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‘Even as God also in Christ forgave—dealt graciously with ( ejcarivsato )—you.’ (4:32.)

The though of the lovingkindness of God in Christ leads St Paul to speak of the self-sacrifice of Christ.

‘Walk in love, even as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for you.’ (Eph. 5:1.)

‘Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for it.’ (Eph. 5:25.) ‘The love of Christ which passeth knowledge’ (3:19)—a love—answering to His very nature—including His love both for the Church and for the believer.

( d ) The work ‘which He wrought in the Christ, when He (1) raised Him from the dead and (2) set Him at His right hand in sovereign power. (1:20 f.)

Exalted to the Heavens—invested with universal sovereignty (1:22)—He is even now Head of His Church on earth ( ib. )—and has exercised His sovereignty by the gift of His quickening grace. (2:1 f.)

The Christological passages in the Epistle [declare] that God is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (1:3), that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (4:13), the Beloved (1:6), the centre and source of blessing, sanctification, adoption, grace, redemption to believers (1:3 ff.). One Lord (4:15), to Whom God has given universal dominion (1:21 f.). He is the Head of the Church, His Body (1:22 f.,5:23). In Him we were quickened, raised, set in heaven (4:5 f.), created ‘for good works’ (2:10). In Him the Gentiles are united with Israel in one body and reconciled (2:13 f.). He is the chief corner-stone of the spiritual sanctuary (2:20): in Him and in the Church God's glory is revealed through all the ages (2:21). The Ascended Christ (1:20) endows His Church (4:7 f.), which in and through Him reaches its completeness (4:16). In Him (Jesus) is Truth (4:21): He communicates Himself to His people (4:24). In Christ God forgives (4:32, cf. 1:7). Christ gave Himself an offering and a sacrifice to God for us (Eph. 5:2), gave Himself for the Church, to sanctify it (Eph. 5:25), is to it as husband to wife (Eph. 5:32). He is the source of light (Eph. 5:14), the saviour of the Body (Eph. 5:23).

Present to God before Creation (1:4), He took flesh (2:5). By His Blood (1:7) and Cross (2:6) He is to men the source of peace with God (1:2, 6:23). The Ascended Christ fills all things (4:10); in Him is the fulfilment of God's purpose (3:11):—the future kingdom is the ‘kingdom of Christ and God’ (Eph. 5:5): ‘the wealth of Christ’ is unsearchable (3:8). He dwells in the hearts of His people (3:17); our progress in the faith is measured by increasing knowledge of ‘the Son of God’ (4:13).

The Holy Spirit.

‘Sealed with the Spirit of promise, the Holy Spirit.’ (1:13.) The ‘spirit of wisdom and revelation’ (cf. 1:17) is a gift of the Paraclete. ‘In one Spirit.’ (2:18.) The Spirit—the surrounding, sustaining power. ‘Revealed to Christ's holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit.’ (3:5). ‘That ye may be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inward man.’ (3:16.)

‘Giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ (4:3.) [But see note ad loc. ]

‘One body and one spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your


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