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Scott's Reference Library
January 5, 2003 | January 4, 2004 | January 2, 2005 | January 3, 2010
Ephesians 1:3 through Ephesians 1:14 (NIV)
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed
us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose
us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his
sight. In love 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus
Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—6to the praise of his glorious
grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have
redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the
riches of God’s grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
9And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good
pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times
will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth
together under one head, even Christ.
11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of
him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in
order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of
his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of
truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him
with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our
inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise
of his glory.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 3-8
Spiritual and heavenly blessings are the best blessings; with which we cannot be
miserable, and without which we cannot but be so. This was from the choice of
them in Christ, before the foundation of the world, that they should be made
holy by separation from sin, being set apart to God, and sanctified by the Holy
Spirit, in consequence of their election in Christ. All who are chosen to
happiness as the end, are chosen to holiness as the means. In love they were
predestinated, or fore-ordained, to be adopted as children of God by faith in
Christ Jesus, and to be openly admitted to the privileges of that high relation
to himself. The reconciled and adopted believer, the pardoned sinner, gives all
the praise of his salvation to his gracious Father. His love appointed this
method of redemption, spared not his own Son, and brought believers to hear and
embrace this salvation. It was rich grace to provide such a surety as his own
Son, and freely to deliver him up. This method of grace gives no encouragement
to evil, but shows sin in all its hatefulness, and how it deserves vengeance.
The believer’s actions, as well as his words, declare the praises of Divine
mercy.
VERSES 9-14
Blessings were made known to believers, by the Lord’s showing to them the
mystery of his sovereign will, and the method of redemption and salvation. But
these must have been for ever hidden from us, if God had not made them known by
his written word, preached gospel, and Spirit of truth. Christ united the two
differing parties, God and man, in his own person, and satisfied for that wrong
which caused the separation. He wrought, by his Spirit, those graces of faith
and love, whereby we are made one with God, and among ourselves. He dispenses
all his blessings, according to his good pleasure. His Divine teaching led whom
he pleased to see the glory of those truths, which others were left to
blaspheme. What a gracious promise that is, which secures the gift of the Holy
Ghost to those who ask him! The sanctifying and comforting influences of the
Holy Spirit seal believers as the children of God, and heirs of heaven. These
are the first-fruits of holy happiness. For this we were made, and for this we
were redeemed; this is the great design of God in all that he has done for us;
let all be ascribed unto the praise of his glory.