A Divine Nature Purchased by His Son. (Vv. 7-14)
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
The great price of the purchase was remitted. (Vv. 7-8)
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; (Vv. 7, 8)
Redemption, as it reflected Paul’s Jewish training, referred first to the way God redeemed the nation of Israel during the Exodus. This was a national redemption that involved “God’s chosen people” being set free from Egyptian bondage. God is often spoken of in the New Testament as the Redeemer of His People Israel. The second redemption brings about the liberty of the New People. Jesus has once and for all provided for redemption, for those of us who are in the New Testament economy, through the shedding of the blood of His Son. In doing so, He has put off His own anger toward us who are wicked and defiled sinners. We have no merit, state, or rank in and of ourselves. Yet, when God commended his love toward us while we were yet sinners, He was able to do all that which was required to bring us to a state of repentance and then to a state of being redeemed. The wrath of God is no longer against us, but instead we have the free pardon of sin.
John Gill certainly knew how to summarize this great truth when he wrote the following: “That redemption by Christ is such a deliverance, as that it is setting persons quite free and at entire liberty; such who are dead to sin by Christ are freed from it, from the damning power of it, and from its dominion and tyranny; and though, not as yet, from the being of it; yet, ere long, they will be; when, with the rest of the members of the church, they will be presented glorious, without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing: and such are free from the law; though not from obedience to it, yet from the bondage of it; they are delivered from it, and are no longer held in it, as in a prison; but are directed and exhorted to stand fast in the liberty from it, with which Christ has made them free; and this will have its full completion on all accounts, when the saints shall be delivered from every degree of bondage into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” (Gill)
To make our redemption gift possible. (Vv. 7)
Redemption could not have happened without Christ shedding His own precious blood. This was very necessary for the justice of God to be served and then He be satisfied. His blood being perfect, as He also was perfect, meant that there was no blemish or defect to be found in the sacrifice that was offered for redemption. The lamb which was offered in the Old Testament without blemish was only a crude type (in comparison) to the offering of Himself. The redemption was also provided for the purpose of reconciliation so that the reconciled could be at peace with God. Having the “peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) is certainly a great result of redemption that is found only in Christ Jesus.
Another purpose of redemption by Christ is that the redeemed might enjoy the blessing of adoption; for so it is said, that God sent his Son "to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons", (Gal. 4:4, 5) One of the great benefits of adoption is found in verses 6 and 7: “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” We, who are redeemed receive an inheritance through Christ and may enjoy for all eternity the benefits and the blessings of that inheritance.
The sanctification of God’s elect is another benefit of redemption by Christ; "who gave himself for them, that he might redeem them from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14), and again, Christ is said to love the church, and give himself for it, a ransom price for it, "that he might sanctify and cleanse it" (Eph. 5:25, 26) and the redeemed are redeemed by his blood "from a vain conversation" (1 Pet. 1:18). Then, as a result of redemption by Christ, the Spirit of Christ begins a work of sanctification and carries on that work in the souls of God’s people; and by applying the grace and benefit of redemption, He places them under the highest obligation to holiness of life and conversation; see Galatians 3:14. Just in knowing that by God’s Spirit He is doing an ongoing work of sanctification so that we might be presented as a glorious church without “spot or wrinkle” should cause us to strive to be more like Him.
Another great gift of redemption is being set free from every enemy, including Satan. The very definition of redemption demands that the redeemed person be set free and never is again subject to bondage. Our freedom should be claimed now while we yet breathe and have our being. The redeemed will never face hell or the lake of fire and all of the torments that are associated with those places.
If enough has not already been said as it pertains to our redemption, we will forever enjoy all of the benefits of salvation. God will reveal Himself and these benefits as “eternity rolls”.
