Ephesians 1 - Spurgeon’s Verse Expositions of the Bible

In this chapter, we see what Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, has to say about the possessions and privileges of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:1-2. 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: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Brethren and sisters in Christ, this is a benediction for you as well as for the saints at Ephesus; it is for all «the faithful in Christ Jesus.» May you all have grace without measure, and may you all have «the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,» to «keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus»! Grace and peace are both to be had by believing in Jesus.

Ephesians 1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

It is right that we should bless God as he has so richly blessed us. Blessed be the Heavenly Father who has so abundantly blessed his children. How has he blessed us? «With all spiritual blessings in heavenly places (or, things) in Christ.»

Ephesians 1:4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world,

That is the commencement of all the blessing, God's electing love. This is the fountain from which the living waters flow. There would have been no stream of blessing to us at all if it had not been for this first primeval choice of us by God, even as Jesus said to his disciples, «Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.»

Ephesians 1:4. That we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Here is the blessing of sanctification; we are chosen that we may be made holy. To what nobler end could we have been elected? Is not this the very highest of our heart's desires, «that we should be holy and without blame before him in love»?

Ephesians 1:5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Oh, what a blessing this is, altogether inconceivable in its results!

«Behold what wondrous grace,

The Father hath bestow'd

On sinners of a mortal race,

To call them sons of God!»

Ephesians 1:6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

There is music for you: «accepted in the Beloved.» Are there grander words in any language than those four? Oh, the joy of being beloved, adopted, accepted by God the Father because of his beloved Son! Now comes something more:

Ephesians 1:7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Redemption from destruction, the forgiveness of our sins, we have all this through «the riches of his grace.»

Ephesians 1:8-14. Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness 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: 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: that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 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, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

There is no end to the blessing which God gives to his chosen. He is always blessing us with blessings upon blessings, grace upon grace, and then there will be glory to crown it all. Blessed be his holy name forever and ever.

The Epistle to the Ephesians is a complete Body of Divinity. In the first chapter you have the doctrines of the gospel; in the next, you have the experience of the Christians; and before the Epistle is finished, you have the precepts of the Christian faith. Whosoever would see Christianity in a treatise, let him «read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest» the Epistle to the Ephesians.

Ephesians 1:1-2. 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; grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

All down through the ages this benediction comes to us, even to as many of us as are « the faithful in Christ Jesus.» «Grace be to you,» brethren and sisters, grace in every form of it, the free favor of God, all that active force of grace which comes of his unmerited love. May you have a fresh draught of it at this time! «and peace.» May you feel a deep peace with God, with your own conscience, and with all the world! Oh, that you might find an atmosphere of quiet calm about your mind at this very moment! The double blessing of «grace» and «peace» comes «from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.»

Ephesians 1:3-4. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world,

One of the first doctrines of our holy faith is that of the union of all believing souls with Christ. We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ. Apart from Christ we are nothing; in Christ we have «all spiritual blessings.» We are rich as Christ is rich, when we are united to him by the living bond of faith. Another great doctrine of Holy Scripture is that of election. We are blessed in Christ according as the Father «hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world.» Why did God choose any unto eternal life? Was it because of any holiness in them then existing, or foreseen to exist? No, by no means; for we read that: «According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world.»

Ephesians 1:4. That we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

We are chosen, not because we are holy, but that we may be made holy. The election precedes the character, and is indeed the moving cause in producing the character. Before the foundation of the world, God chose us in Christ, «that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.» You see, then, beloved brethren and sisters, the end for which the Lord chose you by his grace.

Ephesians 1:5. Having predestinated us

Having destined us before we were born,

Ephesians 1:5. Unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

The chosen ones are adopted; they become the children of God. The universal Fatherhood of God, except in a very special sense, is a doctrine totally unknown to Scripture. God is the Father of those whom he adopts into his family, who are born again into his family, and no man hath any right to believe God to be his Father except through the new birth, and through adoption. And why God thus elects or adopts is declared here: «According to the good pleasure of his will.» He does as he pleases. That old word of God is still true: «I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.» Men do not like that doctrine; it galls them terribly; but it is the truth of God for all that. He is Master and King, and he will sit on the throne, and none shall drag him thence.

