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with the theme of Eph. 1: than are the parallel titles of II Cor. 1: 3 introduced without
reference to the "comfort" and "consolation" with which the chapter abounds. If we
know what aspect of "glory" appears in the context of Eph. 1: 17 we shall be able to
appreciate the use of the title here in this prayer.
The threefold charter (Eph. 1: 3-14) already examined is divided into its parts by the
recurrence of the word "glory in a note of praise. Thus:
The Will of the Father
Unto the praise of the glory of His grace.
The Work of the Son
Unto the praise of His glory.
The Witness of the Spirit
Unto the praise of His glory.
Grace appears but once, and that at the close of the will of the Father, where the
blessings of His will and choice are summed up as "accepted in the Beloved". Here,
in this word "accepted", the word "grace" is buried from sight in the English translation,
but appears when the two Greek words are placed side by side.
Grace--charis,
accept--charitoo. It is the glory of this grace that is first spoken of. Following the
redemption and liberating of the heirs of God comes the next reference to glory, with the
extraordinary feature which we have already noted, that the believer has been taken by
God as HIS inheritance, and finally, in view of the completion of the whole purpose in
the redemption of the purchase at the last, once more His glory is uppermost. Then in the
prayer that follows, comes the petition "that ye may know . . . . . what the riches of the
glory of His inheritance in the saints" (Eph. 1: 18). It is in the capacity of "the Father of
glory" (tes doxes) that God grants the spirit of wisdom and revelation. Neither wisdom
nor revelation are sought after here for their own sakes, but as a means to an end, "that ye
may know". These introductory steps must be distinguish from the actual goal. They
are:
(1)
The grant of wisdom and revelation.
(2)
In the acknowledging of Him.
(3)
Taking for granted that the eyes of your heart having been enlightened.
It will help us if we pause here, so that we may devote all space available in the next
article to the examination of these three essential steps to the attainment of the three items
of knowledge that constitute the mode of the Apostle's prayer. These three items are:
What is the HOPE of His calling.
What the riches of the GLORY of His inheritance in the saints.
What the exceeding greatness of His POWER to usward.
The Hope contemplates the goal before it is reached. The Power guarantees that the
goal shall be reached. The glory reveals what the goal will be when it is reached.
Surely the very contemplation of these things should set our hearts aglow, and turn our
worshipping faces to the throne of heavenly grace.