God's ultimate purpose: An exposition of Ephesians 1, 1 to 23

Exposition of Ephesians #1

by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

God's Ultimate An Exposition of Ephesians 1:1 to 23

Genres: Theology, Christian, Reference, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Biblical Studies, New Testament

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones was a Welsh Protestant minister, preacher and medical doctor who was influential in the Reformed wing of the British evangelical movement in the 20th century. For almost 30 years, he was the minister of Westminster Chapel in London. Lloyd-Jones was strongly opposed to Liberal Christianity, which had become a part of many Christian denominations; he regarded it as aberrant. He disagreed with the broad church approach and encouraged evangelical Christians (particularly Anglicans) to leave their existing denominations. He believed that true Christian fellowship was possible only amongst those who shared common convictions regarding the nature of the faith.

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones was married to Bethan Lloyd-Jones

Books about D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: https://www.goodreads.com/characters/...

Reviews

[Steve Nation · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five years ago, a friend gave me his treasured books of Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ sermons on Ephesians. I just finished reading the first volume on Ephesians 1. It’s a glorious read. So much heart-warming truth. It’s one of my treasures now.

[BJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal preaching exposition of Ephesians. Lloyd-Jones has few parallels in expositional preaching, such warmth and spiritual insight and such utter commitment to the text.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blown away again and again, lifted up to glory. What a privilege to be a Christian! "Lord, open the eyes of my understanding again and again."

[David Pulliam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic worth reading in small chunks. There are times when he meanders but overall the Dr. has aged very well.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, the bad, however, take note that even the bad does not lose even ONE star from my opinion of this wonderful book! The bad is David Martyn Lloyd-Jones' five chapters on Ephesians 1:13, the sealing of the Holy Spirit. In my humble opinion he mistakenly takes the initial coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts (those early descriptions of believers who had not yet received the Holy Spirit) as the status quo for all believers. To him, the sealing is some second blessing (not his words) that occurs some time after salvation. The error of that interpretation has provided dangerous cover for all manner of Word Faith and New Apostolic Reformation and Charismatic charlatans all over the world. And it led to Lloyd-Jones' regrettable support for his heretic successor at Westminster Chapel: R.T. Kendall. However, let us use Lloyd-Jones own words from another book to graciously explain his inadvertent error: "The heretics were never dishonest men; they were mistaken men. They should not be thought of as men who were deliberately setting out to go wrong and to teach something that is wrong; they have been some of the most sincere men that the Church has ever known. What was the matter with them? Their trouble was this: they evolved a theory and they were rather pleased with it; then they went back with this theory to the Bible, and they seemed to find it everywhere." (David Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount). Now, Lloyd-Jones is no heretic and I would never suggest that but it shows what a simple mistake in interpreting Scriptures can lead to. By the way, Lloyd-Jones was not fooled long by Kendall - he made clear he wanted him to have no part in his funeral.

Now to the good, which is the rest of the book. Oh, dear modern preacher who covers a whole chapter or even a whole book of Scripture in one sermon, look on this mighty work of 447 pages expounded on 23 verses of Ephesians! Each of the 37 chapters could be a stand alone sermon! Read and learn well this man's dogged devotion to Truth and the Scriptures, to language and the meaning of words, and his love for Christ! What precious promises he covers, what security this book (Ephesians) offers, and how challenging this book is to us Laodiceans! Almost every chapter, save the five I already mentioned, yield a quotable quote that if you meditate on it along with the Scriptures mentioned, will strengthen your faith and walk with Christ. The excellent balance of knowing that Christ's power is how I accomplish this Christian life with the practical knowledge that I must exercise that faith in the real world by my deeds and responses was a vital truth that Lloyd-Jones made quite clear. Here's a quote: "Do not expect the Lord Jesus Christ to take your lusts and passions out of you; do not expect Him to do all for you while you simply 'abide' in Him. Exercise the power that is in you." Excellent book!

