Ver. 6. +Fellow-heirs . . . the same body . . . partakers.+--"The A.V. loses a point of similarity in the three Gentile privileges by not expressing the force of the Greek compounds by the same English word. Lit. 'heirs together,' 'incorporated together,' 'sharers together,' not heirs after, but together with, the Jews; not attached to the Hebrew body, but incorporated into it together with the element that previously constituted it; not receivers of the promise after others had been satisfied, but partakers of it together with them" (_Bishop Alexander_). "Co-heirs, and concorporate, and comparticipant. The strange English words may perhaps correspond to the strange Greek words which St. Paul invented to express this newly revealed mystery in the strongest form, as though no words could be too strong to express his conception of the reunion in Christ of those who apart from Him are separate and divided" (_Farrar_). Ver. 7. +Whereof I was made a minister.+--A deacon, a runner of errands. A lowly word, which reminds us of his own self-estimate--"not worthy to be called an apostle"--and prepares us for the strange expression in ver. 8. Ver. 8. +Less than the least of all saints.+--"As though he said 'leaster than all Christians'" (_Bishop Alexander_). "The greatest sinner, the greatest saint, are equidistant from the goal where the mind rests in satisfaction with itself. With the growth in goodness grows the sense of sin. One law fulfilled shows a thousand neglected" (_Mozley, quoted by Farrar_). +The unsearchable riches.+--"The untrackable wealth" (_Farrar_), inexplicable by creaturely intelligences, unspeakable therefore by human tongues. Ver. 9. +And to make all men see.+--He says to the Galatians (Gal. iii. 1), "Christ was placarded before you"--so here he wants men to see for themselves. Ver. 10. +To the intent that now . . . might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God.+--The Church as it expands from a "little flock" to a "multitude which no man can number" is to declare the multiform wisdom of God, ever fertile in new modes of operation. "Manifold" represents a word used to describe a floral wreath as consisting of "variegated" flowers. Ver. 12. +In whom we have boldness.+--Originally meaning as regards speech. In Christ the reconciled child of God has the right of speaking to God without reserve. The same word is translated "confidence" in 1 John v. 14, A.V.: "It is the free, joyful mood of those reconciled to God" (_Meyer_). +And access.+--As in ch. ii. 13. +With confidence.+--Hardly as equal to assurance--certainly never self-assurance, but in quiet leaning on the arm of Christ.