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the temple being `built' but of its `growing'. The words auxano and auxesis occur again
in Eph. 4: 15, 16, and in Eph. 3: 17 we have the two figures again `rooted and
grounded in love' as also in Col. 2: 7 `rooted and built up in Him'. God is using `living
stones' and consequently the Apostle can use both the words `built UPON' and `IN
Whom all the building . . . . . groweth' without any incongruity. Alas in many buildings
or societies erected by men, the interchange of the terms `build' and `grow' would not
only be incongruous but untrue.
So another blessed section of this epistle ends. In this temple, no middle wall exists,
here `the both' have access in one spirit, here `in spirit' is prepared a dwelling place for
God. There is a sequel to this, but it awaits the prayer of Eph. 3: 14-21 for its
elucidation, and a most important section of the epistle dealing specifically with the
dispensation of the Mystery intervenes.
No.54.
The Secret Chamber
(3: 1 - 13).
A Parenthesis of Extreme Importance (3: 2 - 13).
pp. 141 - 144
The reader who has the teaching of Ephesians in heart and mind will already have
realized that some explanation is necessary to account for the extraordinary revelation of
grace that is made known in the two chapters now reviewed.
The blessings promised are unique
"Every blessing that is spiritual."
The sphere of their enjoyment is unique
"In heavenly places."
The period of choice is unique
"Before the overthrow of the world."
The position is unique
"Made to sit together in heavenly places."
The unity is unique
"The twain created one new man."
Here are five items, each of which, if taken alone, is enough to establish a change of
dispensation, and if taken together present so overwhelming an evidence that such a
dispensational change must have taken place as to make further argument superfluous.
`He that hath ears to hear, let him hear' may be repeated in this connection as it was
pronounced at the blindness of Israel and the introduction of the `mysteries' of the
kingdom. The section now before us Eph. 3: 1-13 is devoted to the revelation and the
explanation of the dispensation of the Mystery. The opening words `For this cause' show
that the Apostle was about to make a deduction and an application of what he had just
been saying about the `habitation of God in spirit', but it is evident that at the close of
verse one, some necessity compelled him to postpone the teaching that he had in mind
because of the need to give a fuller explanation. The words `for this cause' are repeated
in verse fourteen, and the subject resumed.
Eph. 3: 2-13 therefore is a great parenthesis. The word parenthesis, para beside,
en in, thesis place, is the covering title of any form of speech which could reasonably be