Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary: Ephesians
Notes as to the style or expressions of St. Paul, in this chapter
Ver. 3. With all spiritual blessings in heavenly places: literally, in heavenlies,[1] or celestials, which some expound and translate, in heavenly things; but this being expressed just before by spiritual blessings, it rather seems to be understood of the glory prepared for us in heaven, or in the heavenly mansions; in which sense it seems to me, according to the interpretation both of St. Jerome and of St. Chrysostom in their commentaries on these words. Estius takes notice that the same expression, in the celestials, is used five times in this epistle, and in all of them signifies places above us. (Witham)
Ver. 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace; i.e. unto the glorious praise or commendation of his grace. (Witham)
Ver. 8. In all wisdom and prudence; which may be either referred to the wisdom and prudence of God, the giver of grace, or to the gifts of wisdom and prudence bestowed upon the elect. (Witham)
Ver. 9. Which he hath purposed in him;[2] i.e. in Christ: but in the Greek the sense is, in himself; i.e. in God the Father, who sent his Son. (Witham)
Ver. 10. In the dispensation of the fulness of times. It may perhaps be translated, at the appointed fulness of time, which is generally expounded to signify at the time decreed from eternity. --- To establish (or restore) all things in Christ.[3] The Greek is to recapitulate, or, as the Protestant translation, to gather together all things in Christ; which St. Jerome expounds, by a fulfilling at once in Christ all the ancient figures and prophecies of the former law. (Witham)
Ver. 14. The redemption of acquisition;[4] i.e. in order to the acquired possession, or to the obtaining of that glory which Christ, by redeeming us, hath acquired for us. (Witham)
Ver. 23. Who is filled all in all.[5] In the Latin the words have a passive signification, is filled; in the Greek may be signified, who filleth all in all. (Witham)
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[1] Ver. 3. In cælestibus, en tois epouraniois, in supercælestibus. St. Jerome, (p. 324, tom. 4. nov. edit.) Spiritualia in cælestibus expectanda....thesaurizamus nobis in cælis. See St. Chrysostom, log. a. p. 765.
[2] Ver. 9. In eo; but in the Greek, en auto, in seipso.
[3] Ver. 10. Instaurare, anakephalaiosasthai, recapitulare. See St. Jerome, p. 330.
[4] Ver. 14. Acquisitionis, peripoieseos. See St. Jerome and St. Chrysostom.
[5] Ver. 23. Qui omnia in omnibus adimpletur, panta en pasi pleroumenou; which may either be in the passive or middle voice. St. Jerome, in his exposition, (p. 337) expressly says: Non ait, qui omnia in omnibus adimplet, sed qui omnia in omnibus adimpletur....sicut ergo adimpletur Imperator, si quotidie ejus impleatur exercitus, sic dominus Jesus, &c. See St. Chrysostom in the Latin edit. (p. 869) and in the Greek, (p. 776. lin. 31) dia panton oun pleroutai to soma, where the whole text requires a passive sense.
Bible Text & Cross-references:
The great blessings we have received through Christ. He is the head of all the church.
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, to all the saints who are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.
2 Grace be to you, and peace from God, our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 *Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places, in Christ:
4 As he hath chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and unspotted in his sight, in charity.
5 Who hath predestinated us unto the adoption of children, through Jesus Christ, unto himself: according to the purpose of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he made us acceptable, in his beloved Son.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins, according to the riches of his grace,
8 Which hath superabounded in us in all wisdom and prudence:
9 That he might make known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in him.
10 In the dispensation of the fulness of times, to establish all things in Christ, which are in heaven and on earth, in him:
11 In whom we also are called by lot, being predestinated according to the purpose of him, who worketh all things according to the counsel of his will:
12 That we may be to the praise of his glory, who have before hoped in Christ:
13 In whom you also, when you had heard the word of truth, (the gospel of your salvation:) in whom also believing, you were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise,
14 Who is the pledge of our inheritance, for the redemption of acquisition, unto the praise of his glory.
15 Wherefore I also hearing of your faith, which is in the Lord Jesus, and of your love towards all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making commemoration of you in my prayers:
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation, in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power towards us, who believe *according to the operation of the might of his power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, raising him up from the dead, and setting him at his right hand, in the heavenly places:
21 Above all principality, and power, and virtue, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.
22 *And he hath put all things under his feet: and hath made him head over all the church,
23 Which is his body, and the fulness of him, who is filled all in all.
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*
3: 2 Corinthians i. 3.; 1 Peter i. 3.
22: Psalm viii. 8.