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Studies in the Epistles of the Mystery.
The blessings of the Father (Eph. 1: 3).
pp. 125-127
We have seen in our studies of the opening verses of this epistle that the blessings
which are for us who believe come from the Father (1: 3-6), the Son (1: 7-12), and the
Spirit (1: 13, 14). Let us now consider the One Who blesses and the blessings He gives.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."--Notice the opening
words of this epistle. It is not so much our blessings that are to occupy our minds, but it
is the overwhelming sense of the grace of God welling up in our hearts that here finds
utterance--"Blessed be God!" No petition rises to the throne of grace. No confession,
no vows of reform, no statements of failure, but thanks, praise, and worship, full and free,
ascend unto the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. "Blessed be God;" He has
blessed us with all spiritual blessings, therefore we have need to ask for nothing, but to
praise for everything.
Blessed.--The word is eulogetos, and occurs only once in the epistles of Paul written
after Acts 28: The same may be said of the related words in the same verse.
Blessed us with blessings.--These words are never again used by Paul in his epistles
to the Gentiles. Glorious in their unique isolation, standing at the threshold of this
dispensation, are these related all-comprehensive words--"Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings." Let us
remember this witness to the special character of our blessings, and the special character
of our note of praise to the Lord.
The word eulogeġ means to "speak well of." God has spoken well of such as we are.
In Christ He has graced us and accepted us; surely we should "speak well" of Him. No
murmuring word should escape our tongue, no reflection should ever cast upon His
gracious purposes, no intrusion of man's distortions should ever sully the clear and
glorious light of His grace and glory.
The opening words of blessing to the "dispersion" through the instrumentality of the
apostle to the circumcision (I Pet. 1: 3) are worthy of comparison here. We place them
side by side in order that their points of contacts and divergence may be clearly seen:--
The Church of the Mystery.
The Remnant of Israel.
Paul.
Peter.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant
Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual
mercy hath begotten us again unto a living hope
blessings in the heavenlies (en tois epouraniois) in
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from among
Christ, according as He hath chosen us in Him
dead ones, unto an inheritance incorruptible, and
before the overthrow of the world" (Eph. 1:).
undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in
heaven (en ouraniois) for you" (I Pet. 1:).