We’ve covered a lot of scriptural ground to this point much of which I dare say not many have heard or have ever been taught. We now come to the place where many have been told that “we’re not to know” or “to understand God’s will as it is beyond us” and our understanding. This is as we’ll soon find out is not the case at all. The truth is that God requires us as He did Israel to know the things pertaining to us and our coming salvation. When we have the tools that God has provided us we can rest in Him because we are at peace with Him and He with us, for we will have put our selves back into His hands of love and His divine protection. With God knowledge is in deed power because with it we can stand the onslaught of the enemy of God and man. We’ll be clothed in Christ in the proper garments of His righteousness and His faith in His Grace; these are all a part of God’s will and His desire for us and are a portion of our spiritual blessings.
Romans 16:25-27 Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept in silence through times eternal, but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known to all the nations to obedience of faith: to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen.
Ephesians 1:1-14
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints that are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ: even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,* that we should be holy and without blemish before Him in love: having foreordained* us to adoption as sons through (in) Jesus Christ to Himself , according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved:(a fixed position in place, time or state) in Whom we have our redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses**, according to the riches of His grace, which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Him to a dispensation of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in Him, I say, in Whom also we were made (called to be His) an inheritance, having been foreordained* according to the purpose of Him who workout all things after the counsel of His own will; to the end that we should be to the praise of His glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: in Whom we also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of our salvation, - in Whom, having also believed, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is an earnest of our inheritance, to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. (See the study on “Genesis the Untold Story” a study of chapters one through three. To find out what we lost when Adam fell into sin and God's loss of us by Adams taking that action of self-will, selfishness and lawlessness.)
*Body members were chosen before the foundation of the world, it’s a decree of election for all who will come to faith in the Gospel as revealed to Paul by the risen Lord and only given to Paul and only found in Paul’s Gospel. Paul is a type of Moses for today, to all that will come to faith in the risen Lord and learn of Him.
** Trespasses: past, present, and future deeds
The Will of God
Ephesians 1.1-14
Submission to the Divine Will
Psalms 40:4-10 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told. In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. Then I said, "Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O LORD. I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.
Psalms 143:7-12 Answer me quickly, O LORD! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD! I have fled to you for refuge! Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! In your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant. [Mat. 6:10]
Matthew 12:46-50 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. [Someone told him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak to you."] He replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" Stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Matthew 26:37-47 Jesus taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." Going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, "So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. [John 5:30] Leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand." While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
John 7:14-18 About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. The Jews therefore marveled, saying, "How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?" Jesus answered them, "My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. [Acts 21:14; Rom. 12:2] The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.”
Ephesians 6:4-11 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, [Heb. 13:21] rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
James 4:13-17 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"-- yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." [1 John 2:17] As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
The faithful in Christ Jesus
Galatians 1:3-4 Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us out of this present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father.
[For our sin is the bestial nature of fallen, natural man, demonic and devilish. The natural nature of this temporal world as it is under the curse, the spirit of the world or the prince of the power of the air, who is Satan and his dominion. Those who freely choose to take the incarnation, passion, death, burial and resurrection of Christ as their own are delivered from this present evil world and are waiting their salvation or ascension to the Lord, to meet the Lord in the air. The one who fills all things under the earth, the earth and things in heaven with His glory and presences even Christ.]
2Peter 1:19-21 We have the word of prophecy made more sure; where to you do well that you take heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. No prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spoke from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.
2Timothy 3:16-17 Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely too every good work.
Romans 15:4-6 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, (the Old Testament which is Genesis through Acts chapter9.) that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope. Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus: that with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (see also Col. 2:2, 19)
1Thessalonians 5:23-24 May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
2Thessalonians 3:1-6 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. The Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness (disorderly, deviating from prescribed order) and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
Hebrews 2:9-18 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Therefore it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. That he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, "I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise." Again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Behold, I and the children God has given me." Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. Surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 10:19-27 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, (that is family of) let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.
Revelation 1:1-6 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. (This is addressed to the believing Jews who are Christians as they were known by John.)
Revelation 19:10-16 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God." For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. The armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
Chose us IN Him before the foundation of the world
Genesis 2:7 YHVH Elohim formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (And another translation of the same verse reads.)
