Ephesians 1

12. ( Ephesians 1:6 Ephesians 1:14 ).
who first trusted in Christ--rather (we Jewish Christians), "who have before hoped in the Christ": who before the Christ came, looked forward to His coming, waiting for the consolation of Israel. Compare Acts 26:6 Acts 26:7 , "I am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: unto which our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come." Acts 28:20 , "the hope of Israel" [ALFORD]. Compare Ephesians 1:18 , 2:12 , 4:4 .

13. In whom ye also--Ye Gentiles. Supply as English Version, "trusted," from Ephesians 1:12 ; or "are." The priority of us Jews does not exclude you Gentiles from sharing in Christ (compare Acts 13:46 ).
the word of truth--the instrument of sanctification, and of the new birth ( John 17:17 , 2 Timothy 2:15 , 1:18 ). Compare Colossians 1:5 , where also, as here, it is connected with "hope." Also Ephesians 4:21 .
sealed--as God's confirmed children, by the Holy Spirit as the seal ( Acts 19:1-6 Romans 8:16 Romans 8:23 1 John 3:24 ). validity to the contract in it ( John 3:33 , 6:27 ; compare 2 Corinthians 3:3 ). So the sense of "the love of God shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost" ( Romans 5:5 ), and the sense of adoption given through the Spirit at regeneration ( Romans 8:15 Romans 8:16 ), assure believers of God's good will to them. The Spirit, like a seal, impresses on the soul at regeneration the image of our Father. The "sealing" by the Holy Spirit is spoken of as past once for all. The witnessing to our hearts that we are the children of God, and heirs ( Ephesians 1:11 ), is the Spirit's present testimony, the "earnest of the (coming) inheritance" ( Romans 8:16-18 ).
that Holy Spirit of promise--rather, as the Greek, "The Spirit of promise, even the Holy Spirit": The Spirit promised both in the Old and New Testaments ( Joel 2:28 , Zechariah 12:10 , John 7:38 John 7:39 ). "The word" promised the Holy Spirit. Those who "believed the word of truth" were sealed by the Spirit accordingly.

14. earnest--the first instalment paid as a pledge that the rest will follow ( Romans 8:23 , 2 Corinthians 1:22 ).
until--rather, "Unto the redemption," &c.; joined thus, "ye were sealed ( Ephesians 1:13 ) unto," that is, for the purpose of and against, the accomplishment of "the redemption," namely, not the redemption in its first stage, made by the blood of Christ, which secures our title, but, in its final completion, when the actual possession shall be ours, the full "redemption of the body" ( Romans 8:23 ), as well as of the soul, from every infirmity ( Ephesians 4:30 ). The deliverance of the creature (the body, and the whole visible creation) from the bondage of corruption, and from the usurping prince of this world, into the glorious liberty of the children of God ( Romans 8:21-23 , 2 Peter 3:13 ).
of the purchased possession--God's people purchased ("acquired," Greek) as His peculiar (Greek) possession by the blood of Christ ( Acts 20:28 ). We value highly that which we pay a high price for; so God, His Church ( Ephesians 5:25 Ephesians 5:26 , 1 Peter 1:18 , 2:9 ; "my special treasure," Malachi 3:17 , Margin).

15. Wherefore--because ye are in Christ and sealed by His Spirit ( Ephesians 1:13 Ephesians 1:14 ).
I also--on my part, in return for God's so great benefits to you.
after I heard--ever since I have heard. Not implying that he had only heard of their conversion: an erroneous argument used by some against the address of this Epistle to the Ephesians since he was with them, as to their Christian graces. So in the case of Philemon, his "beloved fellow laborer" ( Philemon 1:1 ), he uses the same words ( philemon 1:4 philemon 1:5 ).
your faith--rather, as Greek, "the faith among you," that is, which many (not all) of you have.
love unto all the saints--of whatever name, simply because they are saints. A distinguishing characteristic of true Christianity ( Ephesians 6:24 ). "Faith and love he often joins together. A wondrous pair" [CHRYSOSTOM]. Hope is added, Ephesians 1:18 .

