08-30-2010, 09:25 AM
I don't want to make a mountain out of a mole hill, but I was looking at Oliver B. Greene's commentary over at
http://www.baptistbiblebelievers.com/NTS...fault.aspx
as we are beginning a study of Ephesians in our Sunday School.
In his commentary on verse 2 concerning the statement "called to be saints" he says "The words "to be" is not in this statement, but simply "called saints." Hmmmm
2 - "To the saints. . . ." Saint is GOD's name for every born again child of GOD. The word "saint" means "holy, or set apart"; the term "saint" refers to the believer's standing in CHRIST, and is applied to even the most unworthy believer. For example, in I Corinthians 1:2 we find, "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth . . . called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours." The words "to be" is not in this statement, but simply "called saints."
http://www.baptistbiblebelievers.com/Lin...91&mid=627
In his commentary on verses 1:3-14 he says
In the language of the Bible, Ephesians 1:3-14 is one sentence . . . the longest sentence in the Word of GOD. There is a reason for this: Into these verses is woven the most thrilling account of spiritual blessings and provisions revealed in the Word of GOD. There is no place for a period in this account, because three Persons are involved. They are inseparable, both in their being and in their activity as having to do with our salvation. Therefore, Ephesians 1:3-14 is one great sentence, describing the one great provision made for Hell-deserving sinner.
http://www.baptistbiblebelievers.com/Lin...91&mid=627
Actually verses 3-14 are three sentences. Verses 3-6 which refer to God the Father is one sentence, verses 7-12 which refer to Jesus are one sentence and then verses 13-14 which refer to the Holy Spirit are one sentence. I had sent this link to a couple of Bible study teachers so I'm hoping they don't get the idea Oliver B. Greene condones correcting the Bible, but this commentary gives that impression.
Ephesians 1
****************
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4According 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:
5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
******************
7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10That in the dispensation of the fulness 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:
11In 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:
12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
**********************
13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
http://www.baptistbiblebelievers.com/NTS...fault.aspx
as we are beginning a study of Ephesians in our Sunday School.
In his commentary on verse 2 concerning the statement "called to be saints" he says "The words "to be" is not in this statement, but simply "called saints." Hmmmm
2 - "To the saints. . . ." Saint is GOD's name for every born again child of GOD. The word "saint" means "holy, or set apart"; the term "saint" refers to the believer's standing in CHRIST, and is applied to even the most unworthy believer. For example, in I Corinthians 1:2 we find, "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth . . . called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours." The words "to be" is not in this statement, but simply "called saints."
http://www.baptistbiblebelievers.com/Lin...91&mid=627
In his commentary on verses 1:3-14 he says
In the language of the Bible, Ephesians 1:3-14 is one sentence . . . the longest sentence in the Word of GOD. There is a reason for this: Into these verses is woven the most thrilling account of spiritual blessings and provisions revealed in the Word of GOD. There is no place for a period in this account, because three Persons are involved. They are inseparable, both in their being and in their activity as having to do with our salvation. Therefore, Ephesians 1:3-14 is one great sentence, describing the one great provision made for Hell-deserving sinner.
http://www.baptistbiblebelievers.com/Lin...91&mid=627
Actually verses 3-14 are three sentences. Verses 3-6 which refer to God the Father is one sentence, verses 7-12 which refer to Jesus are one sentence and then verses 13-14 which refer to the Holy Spirit are one sentence. I had sent this link to a couple of Bible study teachers so I'm hoping they don't get the idea Oliver B. Greene condones correcting the Bible, but this commentary gives that impression.
Ephesians 1
****************
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4According 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:
5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
******************
7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10That in the dispensation of the fulness 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:
11In 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:
12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
**********************
13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
