Ephesians 4

1 After that the Apostle in the three former chapters had briefly propounded the doctrine of the Gospel, now he cometh, according to his custome in all his Epistles, and propounded exhortations unto godliness: and first in general he exhorts unto a conversation becoming their calling. 2 Afterwards in particular forbearance in love, 3 peace and unity; which exhortation he strengthens with many reasons. 7 Testifieth further that Christ being ascended into heaven, gave indeed divers gifts unto men, 11 and ordained divers offices of Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, etc. 12 but all tending to this, that the Church might be builded and kept in the unity of faith against all errors. 16 That nevertheless this saving virtues flows only from Christ into all members. 17 Afterwards cometh again to the general exhortations, and warns that they walk not so, as they used to do when they were yet Gentiles, 22 but that they put off the old man, 23 and put on the new man, 25 that they also put off lying, 26 let not the Sun go down upon their wrath. 28 Steal not, 29 avoid filthy speaking, whereby the holy Spirit is grieved, 31 and all manner of wickedness, 32 but that they forgive one another, as God in Christ hath forgiven us.

1. I beseech [Or exhort] you therefore, I, the prisoner [Gr. Bound, see chapter 3.1.] in the Lord, [that is, for the Lords cause, namely, Christ’s, as chapter 3.1.] that ye walk worthily, [that is, as becometh you, Matthew 3:8.] of the calling wherewith ye are called [namely, unto the communion of Christ, and for that cause also, of godliness in Christ. The Apostle here speaks not only of the outward, but also of the inward and powerful calling, whereby they were brought to faith in Christ, as appears from the following verses.]

2. With all humility and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love. [That is, through love. For love beareth everything, 1 Cor. 13.7.] He speaketh here of bearing with such offences as concern every one in particular, as Matthew 18:15. Otherwise Christ also praiseth this Church of Ephesus, Revelat. 2.2. that they could not bear with the evil ones, namely, who sought to bring in perverse doctrines, and disturbed the Church.]

3. Giving diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit, [That is, spiritual unity, with all members of the Church of Christ, whether of Jews or of the Gentiles, which is Christs body, wherefore the Holy Ghost is the bond or uniter, as is declared in the following verse] by the bond of peace, [Gr. In the bond, or binding together.]

4. It is one body and one Spirit, even as ye are also called unto one hope of your calling: [Gr. In one hope, i.e. thing hoped for, whereunto ye are called, which is the salvation of your soul.]

5. One Lord, [Namely, Jesus Christ, as appears by the following 6. verse, where God and the Father is distinguished from him] one faith, one baptism, [namely, not only in number, but also in the administration upon you all, Romans 6:3,4.]

6. One God and Father, [As in the former verse, by the word, one Lord, the Father is not excluded from being our Lord, nor yet the Holy Ghost, who is called the Lord, Isaiah 6:9. and 2 Cor. 3.18. compared with Acts 28:25. Even so here also, by the word, one God, the Son is not excluded, nor the Holy Ghost, see 1 Cor. 12.v.4,5,6. but this diversity of tittles is only shewed the order and property which each person hath in this operation, and the joining together of this Body, i.e. of the Church] of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. [here is not properly spoken of all creatures or men in general, seeing God is not the Father of all in Christ: but here is spoken of all true members of the Church, which is the Body of Christ, over all which God the Father hath the highest command, through all which he extends his special government, (and both these they have common with other men) and in all which he dwelleth as a Father by his grace and spirit, which is proper and peculiar only to the faithful, John 14:23.]

7. But each one of us, [Namely, who are members of this body] grace is given, according to the measure of the gift of Christ. [that is, according as it pleaseth Christ, to measure out gifts to every one in his calling, for the perfection and uniting of this body, John 1:16. Romans 12:3.]

8. Therefore he [Namely, God] saith, when he ascended [namely, Christ, as appears by the following Exposition: for this is a prophecy of Christs Kingdome] into the height, [that is, into heaven, as is declared, verse 10.] he took captivity [that is, those which held us captive; namely, sin, the Devil, death, 7 damnation, over all which Christ triumphed by his death, resurrection, and ascension, Colossians 2:15. so that howsoever they still assault us, yet in Christ we have the victory over them all, John 16:33. Rom.8.37,38,39. Or captives, i.e. a great multitude of captives, 2 Chron. 28.5.] and gave gifts unto men, [namely, out of heaven, sitting there at the right hand of God his father, Acts 2:33.]