16. ( Colossians 1:9 ).
of you--omitted in the oldest manuscripts. Then the translation may be as English Version still, or as ALFORD, "making mention of them" (your "faith and love").

17. A fit prayer for all Christians.
the God of our Lord Jesus--appropriate title here; as in Ephesians 1:20-22 he treats of God's raising Jesus to be Head over all things to the Church. Jesus Himself called the Father "My God" ( Matthew 27:46 ).
the Father of glory--(Compare Acts 7:2 ). The Father of that infinite glory which shines in the face of Christ, who is "the glory" (the true Shekinah); through whom also "the glory of the inheritance" ( Ephesians 1:18 ) shall be ours (John 17:24'2 Corinthians 3:7-4:6').
the spirit of wisdom--whose attribute is infinite wisdom and who works wisdom in believers ( Isaiah 11:2 ).
and revelation--whose function it is to reveal to believers spiritual mysteries ( John 16:14 John 16:15 , 1 Corinthians 2:10 ).
in the knowledge--rather, as Greek "in the full knowledge of Him," namely, God.

18. understanding--The oldest manuscripts, versions, and Fathers, read "heart." Compare the contrary state of unbelieving, the heart being in fault ( Ephesians 4:18 , Matthew 13:15 ). Translate, "Having the eyes of your heart enlightened" ( Ephesians 5:14 , Matthew 4:16 ). The first effect of the Spirit moving in the new creation, as in the original physical creation ( Genesis 1:3 , 2 Corinthians 4:6 ). So THEOPHILUS to AUTOLYCUS (1.3), "the ears of the heart." Where spiritual light is, there is life ( John 1:4 ). The heart is "the core of life" [HARLESS], and the fountain of the thoughts; whence "the heart" in Scripture includes the mind, as well as the inclination. Its "eye," or inward vision, both receives and contemplates the light ( Matthew 6:22 Matthew 6:23 ). The eye is the symbol of intelligence ( Ezekiel 1:18 ).
the hope of his calling--the hope appertaining to His having called you; or, to the calling wherewith He has called you.
and--omitted in the oldest manuscripts and versions.
riches of the glory--( Colossians 1:27 ).
his inheritance in the saints--The inheritance which he has in store in the case of the saints. I prefer explaining, "The inheritance which He has in his saints." Deuteronomy 32:9 ).

19. exceeding--"surpassing."
power to us-ward who believe--The whole of the working of His grace, which He is carrying on, and will carry on, in us who believe. By the term "saints" ( Ephesians 1:18 ), believers are regarded as absolutely perfected, and so as being God's inheritance; in this verse, as in the course of fighting the good fight of faith.
according to--in accordance wit,h, what might be expected from.
working--Greek, "the energizing"; translate, "the effectual working" ( Ephesians 3:7 ). The same superhuman power was needed and exerted to make us believe, as was needed and exerted to raise Christ from the dead ( Ephesians 1:20 ). Compare Philippians 3:10 , "the power of His resurrection" ( Colossians 2:12 , 1 Peter 1:3-5 ).
of his mighty power--Greek, "of the strength of His might."

20. in Christ--as our "first-fruits" of the resurrection, and Head, in virtue of God's mighty working in whom His power to us-ward is made possible and actual [ALFORD].
when he raised him--"in that He raised Him." The raising of Christ is not only an earnest of our bodies being hereafter raised, but has a spiritual power in it involving (by virtue of our living union with Him, as members with the Head) the resurrection, spiritually of the believer's soul now, and, consequently, of his body hereafter ( Romans 6:8-11 , 8:11 ). The Son, too, as God (though not as man), had a share in raising His own human body ( John 2:19 , John 10:17 John 10:18 ). Also the Holy Spirit ( Romans 1:4 , 1 Peter 3:18 ).
set him--Greek, "made Him sit." The glorious spirits stand about the throne of God, but they do not sit at God's right hand ( Hebrews 1:13 ).
at his own right hand--( Psalms 110:1 ). Where He remains till all His enemies have been put under His feet ( 1 Corinthians 15:24 ). Being appointed to "rule in the midst of His enemies" during their rebellion ( Psalms 110:2 ), He shall resign His commission after their subjection [PEARSON] ( 16:19 , Hebrews 1:3 , 10:12 ).
in the heavenly places--( Ephesians 1:3 ). As Christ has a literal body, heaven is not merely a state, but a place; and where He is, there His people shall be ( John 14:3 ).

