Throughout all ages, &c.— The original contains one of St. Paul's self-invented, and most expressive phrases, which we may defy any version fully to express;—through all the successions of an endless eternity, may come something near it; but even this, emphatical as it may seem, falls very short of the sublimity and spirit of the original.
Inferences.—St. Paul's understanding in the mystery of Christ, is just matter of perpetual joy to the whole Christian world, who have thence derived so much of their knowledge and of their hope. Let us congratulate ourselves and each other on the propagation of so glorious a system of divine truth, which had so long been concealed from ages and generations. The apostles and prophets were raised up by God to receive and reveal it, and we are entered on the blessed fruits of their labours. Let us learn from them to set a due value on our participation in that inheritance, on our union to that body, to which by the gospel we are called.
May it particularly teach us that humility which was so conspicuous, so amiable, so admirable in St. Paul. This excellent man, who stood in the foremost rank of Christians, of ministers, of apostles, yet labours for words to express the sense he had of his own meanness and unworthiness, and commits a kind of solecism in language, that he might lay himself as low as possible; using the most diminutive term that could be, to describe himself as one who, in his own esteem, was less than the least of all saints! And shall we then exalt ourselves, and be proud of the trifling distinctions which raise our obscure heads a little above some of our brethren?
Let those in particular who have the honour of being called to the sacred office of the ministry, consider how reasonable it is, that, instead of being puffed up with it, they should rather be humbled, when they reflect how unworthy of it the best of men are, and in how defective a manner the most faithful discharge it; while yet the grace is given them to preach the riches of Christ, his unsearchable riches. Let these be made the grand subject of their preaching; and let all the course of it be directed, in a proper manner, to the illustration of that subject. Let the well-chosen phrase which the Apostle uses here, teach them and all Christians to search more and more into this unfathomable abyss; as still sure to discover new wonders in the variety and fulness of its inexhaustible contents, beyond what they have known before, and to find new treasures in tracing again those already known.
This glorious theme is worthy of the contemplation of angels; and we are elsewhere told, that these celestial spirits desire to look into it (1 Peter 1:12.) and to learn new displays of the divine attributes from the church. Let not our hearts then be cold to these sacred truths which are our own salvation, while they rejoice in them (principally, perhaps,) on the general principles of piety and benevolence.
Let our eyes then be frequently directed to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our knees be frequently bowed before him, invoking him, under that amiable and delightful character, as the great Father of that one family, which in infinite mercy he is forming to himself—a family, consisting, not only of those who have been originally the inhabitants of heaven, who were born in his house, and have never offended him, but of many who have been, and many who are inhabitants of earth, once the children of the curse, and the heirs of death and destruction.
Let us all remember, it is now the family of Christ, our great elder Brother; who, though the Lord of heaven, disdains not to own that humble relation, while the angels are adoring him, as standing at the head of the society, and esteem it their honour to be related to him. Let us be more affected with the grace extended to us, and consider our relation to him as a bond of union among ourselves. While we are of this family, let not the different garbs that we wear, or the different apartments in which we are lodged, alienate our affections from each other; but let us often be thinking of that blessed day, when the whole family of saints and angels now above, and faithful believers now upon earth, shall meet in heaven; and let us, in the mean time, endeavour to behave as worthy members of this glorious society, and have its common interests at heart.
And from that eminently faithful and honourable branch of the family, the blessed Apostle, let us learn what to wish for ourselves and our brethren—even that God, according to the riches of his grace, would strengthen us with might by his spirit in the inner man; that we may attain great degrees of vigour and confirmation in religion, by the vital and powerful operations of the Holy Spirit of God upon our hearts; that we may be strong to discharge every duty, to resist temptations, to conquer our enemies, to assist our brethren, and to glorify our Father and our Saviour. Let us earnestly desire, that Christ may not only now and then visit our hearts, but, by the habitual and lively exercises of faith, may even dwell in them; that we may thus be continually conversant with him, as our most honoured and beloved guest; and that love may take deep root in our hearts, and be solidly grounded there. Let us earnestly pray that, under Divine illuminations, we may be enabled to form more exalted and suitable conceptions than we have ever yet attained, of the breadth, and length, and depth and height, of this unfathomable, this inconceivable love of Christ, which surpasses the perfect knowledge even of saints in glory. And O that, by these contemplations, we may find ourselves daily filled with all the fulness of God, so that our hearts may even overflow with the abundant communication of his gifts and grace!