9. Now this he ascended, what is it, [That is, what else is the meaning thereof?] but that he also first descended [namely, by his special operation, in assuming of the humane nature of the Virgin Mary, as Job. 6.v.33,42. without having for that cause left the heaven, according to his divine nature and spirit, he is nevertheless with us unto the end of the world, Matthew 28:20.] into the lowest parts of the earth? [that is, in the earth, which is the lowest part of the world. For the word became flesh, and dwelt with us, John 1:14. See Psal. 139.15.]

10. He that descended, is the same also [Namely, person, although he descended according to another nature] that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all thing. [that is, all the members of the Church by filling of the predictions of the Prophets, whereof this prophecy of David is likewise one. But the first agrees as fitly with the following verses.]

11. And the same gave some for Apostles, and some for Prophets, [Of the difference betwixt Apostles and Prophets see the annotate. On 1 Cor. 12.28.] and some for Evangelists, [of this office see Acts 21:8] and some for Pastors and Teachers. [some distinguish these two offices so, that the Pastors should not only teach and instruct the Church, but also by Ecclesiastical disciple guide and govern it, As Pastors do the sheep; and that the Teachers should be imployed only to expound the Scripture, and to defend the truth of the doctrine against heresies and errors. But seeing the word, some, doth not stand betwixt the two names here, as in the foregoing several callings, others take it but for one and the same sacrifice: and that these two names here stand together, to shew, that Pastors also should be teachers; even as these two names are often put one for the other in the Scripture, and Paul joins these two things together, in the trying of the Ministers, 1 Tim. chapter 3. and Tit. chapter 1.]

12. For the perfecting of the Saints [Or, joining together. For therefore are these Ministries instituted in the Church of God, that the members of the Church should be made more and more united or perfected, viz unto a perfect body under Christ, their Head] for the work of the Ministry, [that is, that the work of the Ministry might have its full members, consisting in the preaching of Gods Word, Administration of the Sacraments, exercise of Church-Discipline, and government of the Church, which things by these instituted Ministries have procured the full members thereof all the world over, and are confirmed in the Church, and must abide until the end of the world, Matthew 28:20. 1 Cor. 11/26.] for the building up of the body of Christ.

13. Until we all shall come unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God [That is, unto one and the same faith and knowledge or acknowledgement of the Son of God; which here in this world comes to pass indeed in some sort; but hereafter shall fully come to passé, when God in Christ shall be all in all, 1 Cor. 13.11,12. which also the following word import] unto a perfect man, [that is, unto a perfect manly knowledge, and the perfect measure of of the gifts which we must receive out of Christ’s fullness, John 1:16.] unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

14. That we should be no more children, which like a flood are moved and about with every wind of doctrine, by the deceitfulness of men, [Or, unstedfastness, Gr. Dicing, or dice-play, whereby the Apostle understands the deceits or tricks of such, who seek by deluding to draw the disciples of Christ unto them, no otherwise then your gamesters or dicers know by cheating Arts and tricks, to get other mens goods into their hands, as the following words declare] by craftiness cunningly to seduce into error.

15. But pursuing the truth in love, [This the Apostle adds, because sometimes truth may be maintained contrary to love; as also under the cloak of love truth may be prejudiced. Others translate it, dealing uprightly in love, as the word, truth, signifies uprightness also] might every where grow up in him, who is the head (namely) Christ.

16. Out of whom the whole body being fitly joined together, and fastened together, through all joyntages of conveyance, [That is, by all the nerves or joins, through which life and nourishment is conveyed from the one to the other member. The Apostle so termeth the joints and ligaments of the members, through which the strength and nourishment is conveyed from one member into another, such as the sinews, veins, and the like, which pass along the ligaments into the members, and supply them with strength and nourishment, and that especially from the head: whereunto therefore the Apostle fitly compares all the offices and gifts of the Spirit in the Church, which depends all from Christ, and hold the whole body together, and impart the spiritual strength and nourishment unto it, 1 Cor. 12.v12.14.] according to the working of each part in (us) measure, getteth the growth of the body, [Gr. Maketh the growth of the body, i.e. obtain its growth, Hebr.] to the edifying of it self in love.

17. I say this then, [Namely, as a conclusion from what went before: seeing we are members of Christ, and partakers of such gifts of his, that therefore ye, &c. and so he cometh again to new exhortations.] and testifie it in the Lord, that ye walk no more, according as the other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind;

18. Darkned in the understanding, being estranged from the life of God, [Namely, not whereby hi lives in us by his Spirit, in Christ, See chapter 2.1.] by the ignorance which is in them, through the hardening of their heart.

