COMMENTARY ON EPHESIANS
LESSON NUMBER 22
Eph 2:6 "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." (Eph 2:6-8)
BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED THROUGH FAITH
INTRODUCTION
The matter of our salvation must be understood correctly. No individual can entertain basically flawed views of his salvation without it having an effect on the salivation itself. Although this subject is not easily addressed, it must be approached with all humility and thankfulness, mingled with faith. Is salvation the result of the efforts of men and the work of God? If it the result of both human and Divine input? If salvation is the outcome of both the works of man and the works of God, which has the priority, and why? Is it possible that God enables the one who is saved to do what is required of them? If so, how can man take credit for it? Will the salvation be withheld from those who reject it? If so, the whole of the matter has to be of God whose decision negated what men wanted, but did not seek to obtain it correctly. The phenomenal amount of confusion on this subject confirms that a great falling away has taken place - one that has left the people with a flawed view of God, His Son, and His salvation. It is a most serious departure from the faith. If God's salvation is not comprehended, how is it possible to have any degree of understanding God Himself? If the most extensive revelation of God is found in His great salvation, as ministered by His only begotten Son, then there is no greater deterrent to possessing the knowledge of God than an ignorance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In this lesson we will once again be exposed to the grace of God and its absolute preeminence in the salvation of God. In the seventh verse it is mentioned for the fifth time. We will see that the objective of this salvation reaches beyond this world, into the ages to co
The perception of this greatly assists to break free from both the attractiveness and the holding power of this world. It also is of immeasurable benefit to us in resisting the devil, who can only offer us things from this world. He never dwells on the things that will take place after the passing of the world, for he knows that is the time he will be tormented (Matt 8:29).
IN ORDER THAT
Eph 2:6 "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 THAT in the ages to come . . ."
HATH RAISED US UP TOGETHER. The previous verse states clearly that we were "quickened together with Christ." Now he elaborates on that marvelous truth.
Regarding Divine purpose, when Jesus was raised from the dead, all of His people were raised with Him also, His death counted for their death, and hence His life also counted for their life. In that sense, "together" would mean all of the saints were raised together in Divine purpose. However, that is not the point that is being made here.
Here the point is being together with Christ by experience, The contact was made when we were "baptized into His death" (Rom 6:3). Being knit to Jesus in His death, that union produced the raising of reference. Thus it is written, "If we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him" (Rom 6:8). No one who did not die with Christ can be raised up together with Him! This is another view of being "translated into the kingdom of His dear Son" (Col 1:13), or being put "in Christ" by God (1 Cor 1:30). By saying "with," Paul means He joined us.
HATH MADE US SIT TOGETHER IN HEAVENLY PLACES. This is the experience of faith, and is not intended to refer to "our gathering together unto Him," which shall occur at His Second Coming (2 Thess 2:1). Faith forges a very real, but not total, association with the risen Christ. It is in order that the benefits needed to safely negotiate from time to eternity, and from earth to glory, can be obtained. The first of these benefits is being raised from death in trespasses and sins, so that sin has no more dominion over us - even though we continue to inhabit a "vile body" (Phil 3:21).
This union with Christ cannot be perceived by the flesh or those who are living after the flesh. By way of comparison, when Jesus comes, the ungodly shall see our union with Christ, and well as their severance from Him. Notwithstanding the invisible nature of this seating together likeness to Him, it is something that is actually experienced, even though it is in measure. It is sufficient to work transformation, and to enable the believer to reject ungodliness and to live godly (Tit 2:11-12). Where this is not actually taking place, professed identity with Christ is nothing more than talk.
The "heavenly places" of reference are where the resources are located-i.e. "all spiritual blesses in heavenly places" (Eph 1:3). We are there in the sense of having access to those resources. But we are not there in the sense of being totally free from jeopardy and the assaults of the wicked one. To many, this is a great mystery, for they cannot conceive of something being real that is not experienced in the flesh.
THAT. Other versions read, "in order that," NASB "so that," NRSV "to," NET "This was to," NJB "So God can," NLT "for to," TNT "and now," LIVING "God wanted," IE "God did this so that," CEV and "He did this to." GNB The Greek word translated "that" is i[na, which means "denoting purpose, aim, or goal in order that, that." GINGRICH
In other words, God did one thing in order that He might do something else that was of even greater import. This first condition describes what was done, the second affirms WHY it was done. For example, He forgave us so He could make us alive, and He made us alive so He could seat us with Christ in heavenly y places. Now He extends the border of our consideration. There is more involved than the here and the now.
