In the concluding section of the fifth chapter of Ephesians we have presented the ministry of Christ to the church in a seven-fold way. Two of the folds refer to the past, four to the present and the seventh to the future.

Christ loved the church, so much so, that He gave Himself for it. There is a peculiar charm about the expression "gave Himself." Other passages speak of giving His life, but in this beautiful relationship it was necessary that He should give Himself.

Then, as to the present, "sanctifying and cleansing" go on side by side with "nourishing and cherishing." The former may involve discomfort from the view of nature in the individual, but the thought here is abstract, relative to the church as a whole. The latter pair of folds in His wonderful ministry must always cause delight, whether viewed from the individual or the collective standpoint. The simile is the relation of nurse to child. She nourishes with food, she cherishes by hugging close to her bosom, so is the tender manifestation of the love of Christ to the church.

The preceding thoughts are all in view of the future presentation to Himself of the church glorious. In Revelation 21 the Holy City is seen coming down out of heaven, bearing the impress of the glory of God, scintillating with crystalline brilliancy and encrusted with the dispensation of blessing to a beautiful new creation. T. Oliver (Galashiels)