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larger hope.

Then in the passage (2:11-22) describing the union of Jews and Gentiles in one Divine Body, the doctrine of the Holy Trinity is based upon facts of Christian experience, St Paul declaring the message of Peace brought by Christ to be universally effective ‘because (2:18) through Him (Christ Jesus) we have our access in one Spirit ( ejn eJni; pneuvmati ) to the Father ( pro;" to;n patevra ).’

And in the parenthetical view (4:4-14) of the unity and manifold endowment of the Christian Society there is reference (vv. 4-6) to the Triune God, ruling, pervading, sustaining all; and the work is recognised of a Holy Spirit, of Christ Jesus our Lord, and of ‘One God and Father of all,’ made known by the Incarnate Son.

The Will of God.

( a ) ‘Paul by the will of God an apostle of Christ Jesus.’ (1:1.) ( b ) ‘According to the good pleasure of His Will’ (1:5):— where we see God's Will as the expression of a gracious purpose.

‘Having made known the mystery of His Will’ ( to; musthvrion tou' qelhvmato" aujtou' ):—that is, the Divine counsel now revealed, which expressed His Will. (1:9.)

‘According to the purpose of Him, Who worketh all things after the counsel of His Will.’ (1:11.)

[ v. inf. on ‘Predestination and Divine Purpose.’] ( c ) ‘Doing the will of God —as servants of Christ.’ (6:6.) The phrase ‘the will of the Lord ( t. kurivou )’ occurs at 5:17 dia; tou'to mh; givnesqe a[frone", ajlla; sunivete tiv to; qevlhma tou' kurivou ,— and elsewhere only in Acts 21:14.

The World ( oJ kovsmo", oJ aijwvn ).

Aijw;n describes an age marked by a particular character: kovsmo" the whole constitution of things.

( a ) ‘He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world’ ( pro; katabolh'" kovsmou ). (1:4.)

The members of Christ are placed in an eternal relation to Christ their Head—beyond time, before all time.

( b ) ‘Without God ( a[qeoi ) in the world ( ejn tw'/ kovsmw/ ). (2:12.) ‘The world’—the order of the physical universe.

( c ) ‘Not only in this world—or age—( ejn touvtw/ tw'/ aijw'ni ), but ‘also in that which is to come.’ (1:21.)

‘That in the ages to come ( ejn toi'" aijw'sin toi'" ejpercomevnoi" ) He might shew the exceeding wealth of His grace.’ (2:7.)

The Apostle looks forward to a succession of ages—units of the great age (3:21 eij" pavsa" ta;" genea;" tou' aijw'no" tw'n aijwvnwn ).

( d ) ‘According to the course of this world’ ( kata; to;n aijw'na tou' kovsmou touvtou ). (2:2.)

Creation.

The phrase pro; katabolh'" kovsmou is used also in 1 Pet. 1:20 of the work of Redemption in the Son ( proegnwsmevnou me;n pro; katabolh'" kovsmou, fanerwqevnto"


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