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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Ephesians III].</TITLE>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
<CENTER>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>E P H E S I A N S.</B></FONT>
<BR>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. III.</FONT>
<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
</CENTER>
<FONT SIZE=-1>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
This chapter consists of two parts.
I. Of the account which Paul gives the Ephesians concerning himself, as
he was appointed by God to be the apostle of the Gentiles,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:1-13">ver. 1-13</A>.
II. Of his devout and affectionate prayer to God for the Ephesians,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:14-21">ver. 14-21</A>.
We may observe it to have been very much the practice of this apostle
to intermix, with his instructions and counsels, intercessions and
prayers to God for those to whom he wrote, as knowing that all his
instructions and teachings would be useless and vain, except God did
co-operate with them, and render them effectual. This is an example
that all the ministers of Christ should copy after, praying earnestly
that the efficacious operations of the divine Spirit may attend their
ministrations, and crown them with success.</P>
</FONT>
<A NAME="Eph3_1"> </A>
<A NAME="Eph3_2"> </A>
<A NAME="Eph3_3"> </A>
<A NAME="Eph3_4"> </A>
<A NAME="Eph3_5"> </A>
<A NAME="Eph3_6"> </A>
<A NAME="Eph3_7"> </A>
<A NAME="Eph3_8"> </A>
<A NAME="Eph3_9"> </A>
<A NAME="Eph3_10"> </A>
<A NAME="Eph3_11"> </A>
<A NAME="Eph3_12"> </A>
<A NAME="Eph3_13"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Apostle's Sufferings; Paul's Appointment as an Apostle; Paul's Labours as an Apostle.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A.&nbsp;D.</FONT>&nbsp;61.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you
Gentiles,
&nbsp; 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God
which is given me to you-ward:
&nbsp; 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as
I wrote afore in few words,
&nbsp; 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the
mystery of Christ)
&nbsp; 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men,
as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the
Spirit;
&nbsp; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same
body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
&nbsp; 7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the
grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
&nbsp; 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this
grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the
unsearchable riches of Christ;
&nbsp; 9 And to make all <I>men</I> see what <I>is</I> the fellowship of the
mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in
God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
&nbsp; 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in
heavenly <I>places</I> might be known by the church the manifold
wisdom of God,
&nbsp; 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ
Jesus our Lord:
&nbsp; 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the
faith of him.
&nbsp; 13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for
you, which is your glory.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Here we have the account which Paul gives the Ephesians concerning
himself, as he was appointed by God the apostle of the Gentiles.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. We may observe that he acquaints them with the tribulations and
sufferings which he endured in the discharge of that office,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
The first clause refers to the preceding chapter, and may be understood
either of these two ways:--
1. "<I>For this cause,</I>--for having preached the doctrine contained
in the foregoing chapter, and for asserting that the great privileges
of the gospel belong not only to the Jews, but to believing Gentiles
also, though they are not circumcised,--for this I am now a prisoner,
but a <I>prisoner of Jesus Christ,</I> as I suffer in his cause and for
his sake, and continue his faithful servant and the object of his
special protection and care, while I am thus suffering for him."
Observe, Christ's servants, if they come to be prisoners, are his
prisoners; and he despises not his prisoners. He thinks never the worse
of them for the bad character which the world gives them or the evil
treatment that they met with in it. Paul adhered to Christ, and Christ
owned him, when he was in prison.--<I>For you, Gentiles;</I> the Jews
persecuted and imprisoned him because he was the apostle of the
Gentiles, and preached the gospel to them. We may learn hence that the
faithful ministers of Christ are to dispense his sacred truths, however
disagreeable they may be to some, and whatever they themselves may
suffer for doing so. Or,
2. The words may be thus understood:--"<I>For this cause,</I>--since
<I>you are no more strangers and foreigners</I> (as
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+2:19"><I>ch.</I> ii. 19</A>),
but are united to Christ, and admitted into communion with his
church,--<I>I Paul,</I> who am <I>the prisoner of Jesus Christ,</I>
pray that you may be enabled to act as becomes persons thus favoured by
God, and made partakers of such privileges." To this purport you find
him expressing himself in
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>,
where, after the digression contained in the several verses
intervening, he proceeds with what he began in the
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:1">first verse</A>.
