Ephesians 4:32

be Lit., become; shew yourselves, in the actions and developments of life.

kind The Gr. word (noun or adj.) occurs in similar contexts, Luke 6:35; Romans 2:4; Romans 11:22 (" goodness"); 2 Corinthians 6:6; Galatians 5:22; Colossians 3:12. Its primitive meaning is "useful"; hence "helpful," and so "kindly." It is the original of "easy" in Matthew 11:30; the Lord's "yoke" is a real yoke, but instinct with the lovingkindness of Him who imposes it.

tender-hearted The same Gr. word as in 1 Peter 3:8 (A.V., "pitiful"). It occurs nowhere else in N.T. Kind-hearted may perhaps be a better rendering, as somewhat wider. The word carries the idea of the previous word a little more into life and detail.

forgiving one another Lit., "forgiving yourselves." Usage and common sense alike fully justify the rendering of A.V. and R.V. (which reads, somewhat needlessly, "eachother"). The "yourselves," as a grammatical fact, indicates the solidarity of the body within which the reciprocity takes place; though this fine shade of meaning must not be exaggerated.

For a close parallel to the precept see Colossians 3:13. The holy duty of heartfelt forgiveness, entire and unreserved, is prominent in the Lord's teaching; cp. especially the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:12; Luke 11:4); Matthew 18:21, &c. No duty is more readily owned in the abstract, none more repugnant to the will in many a case in the concrete. But the law of Christ knows no exceptions, and grace is able to meet every demand for fulfilment. It is humbling and instructive to see here, as in the Lord's Prayer, that the abiding needfor mutual forgiveness is assumed.

even as The Divine pardon is at once supreme example and sacred motive. Cp. just below, ch. Ephesians 5:2.

God The Father, "Fount of Deity," and as such styled often simply God where Christ is also and distinctively named (Joh 17:3; 2 Corinthians 5:19; 2 Corinthians 13:13; Judges 21). The Son has also Deity, but as in the Stream, not in the Fountain. See Pearson, On the Creed, Art. 1.

for Christ's sake Lit. and better, in Christ. The reason of pardon, and the process of it, are alike summed up "in Christ," "in" Whom the Father reveals Himself as God of Peace: "in" Whom resides the immediate atoning reasonof Peace; and "in" Whom, by grace and faith, are the human objects of pardon, "very members incorporate" of Him Who is eternally the Accepted One of the Father. Cp. Ephesians 1:7.

hath forgiven Lit., and better, did forgive; ideally and in covenant, "before the world was"; historically, when the Son was accepted and glorified as the perfect Propitiation, raised from the dead; in individual experience, when each person believed (Romans 5:1, &c.) It is important to observe how the Apostle bids them deal with Divine forgiveness not as a hope but as a fact. Cp. 1 John 2:12.

you There is considerable, but not preponderating, evidence for a reading "us". The question between the two readings is not of practical importance.