Examining the book of Ephesians part 4
Introduction
a. Title
b. Recapitulate: so for we have learned from this Epistle
· That all believers are saints, not a selected few
· All our blessing are in Christ
· Those who are to be saved was decided by God from before the foundation of the world verse 3
· We learned a little of predestination and election which is always God doing it
· We discussed the role of the Trinity in our salvation
· Chosen by the Father. 1:3-6.
· Redeemed by the Son. 1:7-12.
· Sealed by the Holy Spirit. 1:13,14. .
· We learned that Salvation, redemption Justification is not based on what we do but what Jesus did. Verses 7
c. We shall now continue where we left off by reading Eph 1:7-15
I. Abounded Wisdom and prudence, Verse 8.
- Dictionary Definitions
- Abounded
1. be plentiful: to be present in large numbers or quantities
2. be well supplied: to contain something in large numbers or amounts[1]
- Wisdom
1. good sense: the knowledge and experience needed to make sensible decisions and judgments, or the good sense shown by the decisions and judgments made
2. accumulated learning: accumulated knowledge of life or of a particular sphere of activity that has been gained through experience
3. opinion widely held: an opinion that almost everyone seems to share or express
4. sayings: ancient teachings or sayings[2]
a. What does it mean Abounded Wisdom and prudence?
b. In order to understand a verse properly we must look at the context
c. So we see that this verse as to do with salvation
d. Quote from James Fausset, and brown Commentary
Eph 1:8
Rather, “which He made to abound towards us.”
all wisdom and prudence — “wisdom” in devising the plan of redeeming mankind; “prudence” in executing it by the means, and in making all the necessary arrangements of Providence
II. Mystery of his will
Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness 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:.
- Gain to understand what is meant by the mystery of His will we have to examine the context and not go one some Charismatic fantasy trip.
- The mystery that his now revealed has to do with the plan of salvation
- Read Calvin
- Adam Clark in hi Commentary says.
Eph 1:9
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 Mat_13:11; and particularly that on Rom_11:25 (note).
Good pleasure - Την ευδοκιαν· That benevolent design which he had purposed in himself, not being induced by any consideration from without.
- Compare 1 Eph 1:10 with Col 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven
- This is not teaching Universalism
- Verse 11-12 makes it clear what the mystery is
Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness 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:
Eph 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:
Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Eph 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,
- We shall se as we examine the book of Ephesians that the mystery that was made known was the Jews and Gentiles included.
- Before Christ went on the Cross the gentile had no hope of salvation
Eph 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
This was not known before
Eph 3:4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,
Eph 3:5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
Eph 3:6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
III. Sealed With The Holy Spirit
a. What does it mean to be sealed with the Holy Spirit
were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. After they were converted, the Holy Spirit was bestowed upon them. It was a "promise" (Act_1:4). The seal was attached to a letter or legal document to authenticate it to the world. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of adoption, was God's authentication to the world that the converts to Christ were accepted as his children. The presence of the new Spirit was shown by a new life exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit (Gal_5:22).
b. This sealing give us Eternal security God has declared us Righteous, declared us to be his sons and daughters and that is sealed by the Holy Spirit and can never be reversed;
Est 8:8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption.
c. The amplified Bible says
30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God's own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin).
Eph 1:14 which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God's own possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Eph 1:14 (Amplified) That [Spirit] is the guarantee of our inheritance [the firstfruits, the pledge and foretaste, the down payment on our heritage], in anticipation of its full redemption and our acquiring [complete] possession of it--to the praise of His glory.
B.
No comments:
Post a Comment