[Michael Kidd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lloud-Jones is my favorite preacher. But he is definitely more enjoyable to listen to than to read. He also takes too much time per phrase/verse. As a huge advocate of expositional preaching, that may sound weird. But there is a way to do it that can cause one to most the point of the text by getting hung up in the details. Unfortunately he seems to err in that direction. However, he is the revered Doctor. And who am I to criticize him?

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating exposition, in the typical way Lloyd-Jones sees and communicates wonderment in phrases which may not immediately capture one's attention, but also in the way he ensures that attention is kept in suspense as he follows the progression of Paul's doctrine in these wonderful verses which are amongst the most glorious in all Scripture.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Doctor treats the patient with care: sometimes with a salve and comfort, other times with a scalpel cutting out the infection causing pain. DML-J is a master physician working on behalf of The Great One. Every chapter brings the truth to bear which comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. Thank you again Doc, your work continues.

[Sworded]

Started this yesterday (13th sept 2023)... I read the introduction and decided to use this book to learn everything I can about the first chapter of Ephesians.., my quest for another expositor or commentary is over:)))

[Brian Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sermons are fantastic. Lloyd-Jones takes six sermons to discuss one concept about the sealing of the Holy Spirit. Always easy to read and understand. I went through two hi-lighters trying to notate every good thought about the Lord and about Ephesians 1.

[richard antczak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely awesome as is all of the set on Ephesians (and Romans).The entire set is written with a perfect balance of academic and devotional emphasis for a complete edifying experience! Loved the commentaries and will continue to reread and go back to for the rest of my life.

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very devotional read which I found disappointing. I was expecting more expository study but it's more of a devotional read.

[Stephen Mccollum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, except for the section on the sealing of the spirit.

[Matthew Prydden · Rating 5 out of 5]

In-depth teaching on the "deep things of God" made accessible is a great hallmark of 'the Doctor'.

[Allen Haynie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew the theological perspective of Lloyd Jones and that he is labeled as Calvinist, but I did learn some new things about his doctrinal perspective in reading this book. The first issue is found in chapter 6 where Jones teaches that Christians have 2 natures - a sin nature and a new nature. He states that Christians are two men at one and the same time. The Christian is two persons he says. But, the Bible says we are new creations; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become The Bible also says we are partakers of the divine nature and that those who are Christs have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Further there is all that Romans 6 has to say, so, I dont agree with him that we are two people in one body. The second issue I have with him is in chapter 19 where he teaches that "the Church is the new Israel, the spiritual Israel". That is incorrect so far as I am concerned. Then the third issue I have with him (and this teaching is serious error in my eyes) is in chapter 21 (page 250) where he teaches that "the sealing of the Holy Spirit is something subsequent to believing, something additional to believing". He taught that the sealing was not at your moment of salvation; it could be, but it could also be some extended period of time later in your Christian walk before you are sealed. Then he spends all of chapter 22 and 23 talking about this sealing of the Holy Spirit as something subsequent to believing.

This book is 448 pages thick. Because the binding is so tight the book does not open very well without force. It is very difficult to underline or highlight straight lines when you are having to force the book open wide enough to do this with one hand and highlight with the other. When you force it open wide enough to underline the pages the binding starts cracking.

Even tho I take issue with Jones on a few issues, I still recommend this book, because Lloyd Jones meticulously goes verse-by-verse and word- by-word, which makes for a rewarding study.

[Nathan White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a tremendous nourishment to my soul. Since this book consists of his sermons through Ephesians (200+!), I read it devotionally, one sermon each morning, and found it to be incredibly rich. I highly recommend it.

One caveat: his sermons/views on the sealing of the Spirit (Ephesians 1:13) are bizarre. I read the first few and his views are so far away from the history of protestant interpretation, that I skipped the rest of them. I'd recommend doing the same. Few have every held to his idiosyncratic views here, and it's painful to read him try and explain it. Nevertheless, it doesn't seriously detract from the overall body of work.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading through this slowly. One point from each chapter a day. excellent and very readable. Very helpful.

[Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Directly from Jones' preaching, you can't help but dig deep into scripture and God's truth when you read his materials.