5 Having predestinated G4309 us G2248 unto G1519 the adoption of children G5206 by G1223 Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 to G1519 himself, G846 according G2596 to the good pleasure G2107 of his G846 will, G2307
In G1722 whom G3739 also G2532 we have obtained an inheritance, G2820 being predestinated G4309 according to G2596 the purpose G4286 of him who worketh G1754 all things G3956 after G2596 the counsel G1012 of his own G846 will: G2307
For G3754 whom G3739 he did foreknow, G4267 he G4309 also G2532 did predestinate G4309 to be conformed G4832 to the image G1504 of his G846 Son, G5207 that G1519 he G846 might be G1511 the firstborn G4416 among G1722 many G4183 brethren. G80 Moreover G1161 whom G3739 he did predestinate, G4309 them G5128 he G2564 also G2532 called: G2564 and G2532 whom G3739 he called, G2564 them G5128 he G1344 also G2532 justified: G1344 and G1161 whom G3739 he justified, G1344 them G5128 he G1392 also G2532 glorified. G1392
For G1063 as many as G3745 are led G71 by the Spirit G4151 of God, G2316 they G3778 are G1526 the sons G5207 of God. G2316 For G1063 ye have G2983 not G3756 received G2983 the spirit G4151 of bondage G1397 again G3825 to G1519 fear; G5401 but G235 ye have received G2983 the Spirit G4151 of adoption, G5206 whereby G1722 G3739 we cry, G2896 Abba, G5 Father. G3962 The Spirit G4151 itself G846 beareth witness G4828 with our G2257 spirit, G4151 that G3754 we are G2070 the children G5043 of God: G2316 And G1161 if G1487 children, G5043 then G2532 heirs; G2818 heirs G2818 of God, G3303 G2316 and G1161 joint-heirs G4789 with Christ; G5547 if so be G1512 that we suffer with G4841 him, that G2443 we may be G4888 also G2532 glorified together. G4888
And G1161 not G3756 only G3440 they, but G235 ourselves G846 also, G2532 which have G2192 the firstfruits G536 of the Spirit, G4151 even G2532 we G2249 ourselves G846 groan G4727 within G1722 ourselves, G1438 waiting G553 for the adoption, G5206 to wit, the redemption G629 of our G2257 body. G4983
Wherefore G1519 G3739 also G2532 we pray G4336 always G3842 for G4012 you, G5216 that G2443 our G2257 God G2316 would count G515 you G5209 worthy G515 of this calling, G2821 and G2532 fulfil G4137 all G3956 the good pleasure G2107 of his goodness, G19 and G2532 the work G2041 of faith G4102 with G1722 power: G1411
To G2443 redeem G1805 them that were under G5259 the law, G3551 that G2443 we might receive G618 the adoption of sons. G5206 And G1161 because G3754 ye are G2075 sons, G5207 God G2316 hath sent forth G1821 the Spirit G4151 of his G846 Son G5207 into G1519 your G5216 hearts, G2588 crying, G2896 Abba, G5 Father. G3962
But G1161 as many as G3745 received G2983 him, G846 to them G846 gave he G1325 power G1849 to become G1096 the sons G5043 of God, G2316 even to them that believe G4100 on G1519 his G846 name: G3686
And G2532 ye have forgotten G1585 the exhortation G3874 which G3748 speaketh G1256 unto you G5213 as G5613 unto children, G5207 My G3450 son, G5207 despise G3643 not G3361 thou G3643 the chastening G3809 of the Lord, G2962 nor G3366 faint G1590 when thou art rebuked G1651 of G5259 him: G846 For G1063 whom G3739 the Lord G2962 loveth G25 he chasteneth, G3811 and G1161 scourgeth G3146 every G3956 son G5207 whom G3739 he receiveth. G3858 If G1487 ye endure G5278 chastening, G3809 God G2316 dealeth G4374 with you G5213 as G5613 with sons; G5207 for G1063 what G5101 son G5207 is he G2076 whom G3739 the father G3962 chasteneth G3811 not? G3756 But G1161 if G1487 ye be G2075 without G5565 chastisement, G3809 whereof G3739 all G3956 are G1096 partakers, G3353 then G686 are ye G2075 bastards, G3541 and G2532 not G3756 sons. G5207 Furthermore G1534 G3303 we have had G2192 fathers G3962 of our G2257 flesh G4561 which corrected G3810 us, and G2532 we gave them reverence: G1788 shall we G5293 not G3756 much G4183 rather G3123 be in subjection G5293 unto the Father G3962 of spirits, G4151 and G2532 live? G2198