Ephesians 1:6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

There is another precious doctrine, the acceptance of those who are adopted. We are beloved of God; he has a complacency toward us; he takes a delight in us; we are acceptable in his sight. Oh, what a blessing this is! But remember that it is all in Christ: «Accepted in the beloved.» Because Christ is accepted, therefore those who are in him are accepted.

Ephesians 1:7-8. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

In the working out of the economy of grace, God has been lavish with his love; but yet there have been wisdom and prudence in it. He did not suffer the full light of the gospel to break in upon our eyes at first, lest we should have been blinded by it. Jesus had many things to say unto his disciples; but they could not bear them all at once; so, by little and little he has led us on, and led us up, abounding always in his grace, and only limiting the display of it by our capacity to receive it.

Ephesians 1:9-10. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself; that in the dispensation of the fullness 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:

Everything that is in Christ shall be gathered in; all his chosen, all that the Father gave him, all that he hath redeemed by blood, all that he hath effectually brought into union with himself shall be gathered together in one. There shall be one flock under one Shepherd.

Ephesians 1:11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,

Not only shall we have it, but we have it now. We have heaven in the price of it, in the principles of it, in the promise of it, in the foretaste of it.

Ephesians 1:11-12. Being predestined according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

The enmity of men's hearts to this doctrine of predestination was seen in the House of Commons, not a fortnight ago, when one who ought to have known better talked about «the gloomy tenets of Calvin.» I know nothing of Calvin's gloomy tenets; but I do know that I read here of predestination, and I read here that God hath his own way, and his own will, and that he reigns and rules, and so he will until the world's end; and all who are loyal subjects wish God to rule. He is a traitor who would not have God to be King; for who is infinitely good and kind as God is? Let him have his divine will. Who wishes to restrain him? Whether we wish is or not, however, the Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice, and let his adversaries tremble. Our predestination is «according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.»

Ephesians 1:13-14. 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 the holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Those who believe in Christ have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them: the Holy Spirit is a part of heaven, «the earnest of our inheritance»; and wherever he dwells, it is not possible that the heart should lose the inheritance. It is entailed upon those in whom the Spirit dwells. Judge, there, dear brethren, whether the Spirit of God dwells in you or no.

Ephesians 1:15-23. Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 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; 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, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward, who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 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: and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things in the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

How Paul glows as he writes on this great theme! He waxes warm, and rises to an enthusiasm of eloquence. We could not stop to explain his words; that were to spoil their mystic poetry. Oh, to have a heart that can glorify Christ as Paul did! Truly, if we know ourselves to be one with Christ, and know the privileges which come to us through that blessed gate, we may indeed extol him with all our heart and soul.

We frequently read this chapter and the whole of this Epistle because it has been well remarked that the Epistle to the Ephesians is a body of divinity in miniature. Here all the great doctrines of the gospel are discussed; here all the great precepts are laid down for the guidance of believers. He who would understand the theology of Christ Jesus should read the Epistle to the Ephesians with great care.

Ephesians 1:1-2. 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: grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father,

There must be «grace» first; «peace» comes afterwards. They seek heavenly blessings in the wrong order who try to gain peace first, and then grace. «There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked;» and he who has a peace which does not own grace for its parent has a false peace, a peace where there is no peace; but let us first have grace in our souls, then shall our peace be «as a river, and our righteousness as the waves of the sea.» Note here, as Luther has said on a corresponding verse in the Epistle to the Galatians, the apostle says, «Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father;» and lest that terrible name should affright us, he has joined therewith the name of God the Son, and sweetly put in

Ephesians 1:2. And from the Lord Jesus Christ.