Observe, Those who have received grace and signal favours from God
stand in need of prayer, that they may improve and advance, and
continue to act as becomes them. And, seeing Paul while he was a
prisoner employed himself in such prayers to God in behalf of the
Ephesians, we should learn that no particular sufferings of our own
should make us so solicitous about ourselves as to neglect the cases of
others in our supplications and addresses to God. He speaks again of
his sufferings: <I>Wherefore I desire that you faint not at my
tribulation for you, which is your glory,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
While he was in prison, he suffered much there; and, though it was upon
their account that he suffered, yet he would not have them discouraged
nor dismayed at this, seeing God had done such great things for them by
his ministry. What a tender concern was here for these Ephesians! The
apostle seems to have been more solicitous lest they should be
discouraged and faint upon his tribulations than about what he himself
endured; and, to prevent this, he tells them that his sufferings were
their glory, and would be so far from being a real discouragement, if
they duly considered the matter, that they ministered cause to them for
glorying and for rejoicing, as this discovered the great esteem and
regard which God bore to them, in that he not only sent his apostles to
preach the gospel to them, but even to suffer for them, and to confirm
the truths they delivered by the persecutions they underwent. Observe,
Not only the faithful ministers of Christ themselves, but their people
too, have some special cause for joy and glorying, when they suffer for
the sake of dispensing the gospel.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. The apostle informs them of God's appointing him to the office, and
eminently fitting and qualifying him for it, by a special revelation
that he made unto him.
1. God appointed him to the office: <I>If you have heard of the
dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to you-ward,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
They could not have heard of this, and therefore he does not design to
speak doubtfully of this matter. <B><I>Eige</I></B> is sometimes an
affirmative particle, and we may read it, <I>Since you have heard,</I>
&c. He styles the gospel <I>the grace of God</I> here (as in other
places) because it is the gift of divine grace to sinful men; and all
the gracious overtures that it makes, and the joyful tidings that it
contains, proceed from the rich grace of God; and it is also the great
instrument in the hands of the Spirit by which God works grace in the
souls of men. He speaks of the dispensation of this grace given to him;
he means as he was authorized and commissioned by God to dispense the
doctrine of the gospel, which commission and authority were given to
him chiefly for he service of the Gentiles: <I>to you-ward.</I> And
again, speaking of the gospel, he says, <I>Whereof I was made a
minister,</I> &c.,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
Here he again asserts his authority. He <I>was</I>
<FONT SIZE=-1>MADE</FONT> <I>a minister</I>--he did not make himself
such; he took not to himself that honour--and he was made such
<I>according to the gift of the grace of God unto</I> him. God supplied
and furnished him for his work; and in the performance of it suitably
assisted him with all needful gifts and graces, both ordinary and
extraordinary, and that <I>by the effectual working of his power,</I>
in himself more especially, and also in great numbers of those to whom
he preached, by which means his labours among them were successful.
Observe, What God calls men to he fits them for, and does it with an
almighty power. An effectual working of divine power attends the gifts
of divine grace.
2. As God appointed him to the office, so he eminently qualified him
for it, by a special revelation that he made unto him. He makes mention
both of the mystery that was revealed and of the revelation of it.
(1.) The mystery revealed is <I>that the Gentiles should be
fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in
Christ, by the gospel</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>);
that is, that they should be joint-heirs with the believing Jews of the
heavenly inheritance; and that they should be members of the same
mystical body, be received into the church of Christ, and be interested
in the gospel-promises, as well as the Jews, and particularly in that
great promise of the Spirit. And this <I>in Christ,</I> being united to
Christ, <I>in whom all the promises are yea and amen; and by the
gospel,</I> that is, in the times of the gospel, as some understand it;
or, <I>by the gospel</I> preached to them, which is the great
instrument and means by which God works faith in Christ, as others.
This was the great truth revealed to the apostles, namely, that God
would call the Gentiles to salvation by faith in Christ, and that
without the works of the law.
(2.) Of the revelation of this truth he speaks,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:3-5"><I>v.</I> 3-5</A>.
