There is no repetition in the three verbs employed, which are alike extended by the Greek preposition _with_ (_syn_). The first sentence (raised us up _with the Christ_) virtually includes everything; it shows us one with Christ who lives evermore to God. The second sentence gathers into its scope all believers--the _you_ of verse 1 and the _we_ of verse 3: "He raised us up together, and together made us sit in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Nothing is more characteristic of our epistle than this turn of thought. To the conception of our _union with Christ_ in His celestial life, it adds that of our _union with each other in Christ_ as sharers in common of that life. Christ "reconciles us in one body unto God" (ver. 16). We sit not alone, but together in the heavenly places. This is the fulness of life; this completes our salvation.
[74] For the antithesis of "you" and "we," comp. vv. 11-18, ch. i, 12, 13; also Rom. iii. 19, 23 (_For there is no distinction_), Gal. ii. 15.
[75] =Poiountes ta thelêmata tês sarkos kai tôn dianoiôn= (ver. 3).
[76] Perhaps this double rendering may bring out the force of =kata to aiôna tou kosmou toutou=.
[77] In the posthumous _Erklärung des Briefes Pauli an die Epheser_--a valuable exposition, marked by Beck's theological acumen and lucidity.
[78] The =physei= of verse 3 thus corresponds to the =exousia tou aeros= of verse 2. "Sin entered into _the world_" (=kosmos=), Rom. v. 12, which signifies more than the nature of individual men.
[79] I John iii. 8; comp. John viii. 41-44.
"That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, _it is_ the gift of God: not of works, that no man should glory. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them."--EPH. ii. 7-10.
The plan which God has formed for men in Christ is of great dimensions every way,--in its length no less than in its breadth and height. He "raised us up and seated us together [Gentiles with Jews] in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that _in the ages which are coming on_ He might show the surpassing riches of His grace." All the races of mankind and all future ages are embraced in the redeeming purpose, and are to share in its boundless wealth. Nor are the ages past excluded from its operations. God "afore prepared the good works in which" He summons us to walk. The highway of the new life has been in building since time began.