Farther exhortations]

27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more; but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

[to Christian sympathy,

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil-speak ing, be put away from with you, malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (D)

CHAP. IV.

(D) Ver. 1-32. The simplicity and harmony of the Christian faith, on which are founded exhortations to peace and holiness. As a farther inducement to the Ephesians to listen to his affectionate advice, St. Paul again reminds them, that he was now a prisoner for their sake; he beseeches them, therefore, to walk worthy their high and holy vocation, with all meekness and affection, endeavouring to "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." There is (saith he) one mystical body, namely, the church of Christ; one holy Spirit, by which that body is animated; one Lord Jesus, to whom we all owe subjection and obedience; one system of faith and righteousness, which we all acknowledge; one baptism, by which we are all introduced into the church of Christ, and one God and Father of all-that supreme eternal Being, from whom all our blessings flow, and "in whom we live, and move, and have our being." (Acts xvii. 28.)

He is the great fountain, both of our temporal and spiritual blessings, which are distributed to us through the medium of Christ our Mediator, and according to his pleasure—that is, as he is pleased to measure out to us from his fulness. (Johni. 16.) Wherefore David saith, "When he [Christ] ascended up on high," after his resurrection, he received, as a part of his high reward, and that he might bestow them on his followers, a variety of spiritual gifts, which he accordingly distributed. In this there seems a double allusion to the military triumphs of the Romans; in which they led captive the chief of the princes and generals whom they had subdued, with

their wives and families, and a number of inferior persons; and, at the same time, used to distribute liberal rewards among their own soldiers and dependants. The gifts which Christ received, and afterwards distributed again, were not for himself, but for the saints, and especially for the different classes of ministers, to furnish them for their respective duties. As, under the Old Testament, when the tabernac was to be erected and furnished, the Lord gave suitable gifts to the different artisans (See Exod. xxxi. 2.) so, under the New, the proper gifts were afforded to all the persons employed to build up the Christian church. Another metaphor is here intro duced-"Till we all come.... unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ," on which we shall only remark, that the perfection of the Christian charac ter consists in its resemblance to that of Christ: and, as we learn from verse 16th, the perfection of the church, as a body, consists in the unity and harmony of all its members. (See Note on chap. iii. 6. The remainder of this chapter is filled up with some excellent maxims of Christian morality, on which we shall offer only tw or three brief remarks.

1. That the sins and vices which com pose the heathen character, belong to "the old man," or our unrenewed nature; and the opposite graces of truth, meekness, ho nesty, &c. to the new man," which, "after God, is created in righteousness and trut holiness." (Compare Rom. vi. 4-6.) All that is bad is attributable to our corrupt nature; all that is good, to the renewing grace of God.-2. That our conversation with the world forms and demonstrates

themselves up in this room, called the room of anger; .... and the master of the family goes and persuades him to come out." View of the Hindoos, vol. iii. p. 193.

Ver. 27. To the devil.-Gr, diabolos.

Ver. 28. To give.-Marg. " distribute." Ver. 29. To the use of edifying.-Marg. “T edify profitably."

Ver. 32. As God for Christ's sake.-Gr. “As God in Christ hath freely forgiven," &c.

And to practical]

CHAP. V.

4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth ;)

[religion.

10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

much of our moral character: wherefore, says the apostle, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth;" by which, in the next chapter (ver. 4), he explains himself to mean-" filthiness," and foolish talking," and "jesting," which are not convenient nor consistent with the Christian name; and should, therefore, by

all means be avoided.-3. These things not only disgrace our character, and bring into question our sincerity, but they "grieve the Holy Spirit of God," and provoke him to withdraw, for a time at least, those enlightening and comfortable influences on which much of our happiness, and especially our dying consolations, must depend.

CHAP. V. Ver. 1. Followers.-Gr. " Imitators." So Doddridge.

Ver. 2. An offering and a sacrifice.-Dr. Bates thinks that these terms refer to the peace-offerings and sin-offerings of the Jews.

