The subject on which I propose to lecture this term is the Epistle to the Ephesians. None of the apostolic Epistles more needs the most exact and careful study to ascertain its meaning, and none repays more richly any labour and thought bestowed upon it. A large proportion of its verses is taken up with theology in the strictest and purest sense of the word, the speech of God to man, and especially the meaning of the revelation of God in Jesus Christ. On the other hand the message descending from heaven to earth is preeminently in this Epistle made the foundation of true religion, of the true manner of life in all the great human relations. In the present day the Epistle has a peculiar value, because in various ways its teaching stands in close relation to some of the problems which cannot now but exercise our minds both in theology and in the sphere of practical life. Thus what is true of the Bible generally is specially true of the Epistle to the Ephesians: light falls on the study of it from present experience, and so read, it casts back yet more light for present needs.

But there is no disguising the fact that it is a very difficult book, needing much patience to trace out its meaning, and even then by no means always as yet allowing its precise sense to be discovered.