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Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary (4 vols)

Ephesians 4:27

Ephesians 4:27. Nor yet. A slight change in the form of the negative, sustained by the best authorities, shows that this is another prohibition; hence ‘neither' is inexact. The reference is, however, still to anger.

Give place (comp. Romans 12:19), give free play, room in the heart, to the devil, i.e., Satan. It is doubtful if the word diabolos ever means simply slanderer, or blasphemer, when used as a noun. The clause gives a reason why sinful anger should be avoided: it opens to Satan the heart which has been redeemed from his power by Christ.

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See also Ephesians 4:27 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 27. _NEITHER GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL._] Your adversary will strive to influence your mind, and irritate your spirit; watch and pray that he may not get any place _in_ you, or ascendancy _over_ y...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    NEITHER GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL - This has respect probably to the exhortation in the former verse. “Do not yield to the suggestions and temptations of Satan, who would take every opportunity to persu...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    3. THE WALK IN HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS Chapter S 4:17-5:21 _ 1. Not as the Gentiles walk (Ephesians 4:17)_ 2. The putting off and putting on (Ephesians 4:20) 3. Followers of God (Ephesians 5

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    EPHESIANS 4:25 TO EPHESIANS 5:2. PRECEPTS OF THE NEW LIFE. Away then with lying, resentment, stealing, foul talk, bad temper, lust. Remember the common membership (Ephesians 4:25). Give the devil no s...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    Ephesians 4:1-32 INTRODUCTION (Ephesians 4:1-10) With this chapter the second part of the letter begins. In Ephesians 1:1-23;...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    So then strip yourselves of falsehood, and let each of you speak the truth with his neighbour, because we are all members of the same body. Be angry--but be angry in such a way that your anger is not...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    NEITHER. _Gi. mede._ PLACE. opportunity. DEVIL. The ruler of the darkness, Compare Ephesians 6:12. the deceiver of verses: Ephesians 4:14; Ephesians 4:22. the "lie" of...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _give place to the devil_ The rendering suggested by some, "to _the calumniator_," the heathen or Jewish slanderer, is quite untenable, in view of St Paul's use elsewhere of the word _diabolos_(lit.,...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    The subject pursued: the revolution coming out in truthfulness, kindness, honesty, purity, patience, forgivingness 25. _Wherefore_ From these deep principles come now the more detailed inferences of h...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ΔΊΔΟΤΕ ΤΌΠΟΝ, ‘give room’ or ‘allow scope.’ Romans 12:19; Sir 4:5; Sir 19:17; Sir 38:2. See Robinson ΤΩ͂Ι ΔΙΑΒΌΛΩΙ. See Hort on James 4:7....

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    Ephesians 4:25 to Ephesians 5:14. THE CONTRAST IN DETAIL...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    17–5:14. THE GREAT CONTRAST...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΔΊΔΟΤΕ _praes. imper. act. от_ ΔΊΔΩΜΙ (G3708) давать, ΤΌΠΟΣ (G5117) место; здесь в _знач._ место в вашей жизни или возможность. ΔΙΆΒΟΛΟΣ (G1228) хулитель, дьявол (DDD, 463-73). Здесь _dat. indir. ob...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    _PREVIEWING IN OUTLINE FORM_ (EPHESIANS 4:17-32; EPHESIANS 5:1-2) B. Walk as becometh saints. Ephesians 4:17-32;...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    Neither give place to the devil. NEITHER GIVE PLACE (I:E., ROOM) TO THE DEVIL (whose name implies he seeks in us scope to accuse) - by continuing "wrath." Keeping anger through the dark night is g...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    __ Summary of Previous Grace 13 Before the revelation of the secret administration by means of this epistle the saints among the nations were in a period of adolescence. This is fully set forth by t...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    4:27 for (g-4) Or 'give way to.'...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    UNITY OF THE NEW LIFE. RULES FOR THE NEW LIFE The Apostle passes, as usual, from doctrinal statements to practical exhortations; but doctrine is here and there introduced to support exhortation. 1-6...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    GIVE PLACE TO means' give him an opening.' 28. 'Instead of robbing others, earn something to share with others.'...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    CHRISTIAN BELIEF AND BEHAVIOUR EPHESIANS _LES PAINTER (BIBLE TEXT BY CYNTHIA GREEN)_ CHAPTER 4 What Paul taught in Chapter s 1-3 was first about God and his Son Jesus Christ. Then it was about th...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    NEITHER GIVE PLACE (_i.e., scope_) TO THE DEVIL. — The name “Devil” is used by St. Paul only in his later Epistles (see Ephesians 6:11; 1 Timothy 3:6; 1 Timothy 6:9;...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 21 DISCARDED VICES Ephesians 4:25; Ephesians 5:1 The transformation described in the last paragraph (Ephesians 4:17) has now to be carried into detail. The vices of the old heathen self must...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    A paragraph containing a series of detached, practical exhortations, dealing with certain evils to be forsworn and duties to be fulfilled. These injunctions are all based on the preceding statement, o...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    μήτε δίδοτε τόπον τῷ διαβόλῳ : _neither give place to the devil_. The μήτε of the TR is supported by cursives and certain Fathers, but must be displaced by μηδέ, for which the evidence is overwhelming...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    PUTTING ON THE “NEW MAN” Ephesians 4:20 The Lord Jesus is our text-book and our teacher, the schoolhouse in which we are taught, and the object lesson in which all truth is enshrined. But all is in v...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    The apostle at once proceeded to apply this great doctrine to the present life of the Church. From the heavenly calling he passed to the earthly conduct. The matter of first importance is maintenance...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    Changes in the New Man The old man would not hesitate to lie if it would help him fill one of his uncontrolled desires. The new man always tells the truth, especially to his brethren because we are al...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (17) В¶ This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, (18) Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    In this epistle we have the unfolding of the grace of God in all its fulness, not merely the application of His righteousness to man's need on His part, but God from out of Himself, and for Himself, a...

