1Paul, in bonds for preaching Christ to the Gentiles, sheweth that the mystery of their calling, heretofore hidden, had been revealed to him, 7that by his ministry God's gracious purpose might be universally known, and the Gentiles be assured of their acceptance by faith. 13He desireth his Ephesian converts not to be discouraged at his sufferings on their account; 14and prayeth that God would strengthen their faith and knowledge of the infinite love of Christ. 20He giveth glory to God for his power in the church by Christ Jesus.
1FOR this cause I Paul, thea1prisoner of Jesus Christ 2for you Gentiles,
a Acts 21:33; Eph. 4:1; Philip. 1:7, 13, 14, 16; Col. 4:3; 2 Tim. 1:8; Philemon verse 1.
1 That is, for the cause of Christ; or, for Christ’s sake, as he also gives himself this title, 2 Tim. 1:8; Philemon verse 1.
2 That is, since I have thus far preached Christ to you Gentiles, and even still do preach in these my bonds, the Jews notwithstanding are so embittered against me for it, and have given me over into the hands of unbelievers, Acts 21. Or also, to strengthen you by mine example and patience in the truth of this doctrine as hereafter in verse 13.
2If ye have heard of the 3dispensation 4ofb the grace of God whichc is given me 5to you-ward:d
3 See of the force of this word heretofore the annotation at Eph. 1 on verse 10.
4 That is, of my calling by grace to be an apostle. Whereof see Acts 9:15; 22:21, etc.
b Rom. 1:5.
c verse 8; Acts 13:2.
5 Or, among you, namely, the Gentiles, Acts 26:17, 18.
d toward you
3How that bye revelation he made known unto me thef6mystery; (as I wrote 7afore in few words,
e Acts 22:17, 21; 26:16, 17; Gal. 1:11, 12.
f Rom. 16:25.
6 Namely, of the Gospel of Christ, and mainly of the calling of the Gentiles, as hereafter is related. Wherefore this is now called a mystery, see the annotation at Eph. 1 on verse 9.
7 Namely, in the two previous chapters, wherein the sum of the doctrine of the Gospel is briefly propounded by him.
4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand 8my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
8 That is, how perfectly the Lord has revealed this unto me.
59Which in other 10ages was not made known unto the sons of men, 11asg it is now revealed unto his holy apostles 12and prophets by the Spirit;
9 Namely, mystery, whereof is spoken in the third verse.
10 Or, generations, times, namely, before the appearance of Jesus Christ in the flesh, and His glorification.
11 This word shows that there were indeed some revelations in the Old Testament made to the prophets, about the calling of the Gentiles unto the communion of the Messiah, as Paul also, in the epistle to the Romans 9; 10; 11, proves this out of the law and the prophets; but that this was never so clearly and so distinctly revealed as now, and especially this point that the Gentiles would be called to the communion of Christ, without being bound to circumcision and the other ceremonies of the law; forasmuch as almost all the former predictions of the prophets were uttered figuratively, and seemed to imply thus much, that the Gentiles would be brought to the communion of the same ceremonies. Which predictions are now more closely and clearly expounded by the apostles, testifying that this must be understood not of the outward ceremonies, but of the spiritual communion in the worship of the Jews; as Peter was further informed by Christ in a vision, Acts 10:14, 15, and as the apostles altogether also declared this in their Synod, Acts 15.
g Acts 10:28.
12 Namely, of the New Testament, who extraordinarily received the Spirit of expounding the Word of God, whereof see 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11.
6That the Gentiles should be 13fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
13 This word fellow of fellowheirs here relates to the Jews who believed in Christ, with whom the Gentiles, without being forced to hold other outward communion with the Jews in their ceremonies, are joint-heirs of salvation and of the same body of the congregation of Christ, and joint-partakers of the same promises of the forgiveness of sins, of the Spirit of regeneration, and adoption, etc., whereas otherwise they were strangers from it formerly, as is testified above in Eph. 2:12.
7Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me 14byh the effectual working of his power.
14 That is, according to His powerful working, whereby I am not only called, but also strengthened and blessed in my ministry.
h Eph. 1:19; Col. 2:12.
8Unto me, whoi am less than 15the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach amongj the Gentiles 16the unsearchable riches of Christ;
i 1 Cor. 15:9; 1 Tim. 1:15.
15 This the apostle says in respect of his state before his conversion, when he was a persecutor of the congregation of Christ. See 1 Cor. 15:9, 10; 1 Tim. 1:13.
j Acts 9:15; 13:2; 22:21; Gal. 1:16; 2:8; 1 Tim. 2:7; 2 Tim. 1:11.
16 That is, the fathomless and overflowing grace of Christ. A similitude taken from the wild animals, which footsteps many times one cannot trace, to follow and to find them out, as Rom. 11:33.
9And to make all men 17see what is the fellowship ofk the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid 18in God, who createdl19all things by Jesus Christ:
17 That is, to open their eyes by the preaching of the Gospel, as Christ speaks to Paul, Acts 26:18.
k Rom. 16:25; Eph. 1:9; Col. 1:26; 2 Tim. 1:10; Titus 1:2; 1 Peter 1:20.
18 That is, in God’s counsel and purpose, as is declared hereafter in verse 11.
l Gen. 1:3; Psalm 33:6; John 1:3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2.
