Ephesians and II Timothy therefore are "Prison Epistles". Philippians speaks very

definitely of his `bonds' (Phil. 1: 7, 13, 14, 16), and so does Colossians (Col. 4: 18) and

Philemon (verses 10, 13). These epistles form the basis of the teaching of the Apostle

concerning the Mystery, and constitute the standard of truth for the dispensation of the

Mystery. This does not mean that nothing outside these five epistles has a message for

the member of the One Body. Redemption, justification and the great truths of the

Gospel of grace, are assumed rather than taught in these epistles. Here, as everywhere

else, the Scriptures are accepted as inspired truth. Here in a pre-eminent manner, Christ

is exalted, ordinances once valid retire and a new sphere of blessing is revealed. The

hope of Israel being suspended while Israel is blinded, a new aspect of hope is revealed.

Some of these distinctive blessings have been before us in the two chapters of Ephesians

now studied, and more awaits the diligent student as he has unfolded before his

wondering gaze the exceeding riches of grace that these prison epistles reveal.

A | 2: 11-12. Aliens. Dispensational.

B | 3: 1, 6, 7. The Mystery.

A | 4: 17, 18. Alienated. Doctrinal.

An attempt has been made to prove that `Gentiles' in Eph. 2: 11-12 refer to dispersed

Jews. No comment of ours, however, is necessary. Look for yourself. "Search and see."

It seems evident that when the Apostle made the statement contained in Eph. 3: 1,

he was conscious of having made a very great claim, a claim that needed some measure

of substantiation. It is easy to make a claim to some extraordinary vision, revelation or

commission, and history provides abundant evidence of the duplicity of many so called

seers, and the dupability of the untaught hearer. When Paul was apprehended, the

Roman Captain had imagined that he had laid hold on the `Egyptian' who led away

four thousand men in 55A.D. (Acts 21: 38). Some years previous a person named

`Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody', led away a number and was afterwards slain

(Acts 5: 36), and had Paul made the most fantastic claims to the most preposterous

revelations and uttered the most improbable prophecies he would have found a following.

However, many and wonderful the revelations made to him he nevertheless spoke `the

words of truth and soberness' even though one of his hearers had said of him `Paul thou

art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad' (Acts 26: 24). When Moses

received his commission to return to Egypt and demand of Pharaoh the liberation of