We can have nothing to do with an absolute God. It is God in Christ whom we love, whom we adore, who alone is our Saviour.

Ephesians 1:3-4. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 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:

The apostle commences by laying down the great doctrine of predestinating love. There is little gospel preached where election is denied. We carvel that some of us should be regarded as in error because we preach the doctrine of God's divine sovereignty in giving grace to men; whereas, in former times, the opponents of that glorious system would have been reckoned as the heretics. Turn to all the great creeds that are preserved, and you shall find that truth mentioned. Above all, we can scarcely conceive that any person who is a member or a minister of the Established Church, and finding election in his own Church's articles, can, in the least degree, deny it. It is the glory of that Church that it has a Calvinistic creed, and so far it is in harmony with the Scriptures.

Ephesians 1:5-6. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Adoption follows predestination. We were chosen of God ere time began; and the result of that choice is, that he puts us into his family. In the fifth verse, the apostle declares that the only reason for our adoption, or for our election, rests in the good pleasure of God Almighty. There is nothing in man which can merit God's regard; and when we enter heaven, we shall even there sing,

«What was there in me that could merit esteem,

Or give the Creator delight ?

Twas even so, Father,' I ever must sing,

‘Because it seemed good in thy sight.»

Mark here the channel through which all God's mercies run. Jesus Christ is the channel through which grace flows to us; we are chosen in him; we are adopted by Jesus Christ to himself; and we are «accepted in the Beloved.» It is said of that eminently holy man, Harington Evans, that, when near death, he asked his friends to give this message to his church. «Tell them,» said he, «I am accepted in the Beloved.» Can we say, my brethren, that we are accepted in the Beloved? Can we put our hand upon our heart, and each one say, «I may not be accepted by my fellow-creatures, I may not be acknowledged by them; and, certainly, before my God, I can never be accepted in myself; but in the Beloved, clothed with his righteousness, and standing in his person, as a member of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones, I am ‘accepted in the Beloved'»?

Ephesians 1:7-10. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sin, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness 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:

The main purpose of the gospel is to exalt Christ and to glorify God. We forget God's great design if we look only to humanity. If we regard salvation as a means only of lifting up our race from its fall, and putting it among the princes, we have made a mistake. We should remember that God's glory is a greater object even than man's salvation. Not so much to save us, did God give his Son, as to honour himself, and to glorify that Son of his; and we should always remember that the gospel has for its chief aim the glory of all the attributes of the Divine Being. He has determined at last to gather together in Christ all things that are in heaven and in earth. Some foolish persons have wrested this text, to prove the absurd doctrine of the final restitution of the lost; they have said that even the fallen spirits in hell are to be restored. We find it not in this text; we have it particularly said, «things in heaven and things on earth.» But there is no mention made of those concerning whom it was long ago said, «He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.» I have often thought that these words of the angel are conclusive with regard to the eternity of future punishment. Once dead, immutability is stamped upon our state; once let us die, and our destiny can never be changed.

There are no acts of pardon passed

In the cold grave to which we haste;

But darkness, death, and long despair,

Reign in eternal silence there.

But «things which are in heaven, and which are on earth» are, «in the dispensation of the fullness of times,» to be gathered together in one, «even in him,»

Ephesians 1:11-14. 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: that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 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, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

I cannot help remarking how continually the apostle uses such expressions as «in Christ,» «in whom,» «in him.» He will not have a doctrine apart from Christ; he will not mention a single blessing, or a single mercy, without Christ. I believe there is no way of preaching gospel doctrines truly apart from the Master. In Christ's own days, if you had asked one of his followers what he believed, he would not have been long telling you; he would not have pointed to fifty doctrines, but he would have pointed to Christ, and said, «I believe in him.» You might have asked him, fifty times, «But what do you believe?» and he would have replied, «I believe in him; he is in himself the great embodiment of my faith; his person carries within it all the great doctrines which I receive from him; he is the Truth; I believe him, and I believe in him.» Let us learn, then, always to trace our mercies to Christ Jesus, to look upon every blessing as being the purchase of his blood, and never to ask any mercy, nor endeavor to obtain any blessing, except entirely in connection with him. Let us say to him,

Thou art the Way, the Truth, the Life:

Grant us that Way to know,

That Truth to keep, that Life to win,

Whose joys eternal flow.