Genesis 2:7 Yehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Some translations have “creature”, the word soul means to “refresh” in ancient Hebrew)
(Yehovah or YHVH is the early name of Jesus Christ who created man in Himself as one of the triune God head, Elohim or God carries this meaning. Man here is a divine being as created who receives the breathe of spiritual life into himself.)
Genesis 3:14-16 The LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." To the woman he said, "I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you."
Genesis 3:20 The man called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
(The word living here in Hebrew means restored back to life again, to quicken as food restores life, it does not mean what most people comprehend it to mean, as a living creature. Adam is prophesying in using the name of woman “ Eve”.)
Acts 2:14-28 Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. (Note there are not many gentiles in this crowd) For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: "'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. It shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.' "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know-- this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him, "'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. You will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.'
(Did you notice “in the last days” in the quoting of Joel’s prophecy? This was in reference to the end of God’s dealing with the nation of Israel or Israel’s dispensational period was ending because the promised Messiah had come. See also Peter’s use of this same term and verbiage in 1 Peter 1:20.)
Romans 8:25-34 If we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (John 11:33) He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
1Peter 1:17-21 If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear: knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, the blood of Christ: who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of times [this is the Israel of the old testament] for your sake, who through Him are believers in God, that raised Him from the dead, and gave Him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God. (Do you notice a different language form used by Peter than used by Paul, not many notice this. Remember that Peter was one sent to the circumcision only, the lost and scattered sheep of Israel.)
John 17:5 Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world was.
John 17:24 Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which you have given me: for you loved me before the foundation of the world. (Study the Lord ’s Prayer found in John 17)
2Timothy 1:8-11 Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God; who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, but has now been manifested by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel, [This is not the kingdom of heaven gospel of the Jews as given to them before Christ’s death, burial, resurrection and ascension, but during His ministry to Israel.] whereto I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher.
2Thessalonians 2:13-14 We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning to salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereto he called you through our Gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Peter 1:1-9 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, (believing Jews of the dispersions.) according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (Do you notice what is not said here by Peter? Peter does not say anything about; that they have put their trust into the resurrection of Christ from the dead and their being in Him during His death, burial, resurrection and ascension. )
Matthew 7:13-14 Enter you in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, [the flesh of fallen man, the veil and scales over mans eyes, the nature of evil that enslaves man] and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, [The death of the flesh which contains covetousness and the ego of self-well and self-love of fallen man.] that leads to life, (spiritual awakening the being born from above or born again) and few are they that find it. (Mans regeneration back into his lost state.)
Matthew 11:25-27 At that season Jesus answered and said, “I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you did hide these things from the wise and understanding, and did reveal them to babes”: yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight. All things have been delivered to me of my Father: and no one knows the Son, save the Father; neither does any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son wills to reveal HIM.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 19:26 Jesus looking upon them said to them, “with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”
Holy without Blemish
Ephesians 5:25-27 As Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself up for it; that He might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, that He might present the church to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Philippians 2:12-16 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
1Thessalonians 3:12-13 The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you; to the end He may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.
Colossians 1:21-23 You, being in time past alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works, yet now has He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before Him: if so be that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Gospel which you heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister.
1Thessalonians 5:23-24 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
1Thessalonians 3:12-13 The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we toward you: to the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
Revelation 7:15 Therefore are they before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sits on the throne shall spread His tabernacle over them. ………..Rev 10:7 but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.
Romans 13:12, 14 The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. …… Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.
Ephesians 4:23-24 Be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, that after God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.
Colossians 3:1-3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and the life you now live is hidden with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.
Col 3:9-10 ……. seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, and have put on the new man, that is being renewed to knowledge after the image of Him that created Him.
The good pleasure of His will
Romans 8:29-30 For whom He foreknew, He also foreordained to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren: and whom He foreordained, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.
Romans 8:14-15 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you received not the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Colossians 1:19-20 For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in Him should all the fullness dwell; and through (in) Him [the veil of His flesh, the humiliation of man] to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens.
2Peter 1:2-4 Grace [the benefit of the benefactor]to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that called us by His own glory and virtue; whereby He has granted to us His precious and exceeding great promises; that through these we may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in that world by lust [mans fallen nature of covetousness].
John 1:12-13 As many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
1John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called children of God; and we are. For this cause the world knows us not, because it knew Him not.