To manifest His rich grace perpetually. (Vv. 8)
“Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;” (V. 8)
The church should operate wisely. With this being said, the Lord has extended to the church that capability by abounding towards the church with all wisdom and prudence. The word “prudence” indicates the wise application of reason or the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of wisdom. The strength of the church is then indicated by its understanding of and also the application of Truth. Ephesians will teach us how this is accomplished in chapters three and four. We do not have to be tossed “two and fro” by every wind and doctrine. The church, when it is operating properly, will be exercising and performing its ministry in a very efficient manner. Though the church will constantly face attack from Satan when it is operating as it should, it will also have the ability to do its ministry and its warfare with wisdom and prudence. In the Epistle of James, we are instructed if any lack wisdom that they may ask of God (James1:5). This is still another benefit that comes from redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
The great purpose of the purchase was revealed. (Vv. 9-12)
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (Eph 1:9-10 )
To reveal the great mystery of God. (Vv. 9-10)
For us to get a good understanding of the way that the word mystery is used in the Scriptures and the way that it is defined here in our immediate Text, we will make these observations. The word mystery does not necessarily mean something completely hidden and not at all alluded to previously, but rather, it means something that is not completely understood. Thayer’s Greek lexicon says of the word "mystery," "in the Scriptures, a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding. " Thayer also points out that in rabbinic writings, "it denotes the mystic or hidden sense: of an OT saying, Eph. 5:32." The word "mystery" merely implies something enigmatic, contained in the Old Testament Scriptures in cryptic language, but the meaning withheld until Christ revealed it to His disciples. We learn that this mystery as it pertained to the Church was revealed to Paul and the Apostles, but it was then Paul who revealed it to us through the church Letters. In effect, Paul was the steward of these mysteries as it related to the church and especially as it involved the Gentiles and the Jews coming together as the church.
The mysteries which are referred to in the New Testament are truths that are being revealed, with the passing of time, when God pleases. There were many Truths that were initiated in the Old Testament such as it related to the first and the second coming of Christ, the doctrine of the resurrection, atonement, and even salvation that were not clarified until the New Testament. It was as though a veil was placed over certain doctrinal truths only to be revealed at God’s discretion and at the particular time of His choosing.
To reveal the great mercy of God. (Vv.11-12)
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. (Eph 1:11, 12)
Paul is carefully stating that there are eternal benefits that are available as an inheritance according to the pleasure and the purpose of the Father, having worked it out in such manner “after the counsel of his own will”. This was a design that began in the mind of God according to His sovereign purpose. He predestined it to be so “to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ”. The Scriptures clearly state that these benefits come only to those who trust in Christ. In this particular case, Paul is referring to the Jews who were converted and became a part of the church to be followed by the Gentiles.
The Scriptures also teach us that there is an overriding counsel and purpose at work as it pertains to God’s creation. There are some who say that every lightning bolt is purposely lit by Him, that every butterfly lights upon a particular leaf according to His purpose and that every leaf falls to the earth when He wants it to. I do not believe that this is the case, at all. Instead, I believe that God put into effect certain laws that govern the universe. He provides the design and the energy to both create and sustain all of His creation. He lets His creation operate according to His prescribed laws. The leaves fall to the ground at its prescribed time according to the seasons that He put into effect. These laws must operate in respect to each other. An example of this is that if you jump off of a building there is a law called gravity that will let you fall at a consistent rate until you meet what has been described in Physics as resistance. There is another law called inertia, which says that an object tends to stay at rest while at rest, until acted upon otherwise, or an object tends to stay in motion while in motion until acted upon otherwise. The ground will stop the falling body while at the same time changing the falling body’s inertia. These are laws that God put in effect. If God wanted to superintend ever action upon the earth spontaneously, He certainly could have done so, but it is my opinion that He is much more efficient than that. The same way that God was able to efficiently put laws into effect as He governs the universe, He also has laws for our human existence and laws that governs our accountability back to Him. He has laws as it pertains to salvation. Using that term may not be technically correct, but God within the counsel of the Trinity clearly scoped out the plan of salvation. This plan was put into effect at the beginning according to His own purpose. He did not go into counsel with His own creation to come up with a plan, for He needed no other but Himself. This plan benefited the Jew first and then the Gentile. Paul will further explain this aspect of the mystery.