Ephesians 1:15. Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

Whether they live at Ephesus or elsewhere, whether they exactly agree with your opinion or not,

Ephesians 1:16-23. Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 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: 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, and what it the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 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: and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

Calvin has a striking remark upon this verse, «the Church is the fullness of Christ.» «This is the highest honour of the Church that, until Christ is united to us, the Son of God reckons himself in some measure imperfect;» and so he is, for what would a king be without his subjects? A mockery; yea, and all the members of Christ's mystical body the Church are necessary to make a whole Christ. If the very least believer shall be absent at last, Christ will not be complete. It is not possible that one of those whom his Father has given him should not at last be found at his right hand. All the sheep of the good Shepherd will be gathered into the heavenly fold. We rejoice to know that there is such a connection as this between ourselves and Christ; here is our glory and our boast; and here is our trust. We believe that

His honour is engaged to save

The meanest of his sheep;

All that his Heavenly Father gave

His hands securely keep.

Nor death, nor hell, shall e'er remove

His favourites from his breast;

In the dear bosom of his love

They must for ever rest.

Ephesians 1:1-2. 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: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

The apostle desires just the same blessing for us, who are «the faithful in Christ Jesus,» as he did for the saints at Ephesus. He longs that we also may be filled with grace and peace, «from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.» And the wish of the apostle is according to the will of God, who would have us abound in grace and in peace. Some of you Christian people are troubled in mind, yet your Lord said to his disciples and through them to you, «Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.... Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it he afraid.» Jesus knew that, in the world, you should have tribulation; but he willed that, in him, you should have peace; and the way to get that peace is by getting grace. «Grace be to you, and peace.» The more gracious you are, the more easily will you bear the trying circumstances, which surround you. Look not for peace apart from grace; but when you have grace, you have a right to peace.

Ephesians 1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

I notice how often, in the Epistles, benedictions are followed by doxologies; this is because the true heart loves to bless the Lord. What a rich treasure we have who are blessed «with all spiritual blessings»! There is nothing we can need but what is provided for us by our gracious God. Why are you poor, then, when God «hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ»? Is it not because you often forget to go to the heavenly in Christ, and begin looking to the earthly in yourselves? There is nothing but starvation there, but all true riches are found in the heavenly in Christ.

Ephesians 1:4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should he holy and without blame before him in love

The apostle did not ignore the glorious and blessed doctrine of divine election; he delighted to meditate upon it, and to speak of it. I wish that some Christians, nowadays, were not so much afraid of it. All spiritual blessings come to us in this way, this is the fountainhead of all favor and grace: «According as he hath chosen us in him, before the foundation of the world.» The object of our election, that to which God hath chosen us in Christ is, «that we should be holy, and without blame before him in love.» Unless thou art holy, how canst thou talk of being chosen of God, for the elect are chosen unto holiness, chosen to be delivered from all blame through the love and grace of God.

Ephesians 1:5-6. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

It is well said, by an old writer, that there is no book, which is written with such brevity as the Bible; it seems to give us the condensed essence of truth in the smallest possible space. What a mass of thought there is in those few lines, which I have just read to you! We see here that we become the children of God by adoption, whatever the universal Fatherhood people may say: «Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself;» and that this adoption is the result of predestination, and is not because of our own merits, but «according to the good pleasure of his will.» Some systems of theology have much of logic, but little of God; but in Paul's teaching, it is God first, and last, and midst, and over all.

