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The Benediction.
The contemplation of this noble spirit falls like a benediction itself in a world of
sordid self-interests and covetousness, but the "peace" and the "love with faith" so
markedly present come not merely from the heart of man but "from God our Father and
the Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph. 6: 23), and so the benediction falls from Him Who was the
strength and the sweetener of Saul of Tarsus,
"Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity."
The word translated "sincerity" is aptharsia = incorruptibility. Are we to understand
that our love to the Lord is "incorruptible", and that this benediction rests upon those
only whose love will never change, but is incorruptible? This is the opinion of many.
Dr. Bloomfield, however, cites the interpretation of Beza to show that the words
en aphtharsia are to be read with the word "grace" and not with "love". It is the grace of
the Lord that is imperishable, incorruptible, immortal. It is a point that perhaps we
cannot settle. True love is as strong as death. The grace of the Lord is beyond the touch
of corruption. Let us seek to love with all sincerity, and rest upon a grace that reaches out
beyond the grave. Here is the last word of the epistle--"incorruptibility". Resurrection
is stamped on the whole unfolding of the epistle. In chapter 1: it is "the power to
usward that believe", in chapter 2: it is the sphere of our blessings, in chapter 4: it is
seen in the new man, in chapter 5: it forms the exhortation to awake from sleep, and in
chapter 6: it constitutes the strength of the good soldier.
What shall we say unto these things? Who is sufficient for these things? What shall
we render for these things? As we ask these questions in the presence of the Lord there
can be but one answer:--
"I follow after, if that I may laid hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by
Christ Jesus . . . . . but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and
reaching forth unto those things which are before, according to a mark I press toward the
goal, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3: 12-14).
So concludes a long but happy, and we trust profitable, study. Though we pass from
the definite study of this epistle to other parts of Scripture, this one epistle more clearly
indicates our peculiar testimony than does any other single book of Scripture. To all who
have this precious truth at heart, who value the "good deposits", and realize both its
privilege and responsibility and for all who may be called to bear witness to the glorious
truth enshrined in the Epistle to the Ephesians, we would humbly but most sincerely
repeat the apostle's prayer:--
"And for me, that utterance may be given."
(Mystery16, pp.145-153)