21. Greek, "Far (or high) above all ( Ephesians 4:10 ) principality (or rule, 1 Corinthians 15:24 ), and authority, and power ( Matthew 28:18 ), and dominion (or lordship)." Compare Philippians 2:9 , Colossians 1:16 , Hebrews 7:26 , 1 Peter 3:22 . Evil spirits (who are similarly divided into various ranks, Ephesians 6:12 ), as well as angels of light, and earthly potentates, are included (compare Romans 8:38 ). Jesus is "King of kings, and Lord of lords" ( Revelation 19:16 ). The higher is His honor, the greater is that of His people, who are His members joined to Him, the Head. Some philosophizing teachers of the school of Simon Magus, in Western Asia Minor, had, according to IRENÆUS and EPIPHANIUS, taught their hearers these names of various ranks of angels. Paul shows that the truest wisdom is to know Christ as reigning above them all.
every name--every being whatever. "Any other creature" ( Romans 8:39 ).
in this world--Greek, "age," that is, the present order of things. "Things present . . . things to come" ( Romans 8:38 ).
that . . . to come--"Names which now we know not, but shall know hereafter in heaven. We know that the emperor goes before all, though we cannot enumerate all the satraps and ministers of his court; so we know that Christ is set above all, although we cannot name them all" [BENGEL].

22. put . . . under--Greek, "put in subjection under" ( Psalms 8:6 , 1 Corinthians 15:27 ).
gave . . . to the church--for her special advantage. The Greek order is emphatic: "HIM He gave as Head over all things to the Church." Had it been anyone save HIM, her Head, it would not have been the boon it is to the Church. But as He is Head over all things who is also her Head (and she the body), all things are hers ( 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 ). He is OVER ("far above") all things; in contrast to the words, "TO the Church," namely, for her advantage. The former are subject; the latter is joined with Him in His dominion over them. "Head" implies not only His dominion, but our union; therefore, while we look upon Him at the right hand of God, we see ourselves in heaven ( Revelation 3:21 ). For the Head and body are not severed by anything intervening, else the body would cease to be the body, and the Head cease to be the Head [PEARSON from CHRYSOSTOM].

23. his body--His mystical and spiritual, not literal, body. Not, however, merely figurative, or metaphorical. He is really, though spiritually, the Church's Head. His life is her life. She shares His crucifixion and His consequent glory. He possesses everything, His fellowship with the Father, His fulness of the Spirit, and His glorified manhood, not merely for Himself, but for her, who has a membership of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones ( Ephesians 5:30 ).
fulness--"the filled-up receptacle" [EADIE]. The Church is dwelt in and filled by Christ. She is the receptacle, not of His inherent, but of His communicated, plenitude of gifts and graces. As His is the "fulness" ( John 1:16 , Colossians 1:19 , 2:9 ) inherently, so she is His "fulness" by His impartation of it to her, in virtue of her union to Him ( Ephesians 5:18 , Colossians 2:10 ). "The full manifestation of His being, because penetrated by His life" [CONYBEARE and HOWSON]. She is the continued revelation of His divine life in human form; the fullest representative of His plenitude. Not the angelic hierarchy, as false teachers taught ( Colossians 2:9 Colossians 2:10 Colossians 2:18 ), but Christ Himself is the "fulness of the Godhead," and she represents Him. KOPPE translates less probably, "the whole universal multitude."
filleth all in all--Christ as the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of the world, constituted by God ( Colossians 1:16-19 ), fills all the universe of things with all things. "Fills all creation with whatever it possesses" [ALFORD]. The Greek is, "filleth for Himself."