19 That is, all nations, Gentiles as well as Jews, and what appertains to them. From which the apostle wants conclude that then it was convenient, that not only the Jews but also the Gentiles would be reconciled and united through Christ. See Col. 1:16, 17, 18. Others take it of the second creation, but of this the apostle spoke previously.
10Tom the intent that now unto 20the principalities and powers 21in heavenly places might be known 22by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
m 1 Peter 1:12.
20 That is, to the angels themselves, as heretofore, Eph. 1:21 and Col. 1:16, so called, because God oftentimes uses their ministry in governing of countries and kingdoms, Dan. 4:13; 10:13. For, even the angels themselves are desirous to look into this manifold wisdom of God, in the diversity of the government of the congregation, and of the benefits which He bestows on the faithful through Christ, 1 Peter 1:12.
21 Gr. in the heavenly, or, in the super celestial.
22 That is, by the different state of the congregation under the Old and New Testament.
1123According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
23 Gr. according to the purpose of the ages, that is, according to His eternal counsel and decree. See Eph. 1:4, etc.
12Inn24whom we have 25boldness and 26access 27with confidence by the faith 28of him.
n John 10:9; 14:6; Rom. 5:2; Eph. 2:18; Heb. 10:19.
24 Namely, Christ Jesus.
25 Namely, to address God, our Father, as children, as the Greek word parrhesia entails, and to boast in hope of the glory of God, Rom. 5:2; 8:15, etc.
26 Or, leading unto, namely, by the same Spirit, Who leads us as by the hand unto God, Rom. 8:26.
27 Namely, of faith in God.
28 Namely, Christ. For, through faith in Christ, as our Mediator, we believe or trust in God, and have a cheerful access to God, 1 Peter 1:21. Gr. of the same.
13Whereforeo I desire that ye 29faint not at my tribulations 30forp you, 31which is your glory.
o Philip. 1:14; 1 Thes. 3:3.
29 The Greek word properly signifies to impair, grow worse, or through any evil means to grow slack and remiss. See Gal. 6:9, and is a similitude taken from those, who begin their course with zeal and discovering some difficulties in front of them, recoil, or grow remiss for fear of falling therein.
30 That is, for your sake; or, to be an example to you of steadfastness in the faith. See the annotation on verse 1.
p Col. 1:24.
31 That is, your glory consists herein, namely, that you do not slacken, hearing of this my tribulations.
14For this cause I bow my knees unto 32the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
32 This title the apostle here gives to God the Father, because we have no access unto Him, but by Christ. See John 14:6.
1533Of whom 34the whole family 35in heaven and earth 36is named,
33 This may be understood of God the Father, or also of Christ.
34 Or, kindred, as Luke 2:4, that is, they who are descended from one Father, and are under one Head; as the congregation is established under God as her Father of Christ and through Christ, and receives from Him all spiritual life and welfare, and is one spiritual kindred.
35 That is, of the faithful, not only who live here upon earth, but also whose souls in heaven already enjoy the adoption of children through Christ and with Christ. See 2 Cor. 5:8; Philip. 1:23, though some extend this to the angels also, see Eph. 1:10.
36 That is, not only called so in words, but also is in very deed, as this word is such elsewhere also taken. See Luke 1:32; Rom. 9:26, etc.
16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthenedq with might by his Spirit in the 37inner man;
q Eph. 6:10.
37 Some take this word for the regenerate part of man, as Rom. 7:22, wherein the apostle wishes that they may be strengthened more and more. Others for the inward part of a man, namely, the soul of the faithful with all its motions, in which he wishes that they may be endued with strength and courage to be able to withstand all tribulations which are brought upon them from without. See 2 Cor. 4:16.
17That Christ may dwell 38in your hearts by faith; that ye, being 39rooted and groundedr in 40love,
38 That is, continually abide therein with His operations, as John 6:56; 14:23.
39 That is, may be confirmed, may be strengthened.
r Col. 2:7.
40 Namely, towards God and your neighbor, which is an inseparable fruit and companion of faith, 1 Cor. 13:1; Gal. 5:6. Others take it for the love wherewith God loves us.
18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is 41the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
41 That is, the exceeding worthiness and unsearchableness of the work of our redemption through Christ. A similitude taken from land surveyors, who, to know perfectly any work or building, use to measure all these things, and to consider them in all their dimensions.
19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth 42knowledge, that ye might be filled with all 43the fulness of God.
42 Namely, that of all natural men, which we can know here only by the Spirit of Christ, according to the measure of the gift of Christ, as much as is needful for us to salvation, but shall not comprehend them to the full till hereafter. See 1 Cor. 2:9, etc.; 13:9, etc.
43 That is, of the knowledge and of the working of God, not that wherewith God is filled, but that which He is pleased here to impart unto us. See Eph. 4:12, 13.
20Nows unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power 44that worketh in us,
s Rom. 16:25.
44 Hereby the apostle shows that in this thanksgiving he respects not particularly to the power of God, which is hidden in Him, but to that whereof He Himself has given evidence in our conversion, and yet daily does within us, by the accomplishing of this grace.
21Unto him be glory 45in the church by Christ Jesus throughout 46all ages, world 47without end. Amen.
45 Namely, wherein only this power and glory of God through Jesus Christ is known, and must be duly praised, and shall be praised in all ages, how much so ever the world does boast and rage against it.
46 Or, unto all times.
47 Gr. unto the age of ages.