+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.
+III. He prays for the future success of the Gospel+ (ver. 16).--The
best Christians have need to make continual improvement. Paul was no
less constant in his prayers than in his labours for the spiritual
interest of mankind. He knew that the success of all his labours
depended on God's blessing; he therefore added to them his fervent
prayers. When ministers and people strive together in their prayers,
there is reason to hope for God's blessing on both.
+IV. He prayed for spiritual enlightenment+ (vers. 17, 18).--That
they may seek wisdom from God to understand the revelation He has
given, and such an illumination of mind as to discern the nature and
excellence of the things contained in this revelation. Christians
must not content themselves with their present knowledge but aspire
to all riches of the full assurance of understanding.
+V. He prayed for power to appreciate Christian privileges+ (ver.
18).--To know the hope of the Divine calling, the possibility and
assurance of attaining the heavenly kingdom. To know what a rich and
glorious inheritance God has prepared for and promised to the saints.
Though we cannot comprehend its dimensions nor compute its value, yet
when we consider the grace of the Being who conveys it, the riches of
the price which bought it, and the Divine preparation by which the
heirs are formed to enjoy it, we must conceive it to be unspeakably
glorious.--_Lathrop._
_The Apprehension of Spiritual Blessings._
+I. Further spiritual blessings are to be apprehended by the saints,
therefore their condition is a relative one.+--The Ephesians had
already received spiritual blessings (vers. 11-15). How much more is
here. The possessed bears some proportion to what is to be received.
Without this relative view the estimate is vague and erroneous. The
further gifts consist specially in the clearer sight and more certain
and enlarged experience of what they already saw and possessed.
"Him," "His calling," "His inheritance," "His mighty power"--these
were to be theirs in a degree of exceeding greatness and glory.
+II. Unless saints apprehend blessings now attainable, they live
below their privilege.+--"If thou knewest the gift of God, thou
wouldst have asked of Him" (1 John iv. 10). Without some knowledge
there is neither faith nor desire. With these unveilings the heart is
deeply moved with the sense of obligation to possess, it is attracted
and filled with desire and animation. Otherwise, with an ignorant
satisfaction, the condition must remain relatively lean and
impoverished.
+III. The spiritual apprehension of these blessings is the gift of
God.+--This is needed because of their Divine nature. As we cannot
properly see what the sun has called into life and beauty without his
light, so these blessings are truly seen only in the light of the Sun
of Righteousness. Through the Redeemer the Spirit is given. He gives
the Spirit to enlighten both the object and the eye, to "testify," to
"show," to "glorify," to reveal, "that we might know the things that
are freely given to us of God." Thus, these blessings are seen, not
distantly and dimly, but in their nearness and unveiled glory, whilst
He creates in the heart corresponding sympathy, desire, and
assurance. Nothing can compensate for this gift--no mere
intelligence, no reflection upon past experience, no mere help from
others.
+IV. This gift is bestowed in answer to prayer.+--This particular
bestowment comes under the promise of the Spirit to believing prayer.
This is a gift. Gifts are asked for, not made ours in any other way.
This gift is awaiting and challenging prayer, importunate prayer.
That an ever-deepening desire for these spiritual gifts may be ours,
let us often ask--What truths are given to me, which, if the eyes of
my understanding were enlightened, would not exert the most positive
influence over me, lifting me into the clearer light of God's
relations, thus empowering me to live above the standard of natural
strength, and so to fulfil His present designs? Think of the
alternative.--_J. Holmes._