The richness of His Grace
Romans 3:22-26 The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all that believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God set forth a propitiation [show mercy, to be at one with], through faith, in His blood, to show His righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God; for the showing, of His righteousness at this present [propitious] season: that He might himself be just, and the justifier of him that have faith in Jesus.
Matthew 20:27-28 Whosoever would be first among you shall be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
1Corinthians 6:19-20 Know you not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own; for you were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.
Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
He purposed IN Him
Daniel 4:35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say to him, What are you doing?
Dispensation of the fullness of times
The following is taken from Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary
Translate, “Unto the dispensation of the fullness of the times,” that is, “which He purposed in Himself” (Ephesians 1:9) with a view to the economy of (the gracious administration belonging to) the fullness of the times (Greek, “fit times,” “seasons”). More comprehensive than “the fullness of the time” in Galatians. 4:4. The whole of the Gospel (This is not the kingdom Gospel preached by Jesus to Israel.) times (plural) is meant, with the benefits to the Church dispensed in them severally and successively. Compare “the ages to come” (Ephesians 2:7). “The ends of the ages” (Greek, 1Corinthians 10:11); “the times (same Greek as here, ‘the seasons,’ or ‘fitly appointed times’) of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24); “the seasons which the Father has put in His own power” (Acts 1:7); “the times of restitution of all things which God has spoken by the prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:20-21). The coming of Jesus at the first advent, “in the fullness of time,” was one of these “times.” The descent of the Holy Ghost, “when Pentecost was fully come” (Acts 2:1), was another. The testimony given by the apostles to Him “in due time” (“in its own seasons,” Greek) (1Timothy 2:6) was another. The conversion of the Jews “when the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled,” the second coming of Christ, the “restitution of all things,” the millennial kingdom, the new heaven and earth, shall be severally instances of “the dispensation of the fullness of the times,” that is, “the dispensation of” the Gospel events and benefits belonging to their respective “times,” when severally filled up or completed. God the Father, according to His own good pleasure and purpose, is the Dispenser both of the Gospel benefits and of their several fitting times (Acts 1:7).
To sum up all things in Christ
gather together in one — Greek, “sum up under one head”; “recapitulate.” The “good pleasure which He purposed,” was “to sum up all things (Greek, ‘THE whole range of things’) in Christ (Greek, ‘the Christ,’ that is, His Christ)” [Alford]. God’s purpose is to sum up the whole creation in Christ, the Head of angels, with whom He is linked by His invisible nature, and of men with whom He is linked by His humanity; of Jews and Gentiles; of the living and the dead (Ephesians 3:15); of animate and inanimate creation. Sin has disarranged the creature’s relation of subordination to God. God means to gather up all together in Christ; or as Colossians 1:20 says, “By Him to reconcile all things to Himself, whether things in earth or things in heaven.” Alford well says, “The Church of which the apostle here mainly treats, is subordinated to Him in the highest degree of conscious and joyful union; those who are not His spiritually, in mere subjugation, yet consciously; the inferior tribes of creation unconsciously; but objectively, all are summed up in Him.”
In whom — by virtue of the union to whom, to Christ or IN Christ.
obtained an inheritance — literally, “We were made to have an inheritance” [Wahl]. Compare Ephesians 1:18, “His inheritance in the saints”: as His inheritance is there said to be in them, so theirs is here said to be in Him (Acts 26:18). However, Ephesians 1:12, “That we should BE TO ... His glory” (not “that we should have”), favors the translation of Bengel, Ellicott, and others, “We were made an inheritance.” So the literal Israel (Deuteronomy 4:20, 9:29, 32:9). “Also” does not mean “we also,” nor as English Version, “in whom also”; but, besides His having “made known to us His will,” we were also “made His inheritance,” or “we have also obtained an inheritance.”
predestinated — (Ephesians 1:5). The foreordination of Israel, as the elect nation, answers to that of the spiritual Israelites, believers, to an eternal inheritance, which is the thing meant here. The “we” here and in Ephesians 1:12, means Jewish believers (whence the reference to the election of Israel nationally arises), as contrasted with “you” (Ephesians 1:13) Gentile believers.
purpose — repeated from “purposed” (Ephesians 1:9, 3:11). The Church existed in the mind of God eternally, before it existed in creation.
counsel of his ... will — (Ephesians 1:5), “the good pleasure of His will.” Not arbitrary caprice, but infinite wisdom (“counsel”) joined with sovereign will. Compare his address to the same Ephesians in Acts 20:27, “All the counsel of God” (Isaiah 28:29). Alike in the natural and spiritual creations, God is not an agent constrained by necessity. “Wheresoever counsel is, there is election, or else it is vain; where a will, there must be freedom, or else it is weak” [Pearson].