Here we may observe that the coalition of Jews and Gentiles in the
gospel church was a mystery, a great mystery, what was designed in the
counsel of God before all worlds, but what could not be fully
understood for many ages, till the accomplishment expounded the
prophecies of it. It is called a mystery because the several
circumstances and peculiarities of it (such as the time and manner and
means by which it should be effected) were concealed and kept secret in
God's own breast, till be an immediate <I>revelation he made them
known</I> to his servant. See
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+26:16-18">Acts xxvi. 16-18</A>.
And it is called the mystery of Christ because it was revealed by him
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+1:12">Gal. i. 12</A>),
and because it relates so very much to him. Of this the apostle has
given some hints <I>afore,</I> or a little before; that is, in the
preceding chapters. <I>Whereby, when you read;</I> or, as those words
may be read, <I>unto which attending</I> (and it is not enough for us
barely to read the scriptures, unless we attend to them, and seriously
consider and lay to heart what we read), <I>you may understand my
knowledge in the mystery of Christ;</I> so as to perceive how God had
fitted and qualified him to be an apostle to the Gentiles, which might
be to them an evident token of his divine authority. <I>This
mystery,</I> he says, <I>in other ages was not made known unto the sons
of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by
the Spirit</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>);
that is, "It was not so fully and clearly discovered in the ages before
Christ as it is now revealed unto the prophets of this age, the
prophets of the New Testament, who are immediately inspired and taught
by the Spirit." Let us observe, that the conversion of the Gentile
world to the faith of Christ was an adorable mystery, and we ought to
bless God for it. Who would have imagined that those who had been so
long in the dark, and at so great a distance, would be enlightened with
the marvellous light, and be made nigh? Let us learn hence not to
despair of the worst, of the worst of persons, and the worst of
nations. Nothing is too hard for divine grace to do: none so unworthy
but God may please to confer great grace upon them. And how much are we
ourselves interested in this affair; not only as we live in a time in
which the mystery is revealed, but particularly as we are a part of the
nations which in times past were foreigners and strangers, and lived in
gross idolatry; but are now enlightened with the everlasting gospel,
and partake of its promises!</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. The apostle informs them how he was employed in this office, and
that with respect to the Gentiles, and to all men.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. With respect to the Gentiles, he <I>preached</I> to them <I>the
unsearchable riches of Christ,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
Observe, in this verse, how humbly he speaks of himself, and how highly
he speaks of Jesus Christ.
(1.) How humbly he speaks of himself: <I>I am less than the least of
all saints.</I> St. Paul, who was the chief of the apostles, calls
himself <I>less than the least of all saints:</I> he means on account
of his having been formerly a persecutor of the followers of Christ. He
was, in his own esteem, as little as could be. What can be less than
the least? To speak himself as little as could be, he speaks himself
less than could be. Observe, Those whom God advances to honourable
employments he humbles and makes low in their own eyes; and, where God
gives grace to be humble, there he gives all other grace. You may also
observe in what a different manner the apostle speaks of himself and of
his office. While he magnifies his office, he debases himself. Observe,
A faithful minister of Christ may be very humble, and think very meanly
of himself, even when he thinks and speaks very highly and honourably
of his sacred function.
