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It will be seen at a glance that the passage in question is echoed by the words,
"Wherein He hath highly favoured (A.V. accepted) us in the Beloved." Before taking
this further, it will be necessary to consider the little word pro, translated in the A.V.
"first" and in the R.V. "before". In both renderings the idea of time seems prominent.
Pro in composition may indicate, before of place, time, or preference. Romans 3: 9 is
an instance of the third meaning, "Are we better than they" (proechomai). Rom. 12: 10
is another, "In honour preferring one another." Being guided by the structure
(members D. D.) we are led to see that the emphasis is not so much on time, or place,
as in the greatness of the favour bestowed. This secondary use in common to English
also. We speak of "a prior engagement," but we also speak of "a Prior," meaning one
next in dignity to an Abbot. The nearest approach we can get to the meaning of the
passage before us, as guided by the words used and the direction of the structure, is to
translate tous proelpikotas, "those who have a prior hope," meaning by the prior hope the
exalted and high dignity which pertains to those who have been so "highly favoured in
the Beloved" as to be made the members of His body, the church of the dispensation of
the mystery, the fulness of Him that filleth al in all, and His inheritance.
This view of the passage makes no reference to those who, being Jews, had hoped in
Messiah before the Gentiles, and does not necessarily say anything as to whether this
hope will be realized before all others (although we believe such will be the case), but the
outstanding thought is priority in dignity, excellence, and exaltation. Eph. 2: 6, 7 echoes
the call to praise with which Eph. 1: 12 concludes, and for similar reasons.
"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenlies in Christ
Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His
kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."
May we, in contemplating this high calling, remember the praise that is due.
The Blessings of the Spirit (Eph. 1: 13, 14).
The Seal, the Earnest, the Redemption.
pp. 49-52
The blessings that have been before us in the papers that have dealt with Eph. 1: 1-12,
have had as their basis the purpose of the Father carried to fruition by the work of the
Son. To remind ourselves of this will not be waste of time. Eph. 1: 4 tells us that the
purpose of the Father was, among other things, "that we should be holy and without
blame". The work of the Son accomplishes this, for
"Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it. . . . that He might present it to
Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it
should be holy and without blemish" (5: 25-27).
To understand the true place of the passage now before us, we should turn for a
moment to Col. 1: There in verse 22 we read:--