For G1063 it became G4241 him, G846 for G1223 whom G3739 are all things, G3956 and G2532 by G1223 whom G3739 are all things, G3956 in bringing G71 many G4183 sons G5207 unto G1519 glory, G1391 to make G5048 the captain G747 of their G846 salvation G4991 perfect G5048 through G1223 sufferings. G3804 For G1063 both G5037 he that sanctifieth G37 and G2532 they who are sanctified G37 are all G3956 of G1537 one: G1520 for G1223 which G3739 cause G156 he is G1870 not G3756 ashamed G1870 to call G2564 them G846 brethren, G80 Saying, G3004 I will declare G518 thy G4675 name G3686 unto my G3450 brethren, G80 in G1722 the midst G3319 of the church G1577 will I sing praise G5214 unto thee. G4571 And G2532 again, G3825 I G1473 will G2071 put my trust G3982 in G1909 him. G846 And G2532 again, G3825 Behold G2400 I G1473 and G2532 the children G3813 which G3739 God G2316 hath given G1325 me. G3427 Forasmuch G1893 then G3767 as the children G3813 are partakers G2841 of flesh G4561 and G2532 blood, G129 he G3348 also G2532 himself G846 likewise G3898 took part G3348 of the same; G846 that G2443 through G1223 death G2288 he might destroy G2673 him that had G2192 the power G2904 of death, G2288 that is, G5123 the devil; G1228 And G2532 deliver G525 them G5128 who G3745 through G1223 fear G5401 of death G2288 were G2258 all G3956 their lifetime G2198 subject G1777 to bondage. G1397
And G2532 will be G2071 G1519 a Father G3962 unto you, G5213 and G2532 ye G5210 shall be G2071 my G3427 sons G5207 G1519 and G2532 daughters, G2364 saith G3004 the Lord G2962 Almighty. G3841
For G1063 after G1894 that in G1722 the wisdom G4678 of God G2316 the world G2889 by G1223 wisdom G4678 knew G1097 not G3756 God, G2316 it pleased G2106 God G2316 by G1223 the foolishness G3472 of preaching G2782 to save G4982 them that believe. G4100
(For G1063 the children being G1080 not yet G3380 born, G1080 neither G3366 having done G4238 any G5100 good G18 or G2228 evil, G2556 that G2443 the purpose G4286 of God G2316 according G2596 to election G1589 might stand, G3306 not G3756 of G1537 works, G2041 but G235 of G1537 him that calleth;) G2564 G3754 It was said G4483 unto her, G846 The elder G3187 shall serve G1398 the younger. G1640 As G2531 it is written, G1125 Jacob G2384 have I loved, G25 but G1161 Esau G2269 have I hated. G3404 What G5101 shall we say G2046 then? G3767 G3361 Is there unrighteousness G93 with G3844 God? G2316 God forbid. G3361 G1096 For G1063 he saith G3004 to Moses, G3475 I will have mercy on G1653 whom G3739 G302 I will have mercy, G1653 and G2532 I will have compassion G3627 on whom G3739 G302 I will have compassion. G3627 So G686 then G3767 it is not G3756 of him that willeth, G2309 nor G3761 of him that runneth, G5143 but G235 of God G2316 that sheweth mercy. G1653
In G1722 that G846 hour G5610 Jesus G2424 rejoiced in G21 spirit, G4151 and G2532 said, G2036 I thank G1843 thee, G4671 O Father, G3962 Lord G2962 of heaven G3772 and G2532 earth, G1093 that G3754 thou hast hid G613 these things G5023 from G575 the wise G4680 and G2532 prudent, G4908 and G2532 hast revealed G601 them G846 unto babes: G3516 even so, G3483 Father; G3962 for G3754 so G3779 it seemed G1096 good G2107 in G1715 thy G4675 sight. G1715
Yet the number H4557 of the children H1121 of Israel H3478 shall be as the sand H2344 of the sea, H3220 which cannot be measured H4058 nor numbered; H5608 and it shall come to pass, that in the place H4725 where it was said H559 unto them, Ye are not my people, H5971 there it shall be said H559 unto them, Ye are the sons H1121 of the living H2416 God. H410
And all H3606 the inhabitants H1753 of the earth H772 are reputed H2804 as nothing: H3809 and he doeth H5648 according to his will H6634 in the army H2429 of heaven, H8065 and among the inhabitants H1753 of the earth: H772 and none H3809 can H383 stay H4223 his hand, H3028 or say H560 unto him, What H4101 doest H5648 thou?