(2.) How highly he speaks of Jesus Christ: <I>The unsearchable riches
of Christ.</I> There is a mighty treasury of mercy, grace, and love,
laid up in Christ Jesus, and that both for Jews and Gentiles. Or, the
riches of the gospel are here spoken of as the riches of Christ: the
riches which Christ purchased for, and bestows upon, all believers. And
they are unsearchable riches, which we cannot find the bottom of, which
human sagacity could never have discovered, and men could no otherwise
attain to the knowledge of them but by revelation. Now it was the
apostle's business and employment to <I>preach</I> these
<I>unsearchable riches of Christ among the Gentiles:</I> and it was a
favour he greatly valued, and looked upon it as an unspeakable honour
to him: "<I>Unto me is this grace given;</I> this special favour God
has granted to such an unworthy creature as I am." And it is an
unspeakable favour to the Gentile world that to them <I>the
unsearchable riches of Christ</I> are preached. Though many remain
poor, and are not enriched with these riches, yet it is a favour to
have them preached among us, to have an offer of them made to us; and,
if we are not enriched with them, it is our own fault.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. With respect to all men,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
His business and employment were <I>to make all men see</I> (to publish
and make known to the whole world) <I>what is the fellowship of the
mystery</I> (that the Gentiles who have hitherto been strangers to the
church, shall be admitted into communion with it) <I>which from the
beginning of the world hath been hid in God</I> (kept secret in his
purpose), <I>who created all things by Jesus Christ:</I> as
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+1:3">John i. 3</A>,
<I>All things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made
that was made;</I> and therefore no wonder that he saves the Gentiles
as well as the Jews; for he is the common Creator of them both: and we
may conclude that he is able to perform the work of their redemption,
seeing he was able to accomplish the great work of creation. It is true
that both the first creation, when God made all things out of nothing,
and the new creation, whereby sinners are made new creatures by
converting grace, are of God by Jesus Christ. The apostle adds, <I>To
the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly
places might be known, by the church, the manifold wisdom of God,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
This was one things, among others, which God had in his eye in
revealing this mystery, that the good angels, who have a pre-eminence
in governing the kingdoms and principalities of the world, and who are
endued with great power to execute the will of God on this earth
(though their ordinary residence is in heaven) may be informed, from
what passes in the church and is done in and by it, <I>of the manifold
wisdom of God;</I> that is, of the great variety with which God wisely
dispenses things, or of his wisdom manifested in the many ways and
methods he takes in ordering his church in the several ages of it, and
especially in receiving the Gentiles into it. The holy angels, who look
into the mystery of our redemption by Christ, could not but take notice
of this branch of that mystery, that among the Gentiles is preached the
unsearchable riches of Christ. And this is <I>according to the eternal
purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
Some translate the words <B><I>kata prothesin ton aionon</I></B> thus
<I>According to the fore-disposing of the ages which he made,</I> &c.
So Dr. Whitby, &c. "In the first of the ages," says this author, "his
wisdom seeing fit to give the promise of a Saviour to a fallen Adam: in
the second age to typify and represent him to the Jews in sacred
persons, rites, and sacrifices: and in the age of the Messiah, or the
last age, to reveal him to the Jews, and preach him to the Gentiles."
Others understand it, according to our translation, of the eternal
purpose which God purposed to execute in and through Jesus Christ, the
whole of what he has done in the great affair of man's redemption being
in pursuance of his eternal decree about that matter. The apostle,
having mentioned our Lord Jesus Christ, subjoins concerning him, <I>In
whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of
him</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>);
that is, "By (or through) whom we have liberty to open our minds freely
to God, as to a Father, and a well-grounded persuasion of audience and
of acceptance with him; and this by means of the faith we have in him,
as our great Mediator and Advocate." We may come with humble boldness
to hear from God, knowing that the terror of the curse is done away;
and we may expect to hear from him good words and comfortable. We may
have access with confidence to speak to God, knowing that we have such
a Mediator between God and us, and such an Advocate with the
Father.</P>
<A NAME="Eph3_14"> </A>
<A NAME="Eph3_15"> </A>
<A NAME="Eph3_16"> </A>
<A NAME="Eph3_17"> </A>
<A NAME="Eph3_18"> </A>
<A NAME="Eph3_19"> </A>
<A NAME="Eph3_20"> </A>
<A NAME="Eph3_21"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Apostle's Prayer.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A.&nbsp;D.</FONT>&nbsp;61.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ,
&nbsp; 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
&nbsp; 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his
glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner
man;
&nbsp; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye,
being rooted and grounded in love,
&nbsp; 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what <I>is</I> the
breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
&nbsp; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,
that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
&nbsp; 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above
all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in
us,
&nbsp; 21 Unto him <I>be</I> glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout
all ages, world without end. Amen.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
We now come to the second part of this chapter, which contains Paul's
devout and affectionate prayer to God for his beloved Ephesians.--<I>For
this cause.</I> This may be referred either to the immediately
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:13">foregoing verse</A>,
<I>That you faint not,</I> &c., or, rather, the apostle is here
resuming what he began at the
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:1">first verse</A>,
from which he digressed in those which are interposed. Observe,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. To whom he prays--to God, as <I>the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ,</I> of which see
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+1:3"><I>ch.</I> i. 3</A>.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. His outward posture in prayer, which was humble and reverent: <I>I
bow my knees.</I> Note, When we draw nigh to God, we should reverence
him in our hearts, and express our reverence in the most suitable and
becoming behaviour and gesture. Here, having mentioned Christ, he
cannot pass without an honourable encomium of his love,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
The universal church has a dependence upon the Lord Jesus Christ: <I>Of
whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.</I> The Jews were
wont to boast of Abraham as their father, but now Jews and Gentiles are
both denominated from Christ (so some); while others understand it of
the saints in heaven, who wear the crown of glory, and of saints on
earth who are going on in the work of grace here. Both the one and the
other make but one family, one household; and from him they are
<I>named</I> C<FONT SIZE=-1>HRISTIANS</FONT>, as they really are such,
acknowledging their dependence upon, and their relation to, Christ.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. What the apostle asks of God for these his friends--spiritual
blessings, which are the best blessings, and the most earnestly to be
sought and prayed for by every one of us, both for ourselves and for
our friends.
