documents that pertain to our calling. We have seen the `Will of our Father',
we have now seen the `Manumission' of those of us who by nature were sold under
sin, but are here released, acquitted, forgiven and free. Let us never
underestimate the fact that we have been `bought with a price'.
The Threefold Charter of the Church
The Work of the Son (Eph. 1:7-11)
The Mystery of His Will
Redemption and Forgiveness. We do most gladly acknowledge that these are
`according to the riches of
His grace' (Eph. 1:7), but verse 8, as it stands in the Authorized Version,
seems to contain a contradiction:
`Wherein He hath abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence'.
The concepts `abounding' and `prudence' do not seem to belong to the same
category. The Greek word translated `abounding' is perisseuo, a word which by
its derivation and its usage suggests prodigality (wastefulness), whereas the
Greek word translated `prudence' phronesis indicates, as does the English
`prudence' that which comprehends, `that discreet, apt suiting and disposing as
well of actions as words in their due place, time and manner' (Peacham), and in
the expenditure of money, being frugal, economical and provident. The
contradiction however exists only in the English version, where the translators
have joined together into one verse, what should have been kept separate. The
reader should remember that punctuation and verse formation are modern and not
found in the original. When we examine the verses before us and inquire
concerning their theme, we observe, that it is twofold.
(1)
Redemption. This is made to abound with prodigal richness.
(2)
Instruction. This is given little by little as we are able to bear
it.
We can retain the Authorized Version just as it stands, if we will but put
a full stop in the middle of verse 8, thus:
`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, having made known unto us the mystery of His
will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself'.
We can now return to the term `abounding' and examine it a little closer.
Perisseuo means `to be over and abound, to be more than enough, to exceed'.
Perissos `exceeding abundantly' (Eph. 3:20), `superfluous' (2 Cor. 9:1), `beyond
measure' (Mark 6:51). The word used in Ephesians 1:8 occurs several times in
Philippians, where it is consistently translated `abound' (Phil. 1:9,26; 4:12
(twice), 18). There can be no doubt therefore of the lavish overflowing grace
that is manifested in the forgiveness of sins. We now come to the new yet
related subject, that of making known to these emancipated ones `the mystery of
His will'. Here we must pause, for the word mystery itself needs explanation,
and the mystery of His will must not be confused with other mysteries that are
found in the same epistle.
Wisdom is linked with the making known of the mystery and its associations
in each of its occurrences in Ephesians:
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