Commentary on St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians
Overview
In the Epistle to the Ephesians we have the most mature and sustained of all the statements of Christian doctrine which have come down to us from the hand of the great apostle. In almost all his other epistles Paul is now and again, and in some of them very frequently, carried away form the particular argument which he is pursuing, in order to deal with matter of local or temporary interest to his immediate readers. But in this epistle he goes on to utter forth uninterruptedly all that has taken possession of his own mind, in reference to those matters of faith and duty which must always be of utmost concern to the members of Christ’s body, who, while living upon earth, seek to have their conversation in heaven.
“A commentary on such an epistle ought to be exegetical,” writes Macpherson in the Preface. He deals with all questions of textual and grammatical criticism where they arise, in so far as these seem of importance in elucidating the particular and precise meaning of the passages in which they occur. Yet, he also gets at the heart and truth of the epistle. “It is the task of the expositor to make everything contribute to the elucidation of those great truths, with regard to the Christian creed and conduct, which the apostle here lays down for the instruction of those who no longer need to be fed on milk nor to be taught again what are the first principles of the oracles of God.”
For the entire set, see John Macpherson Collection (6 vols.).
Key Features
- Exegetical commentary on one of Paul’s most succint statements of Christian doctrine
- Treatment of textual and grammatical issues throughout the epistle
- Sustained commentary on the heart of the epistle
Mr. Macpherson has some of the most serviceable gifts which the interpreter of an Epistle like this requires. He has spent years of devoted labor on this profound composition, and his book is a solid and honest piece of work.
—Critical Review of Theological and Philosophical Literature
The work before us may be confidently pronounced a careful and valuable addition to the literature on this remarkable epistle.
—Presbyterian and Reformed Review
It is an advance, and a great one, on anything we yet possess. The author goes to the root, and neglects nothing that usually comes under the eye of a careful student. Besides all this, the book is a living book. One is conscious of the heart of a man in it, as well as the brains.
—Methodist Times
This is a very handsome volume which Mr. Macpherson has given us, and without any doubt it will take the first place among the commentaries devoted to this epistle.
—Expository Times
We are not acquainted with another work on this great epistle so intellectually searching and exhaustive. It will be a boon to all teachers and a book that no student can afford to neglect.
—Review of the Churches
- Title: Commentary on St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians
- Author: John Macpherson
- Publisher: T&T Clark
- Print Publication Date: 1892
- Logos Release Date: 2014
- Pages: 445
- Era: era:modern
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Bible. N.T. Ephesians › Commentaries
- Resource ID: LLS:COMMEPHMACPHERSON
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-02-11T17:45:33Z