19. Who being grown past feeling, [A similitude taken from those, who by many blows or brand-marks, in certain parts of the body, are grown so brawny, or seared there, that they have no feeling thereof any more: so it comes to pass also with many men, who by continual doing of evil, to stupefied the feeling or checking of their consciences, that they are no more sensible of the same, see Romans 1:28. 1 Tim. 4.2.] have given themselves over unto immodesty [Or, lasciviousness, wantonness:] to commit all uncleanness greedily. [Gr. In covetousness or insatiableness, that is, with great eagerness and delight, as a covetous man blesseth his soul in unrighteousness, Psal. 10.3.]

20. But ye have not so learned Christ. [That is, the Doctrine of Christ, and of Communion with him.]

21. If ye have but heard him, [Namely, speaking unto you in his Word by us] and are taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus, [that is, as the truth of Christ requires, and as in truth it ought to be.]

22. (To wit) that ye should put off, concerning the former conversation, the old man, [So the whole corruption and wickedness which is in man by nature, is called, rom. 6.6. which is also called flesh, Romans 8:5. Galatians 5:19.] which is corrupt by the lusting of seduction: [that is, which entice and seduce a man unto all sins, if he do not resist them by the Spirit of God, James 1:13,14,15.]

23. And that ye should be renewed, in the spirit of your mind, [that is, in the most inward and most rational part of your soul, as Romans 12:2. If that therefore must be renewed and regenerated, that it may be enabled to serve God, then the will also, and all the other inclinations by nature are not better, except they be renewed by the same power.]

24. And put on [The Apostle here compares this renewing of a men to a new garment, which he saith, believers must put off, and put on the new; because being regenerated by the Spirit of God, they must more and more proceed and increase in both, by the use of the means which God hath ordained for his purpose; namely, by courageously striving against sin through the Spirit of God, 2 Tim. 1.6,7. diligent hearing and mediating on the Word of God, Psal. 1.2. 2 Tim. 3.16,17. using the Sacraments worthily, 1 Cor. 11.17,18, &c.] the new man, [so the Apostle calls regeneration, or the renewing of a man, consisting in the enlightening of the understanding, and changing of the will unto holiness and righteousness, in which the Image of God consist, whereof the last is here expressed, and the first hereafter, Colossians 3:10.] which, according to God is created in the true righteousness and holiness. [Gr. In righteousness and holiness of truth.]

25. Therefore put off lying, and speak the truth every one with his neighbour: for we are members of one another

26. Be angry, and sin not: [By these words taken out of the fourth Psalm, the Apostle forbids not all anger, for such motions were created in the heart by God, and anger is sometimes ascribed to God and Christ, namely, for the sin and unthankfulness of men; but this is the meaning of the Apostle, that if there be just occasions of anger given, that it must not go beyond measure, nor indure too long, but speedily be laid down again] let not the Sun go down upon your wrath.

27. Neither give place to devil. [Or, room, i.e. no time no occasion by your wrath to bring you to other sins, if your mind should without sufficient cause remain disturbed too long, 1 Pet. 5.8,9.]

28. He that stole, let him steal no more, but let him rather labor, working that which is good [That is, that which is laudable or acceptable to God] with his hands, that he may have to impart to him that hath need.

29. Let no filthy [Gr. Rotten] go out of your mouth; but if there be any good (speech) for profitable edification, [Gr. For edification of use, or, or profit, or, of necessity, i.e. needful edification.] that it may give grace, [that is, contribute some spiritual gift; or acceptableness: Some take this word for thanks, or thanksgiving, so that this should be the sense, that good men that hear it, may thank you for it] to them that hear it.

30. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, [A phrase by way of similitude taken out of Isaiah 63:10. whereby is given to understand, that the Spirit of God that dweleth in us, by such like sins which he is averse from, obscures his kind of operation in us, and instead of his love let us feel his anger ( as a father puts a sad countenance towards his children, when they do evil in his presence, and instead of shewing them kindness, must (though unwillingly) chastise and punish them) from whence a grieved mind ariseth also in the faithful, and the assurance of their salvation is obscured, see Psalms 6:2. and 31. ver.10,11. and 51.ver.11. &c.] by whom [Gr. In whom] ye are sealed, [namely, being with stamped seal, as it were, of Gods own image and distinguished from unbelievers, and assured of the salvation to come, see chapter 1.13.] unto the day of redemption.

31. Let all bitterness and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and caviling be put away from you, (together) with all malice.

32. But be kind one towards another, merciful, forgiving one another, even as God also in Christ [That is, for Christ and his atonements sake, as 2 Cor. 5.19. Or through Christ] hath forgiven you.