«To the praise of the glory of his grace.» What a wonderful expression this is,-not only «the glory of his grace,» but the praise of that glory! God has done all things with a view to magnifying his grace in the hearts of the sons and daughters of men: «wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.» There seems to me to be a sacred poem in these words, «accepted in the beloved.» To my heart, there is more heavenly music in those four words than in any oratorio I ever heard. «Accepted in the Beloved.» Oh, what honey this is in the mouth, what cheer this is in the heart! Are all of you, dear friends, «accepted in the beloved»?

Ephesians 1:7-8. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

Wisdom and prudence are two of the handmaids of grace. Grace reigns through righteousness, and the wisdom and prudence of God are set to work so to conduct the whole of the arrangements that «the glory of his grace» may be all the more conspicuous.

Ephesians 1:9. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Even our knowledge of God's will is the result of «his good pleasure.» If your eyes have been divinely opened, you see the will of God coming in everywhere, and ordering all things according to his gracious and unerring purpose.

Ephesians 1:10. That in the dispensation of the fullness 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.

All the things that are in Christ shall be gathered together; none of them shall be left out. His great covenant work shall be, in all respects, fully accomplished; there shall be no failure in any point. Whether in heaven, or on earth, the things which are in Christ shall be gathered together in One, «even in him:

Ephesians 1:11. 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.

How the apostle delights to harp upon this theme! The Holy Spirit knew that a time would come when men would put a slur upon this glorious truth, so he inspired his servant to set it forth as the very brightness of the sun in the spiritual firmament: «being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.»

Ephesians 1:12-14. That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 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, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Twice more, in these three verses you have this expression, «to the praise of his glory,» making a third time with that which he said before, «to the praise of the glory of his grace.» The true gospel glorifies God. False gospels may have what is called «the enthusiasm of humanity» about them, but the true gospel has an enthusiasm for the living God, and it magnifies and glorifies him. Note, O believers, that you first trust in Christ, and after that you have the seal of the Spirit. There are some who look for the sealing of the Spirit before believing in Jesus; but neither God nor man will set a seal to a blank paper; there must be the writing of faith upon the heart, and then the Spirit of God comes in, with his blessed seal, and sets it at the bottom as his divine and gracious token of acceptance. The Holy Spirit is «the earnest of our inheritance.» Now, an earnest is a part of the possession itself; it is not simply a pledge, it is more than that; so the Holy Ghost in our heart is heaven begun below, it is the young dawn of the everlasting day. Blessed be God, we have his spirit within us, and we rejoice in his indwelling.

Ephesians 1:15-17. Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 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:

You do know him, for he has saved you; now go on to know a great deal more of him. You can scarcely have a better gift than this, «the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.» The knowledge of Christ crucified is the most excellent of all the sciences. It is better to be well acquainted with Christ than to be a very Solomon concerning all other things, yet not to know him.

Ephesians 1:18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;

You have eyes; God's grace has given them to you; but they are capable of additional power and force; and there is the telescope of faith, which you are allowed to use, which will enable you to see much more than you have ever seen as yet.

Ephesians 1:18. That ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,-

First, you are to know what your inheritance is; that is «the hope of his calling;» and, next, you are to know what Christ's inheritance in you is, which is another thing. It is a most blessed subject for meditation that you are Christ's, altogether Christ's, and that all you are to be, will be Christ's, and that in you, poor creatures though you are, he will yet have a rich inheritance. Paul would have you know what are «the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,»

Ephesians 1:19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe,

It takes a great deal of grace to make a believer, and to keep a believer; nothing but the almighty power of God can do it.

Ephesians 1:19-20. According to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,-

Not only raising him from the dead, but lifting him up to his own right hand, and setting him there, «in the heavenly places,»

Ephesians 1:21. 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:

The power of God, which works in a believer, is the same power with which he raised Christ from the dead, and set him in this preeminent place.

Ephesians 1:22. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

This power is also to be seen working in you who believe in Jesus. What wonders of grace we shall be when God has exerted that stupendous and amazing energy, in each one of us, even as in his own Son! What an inheritance Christ will have in us then!

