Ephesians 5

1 The Apostle proceeds in exhortations, and first to mutual love after the example of god and Jesus .3 exhorts them further to depart them from all uncleanness courteous which is idolatry foolish talking &c and declares that such shall not possess the Kingdom of heaven 8and seeking that they are now in the right that they must walk as children of the light 11and have no more communion with the works of darkness but reprove them15 Exhort them further that they would walk prudently and being wise redeem the time 18 that they should not be drunk but full of the spirit 19 that they should sing Psalms and Hymns to the Lord 21 exhorts all the general to one another in the fear of God 22 but especially wives that they be subject to their husbands as the church is to Christ 25in like manner he exhorts husbands to love their wives even as Christ loved his church 28 and as a man loves his own body 31 proves also by Gods institution that husband and wife are one flesh and interprets that also Christ and his Couch 33 concluding with an exhortation to man and wife.

1. Be ye then followers of God [namely in forgiving one another failing and trespasses as is expressed in the last verse of the former chapter]as beloved children.

2. and walk in love even as Christ also loved us and hath given himself for us for an offering and a sacrifice to God for a fragrant saver [Gr for an odor of fragrance a similitude taken from the sacrifice of the Old Testament see Genesis 8:21 which wee said to have a sweet smelling savor before God not for their own sake but for the signification which they had for Christ’s sacrifice and obedience see Psalms 40:7 Hebrews 10:8 &c.]

3. But fornication and all uncleanness [or filthiness] or covetousness let them not be named among you according as it becometh the saints .

4. Nor dishonesty nor sottish talk and fooling [Ger. Eutrapelia which word is sometimes taken in a good part for honest pleasant discourses which in times and opportunities are lawful and edifying as they are examples therefore in God’s word 1 Kings 18:27 but it is here taken for foolery or mockery such as idle person and scoffing companion use to make themselves marry with all and is properly called scurrility]which are not descent but much rather thanksgiving [Gr Eucharistia that is thanksgiving although this word is taken somewhat more largely fro words which are acceptable and thanks-worthy.]

5. for this ye know that no fornicator person or covetous man who is an idolator [Namely because he puts his trust in his good and placeth his life and happiness therein instead of placing and seeking the same in the living God see Colossians 3:5 1Timothy 6.17]hath no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God [not that there are two kingdoms but because Christ as mediator hath purchased the same and first took profession of it and we shall by God be put in possession of the same together with him Revelations 3.21.]

6. Let no man seduce you with vain words for these things cometh the wrath of god upon these children of disobedience [that is who are given disobedience as children to their fathers see chapter 2.2]

7. Therefore be not partakers with them

8. For ye were formerly darkness [that is dark or ignorant in your understanding duely to discern good from evil see chapter 4.18] but now are ye light in the Lord [that is enlighten by Gods spirit in discern good from evil as light go before others by a good example] walk as children of the light[that is who are partakers of the light of the gospel and make profession thereof and name and boast yourselves thereof as children of their father 1Thessalonians 5.5]

9. For the fruit of the spirit that is operation or that which the Holy Ghost produceth]is in all bounteousness and righteousness and truth.

10. Proving [that is diligently searching and after search giving proof hereof and doing as Romans 12:3] what is well pleasing to the Lord.

11. And have no communion with the unfruitful works of darkness [that is who not only bring forth no good fruits but also nothing but evil fruits]but reprove them likewise much rather [namely always by your Christian walking and by Gods words then it may be done with the profit see 1Corinthians 14.24otherwise Christ saith also such pearls must not be scattered before swine Matthew 7:6.]

12. For that which is done by them secretly is shameful even to speak of [much more than is it shameful to do.]

13. But all these things being reproved by light are manifest [or being reproved are manifested by light]for all that which maketh manifest is light [that is like unto light namely purifying and cleaning all things for Gods words and examples for believers are like to fire which enlightens and purifies see Matthew 5:16 and 1 Corinthians 3:13.]

14. Therefore he saith [some take this for the words of the apostles who being moved by the spirit of Christ speaketh thus every prophet everywhere testify thus speaketh the Lord namely by me unto you others take it for a rehearsal of words out of the prophets which Paul joins together and expounds see Isaiah 9:1 and 60.1 wherein the sum of man’s conversion is contained]awake thou that sleepest [namely the spiritual sleep of sin and death of sin being awakened and quickened by the word and the spirit of Christ as is said chapter 2.1 which exhortation partly concerns the believers who sometimes also sleep in some common sins and partly the unbelievers who are dead in the same sin the first he exhorts who awake the power by the spirit of God whereof they are already partakers the others to arise from the dead that by such exhortation being made sensible of the quickening power of Christ they should be likewise be obedient to the same as Lazarus arose from the corporal death by the word and power of Christ John 11:43,44]and arise from the dead and Christ shall shine upon thee namely as the sun of righteousness to guide you well and to cause to walk circumspectly as children of the day as the following verse declares .]

