1.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
apostle . App-189 .
Jesus Christ . The texts read Christ Jesus ( App-98 ).
will . App-102 .
God . App-98 .
saints . See Acts 9:13 . 1 Corinthians 1:2 .
at . App-104 .
Ephesus . See Introductory Notes.
faithful . App-150 .
in . Same as at, above.
Christ Jesus . As above.
2.
Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace . App-184 . Occurs twelve times in Eph.
from . App-104 .
Father . App-98 .
Lord . App-98 .
3.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Blessed, &c . Compare 2 Corinthians 1:3 . 1 Peter 1:3 . Always applied to God.
Lord . App-98 .
hath = having. Note the use and importance of aorist participles throughout this section.
with . App-104 .
all = every.
spiritual . See 1 Corinthians 12:1 .
blessings = blessing (singular) Greek. eulogia. See Romans 15:29 .
heavenly places = the heavenlies, i.e. heavenly spheres. Greek. epouranios. Compare Ephesians 1:20 ; Ephesians 2:6 ; Ephesians 3:10 ; Ephesians 6:12 .
Christ . App-98 .
4.
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
According = Even.
hath chosen = chose out. Greek. eklegomai. Compare Acts 1:2 .
before . App-104 .
foundation . App-146 .
world . App-129 . Compare 2 Timothy 1:9 .
without blame . Greek. amomos. Here; Ephesians 5:27 . Colossians 1:22 .Hebrews 9:14 . 1 Peter 1:19 . Jude 1:24 .Revelation 14:5 .
before Him = in His sight. See 2 Corinthians 2:17 .
love . App-135 . Some insert "in love" after "predestinated us" in Ephesians 1:5 .
5.
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
predestinated = foreordained. Greek. proorizo. See Acts 4:28 . Romans 8:29 .
unto, to . Greek. eis . App-104 .
adoption of children. Greek. huiothesia. See Romans 8:15 . Compare App-108 .
according to . Greek. kata. App-104 .
good pleasure . Greek. eudokia. See Romans 10:1 .
6.
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
praise . See Romans 2:29 .
glory . Greek. doxa. See p. 1511.
wherein . The texts read which.
made . . . accepted = literally en-graced. App-184 . Compare Luke 1:28 .
Beloved . App-135 . Compare Matthew 3:17 , Matthew 17:5 ; &c. and see App-99 .
7.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
we have . Compare Romans 5:1 .
redemption = the redemption. See Romans 3:24 ; Romans 5:1 .
through . Greek. dia. App-104 .Ephesians 1:1 .
His blood. The price of the redemption. Compare Acts 20:28 . 1Co 6:20 . 1 Peter 1:18 , 1 Peter 1:19 ; &c.
sins = transgressions. App-128 .
riches, &c. Compare Ephesians 1:18 ; Ephesians 2:7 ; Ephesians 3:8 , Ephesians 3:16 . Romans 9:23 .Colossians 1:27 .
8.
Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
hath. Omit.
toward . Greek. eis . App-104 .
prudence . Greek. phronesis. Only here and Luke 1:17 .
9.
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Having made known . Greek. gnorizo. As in Ephesians 3:3 .Philippians 1:1 , Philippians 1:22 (wot). Compare App-132 .
unto = to.
mystery . See App-193 .
hath . Omit.
purposed . Greek. protithemi. See Romans 1:13 .
10.
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
That in . Greek. eis . App-104 .
dispensation . Greek. oikonomia. See 1 Corinthians 9:17 .
fulness . Greek. pleroma . First occurance: Matthew 9:16 .
He might gather together in one = to sum up (literally: "head up"). Greek. anakephalaioomai. See Romans 13:9 . The verb in this place being in Mid. voice is reflexive, implying "for Himself" (compare verses: Ephesians 1:5 , Ephesians 1:9 ).
both . Omit.
in . The texts read epi , as below.
heaven = the heavens (plural) See Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .
on . Greek. epi . App-104 .
earth . App-129 .
even . Omit.
11.
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
have . Omit.
obtained an inheritance . Greek. kleroomai. Only here.
being = having been.
purpose . Greek. prothesis. See Romans 8:28 .
worketh . Greek. energeo. See 1 Corinthians 12:6 .
after . Greek. kata. App-104 .
counsel . App-102 .
12.
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
That = To the end that. Greek. eis. App-104 .
first trusted = have before hoped. Greek. proelpizo. Only here. The "we" being the saved members of the Pentecostal church closed by the judgment pronouncement of Acts 28:25 , Acts 28:28 (see Longer Note, p. 1694).
13.
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
In Whom, &c . The Ellipsis ( App-6 ) should be supplied from the subject of Ephesians 1:11 . In (Greek. en) Whom ye were made an inheritance also; or, allotted as God's own inheritance.
after, &c . = having heard. See Ephesians 1:5 .
word of truth . The Word always the instrument of the new begetting. Compare John 17:17 . Jam 1:18 . 1 Peter 1:23 .
word . App-121 .
truth = the truth.
gospel . App-140 .
salvation . Only occurance of the word in Eph.
in Whom, &c . = in (Greek. en) Whom ye also on believing were sealed.
believed . App-150 .
sealed . Compare Ephesians 4:30 . Matthew 27:66 . John 3:33 . 2 Corinthians 1:22 .Revelation 7:3 ; &c. A seal affixed implies possession, or security, as well as being a distinctive mark.
with . No preposition. Dative case.
that = the (Emph.)
holy Spirit . Although both articles occur (see App-101 .), yet it is clear from the "earnest, a pledge " (Ephesians 1:14 ) that it is the gift, not the Giver.
promise = the promise. See John 16:13 , and compare Acts 1:4 , which latter refers to the beginning of the fulfillment of the promise in John 16:13 .
