xhortations to mutual forbearance and union. (1-6) To a due
use of spiritual gifts and graces. (7-16) To purity and
holiness. (17-24) And to take heed of the sins practised among
the heathen. (25-32)
Verses 1-6: Nothing is pressed more earnestly in the Scriptures, than
to walk as becomes those called to Christ's kingdom and glory.
By lowliness, understand humility, which is opposed to pride. By
meekness, that excellent disposition of soul, which makes men
unwilling to provoke, and not easily to be provoked or offended.
We find much in ourselves for which we can hardly forgive
ourselves; therefore we must not be surprised if we find in
others that which we think it hard to forgive. There is one
Christ in whom all believers hope, and one heaven they are all
hoping for; therefore they should be of one heart. They had all
one faith, as to its object, Author, nature, and power. They all
believed the same as to the great truths of religion; they had
all been admitted into the church by one baptism, with water, in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,
as the sign of regeneration. In all believers God the Father
dwells, as in his holy temple, by his Spirit and special grace.
Verses 7-16: Unto every believer is given some gift of grace, for their
mutual help. All is given as seems best to Christ to bestow upon
every one. He received for them, that he might give to them, a
large measure of gifts and graces; particularly the gift of the
Holy Ghost. Not a mere head knowledge, or bare acknowledging
Christ to be the Son of God, but such as brings trust and
obedience. There is a fulness in Christ, and a measure of that
fulness given in the counsel of God to every believer; but we
never come to the perfect measure till we come to heaven. God's
children are growing, as long as they are in this world; and the
Christian's growth tends to the glory of Christ. The more a man
finds himself drawn out to improve in his station, and according
to his measure, all that he has received, to the spiritual good
of others, he may the more certainly believe that he has the
grace of sincere love and charity rooted in his heart.
Verses 17-24: The apostle charged the Ephesians in the name and by the
authority of the Lord Jesus, that having professed the gospel,
they should not be as the unconverted Gentiles, who walked in
vain fancies and carnal affections. Do not men, on every side,
walk in the vanity of their minds? Must not we then urge the
distinction between real and nominal Christians? They were void
of all saving knowledge; they sat in darkness, and loved it
rather than light. They had a dislike and hatred to a life of
holiness, which is not only the way of life God requires and
approves, and by which we live to him, but which has some
likeness to God himself in his purity, righteousness, truth, and
goodness. The truth of Christ appears in its beauty and power,
when it appears as in Jesus. The corrupt nature is called a man;
like the human body, it is of divers parts, supporting and
strengthening one another. Sinful desires are deceitful lusts;
they promise men happiness, but render them more miserable; and
bring them to destruction, if not subdued and mortified. These
therefore must be put off, as an old garment, a filthy garment;
they must be subdued and mortified. But it is not enough to
shake off corrupt principles; we must have gracious ones. By the
new man, is meant the new nature, the new creature, directed by
a new principle, even regenerating grace, enabling a man to lead
a new life of righteousness and holiness. This is created, or
brought forth by God's almighty power.
Verses 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 not lie, who dare not lie, who hate and abhor
lying. Take heed of anger and ungoverned passions. If there is
just occasion to express displeasure at what is wrong, and to
reprove, see that it be without sin. We give place to the devil,
when the first motions of sin are not grievous to our souls;
when we consent to them; and when we repeat an evil deed. This
teaches that as sin, if yielded unto, lets in the devil upon us,
we are to resist it, keeping from all appearance of evil.
Idleness makes thieves. Those who will not work, expose
themselves to temptations to steal. Men ought to be industrious,
that they may do some good, and that they may be kept from
temptation. They must labour, not only that they may live
honestly, but that they may have to give to the wants of others.
What then must we think of those called Christians, who grow
rich by fraud, oppression, and deceitful practices! Alms, to be
accepted of God, must not be gained by unrighteousness and
robbery, but by honesty and industry. God hates robbery for
burnt-offerings.
Verses 29-32: Filthy words proceed from corruption in the speaker, and
they corrupt the minds and manners of those who hear them:
Christians should beware of all such discourse. It is the duty
of Christians to seek, by the blessing of God, to bring persons
to think seriously, and to encourage and warn believers by their
conversation. Be ye kind one to another. This sets forth the
principle of love in the heart, and the outward expression of
it, in a humble, courteous behaviour. Mark how God's forgiveness
causes us to forgive. God forgives us, though we had no cause to
sin against him. We must forgive, as he has forgiven us. All
lying, and corrupt communications, that stir up evil desires and
lusts, grieve the Spirit of God. Corrupt passions of bitterness,
wrath, anger, clamour, evil-speaking, and malice, grieve the
Holy Spirit. Provoke not the holy, blessed Spirit of God to
withdraw his presence and his gracious influences. The body will
be redeemed from the power of the grave at the resurrection day.
Wherever that blessed Spirit dwells as a Sanctifier, he is the
earnest of all the joys and glories of that redemption day; and
we should be undone, should God take away his Holy Spirit from
us.
xhortations to mutual forbearance and union. (1-6) To a due
use of spiritual gifts and graces. (7-16) To purity and
holiness. (17-24) And to take heed of the sins practised among
the heathen. (25-32)