Isa 9:6, Eph 1:8, 11, Heb 6:17 | JFB | STEP | 6. For —the ground of these great expectations, unto us —for the benefit of the Jews first, and then the Gentiles (compare "unto you, " ). son . . . given — ( ). God's gratuitous gift, on which man had no claim ( ). government . . . upon . . . shoulder —The ensign of office used to be worn on the shoulder, in token of sustaining the government ( ). Here the government on Messiah's shoulder is in marked antithesis to the "yoke and staff" of the oppressor on Israel's "shoulder" ( ). He shall receive the kingdom of the earth from the Father, to vindicate it from the misrule of those to whom it was entrusted to hold it for and under the Most High, but who sought to hold it in defiance of His right; the Father asserts His right by the Son, the "Heir of all things," who will hold it for Him ( ). name . . . called —His essential characteristics shall be. Wonderful —(See on ; , Margin; ). Counsellor — ( ). mighty God — ( ) HORSLEY translates: "God the mighty man." "Unto us . . . God" is equivalent to "Immanuel" ( ). everlasting Father —This marks Him as "Wonderful," that He is "a child," yet the "everlasting Father " ( ). Earthly kings leave their people after a short reign; He will reign over and bless them for ever [HENGSTENBERG ]. Prince of Peace —(See on ; ; Shiloh, "The Tranquillizer"). Finally ( ). Even already He is "our peace" ( ).

Isaiah 9:6

6. For—the ground of these great expectations,

unto us—for the benefit of the Jews first, and then the Gentiles (compare "unto you," Lu 2:11).

son . . . given— (Ps 2:7). God's gratuitous gift, on which man had no claim (Joh 3:16; Ro 6:23).

government . . . upon . . . shoulder—The ensign of office used to be worn on the shoulder, in token of sustaining the government (Isa 22:22). Here the government on Messiah's shoulder is in marked antithesis to the "yoke and staff" of the oppressor on Israel's "shoulder" (Isa 9:4). He shall receive the kingdom of the earth from the Father, to vindicate it from the misrule of those to whom it was entrusted to hold it for and under the Most High, but who sought to hold it in defiance of His right; the Father asserts His right by the Son, the "Heir of all things," who will hold it for Him (Da 7:13, 14).

name . . . called—His essential characteristics shall be.

Wonderful—(See on Isa 8:18; Jud 13:18, Margin; 1Ti 3:16).

Counsellor— (Ps 16:7; Ro 11:33, 34; 1Co 1:24; Col 2:3).

mighty God— (Isa 10:21; Ps 24:8; Tit 2:13) HORSLEY translates: "God the mighty man." "Unto us . . . God" is equivalent to "Immanuel" (Isa 7:14).

everlasting Father—This marks Him as "Wonderful," that He is "a child," yet the "everlasting Father" (Joh 10:30; 14:9). Earthly kings leave their people after a short reign; He will reign over and bless them for ever [HENGSTENBERG].

Prince of Peace—(See on Isa 9:5; Ge 49:10; Shiloh, "The Tranquillizer"). Finally (Ho 2:18). Even already He is "our peace" (Lu 2:14; Eph 2:14).

Ephesians 1:8

8. Rather, "which He made to abound towards us."

all wisdom and prudence—"wisdom" in devising the plan of redeeming mankind; "prudence" in executing it by the means, and in making all the necessary arrangements of Providence for that purpose. Paul attributes to the Gospel of God's grace "all" possible "wisdom and prudence," in opposition to the boasts of wisdom and prudence which the unbelieving Jews and heathen philosophers and false apostles arrogated for their teachings. Christ crucified, though esteemed "foolishness" by the world, is "the wisdom of God" (1Co 1:18-30). Compare Eph 3:10, "the manifold wisdom of God."

Ephesians 1:11

11. In whom—by virtue of union to whom.

obtained an inheritance—literally, "We were made to have an inheritance" [WAHL]. Compare Eph 1:18, "His inheritance in the saints": as His inheritance is there said to be in them, so theirs is here said to be in Him (Ac 26:18). However, Eph 1:12, "That we should BE TO . . . His glory" (not "that we should have"), favors the translation of BENGEL, ELLICOTT, and others, "We were made an inheritance." So the literal Israel (De 4:20; 9:29; 32:9). "Also" does not mean "we also," nor as English Version, "in whom also"; but, besides His having "made known to us His will," we were also "made His inheritance," or "we have also obtained an inheritance."

predestinated— (Eph 1:5). The foreordination of Israel, as the elect nation, answers to that of the spiritual Israelites, believers, to an eternal inheritance, which is the thing meant here. The "we" here and in Eph 1:12, means Jewish believers (whence the reference to the election of Israel nationally arises), as contrasted with "you" (Eph 1:13) Gentile believers.

purpose—repeated from "purposed" (Eph 1:9; Eph 3:11). The Church existed in the mind of God eternally, before it existed in creation.

counsel of his . . . will— (Eph 1:5), "the good pleasure of His will." Not arbitrary caprice, but infinite wisdom ("counsel") joined with sovereign will. Compare his address to the same Ephesians in Ac 20:27, "All the counsel of God" (Isa 28:29). Alike in the natural and spiritual creations, God is not an agent constrained by necessity. "Wheresoever counsel is, there is election, or else it is vain; where a will, there must be freedom, or else it is weak" [PEARSON].

Hebrews 6:17

17. Wherein—that is, Which being the case among men, God, in accommodation to their manner of confirming covenants, superadded to His sure word His oath: the "TWO immutable things" (Heb 6:18).

willing . . . counsel—Greek, "willing . . . will"; words akin. Expressing the utmost benignity [BENGEL].

more abundantly—than had He not sworn. His word would have been amply enough; but, to make assurance doubly sure, He "interposed with an oath" (so the Greek). Literally, He acted as Mediator, coming between Himself and us; as if He were less, while He swears, than Himself by whom He swears (for the less among men usually swear by the greater). Dost thou not yet believe, thou that hearest the promise? [BENGEL].

heirs of promise—not only Abraham's literal, but also his spiritual, seed (Ga 3:29).