Ephesians 1:23. Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

Said I not truly to you that this blessed Book is full of truth put into as few words as possible? Verily, there is none like it. Other books, at the best, are like gold hammered out very thin; but here you have ingots of solid spiritual wealth, priceless in value. God help us all to make them our own treasure, for Christ's sake! Amen.

Ephesians 1:1-2. 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: grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

That is a sort of crossing of the Jordan to go into the land and get grace and peace. Grace changes us, peace quiets us, and then we are over Jordan.

Ephesians 1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

They are all yours. He has not blessed you with a part of the blessings, but with all of them, they are all yours. Have you the courage and the faith to take possession of them? That is the point. If you have grace and peace you are in the land. Now let your foot rest first on one blessing and then on another and appropriate them all to yourself.

Ephesians 1:4. 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:

What an inheritance! To be made holy. Oh, that we might be perfected as our Father which is in heaven is perfect, sanctified through and through. We are elected to this end: it is the very object of the divine choice that we may be without blame before him in love.

Ephesians 1:5-6. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

See how Paul goes on taking one city after another of this heavenly Canaan. It was election, now it is adoption, now it is acceptance in the Beloved. He is a good Joshua for us if we will but really and truly follow him, and take possession of the promised land.

Ephesians 1:7-10. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness 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:

Oh, what a wonderful gathering that will be when all the things in Christ shall be gathered together, no division among the people of God, when the whole redeemed inheritance shall be one, and we shall as one body possess it for ever. «In whom also we have obtained an inheritance.» Got it. God has given it to us, we have a right to it, we are the heirs of it in Christ.

Ephesians 1:11. 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:

He not only wills it, but he works it. When he wills to give his people a broad inheritance, of that large inheritance they shall certainly have, for he «worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.»

Ephesians 1:12-14. That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 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, which is the earnest of our inheritance unto the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

You have got the Holy Spirit. He is God's seal upon you that you are indeed saved men and women. In getting that you have already received the earnest, that is, a part of the inheritance never to be taken back. A pledge has to be restored, but an earnest is kept for ever: the Spirit of God is ours, and in having him we have all things.

Ephesians 1:15-16. Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

Having got so much, you might get a great deal more.

Ephesians 1:17-18. 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: 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.

That is a wonderful passage; we are not only to know our inheritance in God, but God's inheritance in us. Wonderful thing, and yet it is so. The Lord's portion is his people, Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. Joshua gave each one of the people his own portion, but all the people were God's portion. And today God delights in his people, he finds a solace in those whom he chose, in those whom he redeemed by blood, in those whom he brought near into daily fellowship with himself.

Ephesians 1:19-23. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly palace, 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: and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

This exposition consisted of readings from Psalms 136:1, and Ephesians 1:1

Ephesians 1:1-2. 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: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

He wishes them grace, first, and peace afterwards, which is the right and natural order. There is no lasting peace without grace. There is no peace worth having which does not spring from a work of grace in the soul. «Grace be to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.»

Ephesians 1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

How dear the Father is when we view him in association with the Redeemer. Never do the saints seem to delight so much in God as when they behold him in the person of Jesus Christ. Then is he inexpressibly lovely to us, and we preach him with joy and delight. «Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.»

Ephesians 1:3. Who have blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

«Blessed,» says he, «be God, who hath blessed us.» Well may we bless him with our feeble thanks who has blest us with his might; mercies. Nothing makes a man bless God like God's blessing him. «He has blessed us,» says the apostle, «with all spiritual blessings.» The children of God have not only some blessings, but all they want. They are all theirs all for time and all for eternity, but they are all in Christ. There is no blessing out of Christ. All the fullness of blessing dwells in Jesus, and in him only. And if thou wouldest be blessed, thou must come to Christ for a blessing. He has «blest us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.»

Ephesians 1:4. 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:

The first great blessing of the covenant of grace is our election. We were chosen, but chosen in Christ chosen not because we were holy, but chosen that we should be holy. The great object of the divine choice is our holiness. And let no man say that he is chosen of God unless God is working in him to this divine end, namely, holiness of character.

