Ephesians 1:11-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:19

And what the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe. A new object of knowledge is here brought forward—knowledge of a power which works in us—a great power, a Divine power, a power surpassingly great. The whole energy of the Divine Being is turned on to our feeble, languid nature, vivifying, purifying, and transforming it, making it wonderfully active where all was feebleness before, as the turning on of steam suddenly wakens up a whole mass of inert machinery. When we think... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:19

The power of God in salvation. "The exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe." This is the third thing the apostle wished them to know "for their furtherance and joy of faith." I. THE SPHERE OF THIS WORKING . " TO usward who believe." Power will always excite our admiration, but it will not inspire comfort unless it is exerted on our behalf. The devils know the power of God, but its exercise inspires them with no comfort. This power is manifested in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:19-20

The power of the Resurrection. "According to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead." The resurrection of Christ was at once an illustration and a pledge of our resurrection, spiritually and physically, with himself. It seems a strange thing to find an exercise of purely physical power compared with an exercise of purely spiritual power. The strangeness disappears when we consider the place of the Resurrection in the scheme of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:20

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead. The same power that produced the marvelous miracle of Christ's resurrection now works in the hearts of believers. To appreciate this, we must bear in mind the apostle's full doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus, embracing not only the revivifying of his dead body, but the transformation of that body into a spiritual body, and the constituting of Jesus a second Adam, who should transmit or communicate to Ms spiritual seed both a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:20-21

The exaltation of Christ. "And set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places." There was power both in the resurrection and in the ascension of our Lord. As the Resurrection was the seal of his redeeming sacrifice, his ascension was the seal of the Resurrection, usually linked with it in Bible allusions, but specially referred to by Peter ( Acts 2:33-36 ; 1 Peter 3:22 ). In John's Gospel there is an emphatic reference to the event: "I came forth from the Father, and am come into... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:20-22

The supremacy of Christ. We commonly think of Christ as the Man of sorrows, humiliated and crucified; but we should more often remember that this familiar picture describes what is completely past. If we would love and worship our Lord as he now is, we must look at him in his exaltation—triumphant, joyous, glorious. We should see the typical Christ in Raffaelle's 'Transfiguration' rather than in the many piteous 'Ecce Homo's!' that arrest our attention. We have not to weep at the tomb, "He... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:21

Far above all rule, and power, and might, and dominion. Separate shades of meaning may doubtless be found for these expressions, but the main effect of the accumulation is to expand and deepen the idea of Christ's universal lordship. Hardly anything is revealed to us on the various orders of the spiritual powers, unfallen and fallen; and the speculations on them in which the Fathers used to indulge are of no value; but whatever may be true of them, Christ is exalted far above them all—far... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:22

And put all things under his feet ; a strong, figurative expression, denoting high sovereignty. It does not refer merely to defeated and arrested enemies, but to the whole of creation and the fullness thereof. They are as thoroughly under Christ and at his disposal as if they were literally under his feet. As a military commander, proceeding even through his own country, has power to requisition everything needful for his army, and deal with all property as may be required for military... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:22

Christ Head over all things for the Church. The double headship of Christ— I. AS HEAD OF THE CHURCH , he is the sole Fountain of authority, grace, influence, blessing. No other to be set above him or alongside of him on his throne. II. As HEAD OVEN ALL THINGS FOR THE CHURCH , he has complete control: 1. Over the devil and all his hosts, to restrain their malice, etc. 2. Over the angels, to command their services. 3. Over all kings and rulers,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 1:22-23

Christ's headship. The Resurrection was the point of conjunction between his crucifixion and his coronation. The headship to which he was exalted had a twofold relationship: he was made "Head over all things to the Church," and he was made Head of the Church itself. I. HIS HEADSHIP OVER ALL THINGS . It is no new thought that our Lord is at the head of the natural order of things; for" without him was not anything made that was made;" "By him all things consist;" he upholds... read more

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