Here it will be seen that these epistles deal with both sides of the Christian revelation.

They reveal the doctrine and the standing of the church in grace, they also urge the

believer to fruitful service. They speak of salvation by grace without works, but they also

speak of a prize and a crown. They present, in themselves, a complete system of doctrine

and practice, entirely and completely filling up the dispensation gap caused by the setting

aside of Israel, and, with Israel, the suspension of the covenants and promises made unto

the fathers.

Thirdly.--In the third place, we can allow these epistles to speak for themselves, and

judge by what they say whether they are "the truth". They range themselves on the side

of truth as opposed to the lie, and on the side of light as over against darkness. Moral

living is inculcated, and responsibility goes hand in hand with grace (Eph. 1: 3; 4: 21, 25;

6: 14; 5: 4-8; Col. 3: 23-25). Everywhere Christ is honoured as Lord, and the great

fundamental doctrines affirmed. Let us note a few references that will show the place

that fundamental truth occupies in them.

(1) The inspiration of all Scripture.--This fundamental doctrine is affirmed in them

in language that cannot surpassed in any other part of Scripture (II Tim. 3: 16).

(2)  The Deity of Christ.--Such passages as Phil. 2: 6-11, and Col. 1: 15-19 are

sufficient evidence for their attitude to this most vital doctrine.

(3)  Redemption by blood.--No part of Scripture reaches such spiritual heights as

Ephesians and Colossians, yet it is in these epistles that redemption by the shedding of

blood is emphasized (Eph. 1: 7; Col. 1: 14).

(4)  Justification by faith without works.--The epistle to the Romans is confessedly

the epistle to which we turn for this great doctrine of the gospel, but nowhere can there be

found a more concise summary of its essential features than is compressed in the

confession of Phil. 3: 7-9.

(5) Sanctification, both in its basic and progressive phases, is taught in them

(Eph. 1: 4; Col. 1: 22; Eph. 5: 25-27).

(6) Salvation by grace through faith (Eph. 2: 8-10).--Seeing that they are addressed

to a company of saved people, and intended to lead them on the higher ground and into a

new dispensation, it would not have been surprising if the gospel itself had not been

mentioned. Yet in each of the four, the gospel finds a prominent place (Eph. 1: 13;

2: 8-10; 3: 6; 6: 19; Phil. 1: 5, 17, 27; Col. 1: 5, 23; II Tim. 1: 8, 10; 2: 8).

(7) The pre-eminence of Christ (Apart from His essential Deity).--This is perhaps

the most marked of any peculiarity of these great epistles, namely, the glory, the

pre-eminence, the position, "far above all", that is ascribed to the Saviour (Eph. 1: 20-23;

4: 9, 10; Col. 3: 11).