1. Spiritual strength for the work and duty to which they were called,
and in which they were employed: <I>That he would grant you, according
to the riches of his grace, to be strengthened,</I> &c. <I>The inner
man</I> is the heart or soul. To be <I>strengthened with might</I> is
to be mightily strengthened, much more than they were at present; to be
endued with a high degree of grace, and spiritual abilities for
discharging duty, resisting temptations, enduring persecutions, &c. And
the apostle prays that this may be <I>according to the riches of his
glory,</I> or according to his glorious riches--answerable to that
great abundance of grace, mercy, and power, which resides in God, and
is his glory: and this by his Spirit, who is the immediate worker of
grace in the souls of God's people. Observe from these things, That
strength from the Spirit of God in the inner man is the best and most
desirable strength, strength in the soul, the strength of faith and
other graces, strength to serve God and to do our duty, and to
persevere in our Christian course with vigour and with cheerfulness.
And let us further observe that <I>as the work of grace is first begun
so it is continued and carried on, by the blessed Spirit of God.</I>
2. The indwelling of Christ in their hearts,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
Christ is said to dwell in his people, as he is always present with
them by his gracious influences and operations. Observe, It is a
desirable thing to have Christ dwell in our hearts; and if the law of
Christ be written there, and the love of Christ be shed abroad there,
then Christ dwells there. Christ is an inhabitant in the soul of every
good Christian. Where his spirit dwells, there he swells; and he dwells
in the heart by faith, by means of the continual exercise of faith upon
him. Faith opens the door of the soul, to receive Christ; faith admits
him, and submits to him. By faith we are united to Christ, and have an
interest in him.
3. The fixing of pious and devout affections in the soul: <I>That you
being rooted and grounded in love,</I> stedfastly fixed in your love to
God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to all the saints, the
beloved of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many have some love to God and to his
servants, but it is a flash, like the crackling of thorns under a pot,
it makes a great noise, but is gone presently. We should earnestly
desire that good affections may be fixed in us, that we may be
<I>rooted and grounded in love.</I> Some understand it of their being
settled and established in the sense of God's love to them, which would
inspire them with greater ardours of holy love to him, and to one
another. And how very desirable is it to have a settled fixed sense of
the love of God and Christ to our souls, so as to be able to say with
the apostle at all times, <I>He has loved me!</I> Now the best way to
attain this is to be careful that we maintain a constant love to God in
our souls; this will be the evidence of the love of God to us. <I>We
love him, because he first loved us.</I> In order to this he prays,
4. For their experimental acquaintance with the love of Jesus Christ.
The more intimate acquaintance we have with Christ's love to us, the
more our love will be drawn out to him, and to those who are his, for
his sake: <I>That you may be able to comprehend with all saints,</I>
&c.
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:18,19"><I>v.</I> 18, 19</A>);
that is, more clearly to understand, and firmly to believe, the
wonderful love of Christ to his, which the saints do understand and
believe in some measure, and shall understand more hereafter.