In whom you also — You Gentiles. Supply as English Version, “trusted,” from Ephesians 1:12; or “are.” The priority of us Jews does not exclude you Gentiles from sharing in Christ (compare Acts 13:46).
the word of truth — the instrument of sanctification, and of the new birth (John 17:17; 2Timothy 2:15; James 1:18). Compare Colossians 1:5, where also, as here, it is connected with “hope.” Also Ephesians 4:21.
sealed — as God’s confirmed children, by the Holy Spirit as the seal (Acts 19:1-6; Romans 8:16, 23; 1John 3:24; see on 2Corinthians 1:22). A seal impressed on a document gives undoubted validity to the contract in it (John 3:33, 6:27; compare 2Cor. 3:3). So the sense of “the love of God shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost” (Romans 5:5), and the sense of adoption given through the Spirit at regeneration (Romans 8:15- 16), assure believers of God’s good will to them (God’s rest or peace with God.). The Spirit, like a seal, impresses on the soul at regeneration the image of our Father. The “sealing” by the Holy Spirit is spoken of as past once for all. The witnessing to our hearts that we are the children of God, and heirs (Ephesians 1:11), is the Spirit’s present testimony, the “earnest of the (coming) inheritance” (Romans 8:16-18).
that Holy Spirit of promise — rather, as the Greek, “The Spirit of promise, even the Holy Spirit”: The Spirit promised both in the Old and New Testaments (Joel 2:28; Zechariah 12:10; John 7:38-39). “The word” promised the Holy Spirit. Those who “believed the word of truth” (the revealed secret given to Paul) were sealed by the Spirit accordingly.
I had left the following out as it was written by Matthew Henry and taken from one of his commentaries, but after rereading it I've decide to include it here.
Ephesians 1:3-14
The Apostle Paul 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 our being reunited in Christ. For the great privileges of our religion are very aptly recounted and enlarged upon in our praises to God.
I. In general he blesses God for spiritual blessings, Ephesians 1:3, where he styles him the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; for, as Mediator, the Father was his God; as God, and the second person in the blessed Trinity, God was his Father. It bespeaks the mystical union between Christ and believers, that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is their God and Father, and that in and through him. All blessings come from God as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. No good can be expected from a righteous and holy God to sinful creatures, but by his mediation. He has blessed us with all spiritual blessings. Note, Spiritual blessings are the best blessings with which God blesses us, and for which we are to bless him. He blesses us by bestowing such things upon us as make us really blessed. We cannot thus bless God again; but must do it by praising, and magnifying, and speaking well of him on that account. Those whom God blesses with some he blesses with all spiritual blessings; to whom he gives Christ, he freely gives all these things. It is not so with temporal blessings; some are favored with health, and not with riches; some with riches, and not with health, etc. (such was the case with Israel because of her promises received by her fathers favors which she enjoyed before Christ came the first time for her good) But, where God blesses with spiritual blessings, he blesses with all. They are spiritual blessings in heavenly places; that is, say some, in the family, distinguished from the world, and called out of it. Or it may be read, in heavenly things, such as come from heaven, and are designed to prepare men for it, and to secure their reception into it. We should hence learn to mind spiritual and heavenly things as the principal things, spiritual and heavenly blessings as the best blessings, with which we cannot be miserable and without which we cannot but be so. Set not your affections on things on the earth, but on those things which are above. These we are blessed with in Christ; for, as all our services ascend to God through Christ, so all our blessings are conveyed to us in the same way, he being the Mediator between God and us.
II. The particular spiritual blessings with which we are blessed in Christ, and for which we ought to bless God, are (many of them) here enumerated and enlarged upon.
