The zenith of Divine revelation, this heavenly epistle, leaving the earth, where Christ is repudiated by His own people Israel, seats us amongst the celestials, where He is enthroned at God's right hand. Ephesians 1:20.
His saints, blessed with every spiritual blessing in Him (ch.1:3) in heaven (ch.2:6), are an object lesson to manifest God's manifold wisdom to celestial beings,( ch.3:10), so that the purpose of the ages (ch.3:11), which embraces Christ's headship over the heavens as well as the earth, (ch.1:10), may be effected through the transcendent riches of grace.(ch.2:7)which has come to the nations through the repudiation of faithless Israel, until their salvation and reception. Romans 11:12.
The dimensions of the present grace are not constricted as with Israel. It reaches back to a time prior to the entrance of sin and forward to its exit. It includes not only mankind who believe in the present economy, but is intended to affect the heavens as well. It takes men who are far below the plane of privilege on which Israel dwelt, with no claims whatever on God's mercy, and SEATS them far above the highest in heaven.
May He, the God of grace, help us to learn something of His wonderful grace toward us!
This knowledge leads us into the realm of the unknowable, for it reveals to us the transcendent love of Christ, which we will never be able to fathom fully and which will always yield new delights.
As to time, it reverts to a period prior to the disruption of the first of Genesis, (ch.1:4 & Genesis ch.1:2), and leads to the exaltation of Christ, not only in the coming age (ch.1:21) but in the age of the ages too,(ch.2:7 & 3:21), which is the economy of the fullness of the ages. (ch.1:10)
Being addressed to those who believe in Christ Jesus, in contrast to those of the Circumcision whose blessings, on earth, are postponed till His returning glory, this letter, was intended only for those who had received Paul's previous ministries and were expecting to be with Christ BEFORE His coming to the earth. (ch.1:12).
The omission of "in Ephesus" in verse one, the lack of the slightest location illusion, and the very general character of the epistle, all tend to show that it is the charter of the Ecclesia of this economy, a treatise on present truth - - the touchstone and standard by which all truth for today must be tested.
The Epistle proper is an elaboration of the definition of the present secret economy. (ch.3:6)." That , IN SPIRIT, the nations are to be JOINT-enjoyers, and a JOINT-body, and JOINT- partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus, through the Evangel of which Paul became the dispenser.
-The joint allotment is distinctly stated in Ch.1:13-14.
-It is expanded in Ch.1:3-18.
-And enforced in Ch.6:10-20.
-The joint participation is seen in creating the Circumcision and the Uncircumcision into one new humanity.Ch.2:15.
-It is fully discussed in Ch.2:11-22.
-And it is applied to our deportment in Ch.4:17 & Ch.5: 20.
-A summary of the new revelation is given in Ch.3:1-13.
-Which is reviewed as to its result in Ch.4:7-16.
The heart of the Epistle is filled with two petitions, one to the Father, and one to the saints to preserve the spiritual unity which is founded on the transcendent truths, fathomless favour and limitless love which are revealed in this lovely Epistle.