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"The Both"; "The Twain"; "The Joint Body";
Who are they, and what do these words imply?
#3. Showing that the teaching of Ephesians and Colossians
is related to the symbolic teaching of Gen. 1: and 2:
pp. 26 - 29
As we read the two epistles of the Mystery, Ephesians and Colossians, we find
ourselves impelled to turn back to the two opening chapters of the Book of Genesis. It is
impossible, for instance, to understand the implications of the expression "before the
foundation of the world" (Eph. 1: 4) apart from Gen. 1: 1 and 2. We have shown, in
other articles, that the word katabole should be translated "overthrow" and that the two
Hebrew words tohu and bohu in Gen. 1: 2 ("without form and void") are applicable to
the period to which the Apostle refers. The interested reader will find a fairly full
exposition of the subject in Volumes IV, VI, X, XI, XII, XIII, XVI and XVIII, and
should consult the Index of Volumes I-XX under the headings "Subject", "Scripture
reference", and "Hebrew and Greek words explained". For the moment we merely
state, without advancing proof, that Eph. 1: 4 is a definite link, binding the revelation of
the Mystery with Gen. 1: We are not, of course, suggesting that the Mystery was made
known in Gen. 1:; all we affirm is that one must be acquainted with Genesis if the
distinctive calling of the Mystery is to be appreciated.
In Eph. 1: 22 we have the expression "all things under His feet" in connection with
Christ and His relationship to the Church which is His body. This expression is quoted
from Psalm 8:, which itself looks back to Adam in his capacity as a shadow of Christ.
The fact of creation is an integral part of Paul's exposition of the Mystery.
"We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2: 10).
This is the first of the seven occurrences in Ephesians and Colossians of the verb ktizo,
"to create". Let us acquaint ourselves with the remaining references:
"For to make (created) in Himself of the twain one new man" (Eph. 2: 15).
"The mystery . . . . . hid in God, Who created all things by Jesus Christ" (Eph. 3: 9).
"The new man, which after God is created in righteousness" (Eph. 4: 24).
"By Him all things were created, that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and
invisible . . . . . all things were created by Him and for Him" (Col. 1: 16).
"The new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created
him" (Col. 3: 10).
It is evident that creation lies behind the truth of the Mystery, and there is a pointed
reference to Gen. 1: 26--"Let Us make man in Our image", both in the title of Christ
given in Col. 1: 16 and in the renewal of the new man in 3: 10.
The verse that immediately follows Gen. 1: 26 reads as follows: