Ephesians 4:1
THEREFORE; on account of the glorious truths revealed in the gospel. WALK WORTHY OF THE VOCATION WHEREWITH YE ARE CALLED; in a manner corresponding with its high and holy nature.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE; on account of the glorious truths revealed in the gospel. WALK WORTHY OF THE VOCATION WHEREWITH YE ARE CALLED; in a manner corresponding with its high and holy nature.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE; be united in affection and live in peace, according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. The privileges and blessings graciously bestowed upon believers, lay them under peculiar obligations to be meek and lowly in heart, patient under trials, forgiving of... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE BODY; the church, the body of Christ, of which all true believers are members. ONE SPIRIT; one Holy Spirit dwelling in the hearts of all, and animating all. ONE HOPE; hope of heaven, through faith in the divine Redeemer.... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE LORD; Jesus Christ. ONE FAITH; in respect to both its object, its origin, and its inward character. It is faith in the one gospel of Christ, it is wrought in our souls by the one Spirit of God; and it is one in its nature and effects, being a faith which works by love, purifies the heart, and o... [ Continue Reading ]
IN YOU ALL; by his Spirit to enlighten, comfort, strengthen, sanctify, and save you. John 14:23; John 17:23.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT UNTO EVERY ONE OF US IS GIVEN GRACE; here, as in Romans 12:3-8, and 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, the apostle exhibits, in connection with the essential unity of believers, the diversity of their particular gifts; for grace here is grace qualifying us for particular offices. ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE O... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SAITH; PSALMS 68:18. The apostle does not quote literally, but gives the spirit and scope of the passage, which is, that the gifts received by the ascended Saviour he bestows upon men. ASCENDED UP; into heaven. LED CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE; triumphed over all his foes, and led multitudes captive as tr... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LOWER PARTS OF THE EARTH; understood by some simply of his humiliation in descending from heaven to earth. But the words more naturally mean his descent into Hades, or the world of spirits, which is mentioned as the extreme of his humiliation.... [ Continue Reading ]
FAR ABOVE ALL HEAVENS; to the highest state of heavenly dignity, authority, and glory. Matthew 28:18. FILL ALL THINGS; as God, with his omnipresent power and grace.... [ Continue Reading ]
APOSTLES-PROPHETS, etc; see notes to the parallel passage in 1 Corinthians 12:28.... [ Continue Reading ]
TILL WE ALL COME; come fully. IN THE UNITY OF THE FAITH, AND OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD; better, as the margin, "into the unity," etc.; meaning that unity which full establishment in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God gives. For the greater the measure of our faith and knowledge, the... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY; men who practise sleight and cunning craftiness; meaning the false teachers, who sought to unsettle believers in faith.... [ Continue Reading ]
SPEAKING THE TRUTH; the original word means rather, walking in the truth, being truthful in word and deed. MAY GROW UP INTO HIM; so as to become mature men in him. Verse Ephesians 4:13. IN ALL THINGS; in all parts of our Christian character.... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM WHOM; as the head and source of life. These words are to be connected immediately with the close of the verse, "maketh increase," etc. Compare the parallel passage, Colossians 2:19. EVERY JOINT SUPPLIETH; to the nourishment and growth of the body. ACCORDING TO THE EFFECTUAL WORKING; the vital... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE VANITY OF THEIR MIND; devoted to vain and sinful pursuits.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LIFE OF GOD; which God gives, and which is in communion with God. BLINDNESS; hardness and perversity. Their ignorance then is sinful, because it has a sinful cause.... [ Continue Reading ]
PAST FEELING; having become insensible to moral and religious impressions.... [ Continue Reading ]
LEARNED CHRIST; the knowledge of Christ includes the knowledge of his doctrine; for we know him as our teacher, as well as our Lord and Saviour.... [ Continue Reading ]
CONCERNING THE FORMER CONVERSATION; as respects your former life. THE OLD MAN; so thorough and radical is the change, that it is best described as a putting off of our former selves. DECEITFUL LUSTS; literally, lusts of deceit, lusts which have their ground in error and self-delusion. Compare note... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER GOD; after God's image. IS CREATED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUE HOLINESS; literally, in righteousness and holiness of truth, in that righteousness and holiness which have their ground in the knowledge and obedience of the truth. Even Christians have need of being often exhorted to be renewed in... [ Continue Reading ]
MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER; belong to one body, have one interest, and should no more deceive one another than ourselves.... [ Continue Reading ]
SIN NOT; by being in anger without or beyond just cause; or by indulging it too long, in a wrong spirit, or for a wrong end.... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER GIVE PLACE; hearken not to the devil, who will tempt you to hate such as injure you, and to seek revenge.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE THING WHICH IS GOOD; in a lawful and useful business.... [ Continue Reading ]
MINISTER GRACE; tend to promote the salvation of those who hear you speak.... [ Continue Reading ]
GRIEVE NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT; by refusing or neglecting to follow his directions. SEALED; marked as the property, and distinguished as the children of God, by the effects which the Holy Spirit produces in you. REDEMPTION; final and complete salvation.... [ Continue Reading ]
Sacred regard to truth; freedom from violent, revengeful, or protracted anger; strict and conscientious integrity; diligence in lawful and useful business; compassion towards the needs, and a disposition to aid them-are all essential to completeness of Christian character: and no one has any more tr... [ Continue Reading ]