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Eph. 1: 12-14.
A | Doxology for the work of Christ.
B | The exalted position of our hope.
C | Hearing.
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Faith.
D | Believing.
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C | Sealing.
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Hope.
D | Earnest.
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B | The purchased possession.
A | Doxology for the witness of the Spirit.
There is no need for the italicised word "trusted", nor for the word "after", as given
in the A.V. of verse 13. The passages reads:--
"In Whom ye also, upon hearing the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in
Whom also, upon believing ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Who is an
earnest of our inheritance, unto redemption of the purchased possession, unto praise of
His glory."
In the section governed by the Spirit, we read of "hearing the word" and of
"believing". The truth mentioned here is not truth in general, not even the whole truth of
Scripture, it is specifically "the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation". The
practical bearing of the truth, the special truth preached by the apostle Paul as minister of
the One Body, is well seen by noticing all the references in Ephesians. They are 1: 13,
4: 21, 24, 25, 5: 9, 6: 14. It will be seen that every reference is in a practical setting.
Some may say, chapters 4:, 5:, and 6: are practical, but chapter 1: is in the doctrinal
section. This is so, but we have already pointed out that of the threefold blessings
described in chapter 1:, those under the Spirit have reference to the practical outworking
of the truth. It will make this fact more illuminating if we show the arrangement of the
references.
Truth.
A | 1: 13. The word of truth. Gospel of your salvation.
B | a | 4: 21. Taught. Truth in Jesus. "Put off."
b | 4: 24. New man. Righteousness and holiness of truth.
a | 4: 25. Speak truth. "Put away."
b | Children of light. Goodness, righteousness, truth.
A | 6: 14. The girdle of truth. "Work out" (A.V. "having done all").
To have heard this truth, to have believed this truth, to have been created anew, and
taught of God, this, is being sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. That this sealing is
directly connected with the reception and outworking of the truth taught in Ephesians, is
proved by a further reference to chapter 4: Following the exhortation concerning the
truth in verses 21-25, comes a practical exposition of it, in works (28), and words (29),
and then, "grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of
redemption". The three terms that head our article are borrowed from the market place.
The buyer puts down the earnest money, a deposit, thereby securing the goods. They are