15. Look then how you walk circumspectly not as unwise but as wise.

16. Redeeming the time [that is prudently laying hold on the good opportunity of a well doing and winning others to Christ a similitude taken from wise merchants]seeing the days are evil [namely as well by reason of disorderliness of men as by reason of persecution he proceeds therefore in the similitude taken from merchants who in times of death and danger had need in be very provident how to trade to best advantage avoiding all the bad and neglecting no good bargain .]

17. Therefore be not unwise bet understand what the will of God is.

18. And be not drunk in wine wherein is excess [namely when it is abused to drunkenness]but b filled with the spirit [that is seek your recreation not in carnal pleasures but in spiritual delight whereof singing is one of the chiefest .]

19. Speaking together with Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs [these three sorts of spiritual singing serves for one end namely to recreate the spirit and are by some thus distinguished that Psalms are all kind of spiritual songs which are exercised not only with the voice but also with the stringed instruments of music hymns thanksgiving unto God and metrical celebration of Gods grace towards us and spiritual songs such editing as contains all manner of spiritual doctrines see also Colossians 3:16 and these several names seem to be taken in the several inscriptions of the Psalms of David]singing and Psalming to the Lord in your heart [that is not only with the tongue or instrument but also with the heart]

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

21. Being submissive one to another [or subject that is everyone according to his calling preventing the other with respect or meeting one another in humble manner Philippians 2:3] in the fear of God [that is so not withstanding that the fear of God be always the rule and the square of your submission.]

22. Ye wives be subject to your own husband as to the Lord [namely Jesus Christ as is expressed in chapter 6 verse 5 the reason hereof is because the husband bears Christ s image in governing of the wife 1 Corinthians 11:3,7.]

23. for the husband is the head of the wife as Christ also is the head of the church and he [namely Christ for of the duty of the husbands shall be spoken hereafter verse 25 &c]] is the keeper [or savior] of the body.

24. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ so also are the wives to their own husbands in all things [namely in the fear of God as is expressed in verse 21 that is as long as it is not contrary to the love of the command of Christ who is upper-head of both the husband and of the wife see Luke 14:26.]

25. Ye husbands love your wife as Christ also love the church and gave up himself [namely unto death for her.]

26. That he might sanctify her [that is separate her from all worldly men and appropriate her only to himself whereby the apostle gives to understand that husbands must also take their wives unto them holily and keep them free from all worldly vanities and aspersions]having purified her with the washing of the water [that is by his blood and spirit wherefore the washing of water in baptism is a sign and seal withal is a means whereby the spirit of God doth more strengthen this cleansing see Matthew 3:11 2 Corinthians 3:3 1 Peter 3:21]by the word [Gr in the word]

27. That he might present her glorious to himself [hereby is understood the word of purifying the church by the blood and the spirit of Christ whereof the beginning is wrought and effected in the faithful even in this life and the full accomplishment hereafter when the church of Christ shall fully be prepared by the bridegroom Christ unto the spiritual marriage see Cant 2.14and chapter 4.7 Revelations 19.7]a church which hath no spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that she might be holy and unblameable.

28. Thus husbands ought to love their wives [by the word love is also understood the due care declared verse 29 and the honor which the husband oweth to his wife as the weaker vessel 1Peter3.7] as their own bodies [the apostle here hath regard unto creation of the wife out of the rib of the man and consequently out of his own body genesis 2.21,22 as is declared hereafter verse 31]he that loveth his own wife loveth himself.

29. For no man ever hated his own flesh but nourisheth and sustains it even as also the Lord the church.

30. For we are members of his body [namely Christ and the apostle speaks here of the communion of nature whereby Christ also became partaker of flesh and the blood like as the children Hebrew 2.14 but of the spiritual communion between him and the believers of whom he is the head and they are his members see chapter 1.22 and chapter 2.15 and 4.12 &c]of his flesh and of his bones.

31. Therefore shall a man forsake his father and mother and shall cleave to his wife and they two shall be one flesh [see hereof Matthew 19:5]

32. thus mystery is great [not ht of the corporal marriage but that of the spiritual and of the union between Christ and his church as the apostle here declareth which union he calls a mystery because this can not be comprehended by any natural man nor is a any understanding able and dive into and search that which is known by faith that Christ is our head and bridegroom and we are his spiritual bride and members whereby all the purchased benefits and his gifts needful to salvation do flow from Christ into us as members]But I say this having respect to Christ and to the Church.

33. So then ye also each one s particular [hereby the apostle comes again to the exhortation of man and wife after that he had between both declared the mystery of the union of Christ with his Church]let everyone love his own wife even as himself and let the wife look that she fear the husband [that is with respect and awe be subject to him as he exhorted before.]