Ephesians 1:9 Having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he has purposed in himself: I. THE SOVEREIGN GRACE OF GOD IN MAKING KNOWN TO US THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL. 1. The gospel is called the mystery of God's will. We must not expect to be able to grasp with our reason all that is contained in it. 2. God has made known to us His will, according to the good pleasure which He purposed in Himself. II. THE PURPOSE OF GOD IN THIS DISPENSATION — "That He might gather together in one," etc. 1. The gospel is called the dispensation of the fulness of times. 2. The apostle teaches us that one end of this dispensation was, that God might gather together in one all things in Christ. 3. The apostle farther teaches us that the gospel is intended to unite in Christ all things, both which are in heaven and which are in earth. (1) An argument for Christian love. In heaven charity never fails. (2) An argument for Christian candour. III. THE OBLIGATION WHICH LIES ON SUCH AS ENJOY THIS PRIVILEGE: to live to the praise and glory of God's grace. (J. Lathrop, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:WEB: making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him |
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