Ephesians 1

After accustomed the inscriptions of the epistle 3 the apostle thanketh God for all the spiritual blessings wherewith we are blessed by him in Christ 4 namely that we are blessed by him for all eternity 5 that in him we are ordained to the adoption of children 7 that we are reconciled unto God through his blood 8 that he hath called us by the gospel 10 and that all the elect are by him gathered into one both they that are in heaven and they that are on earth 13 that the Ephesians also who believe in Christ are among this number and for assurance thereof he received the earnest of the spirit afterwards he prayeth to God that he would enlighten their understanding herein more and more 19 and by his spirit let them feel what is the power of his working in all these 20 which is the same whereby he raised Christ from the dead and exalted him unto his right hand 22 to be an head of his church.

1. Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ [ of this whole inscription of Paul see the annotations on Romans 1:1 1 Corinthians 1:1,2by the will of God to the saints which are Ephesus and to be faithful in Christ Jesus [this last title he adjoins for exposition of the first namely that he understands such Saints that are sanctified by faith and the spirit of Christ Acts 15:8,9 and 1 Peter 1:22 not like as many Jews called themselves holy for being only outwardly hallowed by the ceremonies Hebrews9.13,23]

2. grace be to you and peace from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ

3. Blessed be the God [ the word bless in this verse is taken two ways for man blesseth God when he giveth praise and thanks unto him and God blesseth man when he sheweth him his grace and mercies both are an Hebraism. And the apostle hath respect to the words of the covenant in thy seed all generation of the earth shall be blessed [Genesis 22:18] and father our Lord Jesus Christ [that is God who is the father of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 15:24 and this manner of naming is used by Paul and other apostles in the New Testament instead of those appellations in Old Testament wherein such blessings God is called the Lord the God of Israel or the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob with whom God had first made his covenant see Luke 1:68] who hath blessed us with every [that is all manner of]spiritual blessing in heaven [Gr in the heavenly or super-celestial namely places as verse 20 and chapter 26 and hereby is given to understand that God hath communicateth this spiritual blessings unto us as from his throne and that they serve for this purpose to make us blessed in heaven Matthew 5:12 1 Peter 1:4 which blessings are particularly rehearsed hereafter unto the 15 verse] in Christ [namely as in our head see verse 22,23. chapter 2.5,6,7 and chapter 4.15,16 see also Job 1:16 Phillipians 3.20 or to save us]

4. Even as he hath chosen us [or elected us namely out of common heap of corrupt man see Job 15:16 ,19 Romans 8:29 2 Thessalonians 2:13 1Peter 111.1,2c.] in him [namely Christ our head even in the former verse to make us conformable to his image of his son John 17:6 Romans 8:29 or by him John 15:16,19] before the foundation of the world [that is from everlasting as this phrase is everywhere taken see John 17:24 1 Peter 1:20 see also Psalms 90:2 Proverbs 8:23] that we might be holy [under this condition true faith is also understood which never is without holiness as little as holiness and love can be without true faith for by faith our hearts are purified Acts 51.9 1 Peter 1:22 and that we are chosen in Christ by grace unto faith appears Acts 13:48 Romans 8:30 2 Timothy 1:9 James 2:5]and unblamable before him [that is not only before men as hypocrites are also sometimes are for a while but sincerely in the presence of God see Genesis 17:1 Luke 1:6 and this holiness and unblameableness is indeed sincere in this life and has begun by the power of Gods spirit but shall not come to be perfect in all parts till in the life to come see 1 Corinthians 13:9 Ephesians 5:29 Philippians 3:12 c yet this our imperfect holiness and unblameableness is also in this life pleasing to God in Christ Jesus and accepted by him as perfect because he forgiveth us our failings by faith in Christ and conniveth at them in Christ Collosians 2.10 Hebrews 13:21 1 Peter 2:5]in love [this some understand of the love wherewith God loveth us and join it to the foregoing word chosen but may fitly be joined with the next words holy and unblamable and be understood of our love towards God and our neighbor wherein this holiness principally manifests itself see 1Corinthians 13.1 c Galatians 5:6.]

5. Who hath fore ordained us [namely from eternity as in the former verse and here the supreme end of our election to glory in respect of us is further expressed namely our adoption to children and heirs of God and co-heirs of Christ whereof we have here in deed the beginnings and expectations John 1:12 Romans 8:15 but the full possession of son ship and this inheritance we shall not receive till hereafter se Romans 8:23 Galatians 4:5 Hebrews 9:15 1 John 3:2]to adoption unto children by Jesus Christ in himself [or to himself that is for his glory for his own sake for himself on himself for God the father ordained us to be his children and heirs Romans 8:17] according to the good pleasure of his will [that is not for any merit or worthiness of ours but only according to his undeserved favor grace and pleasure see Romans 9:11,12,15,16 and chapter 11.5,6 2 Timothy 1:9 as in the following verse is also declared.]