14.
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Which . . . possession . In parenthesis.
the earnest = a pledge. See 2 Corinthians 1:22 . The gift of the new nature (spirit) is a pledge of God's future gifts in th e same kind, thus differing from any ordinary pledge. Compare 1 Peter 1:4 .
inheritance . Greek. kleronomia. See Acts 20:32 . Compare our inheritance here, and His inheritance, Ephesians 1:18 .
until = unto. Greek. eis. App-104 .
purchased possession . Greek. peripoiesis. Here; 1 Thessalonians 5:9 . 2 Thessalonians 2:14 . Heb 10:39 . 1 Peter 2:9 . Compare Acts 20:28 .
15.
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
Wherefore = on account of this. Greek. dia ( App-104 .Ephesians 1:2; Ephesians 1:2 ) touto.
after I = having.
your = among (Greek. kata . App-104 .) you.
faith . App-150 .
the Lord Jesus . i.e. Jesus ( App-98 .) as Lord ( App-98 . A). See Romans 10:9 .
love . App-135 .
16.
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
give thanks . Greek. eucharisteo. First occurance: Matthew 15:36 . With its noun and adjective occuring fifty-five times (thirty-eight in Paul's Epp.) See App-10 .
making mention, &c . See Romans 1:9 . In a papyrus of second century A.D. the mention of assurance of intercession for a sister in the same words is found in a letter from a soldier.
prayers . App-134 .
17.
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
That = In order that. Greek. hina .
Father of glory . Compare 1 Corinthians 2:8 .
Father . See App-98 .
unto = to.
the spirit = a spirit. App-101 .
revelation . App-106 .
knowledge . App-132 .
18.
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
understanding = mind. Compare Matthew 22:37 ; &c. Greek. dianoia, but the texts read kardia, heart.
being = having been.
that . Greek. eis . See Ephesians 1:12 .
know . App-132 .
the hope of His calling . i.e. to the sonship, Ephesians 1:4-5 ; our acceptance as sons in the "Beloved" (Son). Compare Galatians 1:4 , Galatians 1:5-7 .
His inheritance in the saints . Compare Ephesians 2:7 . Titus 2:14 ; &c. Israel will be God's inheritance ("peculiar treasure", Exodus 19:5 ) on earth. The church which is His body will be His inheritance in heaven. In Titus 2:14 the Greek periousion (peculiar treasure) is used by the Septuagint for segullah, Exodus 19:5 .Deuteronomy 7:6 ; Deuteronomy 14:2 ; Deuteronomy 26:18 . Compare Malachi 3:17 . A cognate word is used in Psalms 135:4 .
19.
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
exceeding = surpassing. See 2 Corinthians 3:10 ; 2 Corinthians 9:14 .
greatness . Greek. megethos. Only here.
power . App-172 .
believe . App-150 .
according to . . . all in all . Parenthetic (Figure of speech Parembole. App-6 ), the main argument being continued in Ephesians 2:1 , which should read, "Even you", &c.
according to . Same as Ephesians 1:5 .
working . App-172 . Occurs: Ephesians 3:7 ; Ephesians 4:16 . Philippians 1:3 , Philippians 1:21 . Co Ephesians 1:1 , Eph 1:29 ; Ephesians 2:12 . 2Th 2:9 , 2 Thessalonians 2:11 .
His mighty power . Literally the strength ( App-172 .) of His might ( App-172 .)
20.
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
wrought . Greek. energeo , as in Ephesians 1:11 .
when He raised = having raised. App-178 .
from the dead . App-139 .
set = sat. Compare Mark 16:19 .
21.
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Far above . Greek. huperano. Here; Ephesians 4:10 . Hebrews 9:5
all = every. principality. Greek. arche . See Romans 8:38 , and App-172 .
power . App-172 .
might = power. Greek. dunamis, Ephesians 1:19 .
dominion . Greek. kuriotes. Here, Col 1:16 . 2 Peter 2:10 . Jude 1:8 .
world . App-129 .
also, &c . = the coming one also.
22.
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
hath . Omit.
put, &c. Compare 1 Corinthians 15:27 .
under . App-104 .
the . Omit.
over . App-104 .
church . App-186 . Here, the "church" of the Mystery. In these verses: note the sevenfold ( App-10 ) Headship of the Lord, above (1) all principality, (2) power, (3) might, (4) dominion, (5) every name, (6) all things, (7) the church.
23.
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
His body Compare Ephesians 3:5 , Ephesians 3:6 .
fulness . See Ephesians 1:10 . His members "fill up" the body of Christ, and the body of Christ fills up and completes "the dispensation of the fulness of the times". The apostle adopts the term used by the Gnostics, pleroma (Colossians 2:9 , Colossians 2:10 ). See note on Ephesians 2:2 (prince).
filleth all in all . He fills up all the members with all spiritual gifts and graces.