Author: R.A. Torrey

We begin today the study of another of Paul’s wonderful letters to the churches. It was written at about the same time as the letter to the Ephesians and send by the same messenger, Tychicus (ch. 4:7, cf. Eph 6:21). It contains many of the same truths that are contained in the letter to the…

Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; ~Ephesians 1:15, 16 Because the Ephesian believers were “in Christ” and were “sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise,” and because of…

1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.     ~Ephesians 1:14 The Holy Spirit, whom we definitely receive, is an earnest (i.e., a pledge, a specimen block, a foretaste) of our coming inheritance (cf. Rom. 8:28, 11). The word translated “earnest” is also…

That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. ~Ephesians 1:12 The end in view in the loving and wondrous purpose of God regarding us, which is set forth in verse 11 is, “that we should be unto the praise of His glory.” Paul defines who he means by…

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: ~Ephesians 1:11 In this same Jesus in whom God will in “the fullness of the seasons” head up all things, we are also made a heritage of God (R.…

Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: ~Ephesians 1:8, 9 Verses 8-10 take us into very deep water, but the water is clear and we can see the meaning though we cannot…

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; ~Ephesians 1:7 In this Beloved One “we have our redemption,” i.e., deliverance, first from the guilt of sin, and afterwards from its power and its penal consequences. The primary thought of the word “redemption” is deliverance…

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,     ~Ephesians 1:5 God chose us out of the world “that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love,” because He had in His eternal purpose of grace “foreordained us (i.e.…

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:    ~Ephesians 1:4 The reason why God has blessed believers in Christ with every spiritual blessing in Christ is His own sovereign gracious choice. “He chose us (i.e., chose…

Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:     ~Ephesians 1:3 After the opening greeting Paul here bursts into a glowing ascription of praise to God. He blesses God who has so infinitely blessed us (cf. II Cor.…

Grace [be] to you, and peace, from God our Father, and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ. ~Ephesians 1:2 Paul prays that the saints in Ephesus may have two things: (1) “Grace,” i.e., loving favor, or unmerited favor; (2) “Peace” (i.e., inward peace of heart, cf. John 14:27). This “grace” and “peace” that Paul prays the…