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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMatthew Poole Commentary - Ephesians 1:13 - 1:13
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
In whom ye also; here is a defect of the verb in the Greek, which may be supplied either from Eph_1:11, which seems to be the principal verb in the sentence, and then it must be read: In whom ye also have obtained an inheritance; or from Eph_1:12, trusted, which is the nearest verb; so our translation:
In whom ye also trusted; but neither way makes any difference in the scope of the words.
Ye; ye Ephesians and other Gentiles.
The word of truth; the gospel, so called, either:
1. By a usual Hebraism, from the true word; or:
2. By way of eminency, as containing the most excellent and necessary of all truths, the doctrine of righteousness and life by Jesus Christ; or:
3. With respect to the law and its shadows, the truth and substance of which is held forth in the gospel.
The gospel of your salvation: both in respect of the matter contained in it, the doctrine of salvation, and in respect of its efficiency, as being the means whereby God works faith, and brings to salvation, Rom_1:12 Heb_2:3.
In whom also after that ye believed; in whom either is to be referred to believers; q.d. After ye believed in Christ: or to sealing; and then it shows by virtue of whom this benefit of sealing is bestowed, viz. by virtue of Christ.
Ye were sealed with that holy Spirit; ye were secured and ascertained of your right to the inheritance; which we may understand to be done either by the Spirit’s impressing upon the soul the image of God in the work of regeneration, or (because that cannot so well be understood to be after believing) rather by his testimony in men’s own consciences afterward; whether immediate, by an overpowering light shining into the soul, and filling it with assurance of its interest in Christ and heaven; or mediate, enabling a man to discern that image of God in his soul, by which the Spirit bears witness to his interest in the inheritance, and assures him of it: see Eph_4:30 Rom_8:16 Gal_4:6.
Of promise; because the Spirit’s coming was before promised, or because he verifies and confirms the promises in and to the hearts of believers.