The Pulpit Commentary — Ephesians — Section 159

Obrist has a work of perfection on hand. 'l'his denoted by-" for the perfecting of the saints" (ver. 12), and "unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the ful- ness of Christ" (ver. 13). What a high aim with reference to creatures so poor a1,<l needy as the members of his Church! 11. In order to this, the work of the ministry exists; and that work seeks (1) "the edifying the body of Christ;" (2) the promotion of unity of faith and of the knowlerlgc of the Son of God (ver. 13); (3) protection of the Church from childish :fickleness and the arts of men who seek to unsettle her (ver. 14). In order to accomplish these end:;, the ministry is called to speak the truth in love (ver. 15), and especially truth " as it is in Jesus" (ver. 21). 'l'ruth, thus spoken, is the great means of spiritual edification and of progress towards perfection. External rites or ceremonies can profit nothiug except in so far as they are Divine channels for conveying this truth. ill. While ministers are instruments, Jesus is himself the great Source of growth. 1. The growth to be promoted is growth" unto him who is the Head" (ver. 15). All vital, spiritual influence is in Christ. As the woman reasom,d, "If I may but touch the hem of his garment, I shall be made whole;" so if we, by faith, shall come into contact with our living Head, his gracious influence will spread through our souls. 2. The whole Church is articulated with Christ; its parts are articulated with each other, but all are designed to communicate with the Head, and to assist in conveying vital influence from the Head to the members. So it is in the human body ; it is all jo1nted and connected together; but the object of this is to facilitate the transmission of the vital force throughout the whole. All the members of the Church should realize their position as parts of a body connected with the bead, and should regard the measure of energy received by them as designed for the general good (ver. 16). 8. While Christ is the sole Source of vital influence, and ministers are the main instruments of its transmission, the whole body is to be self-edifying, intelligently and consciously moving on towards the grand consummation (vcr. 16). Ministers do not differ in kind from the members. They have got special gifts for the edifying of the body, but Cl'ery part of the body has got some gift for the same end. All ought to conspire har- moniously together, keeping in view the grand consummation. Churches and members of Churches must not be content with any inferior aim, but habitually and earnestly move on toward perfection. And for this the Spirit of love is indispensable (ver. 16). '!'he Church cannot edify itself except in love. Strife and division are sure to arise, and these are not edifying, but disintegrating. One great lesson here is that, as Christ is the Truth, so he also is the Life. The gospel as a system of truth has Christ in the centre; so the Church as a living agency has Christ in the centre. Take Christ from either, and "Ichabod" may be inscribed on the wall. Vera. 17-24.-Contrasted principles of Gentile and Christian character. We now corne more explicitly to the details of Christian duty. The apostle bad presented a very high standard of Christian privilege in the preceding chapters, and now he presents an equally high standard of Christian duty. What God gives iu the one form is to be given back in the other, and in corresponding proportion. The importance of the subject is indicated by the formula, "This I say, and testify in the Lord." Tho apostle contrasts tbe Christian with the Gentile walk, and indicates wherein the latter is to differ from the former, (1) in what the Christian i8 not to be, and (2) in what he is to be. I. 1. In the vanity of their mind. 2. In tbe darkness of their understanding. 8. In their alienation from the life of God. 4. In their abandonment to lasciviousness. 'fhus even Christia-n converts] need to remember the duty to keep themselves unspotted by the world. There is a world of guilt and godlessness from which it is necessary for them to keep themselves unstained. II. PoBITIVE RULES OF CHRISTIAN LIFE. 1. Their Source. "Ye have not so learned Christ, if so be ye heard him," etc. (ver. 20). The whole tenor of Christ's teaching and influence is against these things. Only make sure that you have come under it. 2. What they are. (1) "Put off the old man," etc. Comprehensiveness of the word "man;" his tendency is to rottenness ,or corruption; the lusts of deceit which are connected with him are pernicious and ruinou8. (2) " Be renewed in the spirit of your IJ1iod." Renewal begins within by the Holy Spirit rousing in you a desire for it, l\lld  158 THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS.