John Calvin Commentary Ephesians 1:8

"which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence," — Ephesians 1:8 (ASV)

In all wisdom. He now comes to the formal cause, the preaching of the gospel, by which the goodness of God overflows upon us. It is through faith that we receive Christ, by whom we come to God, and by whom we enjoy the privilege of adoption. All wisdom means—full or perfect wisdom.

Paul gives the gospel the magnificent titles of wisdom and prudence, to lead the Ephesians to despise all contrary doctrines. The false apostles insinuated themselves under the pretense of imparting views more elevated than the elementary instructions Paul conveyed. And the devil, to undermine our faith, labors, as far as he can, to disparage the gospel. Paul, on the other hand, builds up the authority of the gospel, that believers may rest upon it with unshaken confidence.