Brief Exposition of Galatians and Ephesians, Exposition 2 · Chapter 2
CHAP. II.
IN the first part of this Chapter, the Apostle doth commend the doctrine of salvation by free-grace, first, from the consideration of that misery, under which, not only the Ephesians and other Gentiles were before conversion; as being spiritually dead, ver. 1, following the corrupt custom of the world, and Satan's suggestions, v. 2. but even the Jews also, as being inslaved to their own corrupt lusts, v. 3. Secondly, from the consideration of that delivery from sin and misery, which was common to them both. And, first, he mentioneth the first fountain and internal impulsive cause of that delivery, to wit, God's free-grace, ver. 4. Secondly, the several branches of it, as their quickning in the way of grace, ver. 5. the resurrection of their bodies, and their glorification in heaven, ver. 6. Thirdly, the final cause of this delivery, to wit, the manifesting of God's rich grace, ver. 7. And, fourthly, he cleareth, and proveth they were saved only by grace, by removing all other things inconsistent with grace from having influence upon our salvation: And that, first, generally, ver. 8. and then particularly, their good works: because, first, otherwise they should have had matter of gloriation in themselves, as to this purpose, the contrary whereof is intended by God, ver. 9. Secondly, power to do good works was given them in regeneration; So that though they be necessary, yet they are not meritorious, ver. 10.
In the second part of the Chapter, he maketh a more particular application of the former purpose unto the Ephesians, and in them to all the Gentiles. And, first, he layeth forth that misery, which was in a great part peculiar unto them, as they were Gentiles; and this both more generally, ver. 11. and more particularly in five several branches, ver. 12. Secondly, he declareth their present happy estate of nearness to God and His Church through Christ, briefly, ver. 13. and explaineth more fully that Christ was the peace-maker, and in order to His making peace had abolished the ceremonial Law, ver. 14, 15- and sheweth a twofold necessity of Christ's so doing, both for uniting of Jew and Gentile in one Church, ver. -15. And for reconciling both of them to God, ver. 16. Thirdly, he sheweth that this benefit of nearnesse was published, and actually communicated unto them by the preaching of the Gospel, ver. 17, which he proveth from the accesse which both Jew and Gentile had to God, ver. 18. And lastly, he concludeth from what is said, that the Ephesians were now in a blessed state, comparing the whole Church to a city, a family, ver. 19. and to a stately edifice founded upon Christ, ver. 20, 21. And shewing they were a part of this building, ver. 22.