6. To praise of the glory of his grace [that is that his glorious grace might be lauded and praised by us which is supreme end of his eternal and gracious election of God Romans 9:23] by which he hath graced us [or hath made us accepted namely before him as this word is also used of the virgin Mary Luke 1:28] in the beloved [namely Christ his beloved son Matthew 3:17.]

7. In whom [namely his beloved son Jesus Christ for as from eternity we were chosen in him to salvation and to the means of salvation as is said in the foregoing verses so also is the eternal purpose of God accomplished in him and by him in due time] we have redemption [the Geek word properly signifies a deliverance which is brought to pass by paying a ransom or price see Matthew 20:28 1 Corinthians 6:20 1Peter 1.18 c] by his blood [that is his bloody sacrifice accomplished on the cross Hebrews 9.12c] namely the forgiveness of misdeeds [namely which is the first fruit of this redemption for those who apply the same to themselves by faith Romans 3:24,25 whereupon eternal salvation followeth Romans 8:30]according to the riches of his grace [that is his exceeding great and abundant grace Romans 2:4 Ephesians 2:7.]

8. Wherewith he was abundant towards us [namely when he manifested this unto us by his gospel and by his spirit as is declared in 9 verse] in all wisdom [this some understand of the wisdom of God which he useth in distributing these benefits but is more fitly taken for wisdom wherewith God indueth us by the gospel namely the knowledge of him and of Jesus Christ our mediator see Job 17:3 1 Corinthians 1:24 and chapter 2.6,7] and prudence and knowledge which is a virtue whereby this wisdom is well ordered and used to the glory of God and edification of our neighbor .]

9. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will [that is the secret counsel of God concerning our redemption by Christ which is known to no man by nature as also a part thereof is that which is related in the following verse see 1 Corinthians 2:8 Ephesians 3:9 Colossians 1:26 1 Timothy 3:16 &c] according to his good pleasure which he had purposed to himself [or propounded that is without being moved thereto by anything without himself or having foreseen anything in man that might have moved him thereunto but took his counsel only of his wisdom grace and mercy Romans 11:34,35,36]

10. In the dispensation [that is in or against the time of dispensing the Greek imports such a dispensing as a father of a family useth in the governing of his house appointing for every business and occasion he fittest time, persons and manner of proceedings and so hath God also in his house that is in his church from the beginning of the world ordained certain persons manner of proceeding and time and seasons in which and by which all things must be performed and revealed accordingly] of the fullness of times [that is of the appointed time in which God had decreed to send his son by his gospel to call the Gentile also to the communion of his son as well as the Jews see Galatians 4:4] again to gather all things into one [Gr into one head or bring together into one capital surname]In Christ both that which is in heaven and those that are yet upon earth [thereby some understand the faithful which are already in heaven and those that are yet upon earth others compare this place with Colossians 1:16,20 and think by those which are in heaven must be understood the angels in heaven which together with the believers on earth of all times are all by Christ gathered under him as the head and reconciled one with another and so become one body when as before through the sins of men they were as rent and divided one from another Hebrews 12:22,23 Revelations 19.10.]

11. In him [namely Christ as our head as is declared before in whom we also [namely who of Jews are converted unto Christ as is also declared in the following verse] are become an inheritance [or have obtained a lot namely of the Lord in his church and the apostle seems here to have respect to the distribution of inheritance of the land of Canaan by lot among the twelve tribes of Israel which was a shadow and a type of inheritance obtained by our true Joshua see Numbers 26:55&c and chapter 33.55 Joshua 13:6] we who were fore ordained [that is not all that were the fleshy seed of Abraham but the children of the promise Romans 9.8and whom he had before elected among this people Romans 11:2,5,6,7]according to the purpose of him [that is not for any worthiness in us or for any works of ours but of mere grace 2 Timothy 1:9 this the apostle adds that the believers of the Jews might not think that they had been anything more in them then the Gentiles for which they were worthy of his fore-ordained or preparing unto his inheritance see Romans 8:29&c.] who worketh all things [namely which concern the salvation of the Jews or gentiles of which he here speaketh see Philippians 2:13 although it be also true in general of all other things Psalms 115:3]according to the counsel of his will

12. That we might be to the praise of his glory we that first [namely of the Jews to whom this Prerogative was promised was promised by God see Acts 13:46 Romans 15:8]have hoped in Christ [namely by faith in him for faith receiveth the promises whereof hope expecteth the fulfilling see Romans 8:24,25 Hebrew 11.1]

