The apostle, having explained the duties of wives and husbands, proceeds to the duties of children and parents, and then to those of servants, or slaves rather, and masters, with which he finishes his account of relative duties. _Children, obey your parents_ Even your unbelieving parents, in every t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Servants_ Δουλοι, _bond-servants;_ or he may include also those that were in the station of hired servants; _be obedient to your masters_ For the gospel does not cancel the civil rights of mankind; _according to the flesh_ That is, who have the command of your bodies, but not of your souls and cons... [ Continue Reading ]
_And ye masters_ On the other hand; _do the same things unto them_ That is, act toward them from the same principle, and after the same just and equitable manner, having an eye to the will and glory of God, and endeavouring to approve yourselves to him; _forbearing threatening_ Conducting yourselves... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostle having delivered the preceding precepts respecting relative duties, now adds a general exhortation to the believing Ephesians, to be hearty and zealous in the performance of all their duties, which he enforces by the discovery of another deep article of the mystery of God; namely, that e... [ Continue Reading ]
_For we wrestle not_ Greek, ουκ εστιν ημιν η παλη, _our struggle is not; against flesh and blood_ Not merely against human adversaries, however powerful, subtle, and cruel, nor against fleshly appetites; _but against principalities, against powers_ The mighty princes of all the infernal legions: and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore_ On this account, because the prize for which you contend is of such great value, and the enemies that oppose you are so subtle, powerful, and malicious, and will assuredly exert themselves to the utmost to effect your destruction, again let me say, _Take unto you the whole armour of God,... [ Continue Reading ]
_And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace_ Let peace with God, and, consequent thereon, peace of conscience and tranquillity of mind, in all circumstances and situations, (for which ample provision is made in the gospel,) arm you with confidence and resolution to proceed forwar... [ Continue Reading ]
_Above all_ Επι πασιν, _upon_, or _over all_, these and the other parts of your armour, as a sort of universal covering; _taking the shield of faith_ Continually exercise a strong and lively faith in the truths and promises of the gospel, and in the person and offices, the merits and grace of the Lo... [ Continue Reading ]
_And take the helmet of salvation_ That is, the hope of salvation, as it is expressed in the parallel passage, 1 Thessalonians 5:8. The helmet was for the defence of the head, a part which it concerned them most carefully to defend, because one stroke there might easily have proved fatal. Thus it co... [ Continue Reading ]
_Praying always_ As if he had said, And join prayer to all these graces, for your defence against your spiritual enemies, and that at all times, and on every occasion, in the midst of all employments, inwardly praying _without ceasing, 1 Thessalonians 5:7_; _with all prayer_ Public and private, ment... [ Continue Reading ]
_And for me also_ See on Colossians 4:3; _that utterance may be given unto me_ Free liberty of expression, every inward and every outward hinderance being removed; _that I may open my mouth boldly_ May deliver the whole truth without any base fear, shame, or diffidence, considering how important it... [ Continue Reading ]
_That ye also_ As well as others; _may know my affairs_ The things which have happened to me, and what I am doing at present: or, the things which relate to me, as the expression, τα κατ ' εμε, which occurs likewise Philippians 1:12, signifies. The apostle means that he wished the Ephesians, as well... [ Continue Reading ]
_Peace be to the brethren_ That is, all prosperity in matters temporal and spiritual; _and love_ To God, one another, and all the saints, arising from God's love to you; _with faith_ In God, in Christ, and his gospel, accompanied with every other grace; _from God the Father_ The original source of a... [ Continue Reading ]