I therefore, (1) the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the (a) vocation wherewith ye are called, (1) Another part of the epistle, containing precepts of the Christian life, the sum of which is this, that every man behave himself as it is fitting for so excellent a grace of Go... [ Continue Reading ]
(2) With all lowliness and meekness, with (b) longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; (2) Secondly, he commends the meekness of the mind, which is demonstrated by bearing with one another. (b) See (Matthew 18:25).... [ Continue Reading ]
(3) Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (3) Thirdly he requires perfect agreement, but yet such that is joined with the band of the Holy Spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]
(4) [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (4) An argument of great weight for an earnest displaying of brotherly love and charity with one another, because we are made one body as it were of one God and Father, by one Spirit, worshipping one Lord wi... [ Continue Reading ]
One God and Father of all, who [is] (c) above all, and (d) through all, and (e) in you all. (c) Who alone has the chief authority over the Church. (d) Who alone pours forth his providence, through all the members of the Church. (e) Who alone is joined together with us in Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
(5) But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the (f) gift of Christ. (5) He teaches us that we indeed are all one body, and that all good gifts proceed from Christ alone, who reigns in heaven having mightily conquered all his enemies, from where he heaps all gifts upon hi... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led (g) captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (g) A multitude of captives.... [ Continue Reading ]
(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the (h) lower parts of the earth? (h) Down to the earth, which is the lowest part of the world.... [ Continue Reading ]
He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might (i) fill (k) all things.) (i) Fill with his gifts. (k) The Church.... [ Continue Reading ]
(6) And he gave some, (l) apostles; and some, (m) prophets; and some, (n) evangelists; and some, (o) pastors and teachers; (6) First of all he lists the ecclesiastical functions, which are partly extraordinary and for a season, such as apostles, prophets, and evangelists, and partly ordinary and pe... [ Continue Reading ]
(7) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the (p) body of Christ: (7) He shows the aim of ecclesiastical functions, that is, that by the ministry of men all the saints may so grow up together, that they may make one mystical body of Christ. (p) The Chu... [ Continue Reading ]
(8) Till we all come in the (q) unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the (r) stature of the fulness of Christ: (8) The use of this ministry is perpetual so long as we are in this world, that is, until that time that having put off the f... [ Continue Reading ]
(9) That we [henceforth] be no more children, (10) tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the (s) sleight of men, [and] (t) cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (9) Between our childhood (that is to say, a very weak state, when we are still wavering... [ Continue Reading ]
(11) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ: (11) By earnest affection of the truth and love, we grow up into Christ: for he (being effectual by the ministry of his word, which as the vital Spirit makes alive the whole body in such a way... [ Continue Reading ]
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the (u) effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh (x) increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in (y) love. (u) Of Christ, who with regard to the soul, empowers all th... [ Continue Reading ]
(12) This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the (z) vanity of their mind, (12) He descends to the fruits of Christian doctrine, and reasons first upon the principles of conduct and actions, setting down a most grave comparison between t... [ Continue Reading ]
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the (a) life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: (a) By which God lives in them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Who being (b) past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with (c) greediness. (b) Void of all judgment. (c) They strove to surpass one another, as though there were some gain to be gotten by it.... [ Continue Reading ]
(13) But ye have not so learned Christ; (13) Here follows the contrary part concerning men who are regenerated by the true and living knowledge of Christ, who have other principles by which they act that are very different, that is, holy and honest desires, and a mind completely changed by the powe... [ Continue Reading ]
If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, (d) as the truth is in Jesus: (d) As they have learned who acknowledge Christ indeed, and in good earnest.... [ Continue Reading ]
That ye put off concerning the former conversation (e) the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (e) Yourselves.... [ Continue Reading ]
And be renewed in the (f) spirit of your mind; (f) Where there ought to have been the greatest force of reason, there is the greatest corruption of all, which gradually weakens all things.... [ Continue Reading ]
And that ye put on the new man, which (g) after God is created (h) in righteousness and (i) true holiness. (g) After the image of God. (h) The effect and end of the new creation. (i) Not fake nor counterfeit.... [ Continue Reading ]
(14) Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. (14) He commends separately certain special Christian virtues, and first of all he requires truth (that is to say, sincere manners), condemning all deceit and hypocrisy, because we are bo... [ Continue Reading ]
(15) Be (k) ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down (l) upon your wrath: (15) He teaches us how to bridle our anger in such a way that, even though our anger is fierce, yet it does not break out, and that it is without delay quenched before we sleep. And this is so that Satan may not take oc... [ Continue Reading ]
(16) Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with [his] hands the thing which is (m) good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. (16) He descends from the heart to the hands, condemning theft: and because the men who give themselves to this wickedness often pret... [ Continue Reading ]
(17) Let no (n) corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister (o) grace unto the hearers. (17) He bridles the tongue as well, teaching us to so temper our talk, that our hearer's minds are not destroyed, and are rather instructe... [ Continue Reading ]
(18) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (18) A general precept against all excess of affections which dwell in that part of the mind, which they call "angry", and he sets against them the contrary means. And he uses a most strong preface, how we... [ Continue Reading ]
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, (19) even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (19) An argument taken from the example of Christ, most grave and strong, both for the pardoning of those injuries which have been done to us by our greatest enemies, and much... [ Continue Reading ]