But I said, H559 How shall I put H7896 thee among the children, H1121 and give H5414 thee a pleasant H2532 land, H776 a goodly H6643 heritage H5159 of the hosts H6635 of nations? H1471 and I said, H559 Thou shalt call H7121 me, My father; H1 and shalt not turn away H7725 from me. H310
Wilt thou not from this time cry H7121 unto me, My father, H1 thou art the guide H441 of my youth? H5271
The men G435 of Nineve G3535 shall rise up G450 in G1722 the judgment G2920 with G3326 this G5026 generation, G1074 and G2532 shall condemn G2632 it: G846 for G3754 they repented G3340 at G1519 the preaching G2782 of Jonas; G2495 and, G2532 behold, G2400 a greater than G4119 Jonas G2495 is here. G5602
Paul, G3972 called G2822 to be an apostle G652 of Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 through G1223 the will G2307 of God, G2316 and G2532 Sosthenes G4988 our brother, G80
Jesus G2424 saith G3004 unto her, G846 Touch G680 me G3450 not; G3361 for G1063 I am G305 not yet G3768 ascended G305 to G4314 my G3450 Father: G3962 but G1161 go G4198 to G4314 my G3450 brethren, G80 and G2532 say G2036 unto them, G846 I ascend G305 unto G4314 my G3450 Father, G3962 and G2532 your G5216 Father; G3962 and G2532 to my G3450 God, G2316 and G2532 your G5216 God. G2316
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Ephesians 1
Commentary on Ephesians 1 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 1
In this chapter we have,
This great apostle was wont to abound in prayers and in thanksgivings to almighty God, which he generally so disposes and orders that at the same time they carry with them and convey the great and important doctrines of the Christian religion, and the most weighty instructions to all those who seriously peruse them.
Eph 1:1-2
Here is,
After this short introduction he comes to the matter and body of the epistle; and, though it may seem somewhat peculiar in a letter, yet the Spirit of God saw fit that his discourse of divine things in this chapter should be cast into prayers and praises, which, as they are solemn addresses to God, so they convey weighty instructions to others. Prayer may preach; and praise may do so too.
Eph 1:3-14
He begins with thanksgivings and praise, and enlarges with a great deal of fluency and copiousness of affection upon the exceedingly great and precious benefits which we enjoy by Jesus Christ. For the great privileges of our religion are very aptly recounted and enlarged upon in our praises to God.
The apostle mentions the great end and design of God in bestowing all these spiritual privileges, that we should be to the praise of his glory who first trusted in Christ-we to whom the gospel was first preached, and who were first converted to the faith of Christ, and to the placing of our hope and trust in him. Note, Seniority in grace is a preferment: Who were in Christ before me, says the apostle (Rom. 16:7); those who have for a longer time experienced the grace of Christ are under more special obligations to glorify God. They should be strong in faith, and more eminently glorify him; but this should be the common end of all. For this we were made, and for this we were redeemed; this is the great design of our Christianity, and of God in all that he has done for us: unto the praise of his glory, v. 14. He intends that his grace and power and other perfection should by this means become conspicuous and illustrious, and that the sons of men should magnify him.