Ver. 3. All uncleanness.-In the English idiom, "Every kind of uncleanness."- Or covetousness.Doddr." insatiable desire;" which may include not only the avaricious, but the lustful. Ver. 6. Disobedience.-Marg." Unbelief." Ver. 8. Sometimes darkness-i. e. very dark. Ver. 13. Reproved.-Marg," discovered." Ver. 11. He saith,-Marg. "It saith;" i. e. the

Scripture. See Isa. Ix. 1, which is supposed to be the passage here referred to.

Ver. 15. Walk circumspectly.-This has been aptly illustrated by the following familiar allusion:"Did you ever see a cat walk upon a wall covered with broken glass bottles?" Nothing can be more wary, or more circumspect.

Ver. 17. Unwise. Literally, "Insane." See Macknight.

Ver. 18. Wherein is excess-Not only of intoxication, but also riot. See 1 Peter iv. 4.

Ver. 19. In psalms. See Col. iii. 16.

Ver. 20. Unto God-Doddr. "Even"-the Father.

21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church: and he is the saviour of the body.

24 Therefore as the Church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word;

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing;

[and domestic life.

but that it should be holy and without blemish.

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the Church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church.

33 Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. (E)

CHAP. V.

(E) Ver. 1-33. Exhortations to Christian virtues and domestic duties. -Doddridge joins to this chapter the two last verses of the preceding, and not without reason; for when the apostle exhorts the Ephesians to be followers, or imitators, of God as dear children, it has a peculiar reference to the divine virtue of forgiveness; in which we are called upon to imitate the gratuitous mercy of God in pardoning us, by freely forgiving one another, even without those compensations which the world are in the habit of expecting and exacting. And it is remarkable, that we are to take our example, not only from the freeness of the Father's mercy, but also from the infinite extent of the Saviour's love. "Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and given himself for us." So the Apostle John: "Hereby perceive we the love of God [i. e. of Christ], because he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." (1 John iii. 16.) The apostle then proceeds to warn the

Ephesians against uniting with the heathen in any of the unfruitful works of darkness, among which he includes the profane mys teries, and riotous and lascivious indul gences, of idolatry. From this state of spi ritual sloth and darkness, he calls upo them to awake and to arise, that they might receive the beams of light from heaven-Christ shall give thee light."

Among the precepts here enumerated, on two only shall we offer an observation. 1. On "Redeeming the time." An Italian philosopher chose a motto, importing that time was his estate: but alas! like other estates, time may be lost, aud require redemption; but tlie redemption of it is precious, and it demands many sacrifices to redeem it; we must sacrifice our ease, our comfort, and our pleasure: and this, if not accomplished in the present life, is hopeless, and "ceaseth for ever!" We have to redeem the time that has been lost in the vanity of childhood, in the follies of youth, and in the sins of riper years.

2. We are to guard against a farther

Ver. 23. He is the saviour of the body.-This we apprehend refers to the husband, as well as to Christ. He is the head of the wife, and the saviour of the body; i. e. it is the duty of the husband not only to govern, but to protect the wife, even at the risk of his own life; and if it be the duty of husbands to " lay down their lives for the brethren" (as St. John says), surely it is the duty of the husband

to lay down his life for his wife, in a similar case.

Ver. 26. That he might sanctify, &c.-We know the care taken to purify the virgies for the Harem of Ahasuerus (Esther ii. 3, 9, 12), and surely nat less is the care which our Lord takes to purify his church, by means of his word and Spirit.

Ver. 31. They two shall be one flesh.-See Gen. ii. 24.

CHILDREN, obey your parents in

the Lord for this is right.

2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

6 Not with eye-service, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

[Christian soldier.

8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be

bond or free.

9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Il Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

waste of time, by avoiding all those vain amusements and convivial indulgences which secularize and debase the mind. Instead of the song of the drunkard and the debauchee, we are to cheer and animate each other by " Psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs;" either those provided for us in the sacred Scriptures, or others composed on the same principles.

We do not mean to recommend the introduction of Psalmody into mixed and promiscuous meetings, either of business or friendship; yet we cannot but think, that "Hymus to Christ," such as Pliny says the primitive Christians used to sing in their private meetings, would at any time better become Christians, than "Jolly Bacchus," or "Glorious Apollo."

