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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - Ephesians 3:10 - 3:10
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
The design of God in giving Paul grace to proclaim to the Gentiles the mystery of salvation heretofore hidden.
now - first: opposed to “hidden from the beginning of the world” (Eph 3:5).
unto the principalities and - Greek adds “the”
powers - unto the various orders of good angels primarily, as these dwell “in the heavenly places” in the highest sense; “known” to their adoring joy (1Ti 3:16; 1Pe 1:12). Secondarily, God’s wisdom in redemption is made known to evil angels, who dwell “in heavenly places” in a lower sense, namely, the air (compare Eph 2:2 with Eph 6:12); “known” to their dismay (1Co 15:24; Col 2:15).
might be known - Translate, “may be known.”
by the church - “by means of,” or “through the Church,” which is the “theater” for the display of God’s manifold wisdom (Luk 15:10; 1Co 4:9): “a spectacle (Greek, ‘theater’) to angels.” Hence, angels are but our “fellow servants” (Rev 19:10).
manifold wisdom - though essentially one, as Christ is one, yet varying the economy in respect to places, times, and persons (Isa 55:8, Isa 55:9; Heb 1:1). Compare 1Pe 4:10, “stewards of the manifold grace of God.” Man cannot understand aright its single acts till he can survey them as a connected whole (1Co 13:12). The call of the Church is no haphazard remedy, or afterthought, but part of the eternal scheme, which, amidst manifold varieties of dispensation, is one in its end.