Christians should not aim to comprehend above all saints; but be
content that God deals with them as he uses to do with those who love
and fear his name: we should desire to comprehend <I>with all
saints,</I> to have so much knowledge as the saints are allowed to have
in this world. We should be ambitious of coming up with <I>the first
three;</I> but not of going beyond what is the measure of the stature
of other saints. It is observable how magnificently the apostle speaks
of the love of Christ. The dimensions of redeeming love are admirable:
<I>The breadth, and length, and depth, and height.</I> By enumerating
these dimensions, the apostle designs to signify the exceeding
greatness of the love of Christ, the unsearchable riches of his love,
which is <I>higher than heaven, deeper than hell, longer than the
earth, and broader than the sea,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+11:8,9">Job xi. 8, 9</A>.
Some describe the particulars thus: By the breadth of it we may
understand the extent of it to all ages, nations, and ranks of men; by
the length of it, its continuance from everlasting to everlasting; by
the depth of it, its stooping to the lowest condition, with a design to
relieve and save those who have sunk into the depths of sin and misery;
by its height, its entitling and raising us up to the heavenly
happiness and glory. We should desire to comprehend this love: it is
the character of all the saints that they do so; for they all have a
complacency and a confidence in the love of Christ: <I>And to know the
love of Christ which passeth knowledge,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
If it passeth knowledge, how can we know it? We must pray and endeavour
to know something, and should still covet and strive to know more and
more of it, though, after the best endeavours, none can fully
comprehend it: in its full extent it surpasses knowledge. Though the
love of Christ may be better perceived and known by Christians than it
generally is, yet it cannot be fully understood on this side heaven.
5. He prays that they may <I>be filled with all the fulness of
God.</I> It is a high expression: we should not dare to use it if we
did not find it in the scriptures. It is like those other expressions,
of being <I>partakers of a divine nature,</I> and of being <I>perfect
as our Father in heaven is perfect.</I> We are not to understand it of
his fulness as God in himself, but of his fulness as a God in covenant
with us, as a God to his people: such a fulness as God is ready to
bestow, who is willing to fill them all to the utmost of their
capacity, and that with all those gifts and graces which he sees they
need. Those who receive grace for grace from Christ's fulness may be
said to be <I>filled with the fulness of God,</I> according to their
capacity, all which is in order to their arriving at the highest degree
of the knowledge and enjoyment of God, and an entire conformity to
him.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
The apostle closes the chapter with a doxology,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:20,21"><I>v.</I> 20, 21</A>.
It is proper to conclude our prayers with praises. Our blessed Saviour
has taught us to do so. Take notice how he describes God, and how he
ascribes glory to him. He describes him as a God that <I>is able to do
exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.</I> There is an
inexhaustible fulness of grace and mercy in God, which the prayers of
all the saints can never draw dry. Whatever we may ask, or think to
ask, still God is still able to do more, abundantly more, exceedingly
abundantly more. Open thy mouth ever so wide, still he hath wherewithal
to fill it. Note, In our applications to God we should encourage our
faith by a consideration of his all-sufficiency and almighty power.
<I>According to the power which worketh in us.</I> As if he had said,
We have already had a proof of this power of God, in what he hath
wrought in us and done for us, having quickened us by his grace, and
converted us to himself. The power that still worketh for the saints is
according to that power that hath wrought in them. Wherever God gives
of his fulness he gives to experience his power. Having thus described
God, he ascribes glory to him. When we come to ask for grace from God,
we ought to give glory to God. Unto him be glory in the church by
Christ Jesus. In ascribing glory to God, we ascribe all excellences and
perfections to him, glory being the effulgency and result of them all.
Observe, The seat of God's praises is in the church. That little rent
of praise which God receives from this world is from the church, a
sacred society constituted for the glory of God, every particular
member of which, both Jew and Gentile, concurs in this work of praising
God. The Mediator of these praises is Jesus Christ. All God's gifts
come from his to us through the hand of Christ; and all our praises
pass from us to him through the same hand. And God should and will be
praised thus <I>throughout all ages, world without end;</I> for he will
ever have a church to praise him, and he will ever have his tribute of
praise from his church. <I>Amen.</I> So be it; and so it will certainly
be.</P>
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