The last verses of the chapter relate to

the conjugal relation, and its domestic duties; and the apostle lays it down as an incontestible duty, that every Christian husband should love his wife, "even as Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it:" and wherever such a husband can be found, who loves his wife well enough to die for her, surely such a man must be reverenced, and there can be no hardship in submitting to him.

The relation between Christ and his church is in perfect analogy to that between JEHOVAH and his people Israel: "Thy Maker is thine husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." (Isa. liv. 5.) Hence the sin of apostacy, under both dispensations, is considered and punished as adultery.

CHAP. VI. Ver. 2. The first commandment with promise-i. e. with a special and peculiar promise. Ver. 3. On the earth-or "land." See Exod. XX. 12.

Ver. 4. Nurture and admonition-according to Doddridge, mean "Discipline and instruction," which should always go together.

Ver. 6. Eye-service-i. e. while the master's eye is upon them.

Ver. 9. Forbearing-Marg. " moderating' threatening. Some masters who are moderate, and perhaps backward, in punishing, are yet violent

Paul an ambassador]

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breast-plate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace: 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all per

[in bonds. severance and severance and supplication for all saints;

19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the Gospel,

20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:

22 Whom I have sent unto you for

CHAP. VI.

(F) Ver. 1-24. The duties of parents and children, masters and servants. The Christian soldier, his armour, and his conflicts. -All our social duties are reciprocal; parents who give their children a careful and religious education, have a right to expect a cheerful and uniform obedience. At the same time, authority should be always exercised with prudence and moderation. The evil passions should neither be indulged nor provoked; but parental discipline should be exercised in the fear of God. So masters should be sparing in their threatenings, and moderate in punishing, knowing that we all have " Master in heaven," who is no respecter of persons; who will scrutinize the conduct of the sovereign and the slave with equal justice and impartiality. Christian servants, however, must take no advantage of the conscientious lenity of their Christian masters, but serve them with equal reverence, and with greater promptitude, than

a

others-"With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not unto men."

We now come to consider the Christian soldier, his armour, and his conflicts. The life of man was by the ancients compared to a warfare; that of a Christian is eminently so: but then Christianity provides him with armour, both defensive and offensive; and not only so, but likewise with strength and fortitude for the engage

ment.

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." Nor has the believer, however weak in himself, reason to fear the result, while thus supported by divine assistance, notwithstanding the number and magnitude of the hostile powers against him. These are divided into two classes, internal and external; domestic and foreign, if we may so speak; to both which he is continually exposed. Our internal enemies are flesh and blood that carnal and corrupt nature so pathetically lamented by St. Paul him

Ver. 15. Having your feet shod-The Grecian soldiers wore greaves and shoes of brass, to preserve their legs and feet: Mackn. explains this of the virtues necessary for those who first prepared the way for the gospel, particularly fortitude and perseverance.

Ver. 16. Above (or over) all, taking the shield of faith. This seems to refer to those large shields which the antients used to cover their whole bodies; and the fiery darts, to the fire-bearing darts and arrows described by Thucydides and Livy, the lower parts of which were surrounded with tow and other combustible matter, and which, when set on fire, were darted against the enemy. See Orient. Customs, No. 544. Of the wicked.-Doddr. "wicked

one.

Ver, 17, Sword of the Spirit-Comp. Heb. iv. 12.

Ver. 18. With all prayer-social and private, studied and extemporary, supplicatory and deprecatory, &c. Bp. Wilkins, in his treatise of prayer, explains this of improving the gift of prayer by continual exercise, and gathering fit materials by reading, conversation, meditation, &c.

Ver. 20. Ambassador in bonds-Gr." In a chain." See Acts xxviii. 20; by which it appears that Paul, as was not unusual, was suffered to dwell in his own hired house, under the charge of a Roman seldier, to whom he was fastened by a single chain. See Paley's Hore. Paul. chap. vi. No. 5.

Ver. 21. Tychicus-was "one of Paul's friends and fellow-labourers, and had been his companion in the last interview he had with the elders of Ephe Acts XX, 4. See also 2 Tim. iv. 12; Titus

sus."

iii. 12.