What shall we say in return for the knowledge that he has already given us, for the love which he has already wrought in our hearts, if we are so happy as to know the grace of God in truth? What! but that, believing his power to outdo all it has already wrought for us, yea, to do for us exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think, we will still confide in him, and call upon him; and will humbly endeavour to bear our part with the whole church, in ascribing to our Redeemer, our Sanctifier, and our Father, glory throughout all ages, and even world without end. Amen.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, The Apostle gives his beloved Ephesians an account of his sufferings for the truths which he had asserted. For this cause, because I declare the privileges to which the Gentiles, in common with the Jews, are admitted through the gospel, I Paul am the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles; and those are honourable bonds which, in his service, are laid upon us, if, or since, ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to you-ward, as especially commissioned and sent to preach the gospel to the Gentiles: and how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery of his gospel, as a common salvation for men of all nations, (as I wrote afore, in this Epistle, in few words, whereby when ye read ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ, and how fully and clearly he has acquainted me with his gracious designs,) which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, the Gentile world being left in almost utter ignorance; and those to whom the light of truth was revealed in types and prophesies, seeing but through a glass darkly, compared with the present clear dispensation, of the gospel, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, since the ascension of Jesus into the heavens; that the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs with his believing Israel, and of the same body, incorporated in one church, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel, sharing in all the privileges of the gospel dispensation equally with the Jews. Whereof I was made a minister, by a divine call and ordination, not of men, nor by man, but immediately from Jesus Christ himself, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me, appointing me to this office, and qualifying me for the discharge of it, by the effectual working of his power, enabling me for my work, and crowning it with success. Unto me who am less than the least of all saints, so exceedingly lowly does the great Apostle speak of himself, and wants words sufficiently abasing to express the sense that he entertained of his own unworthiness of so high an honour; even to me, vile as I am, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; those treasures of grace and glory which reside in him for his faithful saints, which can never be fathomed, never be exhausted; a store that mocks computation, and in which we know neither where to begin nor where to end the wonderful account; and to make all men see, as far as my ministry should reach, what is the fellowship of the mystery, and how blessed is that communion of saints into which, by the gospel, they are admitted, even Gentiles as well as Jews, which from the beginning of the world had been hid in God, a secret lodged in his own Divine mind, who created all things by Jesus Christ, without whose co-efficient agency was not any thing made that was made. And the revelation of this mystery, which was so long concealed, is made known, to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places, might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, that fresh matter might thus be afforded to the angelic host for their contemplation, wonder, and praise; according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord, who was ordained to be the great agent in redemption, as he had been in creation: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him—faith, of which he is both the great author and object, whereby we can now approach the throne of grace with humble confidence, regarding God as our father and friend, and admitted into the most endeared fellowship with him. Wherefore, considering these inestimable blessings and privileges, I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, or be disheartened or desponding at these sufferings, which are your glory, and should minister to you continual matter of rejoicing in the honour thus conferred on me, and in the confirmation given thereby to the gospel which you have received. Note; (1.) None can make gospel ministers but God only: they who run unsent, must return unblest. (2.) The grace of God should be the grand subject of our ministrations; for to preach this are we sent. (3.) If we know the power of the gospel, we shall not be ashamed of that cross, which, for the sake of it, we shall be called to bear. (4.) The greatest Christians have the most lowly thoughts of themselves. (5.) None can truly preach the unsearchable riches of Christ to others, who have not first experienced something of them in their own souls. (6.) They who by faith in a Redeemer behold a reconciled God, will delight to approach him, and to maintain constant communion with him.
2nd, The Apostle informed us what was the subject of his preaching, and he failed not to water the seed sown with his fervent and importunate prayers. For this cause, that you may not faint, and that the gospel may be made effectual to you, I bow my knees unto the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our Father in him, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, both angels and men, saints on earth, and saints in heaven, who, through their adored Saviour, have obtained a more excellent title, as children of God, than that in which the carnal Jews boasted, as children of Abraham. Now the Apostle prays for them,
1. That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, out of the abundance of his grace, and for his great name's sake, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man, to oppose all your spiritual foes, to resist every temptation, to bear up under all persecution, to discharge every duty and service for God's glory, and the good of immortal souls; and steadily and perseveringly to hold on your heavenly course, till your warfare shall end, and your victory be complete. Note; Spiritual blessings are the best of blessings, and most earnestly to be sought.
2. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, making your souls the place of his abode; blessing you with a sense of his nearness and special presence; and enabling you, by faith, to draw out of his fulness; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, fully persuaded of God's love in Christ towards you, experiencing the richer manifestations of it in your hearts, and cleaving to him with fixed attachment, as the tree that hath struck its roots deep into the earth, may be able to comprehend with all saints, to whom in bonds of fervent love you are united, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge. Its infinite fulness none, not even angels, can comprehend; but larger and more extensive views of this love than we have yet attained to, we cannot but desire—to behold its vast extent, as reaching to all nations and sinners of every degree; its duration towards the faithful saints of God, even to all eternity; the depths of wretchedness in which we lay, and of sufferings to which, for our sakes, the Son of God incarnate submitted; and the transcendent heights of glory to which he himself is now exalted, and to which he has engaged to bring his faithful people, that they may reign with him for ever and ever.
3. That ye may be filled with all the fulness of God; completely made partakers of a divine nature, and, to the utmost capacity of your souls, may be enriched with all that light, grace, peace, joy, and holiness, which God, as your covenant God, has promised to his dearest and most faithful children in this world; and may you come to the eternal enjoyment of him in a better, to dwell in God, and God in you, for ever.
4. He concludes with a doxology. 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, who counts nothing too great or too good to bestow on his saints, and hath already given us the most encouraging experience of his power and grace; unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end; eternal blessings, praise, and adoration, be rendered unto him for this astonishing redemption; and let every member of the church, in heaven or on earth, with holy rapture and joy, cry, Amen!