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#9. The Muniment Room (1: 3 - 14).
The Threefold Charter of the Church.
The relation of election with foreknowledge.
pp. 41 - 45
It may be felt that nothing so exclusive, so unique, can be said of any company of
believers as that which we have already considered. The unique character of their
blessings "every blessing that is spiritual" is so wonderful, that however many times it be
repeated, yet, like the love of Christ, it still "passeth knowledge". Added to this we have
learned that this company of believers are the only ones who can entertain a hope whose
sphere of realization is beyond the present limited "firmament", is indeed "where Christ
sits at the right hand of God, far above all". There is however more to be said before our
examination of these treasures of grace and glory is in any sense complete. Let us repeat
some of the questions that arise as we read Eph. 1: 3, 4.
(1)
What are these blessings? "Every blessing that is spiritual."
(2)
Where enjoyed? "In heavenly places, far above all."
(3)
At what period was the inception of this purpose?
It is to answer this third question that we now seek all sufficient grace. Before,
however, we attempt this we desire to assure every reader that we have by no means
"forgotten" the most important item of all--that is, that these spiritual blessings in
heavenly places are ours, and ours only IN CHRIST, but this truth is stated so many times
and in so many connections, that we believe it will be more useful to concentrate upon
the unique character of the calling of Ephesians, before we consider that every blessing of
every calling in any and every sphere, must and only can be "in Christ".
"According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world" (Eph. 1: 4).
It will be observed that "in Him" carries the thought "in Christ" on to this new theme.
These unique blessings, this unique sphere are "according" to something done in a unique
period.
Kathos occurs in the New Testament one hundred and eighty-one times and is
translated "as" and "even as" one hundred and seventy-one times, which is evidence
enough of its primary meaning.
"According as" is found four times, namely in Rom. 11: 8 and I Cor. 1: 31 where we
read "according as it is written", in II Cor. 9: 7 where it reads "according as he
purposeth" and in Eph. 1: 4 "according as He hath chosen us". Seeing that kathos is a
compound of kata "according to" (Eph. 1: 5) and os "as" (Eph. 6: 20), the rendering of
kathos by "according as" will be seen to be as near to the primary meaning of the two
words as our language will permit. It is evident that the unique blessings and the unique