1. Election and predestination, which are the secret springs whence the others flow, Ephesians 1:4-5, 11. Election, or choice, respects that lump or mass of mankind out of which some are chosen, from which they are separated and distinguished. (This is of our own choice and choosing.) Predestination has respect to the blessings they are designed for; particularly the adoption of children, it being the purpose of God that in due time we should become his adopted children, (with our goal to maturity into son ship as a co-heir with Christ) and so have a right to all the privileges and to the inheritance of children (sons). We have here the date of this act of love: it was before the foundation of the world; not only before God's people had a being, but before the world had a beginning; for they were chosen in the counsel of God from all eternity. It magnifies these blessings to a high degree that they are the products of eternal counsel. The alms which you give to beggars at your doors proceed from a sudden resolve; but the provision which a parent makes for his children is the result of many thoughts, and is put into his last will and testament with a great deal of solemnity. As this magnifies divine love, so it secures the blessings to God's elect; for the purpose of God according to election shall stand. He acts in pursuance of his eternal purpose in bestowing spiritual blessings upon his people. He has blessed us - according as he has chosen us in him, in Christ the great head of the election, who is emphatically called God's elect, his chosen; and in the chosen Redeemer an eye of favor was cast upon them. Observe here one great end and design of this choice: chosen - that we should be holy; not because he foresaw they would be holy, but because he determined to make them so. All who are chosen to happiness as the end are chosen to holiness as the means. Their sanctification, as well as their salvation, is the result of the counsels of divine love. - And without blame before him - that their holiness might not be merely external and in outward appearance, so as to prevent blame from men, but internal and real, and what God himself, who looks at the heart, will account, such holiness as proceeds from love to God and to our fellow-creatures, this charity being the principle of all true holiness and in righteous. The original word signifies such an innocence as no man can carp at; and therefore some understand it of that perfect holiness which the saints shall attain in the life to come, which will be eminently before God, they being in his immediate presence for ever. Here is also the rule and the frontal cause of God's election: it is according to the good pleasure of his will (Ephesians 1:5), not for the sake of any thing in them foreseen, but because it was his sovereign will, and a thing highly pleasing to him. It is according to the purpose, the fixed and unalterable will, of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will (Ephesians 1:11), who powerfully accomplishes whatever concerns his elect, as he has wisely and freely fore-ordained and decreed, the last and great end and design of all which is his own glory: To the praise of the glory of His Grace (Ephesians 1:6), that we should be to the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:12), that is, that we should live and behave ourselves in such a manner that His rich Grace might be magnified, and appear glorious, and worthy of the highest praise. All is of God, and from him, and through him, and therefore all must be to him, and center in his praise. Note, the glory of God is his own end, and it should be ours in all that we do. This passage has been understood by some in a very different sense, and with a special reference to the conversion of these Ephesians to His family status. Those who have a mind to see what is said to this purpose may consult Mr. Locke, and other well-known writers, on the place.
2. The next spiritual blessing the apostle takes notice of is acceptance with God through Jesus Christ: Wherein, or by which Grace, he has made us accepted in the beloved, Ephesians 1:6. Jesus Christ is the beloved of his Father (Matthew 3:17), as well as of angels and saints. It is our great privilege to be accepted of God, which implies his love to us and his taking us under his care and into his family. We cannot be thus accepted of God, but in and through Jesus Christ. He loves his people for the sake of the beloved.
3. Remission of sins, and redemption through the blood of Jesus, Ephesians 1:7. No remission without redemption. It was by reason of sin that we were captivated, and we cannot be released from our captivity but by the remission of our sins. This redemption we have in Christ, and this remission through his blood. The guilt and the stain of sin could be not otherwise removed than by the blood of Jesus. All our spiritual blessings flow down to us in that stream. This great benefit, (grace) which comes freely to us, was dearly bought and paid for by our blessed Lord; and yet it is according to the riches of God's Grace. Christ's satisfaction and God's rich grace are very consistent in the great affair of man's redemption. God was satisfied by Christ as our substitute and surety; but it was rich grace that would accept of a surety, when he might have executed the severity of the law upon the transgressor, and it was rich grace to provide such a surety as his own Son, and freely to deliver him up, when nothing of that nature could have entered into our thoughts, nor have been any otherwise found out for us. In this instance he has not only manifested riches of grace, but has abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence (Ephesians 1:8), wisdom in contriving the dispensation, and prudence in executing the counsel of his will, as he has done. How illustrious have the divine wisdom and prudence rendered themselves, in so happily adjusting the matter between justice and mercy in this grand affair, in securing the honor of God and his law, at the same time that the recovery of sinners by redemption and their salvation are ascertained and made sure!
4. Another privilege which the apostle here blesses God for is divine revelation - that God has made known to us the mystery of his will (Ephesians 1:9), that is, so much of his good-will to men, which had been concealed for a long time, and is still concealed from so great a part of the world: this we owe to Christ, who, having lain in the bosom of the Father from eternity, came to declare his will to the children of men. According to his good pleasure, his secret counsels concerning man's redemption, which he had purposed, or resolved upon, merely in and from himself, and not for any thing in them. In this revelation, and in his making known to us the mystery of his will, the wisdom and the prudence of God do abundantly shine forth. It is described (Ephesians 1:13) as the word of truth, and the gospel of our salvation. Every word of it is true. It contains and instructs us in the most weighty and important truths, and it is confirmed and sealed by the very oath of God, whence we should learn to betake ourselves to it in all our searches after divine truth. It is the gospel of our salvation: it publishes the glad tidings of our redemption and salvation, and contains the offer of it: it points out the way that leads to it; and the blessed Spirit renders the reading and the ministration of it effectual to the salvation of souls. O, how ought we to prize this glorious gospel and to bless God for it! This is the light shining in a dark place, for which we have reason to be thankful, and to which we should take great heed.
5. Union in and with Christ is a great privilege, a spiritual blessing, and the foundation of many others. He gathers together in one all things in Christ, Ephesians 1:10. All the lines of divine revelation meet in Christ; all religion centers in him. Jews and Gentiles were united to each other by being both united in Christ. Things in heaven and things on earth are gathered together in him; peace made, correspondence settled, between heaven and earth, through him. The innumerable companies of angels become one with the church through Christ: this God purposed in himself, and it was his design in that dispensation which was to be accomplished by his sending Christ in the fullness of time, at the exact time that God had prefixed and settled. The end of Israel’s age of darkness which will soon give way to her coming into the light and the greatest reveal the world has ever known.
6. The eternal inheritance is the great blessing with which we are blessed in Christ: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, Ephesians 1:11. Heaven is the inheritance, eternity the happiness of which is a sufficient portion for a soul: it is conveyed in the way of an inheritance, being the gift of a Father to his children. If children, then heirs. All the blessings that we have in hand are but small if compared with the inheritance. What is laid out upon an heir in his minority is nothing to what is reserved for him when he comes to age. Saints are said to have obtained this inheritance, as they have a present right to it, and even actual possession of it, in Christ their head and representative.
7. The seal and earnest of the Spirit are of the number of these blessings. We are said to be sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 1:13. The blessed Spirit is holy himself, and he makes us holy. He is called the Spirit of promise and the Spirit of all truth, as he is the promised Spirit. By him believers are sealed; that is, separated and set apart for God, and distinguished and marked as belonging to him. The Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, Ephesians 1:14. The earnest is part of payment, and it secures the full sum: so is the gift of the Holy Ghost; all his influences and operations, both as a sanctifier and a comforter and the revealer of all truth, are heaven begun, glory in the seed and bud. The Spirit's illumination is an earnest of everlasting light; sanctification is an earnest of perfect holiness; and his comforts are earnests of everlasting joys. He is said to be the earnest, until the salvation of the purchased possession. It may be called here the possession, because this earnest makes it as sure to the heirs as though they were already possessed of it; and it is purchased for them by the blood of Christ. The redemption of it is mentioned because it was mortgaged and forfeited by sin; and Christ restores it to us, and so is said to redeem it, in allusion to the law of redemption which leads us to our salvation. Observe, from all this, what a gracious promise that is which secures the gift of the Holy Ghost to those who ask him.
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 heir-ship and of God in all that he has done for us: to the praise of his glory, Ephesians 1:14. 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.
From here we’ll move into the knowledge of Christ in whom is revealed all wisdom and true knowledge of God.
All scripture is from the KJV, Weymouth New Testament, American Standard and English Standard Versions of the Bible.
No comments:
Post a Comment