IN THE AGES TO COME. Other versions read, "the coming ages," NIV "the time to come," BBE "the ages that are coming," YLT and "for all time." IE
At this point we are dealing with God's purpose, or objective for what He did - raising us up together, and making us sit together with Christ in heavenly places (Eph 2:6). "The ages to come" are not limited to time. While it is true that God is showing the power and effectiveness of His grace in time, it is little seen. Such a display cannot be the intent of this expression. We know God's purpose is an "eternal" one (Eph 3:11). Thus it cannot be fulfilled in the periods of time that are related to this present evil world. The audience is too small and obtuse to justify a Divine intention to show what is here declared. "The ages to come" have more to do with eternity than with time. They postulate an audience that will be able to perceive the greatness of is shown them - an aggregate body of people who are what they are by the grace of God. If this text was speaking about ages of time in this world, both the audience and the spectacle would be too small. No more could be displayed to mortals that what was existent before their eyes. That does not justify a work as great as salvation.
However, when it comes to the display of the grace of God in a magnificent trophy, we are not speaking of an individual, or a group of individuals during a certain period of time. Such a display is too partial, and it cannot be put forward within boundary of time. It is the complete body of Christ is His "fulness" (Eph 1:23), His "wife" (Rev 19:7), and His "body" (Eph 1:23). This ultimate and eternal display is the foundational reason for our salvation!
SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH
2:7b " . . . He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."
HE MIGHT SHOW. Other versions read, "might make clear," BBE "exhibit," CJB "might display," CSB "can always point to us," LIVING "demonstrate." ABP
Such an action cannot be fulfilled in this present evil world: making clear, exhibiting, displaying, pointing to, and demonstrating. This ought to be clear, for at this time, what has been done in the son's of God "doth not yet appear," and "the world knoweth us not" (1 John 3:1). We have the treasure of salvation in "earthen vessels" (2 Cor 4:7) - and that is all the world can see. Even the highest ranking members of the body of Christ, the apostles, have, according to appearance, been"set forth" as "last" - "appointed to death" and "made a spectacle to the world" (2 Cor 4:9). They have been made "as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day" (1 Cor 4:13). That is simply not the kind of context in which a resounding testimony of God's grace can be given. The display, or showing, is of a finished work, not one in progress. It is much the same as God showing Jesus at the end of time. As it is written, "Which in His times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords" (1 Tim 6:15). The magnificent work that has been done in the saints will not be displayed before the glory of their Lord is made public. Thus it is written, "when He shall appear, then shall we also appear with Him" (1 John 3:2). That is the beginning of the display of which this text is speaking.
THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE. What will be displayed, and what will be seen, is what the Lord has done: "the exceeding riches of His grace." Thus what has been done will be more clearly perceived by seeing the means through which it was done. Other versions read, "surpassing riches," NASB "incomparable riches," NIV "immeasurable riches," NRSV "the full wealth," BBE "abundant riches," DOUAY "extremely rich," GWN "magnitude of the riches," MRD "extraordinarily rich," NJB "incredible wealth," NLT "superior riches," IE "limitless riches," ISV "amazing riches." MONTGOMERY In other words, there is no way to adequately describe it at this time.
Is this what has been displayed before the eyes of the world - as many versions and commentators represent the verse? In nearly every way the modern church is like a stumbling beggar, falling repeatedly, being led astray, and asking for help from the unsaved. It certainly is not perceived as a glorious trophy of what the grace of God can do. The richness of grace is scarcely known, as a considerable percentage of the professing church questions the effectiveness of grace, and significant divisions exist over the matter of grace.
This is not what God intended to do when He saved us! He had another domain in mind, and eternity in view. The admonition "Let your light so shine before men" ((Matt 5:16) is not to be compared with the showing, or display, of "the exceeding riches of His grace." Even now, the primary display of God's "manifold wisdom" (which has to do with how he employed His grace) is set before "principalities and powers in heavenly places" (Eph 3:10).
IN HIS KINDNESS TOWARD US. When It comes to working a change in men, Divine kindness is infinitely more powerful and effective than God's judgment or wrath. Time and time again God judged Israel, punished them, and consumed thousands of them in His anger - yet it wrought no effective change in them.
Salvation is depicted as "the kindness and love of God" toward man appearing (Tit 3:4). That perfectly parallels our text, which speaks of "His kindness toward us" -i.e. kindness directed toward and effectively working in us. God's "kindness" is very broad. Nehemiah said kindness was revealed in God not forsaking wayward Israel (Neh 9:17). The Psalmist spoke of God's "merciful kindness" (Psa 117:2). Isaiah spoke of God's "everlasting kindness" (Isa 54:8), and Joel of His "great kindness" (Joel 2:13).
God's "kindness" has transforming power that sets it apart from all other kindness. Men may be kind to a beggar, but it will not change his state. They may be kind to the infirm, but it will not change their condition. But it is not so with God's kindness. It does such a magnificent work that it will only be able to be suitably displayed in an environment in which there is no distracting evil, no debilitating obtuseness, and where all will have the capacity to understand what the Lord has done in salvation.
