Ephesians, Chapter 2, verses 19-22
19 but as citizens with the saints, and the family of GodEphesians, Chapter 3, verses 1-7
5 The hidden mystery, 6 that the Gentiles should be saved, was made known to Paul by revelationMark, Chapter 11, verses 11-23
1 Christ rideth with triumph into Jerusalem, 12 curseth the fruitless leafy tree, 15 purgeth the temple, 20 exhorteth his disciples to steadfastness of faith, and to forgive their enemies11
11:12 Mat 21:18.
11:13 For it was not a season of figs - It was net (as we say) a good year for figs; at least not for that early sort, which alone was ripe so soon in the spring. If we render the words, It was not the season of figs, that is,the time of gathering them in, it may mean, The season was not yet: and so (inclosing the words in a parenthesis, And coming to it, he found nothing but leaves) it may refer to the former part of the sentence, and may be considered as the reason of Christ's going to see whether there were any figs on this tree. Some who also read that clause in a parenthesis, translate the hollowing words, for where he was, it was the season of figs. And it is certain, this meaning of the words suits best with the great design of the parable, which was to reprove the Jewish Church for its unfruitfulness at that very season, when fruit might best be expected from them.
11:16 He suffered not that any should carry a vessel through the temple - So strong notions had our Lord, of even relative holiness!And of the regard due to those places (as well as times) that are peculiarly dedicated to God.
11:18 They feared him - That is, they were afraid to take him by violence, lest it should raise a tumult; because all the people was astonished at his teaching - Both at the excellence of his discourse, and at the majesty and authority with which he taught.
11:20 Mat 21:20.
11:22 Have faith in God - And who could find fault, if the Creator and Proprietor of all things were to destroy, by a single word of his mouth, a thousand of his inanimate creatures, were it only to imprint this important lesson more deeply on one immortal spirit?
2
2:19 Therefore ye are no longer strangers, but citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem; no longer foreigners, but received into the very family of God.
2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets - As the foundation sustains the building, so the word of God, declaredby the apostles and prophets, sustains the faith of all believers.God laid the foundation by them; but Christ himself is the chief corner - stone of the foundation. Elsewhere he is termed the foundation itself, Co1 3:11.
2:21 On whom all the building fitly framed together - The whole fabric of the universal church rises up like a great pile of living materials.Into an holy temple in the Lord - Dedicated to Christ, and inhabited by him, in which he displays his presence, and is worshipped and glorified.What is the temple of Diana of the Ephesians, whom ye formerly worshipped, to this?
3
3:1 For this cause - That ye may be so "built together," I am a prisoner for you gentiles - For your advantage, and for asserting your right to these blessings. This it was which so enraged the Jews against him.
3:2 The dispensation of the grace of God given me in your behalf - That is, the commission to dispense the gracious gospel; to you gentiles in particular. This they had heard from his own mouth.
3:3 The mystery - Of salvation by Christ alone, and that both to Jews and gentiles. As I wrote before - Namely, Eph 1:9-10; the very words of which passage he here repeats.
3:5 Which in other - In former, ages was not so clearly or fully made known to the sons of men - To any man, no, not to Ezekiel, so often styled, "son of man;" nor to any of the ancient prophets. Those here spoken of are New Testament prophets.
3:6 That the gentiles are joint - heirs - Of God. And of the same body - Under Christ the head. And joint - partakers of his promise - The communion of the Holy Ghost.
3:7 According to the gift of the grace of God - That is, the apostle - ship which he hath graciously given me, and which he hath qualified me for.By the effectual working of his power - In me and by me.