August 16th, 2014. THE REALM OF GODS CHOICE How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I wrote before in a few words, by which, when you read, you may perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ). Ephesians 3:3- 4 We need to be enlarged and expanded in our understanding concerning the mystery of Christ, the church. Paul wants us to perceive his understanding in this mystery. A mystery in the Bible is not something we cannot know. It is simply something we cannot know by our natural thought. It cannot be known apart from divine revelation in our spirit. That is why the church in the Bible is not in the category of our thought. The church is in the category of Gods thought. No one can create the church, no one can explain the church or understand the church. The church is one hundred percent in the realm of mystery. This means that no one knows the church until God reveals it (Matt. 16:16- 18). The church is not in the realm of mans choice-- my choice, your choice, his choice, their choice. It is simply not in that realm. This is just like salvation. Salvation is not in the realm of our choice. For example, there is no salvation in Buddha, there is no salvation in Confucius, and there is no salvation in the New Age movement. We know that salvation is not a matter of our choice. There is only one name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). This means that concerning salvation, it is altogether a matter of Gods choice. And the church is no different. It is also in the realm of Gods choice. The choice has been made. We simply see it. How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) [Ephesians 3:3- 4]. THAT BY REVELATION. Some might imagine that, in attempting to discharge the office of an apostle, he had acted rashly, and was now paying the penalty of his rashness. It was this that made him so earnest in pleading the Divine authority for all his transactions. The present instance, on account of its novelty, had few supporters; and therefore he calls it a mystery. By this name he endeavors to remove the prejudice which the general displeasure at the event was fitted to excite. His own personal interest in the matter was less regarded than that of the Ephesians, who were deeply concerned in the information, that, through the settled purpose of God, they had been called by Pauls ministry. Lest what is little known should forthwith become the object of suspicion, the word mystery places it in opposition to the perverse judgments and opinions which were then prevalent in the world. BY REVELATION HE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE MYSTERY. Paul draws the line of distinction between himself and those fanatics, who ascribe to God and to the Holy Spirit their own idle dreams. The false apostles boast of revelations, but it is a false boast. Paul was persuaded that his revelation was true, could prove it to others, and speaks of it as a fact of which no doubt could be entertained. AS I WROTE A LITTLE BEFORE. This refers either to a rapid glance at the same subject in the second chapter, or — which appears to be the general opinion — to another Epistle. If the former exposition be adopted, it will be proper to translate, as I wrote before in few words; for the subject had received nothing more than a passing notice; but the latter being, as I have said, the prevailing opinion, I prefer translating, as I wrote a little before. The phrase, (ἐν ὀλίγῳ,) which Erasmus has translated in a few words, appears rather to refer to time. On this supposition there would be an implied comparison between the present and the former writings. But nothing would be more unlike the fact, than to contrast them on the score of brevity; for a more concise mode of expression than this passing glance can hardly be imagined. The phrase, a little before, seems purposely to be used as an appeal to their remembrance of a recent occurrence, though I do not insist on this point. There is more difficulty in the next verse. By attending to which, ye may understand, πρὸς ὃ δύνασθε ἀναγινώσκοντες νοῆσαι. Erasmus renders it, from which things, when ye read, ye may understand. But to translate ἀναγινώσκειν τι as signifying to read is, I think, at variance with Greek syntax. I leave it as a subject of consideration, whether it does not rather signify to attend. The participle would then be connected with the preposition πρὸς, in the commencement of the verse, and the clause would run thus, to which when ye attend, ye may understand. If, however, by viewing the verb ἀναγινώσκοντες, as disjoined from the preposition, you make it signify reading, the meaning will still be, by reading you may understand according to what I have written; taking the phrase πρὸς ὃ, to which, as equivalent to καθ ὃ, according to which; but I suggest this merely as a doubtful conjecture. If we adopt the view which is almost universally approved, that the apostle had formerly written to the Ephesians, this is not the only Epistle which we have lost. And yet there is no room for the sneers of the ungodly, as if the Scriptures had been mutilated, or in any part had become imperfect. If we duly consider Pauls earnestness, — his watchfulness and care, — his zeal and fervor, — his kindness and readiness in assisting brethren, — we shall be led to regard it as highly probable that he would write many epistles, both of a public and private nature, to various places. Those which the Lord judged to be necessary for his church have been selected by his providence for everlasting remembrance. Let us rest assured, that what is left is enough for us, and that the smallness of the remaining number is not the result of accident; but that the body of Scripture, which is in our possession, has been adjusted by the wonderful counsel of God. MY KNOWLEDGE. The frequent mention of this point shews the necessity that the calling of ministers should be firmly believed both by themselves and by their people. But Paul looks more to others than to himself. He had everywhere indeed given great offense by preaching the gospel indiscriminately to Jews and Gentiles, but his solicitude was not chiefly on his own account. There were not a few who, overwhelmed by the slanders of wicked men, began to doubt of his apostleship, and whose faith was consequently shaken. It was this that induced him so frequently to remind the Ephesians that he knew the will and command of God who called him to the office. — In the mystery of Christ, August 16 MORNING THE HOUSE [THAT IS] TO BE BUILDED FOR THE LORD [MUST BE] EXCEEDING MAGNIFICAL. Ye... as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house-- Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are.-- Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are Gods.-- What agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.-- Ye... are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. 1 CHRON 22:5. 1 Pe 2:5-- 1 Co 3:16, 17-- 1 Co 6:19, 20-- 2 Co 6:16.-- Ep 2:19- 22. August 16 EVENING HE IS BEFORE ALL THINGS. The Amen,... the beginning of the creation of God.-- The beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence. The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.... When he prepared the heavens, I [was] there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: when he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: when he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment.... I was by him, [as] one brought up [with him]: and I was daily [his] delight, rejoicing always before him.-- Yea, before the day [was] I [am] he. The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.-- The author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Col 1:17. Re 3:14.-- Col 1:18. Pr 8:22, 23, 27- 30.-- Is 43:13. Re 13:8.-- Heb 12:2.
Posted on: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 09:25:36 +0000
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