THROUGH CHRIST JESUS. When anything is said to be done "through Christ Jesus," it has to do with His redemptive role. This is the Jesus who died, rose again, ascended into heaven, and has been invested with all power in heaven and earth. Identity with Jesus is not accomplished by simply adding someone's name to a list of saved ones. It is rather accomplished by dying with Jesus, and being raised wi th Him to walk in the newness of life. Where this has not taken place, nothing can really be passed from Jesus to the individual. This is the bane of false and dead religion. It forges no real relationship of the people to Jesus-i.e. they are not truly joined to the Lord. As a consequence, God's kindness cannot pass to them.
SAVED THROUGH FAITH, AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES
2:9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."
BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED. It is what God does that saves us! - and that is epitomized in the word "grace." There is a lot in that word, including kindness, favor, love, tenderness, effective power, and Divine aptitude. The word "saved" means infinitely more than having your sins forgiven. It includes deliverance from the devil, the world, and the power of sin. There is Divine acceptance, moral and spiritual change, and heavenly recognition. The person who is "saved" is enabled to do anything and everything God requires of him. If he labors more abundantly than everyone else, grace enabled him to do so (1 Cor 15:10). If a person bears up under a severe hindrance, fulfilling his work, it is because grace "is sufficient" 2 Cor 12:9). If a person lives successfully in the world without being overcome by it, it is because of God's grace (2 Cor 1:12). We are "justified by His grace" (Eph 3:7).
Being saved by grace covers every aspect of salvation, from the beginning to the end; from its initiation to its finalization. There is no point in the newness of life where we have no further need of grace - no point at which it ceases to be necessary.
THROUGH FAITH. This is the caveat - or explanation that prevents a misinterpretation - that is missed by many. Grace cannot be obtained where there is no faith. Faith is the hand of the soul that takes hold of grace, and faith involves a certain persuasion and conviction. The person who has faith is not stabbing in the dark. What is more, the very faith that is possessed and gives access to grace, was "obtained" (2 Pet 1:1). When it comes to obtaining the righteousness of God, or being justified, "it is of faith that it might be through grace" (Rom 4"16). Paul further says that "we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand" (Rom 5:2). The situation is this: we cannot successfully finish our course without grace, and we cannot have any measure of grace without faith. I do not believe this has been seen by the professing church. One of the results of spiritual Babylon is the hiding of the truth of God's grace.
THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES. Other versions read "not from yourselves," NIV "not your own doing," NRSV "not your accomplishment," CJB "You had nothing to do with it," GWN "not by anything of your own," NJB "you can't take credit for this," NLT "You did not save yourselves," ERV "the result of your own efforts." GNB
Here again is a matter that is hotly disputed among men. Some say this includes the reception of faith, and others deny that this is the case. Others say it cannot mean what it says, because Peter clearly said to those to whom he preached on Pentecost, "Save yourselves" (Acts 2:40). First, let us dispense with these two shallow arguments.
First, the text is speaking about the whole of salvation, and not a part of it. Whatever is necessary to the reception of salvation comes from God, for that is a part of the salvation itself. If it is the conviction of sin, it came from God (John 16:8-9). If it is repentance, Jesus gives repentance (Acts 5:31). If it is believing, "it is given" to us to believe (Phil 1:29). If it is confession, no one can say Jesus is Lord "save by the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor 12:3). If it is baptism, we were baptized having "faith in the operation of God" (Col 2:12).
There is nothing about salvation that is lacking the work of God. Because Jesus is in every aspect of it, He is called "the Author and Finisher," "Beginning and the End," "First and the Last," and "Alpha and the Omega" (Heb 12:2; Rev 21:6; Rev 1:17; Rev 1:8). Nothing is done in those who receive the grace of God in which Jesus was not present.
Salvation is never viewed as the result of human and Divine efforts. No part of the salvation itself has the mark of man upon it. Even though men are required to do things, what they do is not a part of the salvation itself. Everything men are required to do has to do with obtaining salvation, and not the salvation itself. For example, when Israel was "saved" out of Egypt (Jude 1:5), what they did was not the source of the deliverance. Killing the passover lamb, applying the blood, eating the passover meal, packing all of their goods, obtaining goods from the Egyptians, etc is not what saved them. They came out of Egypt by God's leading (Ex 13:18,21,22.
"Not of works" is illustrated in Israel's deliverance from Egypt. Had Israel done all they were commanded to do unless God "brought" them out (Ex 13:3), they would not have come out. Further, they could not have walked through the Red Sea unless God brought them through it with His "right hand" (Ex 15:6,12). Salvation is like that.
IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD. Other versions read, "even trusting is not of yourselves; it too is a gift from God," LIVING "through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." NIV Whether viewed as faith itself, or salvation - "by grace through faith" - the meaning is essentially the same. Salvation is not sold to us. It is not offered to us for a payment of any kind. It comes from God's grace and disposition to be kind. Further, His grace, or favor, is not owing to what we have done, but to what was accomplished by Christ in our behalf. Let us never forget it!