ultimate glory, we must surely exclaim `what manner of persons ought we to be',

upheld and energized by such a wealth of power?

Before proceeding to the examination of the closing verses of Ephesians 1,

we are reminded by a glance at the structure that there is another reference to

inworking power in Ephesians 2:2; we therefore include this passage, in order

that the intended contrast shall be appreciated.  We will not attempt to deal

with Ephesians 2:1; this will come better in its place in the exposition, but go

straight to the terms `the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now

worketh in the children of disobedience'.  Here, by antithesis, this mighty

power, this `ruler of the authority of the air' is set over against the exalted

Lord, his sphere of activity being `the course or age of this world' and `now'.

He too employs a mighty energy `the spirit that now worketh in (energeo) the

sons of disobedience'.  It may be well to tabulate the seven references to

energeo found in the Prison Epistles.

Eph. 1:11

Him Who worketh all things.

20

Which He wrought in Christ.

The spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience.

The power that worketh in us.

Phil. 2:13

God which worketh in you both to will and

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to do (work) of His good pleasure.

Col. 1:29

Which worketh in me mightily.

Lest we should imagine that because there is a mighty spirit power

energizing the unbeliever suggests that the unbeliever is at the mercy of a

power, and not responsible for his actions, we are reminded that those in whom

he works are `children of disobedience', and that they are fulfilling the

desires of the flesh and the mind.  So, in like manner, while we may at first be

overwhelmed with the display of power that is to us-ward, we must remember also

that it is to us-ward who believe.  Intelligent and responsible co-operation is

by no means ruled out, but rather encouraged.  When the Philippians were assured

that it was God Who worked In them, they had already been exhorted to work Out

their own salvation.

We can now return to the original passage that was before us, and attempt

to understand what is involved in the exaltation of the Lord set forth in verses

In the sequel to the apostle's reference to the mighty power that is `to

us-ward who believe', our attention is directed to four great movements, all in

connection with the Saviour, as follows:

raised Him from the dead'.

set Him at His own right hand'.

put all things under His feet'.

gave Him to be Head over all things to the church'.

In verse 7 we have the record of redemption `through His blood', after

which nothing is said of the death of Christ until the passage before us which