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I. THE IMPORTANT TRUTH STATED. God has caused His grace to abound in all wisdom and prudence.

1. In the formation of His plan (Ephesians 1:4-6).

2. In His conduct to us (1 John 4:10; Galatians 4:6; 2 Corinthians 4:7).

3. Suspending His justice in the acceptation of a Divine mediation (1 Timothy 2:5).

4. In the application of His grace (1 Corinthians 1:4).

5. In the instruments employed (1 Corinthians 1:27, 28).

II. THE MEANS OF COMMUNICATING THIS GRACE. "Having made known unto us the mystery of His will."

1. It was eternally concealed in the mind of God, and but faintly promulgated by types (Hebrews 10:1).

2. It is still concealed from many, both heathens and professed Christians (Isaiah 55:2).

3. It has mysteries which the enlarged mind of a Christian has not conceived (Romans 11:33).

4. The Christian feels more than he can express (1 Peter 1:8).

5. All this is made known to the soul by means of preaching (1 Corinthians 1:21).

III. THE REASON OF THIS COMMUNICATION OF GRACE. To show "His good pleasure, which He purposed in Himself."

1. In giving us all things necessary to salvation (Ephesians 1:3).

2. The adoption of our souls (Ephesians 1:2).

3. The knowledge of forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7).

4. That His glory should be promoted in us and by us through Christ (Ephesians 1:12).

IV. THE DESIGN OF ALMIGHTY GOD IN THE DISPLAY OF HIS GRACE BY CHRIST. "That He might gather together," etc.

1. It was to collect all God's people (John 11:52).

2. To advance Christ's honour. The one Head (Ephesians 5:23). He is the Head of confirmation to the angels, hence called "elect angels" (1 Timothy 5:21; Ephesians 1:22; 1 Peter 3:22; Hebrews 1:6).

3. The Head of representation to the Church; for the Church died, rose, obeyed, and suffered in Christ, and must finally live with Him (John 14:19).

4. He is the Head of influence; for as all nerves are connected with the brain, there is no motion in the body without this. And without Christ there is no light, exertion, taste, or sensibility (John 1:16).

5. The Spirit acts upon the soul, and shows what Christ has done for His people (John 16:14).

6. The Head of union between Jews and Gentiles (Ephesians 2:16).

V. THE IMPROVEMENT.

1. From this subject we learn that infinite wisdom contrived the plan, and infinite prudence accomplished it.

2. What a high value should believers put upon Christ! For in Him the law and the gospel, the promises and the blessings, God and man, heaven and earth, are united.

3. What a high estimation ought we to have of the blessed gospel of Christ!

4. It shows us that human merit has nothing to do in moving God's good pleasure to save our souls.

5. It further shows us how happy true Christians are privileged to be.

(T. B. Baker.)

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KJV: Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

WEB: which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,