5
Speaks of Enduring and Suffering.
Does not speak of any of the items mentioned above in Ephesians and Colossians.
The teaching of these epistles.
It will be readily seen that the teaching of these epistles is twofold, viz. (1) Ephesians and Colossians give the
grand foundation, where all is of grace, and (2) Philippians and 2 Timothy lead on to the building which each
believer will erect upon that foundation. Philemon is personal and for our present purpose need not be included,
although it is necessary to complete the full series of Paul's epistles.
In (1) `works' are entirely ruled out as having no place in the doctrine of grace, but in (2) the theme is focussed
in the words, `Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling'.
While `access with boldness and confidence' is the atmosphere of Ephesians and Colossians, `fear and
trembling' (`not as though I had already attained') is the atmosphere of Philippians, while `I know', `I am
persuaded', `I have finished my course', `Henceforth ... a crown', is the blessed atmosphere of 2 Timothy.
The teaching of Ephesians.
We do not feel that it would be wise to attempt in one small booklet the double line of teaching contained in
these four epistles. We, however, propose, in the following pages, to give in the first place an outline of the teaching
in Ephesians, and then turn to Colossians, in order to gain further light upon the truth already discovered. The next
chapters, therefore, will take up some of the outstanding features of the dispensation of the mystery.
CHAPTER 2
BLESSINGS UNIQUE IN SPHERE, TIME AND CHARACTER.
Some unique items.
The opening verses of Ephesians contain a series of items which testify to the unique character of the revelation
given and of the company of believers called together under its terms. The first item which we note is the sphere of
blessing.
`Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings IN THE
HEAVENLIES in Christ'.
While the word translated `heavenlies' occurs in other parts of Scripture, the phrase `in the heavenlies' is
peculiar to the epistle to the Ephesians. Of no other company of believers is it said that their sphere of blessing is
`IN the super-heavenlies'.
Why SUPER-heavenlies?
The special sphere of blessing which belongs alone to the Church of the One Body is mentioned five times in
this epistle, and a study of these occurrences will supply us with valuable information.
First of all, we translate the word `super-heavenlies' in recognition of all that belongs to the word epouraniois;
secondly, because the word is found in Ephesians 4:10, where `far above all heavens' is huperano panton ton
ouranon; and thirdly, because the information supplied by the five references demands some such translation.
Passing, therefore, to the second reference, we find, in Ephesians 1:20,21 that this sphere of blessing is:
(a)
At the Father's right hand.
(b)
Far above all principality and power.