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"In Christ Jesus" (II Timothy).
A | 1: 1. The Promise of Life.
B | 1: 9. Purpose and Grace. Holy calling, not of works.
C | 1: 13. Form of sound words. Doctrine.
D | 2: Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
A | 2: 10. Salvation WITH glory.
B | 3: 12. Persecution and godly living. Practice.
C | 3: 15. Holy Scriptures. Salvation.
Turning to the briefer phrase "in Christ" we find it used in contrast to being
"in Adam" and in other doctrinal and practical associations. It occurs seven times in
II Corinthians where the passages may be taken to indicate the character of blessing that
was found "in Christ" by the apostle.
The first sounds a note of triumph.
"Now thanks be unto God, which always leadeth us in triumph in Christ"
(II Cor. 2: 14, R.V.).
The second avers faithfulness.
"But as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ" (II Cor. 2: 17).
There follows the ministry of the new covenant and contrasts of liberty, life and glory,
with the bondage, death and passing glory of the old covenant. Paul tells us that when
Israel read the old covenant, a veil is upon their eyes and heart but that this veil "is done
away in Christ" (II Cor. 3: 14). Pursuing the wondrous theme, he passes from the new
covenant to the new creation, saying "Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new
creature" (II Cor. 5: 17). From the new creation he proceeds to speak of the
reconciliation, saying, "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself"
(II Cor. 5: 19). To Paul, salvation was to be found "in Christ" and when referring to his
conversion and commission, he says, "I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago"
(II Cor. 12: 2). In his last use of this phrase in II Cor. 12: 19 he again refers to his
ministry as "speaking before God in Christ". In conclusion let us turn to Eph. 1: 1-14,
and, instead of limiting ourselves to one title, as "Christ" or "Christ Jesus", let us observe
how the word "in" is used.
The preposition en, "in", occurs nineteen times in Eph. 1: 1-14 and is translated "at"
(1: 1); "with" (1: 3); "wherein" (1: 6); and sixteen times is rendered by the word "in".
Let us set out these verses, omitting those references that use the word "in" before such
terms as "heavenly places" and marking only those which speak of blessing "IN Him".
"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus,
and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace [be] to you, and peace, from God our Father, and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all
spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:
According as he hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we
should be holy and without blame before Him in love: having predestinated us unto the