The Preacher's Complete Homiletic Commentary of the Books of the Bible: Volume 29 (of 32): The Preacher's Complete Homiletic Commentary of the Epistles of St. Paul the Apostle: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and I-II ThessaloniansBarlow, George
Religion
The Preacher's Complete Homiletic Commentary of the Books of the Bible: Volume 29 (of 32): The Preacher's Complete Homiletic Commentary of the Epistles of St. Paul the Apostle: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and I-II Thessalonians
Barlow, George
Bible -- Commentaries; Bible. Epistles of Paul -- Commentaries
+III. Unveils the grandeur of the Divine inheritance in
believers.+--"That ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and
what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints" (ver.
18). The increase of spiritual knowledge is an ever-widening
revelation of the value and splendour of Divine blessings already
possessed and in prospect of possession. Faith enjoys the inheritance
now, and hope anticipates an ampler revelation and richer experience
of its unspeakable blessedness. The phrase "the riches of the glory
of His inheritance" indicates how utterly inadequate human language
is to describe its boundless spiritual wealth. It is an inheritance
implying union to Him who only hath immortality and is eternal. Rust
cannot corrupt it, nor decay consume, nor death destroy. We have not
only an inheritance in Christ, but He has also an inheritance in us.
He finds more in us than we find ourselves, and we should never know
it was there but for the revelation of Himself within us.
+Lessons.+--1. _Prayer and thanksgiving go together._ 2. _The soul
needs a daily revelation of truth._ 3. _The highest spiritual truths
are made known to the soul that prays._
_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._
Vers. 15-18. _Clearer Discernment in Divine Things desired._
+I. The things for which the apostle commends the Ephesians.+--Their
faith in Jesus and love to the saints (ver. 15). 1. Faith is such a
sensible, realising belief of the Gospel in its general truth and in
its particular doctrines and precepts as gives it a practical
influence on the heart and life; it looks up to God through Christ;
it is made perfect by works. 2. Faith is accompanied with love.
Viewing and applying the examples and doctrines of the Gospel, it
purifies the soul unto unfeigned love of the brethren. The Gospel
requires us to love all men, sinners as well as saints, enemies as
well as friends. If we love God for His moral perfections, we shall
love the saints as far as they appear to have these Divine qualities
wrought into their temper. Our love is not to be confined to a party,
to those who live in the same city and worship in the same sanctuary
but embraces all.
+II. Paul expresses his great thankfulness to God for the success of
the Gospel.+--"I cease not to give thanks" (ver. 16). He rejoiced in
the honour which redounded to the crucified Jesus. He rejoiced to
think how many were rescued from the power of Satan, and in the
consequences which might ensue to others. If the prevalence of
religion is matter of thankfulness, we should spare no pains to give
it success.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account