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The apostle now proceeds to show how the Father makes us meet for the inheritance of saints. "Who delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love."

I. THE ORIGINAL CONDITION OF ALL MEN. They are under "the power of darkness."

1. Consider the meaning of this darkness. There is a darkness that is seasonable; which, in the economy of nature, brings rest and recovery to man. This darkness is far different.

(1) It is the darkness of ignorance apart from "the light of life" (John 8:12; Ephesians 5:13).

(2) It is the darkness of sin (Romans 13:12; 2 Corinthians 3:14), blinding men against the truth.

(3) It is the darkness of misery (Isaiah 8:22).

(4) It is the darkness of death (Psalm 88:12).

(5) It is the darkness of hell - " utter darkness."

2.. It is darkness organized for the ruin of men. It is "the power of darkness" - an arbitrary, usurped power, and not "a true kingdom." The prince of darkness is at the head of this dreary realm and strives to keep all his slaves in darkness, lest "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus should shine into them" (2 Corinthians 4:4).

II. THE RESCUE FROM THIS POWER OF DARKNESS. "Who delivered us." None but God can do this work. The strong man will keep his own till the stronger come (Luke 11:22). He delivers us in our effectual calling.

1. He enlightens our minds in the knowledge of Christ, who is "the trite Light." (John 8:12.)

2. He persuades and enables us to embrace Christ as offered in the gospel. (John 6:44; Philippians 2:13.)

3. He renews our wills and causes as to "walk in the light as he is in the light." (1 John 1:7.)

4.. He clothes us "with the armour of light." (Romans 13:12.)

III. THE NEW KINGDOM OF THE RESCUED CAPTIVES AND ITS NEW RELATIONS, "And translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love." The word usually suggests the transplanting of races and the settlement of them in a new territory.

1. The significance of the translation.

(1) It implies separation

(a) from the world,

(b) from sin,

(c) from the devil. "Go out from among them, and be ye separate" (2 Corinthians 6:17).

(2) It implies the assumption of entirely new relations. The believer is a member of a new society - " the kingdom of grace;" is "a fellow-citizen with the saints;" is heir of the kingdom of glory. He has a new name, new hopes, new friends, and works for a new heaven.

2. The new kingdom of the saints. "The kingdom of the Son of his love."

(1) It is not the kingdom of inferior angels, as errorists might fancy (Colossians 2:8), but that of God's own Son.

(2) It is a kingdom already in existence.

(3) It is a kingdom that cannot be shaken like the kingdoms of earth (Hebrews 12:28).

(4) It is a kingdom that will endure to the end (Luke 1:33).

(5) It is a kingdom in which the number of the possessors will not diminish the blessings enjoyed by each.

(6) It is a kingdom in which Christ now reigns by his Word and Spirit; the saints rejoicing to have him reigning over them.

(7) All the subjects of this kingdom are kings (Revelation 1:6). - T. C.

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KJV: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

WEB: who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love;