Ephesians 1:9 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Bible Comments

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: Having made known unto us the mystery - That the Gentiles should ever be received into the Church of God, and have all the privileges of the Jews, without being obliged to submit to circumcision, and perform the rites and ceremonies of the Jewish law was a mystery - a hidden thing which had never been published before; and now revealed only to the apostles. It was God's will that it should be so, but that will he kept hidden to the present time. A mystery signifies something hidden, but it ceases to be a mystery as soon as it is revealed. See the note on Matthew 13:11; and particularly that on Romans 11:25 (note).

Good pleasure - Την ευδοκιαν· That benevolent design which he had purposed in himself, not being induced by any consideration from without.

Ephesians 1:9

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