9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
9 making known
9 letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ,
9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,
9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure.
11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
11 All this is proceeding along lines planned all along by God and then executed in Christ Jesus.
11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Read Ephesians 3:8-12)
Those whom God advances to honourable employments, he makes low in their own eyes; and where God gives grace to be humble, there he gives all other needful grace. How highly he speaks of Jesus Christ; the unsearchable riches of Christ! Though many are not enriched with these riches; yet how great a favour to have them preached among us, and to have an offer of them! And if we are not enriched with them it is our own fault. The first creation, when God made all things out of nothing, and the new creation, whereby sinners are made new creatures by converting grace, are of God by Jesus Christ. His riches are as unsearchable and as sure as ever, yet while angels adore the wisdom of God in the redemption of his church, the ignorance of self-wise and carnal men deems the whole to be foolishness.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ephesians 1:9
Commentary on Ephesians 1:9-14
(Read Ephesians 1:9-14)
Blessings were made known to believers, by the Lord's showing to them the mystery of his sovereign will, and the method of redemption and salvation. But these must have been for ever hidden from us, if God had not made them known by his written word, preached gospel, and Spirit of truth. Christ united the two differing parties, God and man, in his own person, and satisfied for that wrong which caused the separation. He wrought, by his Spirit, those graces of faith and love, whereby we are made one with God, and among ourselves. He dispenses all his blessings, according to his good pleasure. His Divine teaching led whom he pleased to see the glory of those truths, which others were left to blaspheme. What a gracious promise that is, which secures the gift of the Holy Ghost to those who ask him! The sanctifying and comforting influences of the Holy Spirit seal believers as the children of God, and heirs of heaven. These are the first-fruits of holy happiness. For this we were made, and for this we were redeemed; this is the great design of God in all that he has done for us; let all be ascribed unto the praise of his glory.