  • John Brown Commentaries Selected Books of the Bible

    One man gets nothing but discord out of a piano; another gets harmony. No one claims the piano is at fault. Life is about the same. The discord is there, and the harmony is there. Study to play correc...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    27._Neither give place _( τῷ διαβόλῳ) _to the devil. _I am aware of the interpretation which some give of this passage. Erasmus, who translates it, “neither give place to the Slanderer,” (_calumniator...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    The faithful were to seek in the dispositions mentioned above to maintain this unity of the Spirit by the bond of peace. There are three things in this exhortation: first, to walk worthy of their call...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    NEITHER GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL. Or "to the accuser", or "slanderer"; that is, to any adversary, that takes delight in slandering and reproaching the saints; give such no room, nor reason, to calumnia...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Neither give place to the devil. Ver. 27. _Neither give place, &c._] Vindictive spirits let the devil into their hearts; and though they defy him, and spit at him, yet they spit not low enough; for h...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Wherefore_ Since you have been thus taught what is your duty and interest, let it appear in your tempers, words, and works, that there is such a change wrought in them; and that, having received a ne...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    NEITHER GIVE PLACE; hearken not to the devil, who will tempt you to hate such as injure you, and to seek revenge....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    An instruction regarding individual sins:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    NEITHER GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL....

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    RESPONSE IN PRACTICAL UNITY (vs.1-6) In this letter to the Ephesian saints, Paul first presented the basic truth so essential for individual saints (Ch.1:1- 2:10) and for the Church, the body of Chri...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    CHAPTER 4 Even though Paul is a ______________, he still urges us to walk in our __________. This walk must be a ____________ one. What does it mean to walk worthy? Paul gives us some words to consi...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    “neither give place to the devil” “GIVE PLACE”: “Give no opportunity to the Devil” (TCNT). “Leave no loop-hole for the devil” (NEB). “Opportunity for action, which you would do by continuing in. state...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    25-28 Notice the particulars wherewith we should adorn our Christian profession. Take heed of every thing contrary to truth. No longer flatter or deceive others. God's people are children who will no...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    Do not give advantage to the devil to possess your hearts, and put you upon more and greater evils: see LUKE 22:3 1 THESSALONIANS 13:27 ACTS 5:3....

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Shepherd of Hermas Commandment Twelfth He goes, then, to the empty, and finding a way of entrance, into them, he produces in them whatever he wishes, and they become his servants."[15] Tertullian On...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Ephesians 4:27 nor G3383 give G1325 (G5720) place G5117 devil G1228 Ephesians 6:11,...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘Be angry, and do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your angry mood. Neither give place to the Devil.' The first phrase is taken from the LXX of Psalms 4:5. It recognises that anger in itself is...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    NEITHER GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL (μηδε διδοτε τοπον τω διαβολω). Present active imperative in prohibition, either stop doing it or do not have the habit. See Romans 12:19 for this idiom....

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Ephesians 4:27 "Who is the most diligent bishop in all England?" asks old Hugh Latimer in one of his quaint sermons. "I will tell you: it is the devil. He is the most diligent preacher of all others;...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Ephesians 4:1. _I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one anot...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Ephesians 4:1. _I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,-_ «You are called to be sons of God, you are called to be one with Chri...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Ephesians 4:1. _I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you-_ Paul puts force into the argument by his manner of speaking; you can hear in his words the rattle of his chains. Here is a man who...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Walk and service of the believer in Christ. Ministry of gifts of Christ to His Body. CHARACTERS: Christ, Holy Spirit, God, Paul. CONCLUSION: Considering to what state and condition God has...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Ephesians 4:1. _I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you_ a pathetic argument, for if I hear of discords among you it will add affliction to my bonds; _that ye walk worthy of the vocation wh...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    DON'T GIVE THE DEVIL. "Uncontrolled anger and violent temper give the Devil a chance to tempt you into evil actions!" [_Erasmus_ translated this: "Give no chance to heathen to say bad things about the...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:25 Encouragement for a Holy Lifestyle. Paul gives practical examples of how church members strengthen Christ’s body (compare vv. Ephesia

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:26 BE ANGRY. Not all anger is SIN, but believers should not remain angry. This will only GIVE an opportunity to the devi

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Ephesians 4:25. PUTTING AWAY LYING.—Findlay holds to it that “_the lie, the falsehood_, is objective and concrete; not _lying_, or _falsehood_, as a subjective act, h...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION PRACTICAL PORTION OF THE EPISTLE. EPHESIANS 4:1 CHURCH PRINCIPLE OF GROWTH AND PROGRESS; THE CHURCH A BODY

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Now Paul begins the fourth chapter again with the reminder that he is a prisoner of the Lord, and I beseech you, [I beg you, I implore you] that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are call...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 2:11; Acts 5:3;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Place. Room....

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE HIGHER CHRISTIAN LIFE Ephesians 4:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS 1. A prisoner of the Lord. One would hardly expect to find a prisoner in a Roman jail, the author of such a remarkable letter. We are accus...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    Neither give place to the devil — By any delay....

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Old Testament