Ephesians 4

of syllables, the least of letters, [I,] and swell and amplify it, if I may so speak,) to fill a page, or to spread over a whole leaf, and we scarcely leave a scanty margin for all other Christ, which is indeed, in its utmost extent, incomprehensible; and to be filled with all the fulness of God, which is infinite and inconceivable. 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 tabernacle was to be erected and furnished, the Lord gave suitable gifts to the different artisans; (see (Exodus 31:2);) so, under the New, the proper gifts were afforded to all the persons employed to build up the Christian church. Another metaphor is here introduced—‘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 character 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 (Ephesians 3:6)..—The remainder of this chapter is filled up with some excellent maxims of Christian morality, on which we shall offer only two or three brief remarks.

‘1. That the sins and vices which compose the heathen character, belong to “‘the old petty or our unrenewed nature; and the opposite graces of truth, meekness, honesty, &c. to ‘the new man,”’ which, ‘‘after God, is created in righteousness and true holiness.’’ (Compare (Romans 6:4-6).) 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 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 in 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.

Notes on the verses

Chap. IV. Ver. 5. One baptism.—it has been disputed whether this be intended of water baptism, or the baptism of the Spirit; but we see no reason to separate what our Lord Jesus has joined together, (John 3:5). “* Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Ver. 8. He led captivity captive.—It may mean, he led captive those who had carried others captive. See (Colossians 2:15); and compare (Judges 5:12).— — Gave gifts.—The Psalm just quoted says, ** received;’ but they were received only to bestow. Ver. 9. Lower parts of the earth—i. e. the grave. oe 9 Ver. 10. Far above all heavens.—Not only the material heavens which we behold, but also above the celestial beings which reside in God’s immediate presence.

See (Ephesians 1:20-21). (Philippians 2:10).——That he might fill all things— i.e. with his presence; as (Ephesians 1:23). Ver. 11. He gave some, apostles—i. e. he gave gifts suited to all the different classes of ministers. Ver. 12. For perfectings—i. e. fitting men for the work of the ministry. Perfectly it poor ermed. Ver. 13. Till we all come in—Doddridge, “till we all arrive at”—the unity, &c. The perfection of the Christian character 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. Wome By ype ete of ei Doddridge thinks this refers to the dishonest practices of gamblers; or perhaps it may refer. Ver.

16. Fitly joined, &c.—See (Colossians 2:19)." *© the tricks of jugglers. Ver. 18. Blindness.—Margin, “hardness;”’ because blindness is often occasioned by a hard skin growing over the sight of the eye. Ver. 21. If so be that—Doddridge, ‘‘Forasmuch as”—ye have heard him —Namely, Christ, in his word. Ver. 26. Be ye angry, and sin not—i. e. refrain from all sinful passions: be angry rather at the sin than at the sinner; and let not your anger be unduly protracted. Ward informs us, that ‘“‘one of the apartments in the houses of some rich men [in India] is appropriated to a curious purpose, viz. when any of the members of the family are angry, they shut themselves up in this room, called the room of anger;….

and the master of the family goes and persuades him to come out.” Ver. or As God for Christ’s sake.—Gr. “As God in Christ hath freely forgiven,’’ &c.