PART II.

CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH.

OF THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS.

1. THIS EPISTLE WAS REALLY WRITTEN TO THE EPHESIANS.-II. DATE AND OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES RELATIVE TO IT.-III. ITS CONTENTS.

I. SOME learned men have thought that this Epistle was not addressed to the Ephesians, but to the Laodiceans, conceiving it to be the Epistle mentioned in the fourth chapter of the Colossians, "and that ye likewise read the Epistle from Laodicea." The principal ground of their objection to the commonly received opinion of its being written to the Ephesians is, that there are no allusions in it to St. Paul's having ever resided among the persons to whom it is addressed; whereas it is certain that Paul had been twice at Ephesus, when he wrote this Epistle, and one of those times he had resided there more than two years; but this negative argument is contradicted by the most positive testimony, and by almost the unanimous voice of

a Theodoret maintained, that the Epistle here referred to was an Epistle from the Laodiceans to Paul, and not from Paul to the Laodiceans. Cave, Michaelis, and

several other moderns, have adopted this opinion, and the words of the original appear to me to favour it.

antiquity. Ignatius, who was contemporary with the Apostles, expressly says, that St. Paul wrote an Epistle to the Ephesians, and his description of it corresponds with this Epistle. Irenæus and Clement of Alexandria, both fathers of the second century, quote this Epistle as written to the Ephesians. Tertullian, who lived nearly at the same time, censures Marcion for asserting that this Epistle was written to the Laodiceans, and says that it was really written to the Ephesians. Origen, Dionysius of Alexandria, Cyprian, Eusebius, and all the later fathers, who quote this Epistle, treat it as written to the Ephesians; and almost all the ancient manuscripts and versions attest the same thing, by supporting the reading of our Bibles, "Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, to the Saints which are at Ephesus." Upon these authorities I feel myself fully justified in considering this Epistle as written to the Ephesians."

II. Ephesus, a city of Ionia, and the capital of the proconsular Asia, was famous for its temple of Diana, which was esteemed one of the seven wonders of the world; and its inhabitants were noted for their superstition and skill in magic. We have seen, that St. Paul preached the Gospel for a short time at Ephesus, in the year 53; and that in the following year he returned thither, and remained

a

It is remarkable, that this is the only book of the New Testament mentioned by Ignatius.

b Those who wish to see this

question more fully discussed, may consult Dr. Lardner, vol. vi., and Marsh's Michaelis, vol. iv.

there more than two years. During this long residence he made many converts to Christianity, who seem to have been distinguished by their piety and zeal. This Epistle contains no blame or complaint whatever; and its sole object appears to have been to confirm the Ephesian Christians in the true faith and practice of the Gospel. It was written while St. Paul was a prisoner the first time at Rome; and as the Apostle does not express in it any hope of a speedy release, which he does in his other Epistles sent from thence, it is conjectured that it was written during the early part of his confinement, and probably in the year 61. It might, perhaps, be occasioned by intelligence, which the Apostle had received concerning the Ephesians, from persons who had lately come out of Asia. It was sent to Ephesus by Tychicus. It is written with great animation, and has always been much admired, both for the importance of its matter and the elegance of its composition: Grotius says of it, "Rerum sublimitatem adæquans verbis sublimioribus ulla quam unquam habuit lingua humana.'

" b

III. This Epistle consists of six chapters, the first three of which are usually considered as doctrinal, and the other three as practical. St. Paul, after saluting the saints at Ephesus, expresses his gratitude to God for the blessings of the Gospel

a i. 15.

St. Chrysostom says that it is exceedingly full of lofty and magnificent thoughts, for that what

the writer scarcely any where else alluded to there he made manifest. Op. t. xi. p. 2.-EDITOR.

dispensation, and assures the Ephesians, that since he heard of their faith in Christ Jesus, and of their love to all Christians, he had not ceased to return thanks for them, and to pray that their minds might be still farther enlightened; he points out the excellence of the Gospel dispensation, and shows that redemption through Christ is to be ascribed solely to the grace of God; he declares the mystery, or hidden purpose of God, to be, that the Gentiles as well as the Jews should be partakers of the blessings of the Gospel, and that through the goodness of God he was appointed to be the Apostle of the Gentiles; he desires the Ephesians not to be dejected on account of his sufferings, and closes this part of the Epistle with an affectionate prayer and a sublime doxology. In the last three chapters, St. Paul gives the Ephesians many practical exhortations; and in particular, he recommends union, purity of manners, veracity, and meekness he enjoins charity, and forbids every species of licentiousness; he enforces the duties of wives, of husbands, of children, of fathers, of servants, of masters; he recommends watchfulness and firmness in the Christian warfare, and concludes the Epistle with a general benediction.

PART II.

CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH.

OF THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS.

I. DATE OF THIS EPISTLE, AND OCCASION OF ITS BEING WRITTEN. -II. ITS CONTENTS.

I. PHILIPPI was a city of Macedonia, and a Roman colony, not far from the borders of Thrace. It was the first place at which St. Paul preached the Gospel upon the continent of Europe, in the year 51. He made many converts there, who soon afterwards gave strong proofs of their attachment to him. He was at Philippi a second time, but nothing which then occurred is recorded.

a

The Philippian Christians having heard of St. Paul's imprisonment at Rome, with their accustomed zeal, sent Epaphroditus to assure him of the continuance of their regard, and to offer him a supply of money. This Epistle was written in consequence of that act of kindness; and it is remarkable for its strong expressions of affection. As the Apostle tells the Philippians that he hoped to see them shortly, and there are plain intimations in the Epistle of his having been some time at Rome, it is probable that it was written in the year 62, towards the end of his confinement.

II. St. Paul, after a salutation in his own name, and in that of Timothy, declares his thankfulness

a

iv. 15.

b ii. 24.

с

ci. 12. ii. 26.

с