Ephesians 1:5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

After election comes adoption. Men are not by nature the children of God but they are heirs of wrath. And this is very clear, because a man never adopts his own children. But adoption in itself proves that by nature we are not the children of God, but he adopts us. «Then are ye begotten again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.» Happy they who know their adoption who feel in themselves the spirit of children, and can cry, «Abba, Father,» as they look up to God tonight. This is in Christ Jesus, for nothing comes to us except by him.

Ephesians 1:6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Christ is so acceptable to God that that acceptance is sufficient to spread over all those who are in him. And tonight every believer here is accepted before God, but it is through Jesus Christ. Do notice that. Nothing comes but by that silver pipe. «He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.»

Ephesians 1:7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Redemption by Christ, forgiveness by Christ, still everything through the Crucified. Those dear wounds of his are the five sacred founts from which a world of blessing flows to bless poor needy sinners. Well may we say, «None but Christ,» for, indeed, there is none but Christ who can bless us.

Ephesians 1:8-10. Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness 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:

All the things that are in Christ are to be gathered together believing Jews no longer to be divided from believing Gentiles. Today the Church of God is separated disfigured and weakened by divers sects and parties, but it shall not be always so. There is a gathering under the Christ, and he will in the fullness of time perfectly accomplish it.

Ephesians 1:11-12. 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: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Some people are dreadfully frightened at that word «predestination.» I am always astonished when members of the Church of England are so, for if they will turn to their own articles, they will find that the high end comfortable doctrine of predestination is there taught. It is to be wisely handled, but it is not to be gagged and sent into a corner, as it is by some. Are there truths in Scripture that are not to be taught? If any say so then I charge him with being like the Jesuit, who hides a part of what he believes. Nay, the whole of God's truth is to be declared, and whatsoever we find in this book, that are we to state, and the keeping back of precious truth will be required of such as are guilty of it at the last great day.

Ephesians 1:13 to Ephesians 2:1. 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, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 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: 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, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. Which he wrought in Christ, when be raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 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: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

So that what he did for Christ he has done for you. He raised him and he has raised you, and, having begun thus to quicken you, he will go on to lift you up and to exalt you till you sit with him upon his throne. The only question, dear friends, is this. Do we belong to these of whom Paul here speaks? We look to the first verse to see who they are, and we find he is addressing the faithful in Christ Jesus; that is, those who are believing in Christ Jesus. If we are believing in him, then all the privileges, which are mentioned in this Chapter belong to us, and we are quickened and we shall be exalted even as Christ is, at the Father's right hand. So be it, gracious Lord.

Ephesians 1:1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,

He was not made an apostle by man, neither did he take the office upon himself, but he was made an apostle by the will of God.

Ephesians 1:1. To the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

The saints in Ephesus, the saints where they cried, «Great is Diana of the Ephesians,» had to bear an earnest witness against idolatry. And, dear friends, today saints in London will not have a very easy time of it if they are faithful to their Lord, for there is much to protest against in this evil generation; but as there were holy ones in Ephesus, God grant that there may be many such in London.

Ephesians 1:2. Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul would have us peaceful, restful, quiet. That peace must be based upon grace, He does not pray that we may have peace apart from grace, but «Grace be to you, and peace.»

Ephesians 1:3-4. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world,

The high mystery of election is taught in the Word of God, but some are afraid to speak of it. Not so our Apostle. He brings it out very clearly and distinctly, and so should we, only taking care to keep it in the proportion of other doctrines.

Ephesians 1:4-5. That we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

You hear much about the free will of man, hear a little about the free will of God. You would think, from the talk of some, that God was man's debtor and must needs do according to the will of man. But it is not so. He is a sovereign, and gives his grace where he chooses, and he would have us know that it is according to the good pleasure of his will.