13. In whom [namely Christ Jesus as before]ye are also [or ye also are become an inheritance for as he spake of the believers of the Jews verse 11 so he now speaketh of the gentiles who have also obtained a lot in the inheritance see Acts 26:17] since ye have heard the word of truth [to the gospel is called not only because it he very truth of God extraordinary revealed unto us by God for our salvation John 17.17but also because of all the truth of all shadow of the old Testament is fulfilled therein see John 1:17]namely the gospel of your salvation in whom ye also after that ye believed [or when ye believed for this sealing of spirit is done by faith and upon faith Galatians 3:2]were sealed [this manner of speaking is taken from man who for confirmation of the promises made use to give sealed papers and that many times with imprinting of their own arms of image the promises of the forgiveness of our sins of our adoption to children and our eternal inherence are made to us by the gospel and are applied unto us by faith and the sealing of the spirit which is joined unto is regenerated or renewing of Gods image in us wherewith he indueth our souls and imprinteth the same thereon when he believe in Christ to assure us more and more of the full performance of these promises 2 Corinthians 1:21,2 and chapter 3.18 And beside that the same to our mind as by a divine inspiration which emboldeneth us also to call upon God as our Father Romans 8.15and Galatians 4:6 and glory in hope of the glory of the Lord God Romans 5:2 and 8.38,39] with the holy spirit of promise [that is which is promised us or whereby the promises of God are assured within us .]

14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance [Gr Arhabon of which word see 2 Corinthians 1:22 and chapter 5.5 see also Romans 8:23 Ephesians 4:30] unto the purchased redemption [Gr until the redemption of purchase that is unto the full enjoyment of the redemption which Christ hath purchased for us or unto the full redemption of his purchased or peculiar people 1 Peter 2:9] to the praise of his glory .

15. Therefore I also being absent from you I these my bonds Ephesians 6:20] having heard the faith in the Lord Jesus that is among you and the love to all the saints .

16. Cease not to give thanks for remembering ye in my prayers

17. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Glory may give ye the spirit of wisdom [that is give ye that ye may increase more and more in wisdom by the holy Ghost] and of revelation in knowledge of him [or with the knowledge of him or with acknowledgement of him for true wisdom consists not only in the knowledge of God but also of acknowledgement of his grace and majesty.]

18. Namely enlightened eyes of your understanding [this relates to the former words God give you others read to be enlightened according to the eyes of your understanding]that ye may know what is the hope of his calling [that is the thing hoped for which is declared in the following words see 1 Peter 1:3,4] and what is the riches [that is the abundance as verse 7]of the glory of his inheritance in the saints [that is true believers for this inheritance concerns not of the rest.]

19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power [namely whereby we are now born again and we are in strengthened more and more until we shall hereafter by the same power be fully delivered and glorified in soul and body for the apostle desired not only that they may know this but also that after his example they would pray to God that this power may be more and more revealed in them which power is set forth by him in every exquisite terms] on us who believe according to the working of the strength of his power.

20. Which he wrought in Christ [this the apostle adjoins because upon the resurrection and the glorification of Christ our generation and glorification also depends and because the same power which wrought this work in Christ as our head worketh also in us as his members not only the future raising us up from the dead but also raising us up from the spiritual death of sin as is declared in the following chapter v1..5 see also Romans 6.4and 8.11 Philippians 3:21 1 Peter 1:3 and 2 Peter 1:3]when he raised him up from the dead and set him at his right hand in heaven [by sitting at the right hand of God is understood that god hath exalted him to the highest power and glory by a similitude taken from Princes and Kings who sitting upon their throne cause to sit at their right hand him that is mightiest and greatest next unto themselves in the kingdom see Psalms 45:10 Matthew 20:21 according s this also is further declared Hebrews1.8 and chapter 8.1 and 1Corinthians 15.25compare with Psalms 110:1.]

21. Farr above all principality and authority and power and dominion [these titles are not only given to rulers and powers in this world but also the angels in heaven Colossians 1:16 far above all which Christ is exalted even according to his human nature]and every name that is named [namely of dignity and glory]not only in this world but also in that to come [this some understand of the kingdom of heaven nor of the state of the heavenly creatures but seeing this state is now also present therefore it is better taken for the state of all creatures even after the end of this world when the shall be glorified and Christ not withstanding even according to his humane nature as the head shall remain exalted fare above all creatures see Luke 1:32,33 Revelations 5.13 and every where.]

22. And hath subjected all things [that is even those that are strangers to yea and the very enemies of his church 1 Corinthians 15:25,26] under his feet [that is under his power and command Matthew 28:18] and hath given him unto the church for an head above all things [namely not only to govern but also to defend the same and to give them spiritual life and motion as the head doth to the members see Ephesians 4:8,10 &c Colossians 2:10 ,19.]

23. Which is his body and the accomplishment of him [that is whereby Christ is made as a perfect person consisting of his head and his body as the word Christ is sometimes taken for both see 1 Corinthians 12:12,13 because of the near union that is between both]that accomplisheth all in all.