Reuben Archer Torrey (1856-1928) helped found Biola University. A graduate of Yale, he pastored churches, wrote books, and toured the world on evangelical campaigns. His Statement of Doctrine is still held by Biola. Read more about R. A. Torrey here.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him: ~Ephesians 1:10 The “mystery” or revealed secret in this case is the Gospel,
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.