Ephesians 1:6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Are there four words in any language which contain choicer meaning than these, «Accepted in the Beloved»? Oh! if you can say that, if you can feel it to be true, you are among the happiest of men and women. «Accepted in the Beloved.» You can never be accepted apart from Christ, the Father's best Beloved. But there is merit enough in him to overflow and cover all our sins, and we are accepted in the Beloved.

Ephesians 1:7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace:

Notice how the Apostle keeps on insisting that we have everything in Christ. He says, times out of number, «in him,» «in Christ.» We have redemption. We are free. We are under bonds no longer. What is the price? «Through his blood.» What is the result? «Forgiveness of sins.» What is the measure of our liberty? «According to the riches of his grace.»

Ephesians 1:8. Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

Not drowning us with floods of his grace, but handing it out to us as we are able to take it. The riches of his grace we have, but he uses wisdom and prudence, teaching us little by little as we are able to bear it, and raising us up by degrees from one stage of grace to another, according as our poor frames can endure the joy.

Ephesians 1:9-10. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fullness 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:

There are things in Christ in heaven: there the things in Christ on earth; but all the things in Christ shall be gathered together. All the redeemed shall come as one great host to bow before the throne of the infinite Majesty.

Ephesians 1:11. In whom also

Notice those words.

Ephesians 1:11. We have obtained an inheritance,

We have got the inheritance. Even now we have entered upon possession of the kingdom of grace.

Ephesians 1:11-12. Being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will; That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

The first saints led the way in the front of the army, and they are to the praise of God's glory to this day. We thank God for the apostles and martyrs who went before us. We will follow them as they followed Christ.

Ephesians 1:13. 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.

After faith, the Holy Spirit is given to dwell in the soul. That is the seal. It is not that the Holy Spirit brings a seal with him. He is the seal. Where he dwells, he is the seal of God's love to that man.

Ephesians 1:14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

The Holy Ghost is first the seal, and next the earnest. We all know what an earnest is. It is different from a pledge. A pledge is given, and then it is taken back again when the stipulation is carried out, but an earnest is part of what is to be received ultimately. The man who receives an earnest of his wage gets a few shillings, say, on Thursday, instead of taking all on Saturday. He never returns that. It is a part of his wage. And so the Holy Ghost is a part of him. When we have got him, we have got Christ.

«Thou art the earnest of his love,

The pledge of joys to come;

And thy soft wings, Celestial Dove,

Shall safe convey me home.»

Ephesians 1:15-16. Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

Is that the way that we pray? Do we make mention of people in our prayers? It is well to do so. It is a good plan to keep a list of persons for whom we ought to pray, and to put it before us when we draw near to God, and go over the names. I knew one man of God who has kept a debtor and creditor list with God for many years. He puts his requests down in the book, and when they are answered he writes that down. If they are not answered he repeats them. It is a very wonderful book. I think that he told me that there is a name down there of a person for whom he has prayed, and that he is not converted yet. Out of several for whom he began to pray, he is the only one who is not converted, and is the only one that is left alive. The others were brought to Christ, and died in the faith, and he, not yet brought to Christ, still lives. He prays on with as great a confidence of the conversion of that man as I have that Christmas will come in due time. I wish that we did business with God in some such fashion as that, but our prayers are shadowy, unreal. God teach us how to pray!

Ephesians 1:17-18. 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: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling,

You see he gave thanks to God for their faith and for their love. But there are three divine sisters that must never be separated faith, hope, and love, and so the Apostle prays, «that ye may know what is the hope of his calling.»

Ephesians 1:18-21. And what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to he working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 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:

See how high Christ is raised! The same power that brought Christ from the dead, and set him on high, works in the salvation of every believer. Nothing less than omnipotence can save a soul; and omnipotence at its very best in the glorification of Christ is none too great for the salvation of a sinner.

Ephesians 1:22-23. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

May God bless to us the reading of that chapter.

This exposition consisted of readings from 1 Corinthians 13:1; Ephesians 1:1.