Eph 1:15-23
We have come to the last part of this chapter, which consists of Paul's earnest prayer to God in behalf of these Ephesians. We should pray for the persons for whom we give thanks. Our apostle blesses God for what he had done for them, and then he prays that he would do more for them. He gives thanks for spiritual blessings, and prays for further supplies of them; for God will for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them. He has laid up these spiritual blessings for us in the hands of his Son, the Lord Jesus; but then he has appointed us to draw them out, and fetch them in, by prayer. We have no part nor lot in the matter, any further than we claim it by faith and prayer. One inducement to pray for them was the good account he had of them, of their faith in the Lord Jesus and love to all the saints, v. 15. Faith in Christ, and love to the saints, will be attended with all other graces. Love to the saints, as such, and because they are such, must include love to God. Those who love saints, as such, love all saints, how weak in grace, how mean in the world, how fretful and peevish soever, some of them may be. Another inducement to pray for them was because they had received the earnest of the inheritance: this we may observe from the words being connected with the preceding ones by the particle wherefore. "Perhaps you will think that, having received the earnest, it should follow, therefore you are happy enough, and need take no further care: you need not pray for yourselves, nor I for you.' No, quite the contrary. Wherefore-I cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, v. 16. While he blesses God for giving them the Spirit, he ceases not to pray that he would give unto them the Spirit (v. 17), that he would give greater measures of the Spirit. Observe, Even the best of Christians need to be prayed for: and, while we hear well of our Christian friends, we should think ourselves obliged to intercede with God for them, that they may abound and increase yet more and more. Now what is it that Paul prays for in behalf of the Ephesians? Not that they might be freed from persecution; nor that they might possess the riches, honours, or pleasures of the world; but the great thing he prays for is the illumination of their understandings, and that their knowledge might increase and abound: he means it of a practical and experimental knowledge. The graces and comforts of the Spirit are communicated to the soul by the enlightening of the understanding. In this way he gains and keeps possession. Satan takes a contrary way: he gets possession by the senses and passions, Christ by the understanding. Observe,
Having said something of Christ and his resurrection, the apostle digresses a little from the subject he is upon to make some further honourable mention of the Lord Jesus and his exaltation. He sits at the Father's right hand in the heavenly places, etc., v. 20, 21. Jesus Christ is advanced above all, and he is set in authority over all, they being made subject to him. All the glory of the upper world, and all the powers of both worlds, are entirely devoted to him. The Father hath put all things under his feet (v. 22), according to the promise, Ps. 110:1. All creatures whatsoever are in subjection to him; they must either yield him sincere obedience or fall under the weight of his sceptre, and receive their doom from him. God GAVE him to be head over all things. It was a gift to Christ, considered as a Mediator, to be advanced to such dominion and headship, and to have such a mystical body prepared for him: and it was a gift to the church, to be provided with a head endued with so much power and authority. God gave him to be the head over all things. He gave him all power both in heaven and in earth. The Father loves the Son, and hath given ALL things into his hands. But that which completes the comfort of this is that he is the head over all things to the church; he is entrusted with all power, that is, that he may dispose of all the affairs of the providential kingdom in subserviency to the designs of his grace concerning his church. With this therefore we may answer the messengers of the nations, that the Lord hath founded Zion. The same power that supports the world support the church; and we are sure he loves his church, for it is his body (v. 23), his mystical body, and he will care for it. It is the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Jesus Christ filleth all in all; he supplies all defects in all his members, filling them with his Spirit, and even with the fulness of God, ch. 3:19. And yet the church is said to be his fulness, because Christ as Mediator would not be complete if he had not a church. How could he be a king if he had not a kingdom? This therefore comes in to the honour of Christ, as Mediator, that the church is his fulness.