Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Ephesians 3:11 - 3:11

Online Resource Library

Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | Download

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Ephesians 3:11 - 3:11


(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)

This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

11. κατὰ πρόθεσιν τῶν αἰώνων. ‘In accordance with a plan for the ages.’ Cf. on Eph 1:9.

ἣν ἐποίησεν. This may be taken in two ways; either (1) ‘which He formed,’ i.e. to which He gave a definite objective existence. ἣν ἐποιήσατο = προέθετο would have left the plan purely ‘subjective.’ This would correspond to the first clause in 2Ti 1:9 and with Eph 1:4. Cf. Isa 29:15; Isa 30:1. Or (2) ‘fulfilled,’ ‘wrought out.’ Cf. ποιεῖν τὰ θελήματα (Eph 2:3), τὸ θέλημα (Mat 21:31). But Robinson is clearly right in urging that for this sense a stronger word than ποιεῖν would be required. If this sense were adopted it might be illustrated by the second clause in 2Ti 1:9 f., διὰ τῆς ἐπιφανείας τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Χρ. Ἰ.

ἐν τῷ χρ. Ἰ. τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν. The full phrase is found elsewhere only in Col 2:6. ‘In the Christ, that is, Jesus our Lord.’ It is given here in full because of the stress that is to be laid on the power of faith in the verses that follow, and to connect the eternal purpose with its historic manifestation.