An Exposition of Pauls Epistles, Letter 5
The Epistle of Paul to the EPHESIANS Analytically expounded.
The Contents.
THe City of the Ephesians was the Metropolis of Lesser Asia, in which the Apostle two whole years preached the Gospel, Act. 19. And when lastly hee went up to Jerusalem, hee fore-told a change of the Church to the Ephesians, Act. 20. Against which hee fortifies them by this Epistle, when hee was now held captive at Rome, and plainly despaired of his return, hee endeavoureth diligently to confirm, their minds in Faith and Truth.
There are two principal parts of the Epistle, besides the Preface and the Conclusion. The first is, The Doctrine of Grace for the confirmation of their Faith, to Chap. 4. The other is the Doctrine of gratitude and thankfulness tending to holiness of life, to the end of the Epistle.
That which belongeth to the first part: First of all hee shews that the whole reason of our salvation is free, and solidly founded on Christ, in the first Chapter. Furthermore hee amplifies this Grace from the former misery of the Ephesians, Chap. 2.
Thirdly, The scandal of the Cross lying upon him, being taken away, hee exhorts them to constancy and progress in the Faith, by the glorious commendation of his Ministery, and by manifesting the cause for which hee suffered, Chap. 3.
In the second part hee gives Precepts of keeping the unity of the Church, of holiness of life, as well in general, as in particular, in the shunning of evil, and following after virtue, by which the life of every one is ordered in a Christian manner, Chap. 4. and in the former part of Chap. 5.
After these hee descends to houshold duties, to which and all other Christian duties that are to bee performed, hee arms the faithful, in the latter part of Chap. 5. and in the former part of Chap. 6.