in one's tance (see eh. i. 11)-and fellow-members of heart, and the true n11.ture of sin D.s direct the body (this figure is repeated and applied antagonism to the holy God. Was this grace in oh. iv. 4, 16, 25), and fellow-partakers of given, The third time in this chapter that the promise in Christ Jesus through the he speaks of his office 11s a fruit of grace, gospel-tho promise to Abmham, " In thee showing that, notwithstanding his being a and in thy seed shall all the families of the prisoner on Recount of it, and all the perils earth be blessed." 'l'hey do not get this it involved (2 Cor. xi. 2-1 -27), he was o,·~r- blessing indirectly through the Jews, or by whelmed with God's unmerited goodness in becoming Jews, but directly, as Gentiles; and conferring it on him. It was subst.rntially they become follow-heirs, fellow-members, the post of II foreign missionary, with hardly and fellow-partakers "in Christ Jesus," en- one human comfort I To preach among the joying nil privileges in him, in a state of union Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Ch.riet ; o.nd fellowship with him. To this state thE1y euayye>..lcracr8a,, to evangelize, to proclaim are invited and admitted through the gospel; good tidings. The force of the eu is not by receiving the glad tidings they enter on given in " preach," but the idoa is amply these blessings(comp. Rom. x. 15, 18). This conveyed by the wor<ls th,it follow. The statement of religious equality between Jews balance of authority for -roir (Bv""• "to the and Gentiles ie strong, clear, complete; Gentiles," and lv -roir {Bv,u,, "among tho the more rem11.rlrnble that Paul himself had Gentiles," is about eqiml; tho menuing hD.d eo strong Jewish prejudices; only one really the same. 'E8vos, hen then, was almost of clearest insight i;.nd highest coumge an offensive name ; yet with that nnmo tho could p.ocluim the truth eo emphatico.lly; apostlo associates the highest blessings of it is little woncler if many believing J ewe, Goel. The -unsearchable richea of Chri.,t , less enlightened and less courageous, shrank two attractive wor<ls, riches ancl unsearch- from his statements as too strong. able, convoying the idea of the things thnt Ver. 7.-0f which I becamo a minister; are most precious being infinitely o.bund11nt. did not gradually grow up to the office, but Usually precious things aro ruro ; their bcc11.me,11tagivcn time an<lplacc,a minister, very rarity increnscd their prico; but hero a 3,d.,,ovor, a servant. According to the gift that which is most precious is nlso boun,1- of the grace of God. The office of eorving lesa-richos of corn passion and love, ol Christ was II gift, moat undeserved on Paul's morit, of sanctifying, comforting, an,l trans-  THE ErI8TL E '1.U THE EPHESIANS. [ea. m. 1-21.