Ephesians 5
Irwin1 as dear children. Or, “as children beloved.” The “beloved” should “walk in love.”
2 an offering and a sacrifice, etc. Cp. Gen. viii. 21, and note.
4 not convenient. Not proper or befitting, as R.V.
5 who is an idolater. Putting the objects of his desire in the place of God. He who does this may observe outward decorum, and obtain the respect of men; but he is classed in the Scriptures with the worst of sinners.
the kingdom of Christ and of God. Properly, “the kingdom of Christ and God”; suggesting the closest connexion.
6 vain words. “Inanibus verbis” (Vulgate). These “empty words” are the false reasonings that are used for palliating these sins.
7. Be ye not (become not) therefore partakers with them. Sharing in their sins.
8 darkness. “Darkness” stands for ignorance and depravity; “light” for knowledge and purity, which are self-evidencing, diffusive, and fruitful in all good (9-13).
9 of the Spirit. R.V., “of the light.” This is the reading of the best MSS.
10 proving. “Testing.” Diligently examining, and, as the result, approving: see Rom. xii. 2.
13 for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Rather, “everything that is made manifest is light.” By your reproofs throw the light of truth on these deeds of darkness, and you may hope that they will become “light” or be reformed.
14. Wherefore He (or, it) saith. Perhaps Isa. ix. 1-3 is here suggested. “Shall give thee light,” should rather be, as in R.V., “shall shine upon thee.” Rawlinson (Peake’s Commentary) suggests that this is part of an early hymn.
15. See then that ye walk circumspectly. Rather, “See then how strictly (or carefully) ye walk”: i.e., see that ye conduct yourselves as carefully as possible; the argument being, “If you are to reprove the misconduct of others, how circumspect and careful ought you to be yourselves!”
16 redeeming the time. Or, “buying up the opportunity” (R.V. marg.). “It means to make merchandise of the time, and to deal strictly with it, as men deal with goods by which they mean to make a profit” (Letters on Church and Religion, by W. E. Gladstone, vol. ii. p. 417).
18 but be filled with the Spirit. The contrast is between the false excitement and that which is holy and divine.
19 to yourselves. Rather, as R.V., “one to another”: see Col. iii. 16. Pliny, writing to the Emperor Trajan, refers to the hymns which the early Christians used to sing among themselves to Christ as to God. Of the three words here used (psalms and hymns and spiritual songs), the first refers principally to those of the O.T., the second to Christian compositions on their model, the third to odes on sacred subjects generally.
21 submitting yourselves, etc. By a reasonable acquiescence in the wishes of the brethren, of whatever station they might be.
23. For the husband is the head of the wife, etc. Cp. note on 1 Cor. xi. 3. Christ’s headship of His “body,” the Church, results from the fact that He is its “Saviour” (cp. i. 20-23).
24 in every thing. In everything consistent with supreme allegiance to Christ.
26 that He might sanctify and cleanse it, etc. Rather, “that He may sanctify it, having cleansed [it] by the bath of water in the word.” A Jewish bride, before she was “presented” to her husband was bathed in water (cp. Esth. ii. 12). So the Church, in order to its thorough consecration to Christ, is purified by the word of God (Rom. x. 8, 17): cp. John xvii. 17, and note. If baptism is here alluded to, it is represented as deriving all its efficacy from “the word.”
30 of His flesh, and of His bones, etc. An allusion to Gen. ii. 23; denoting the most intimate union between Christ and His Church.
31. For this cause. Gen. ii. 24, which is here fully quoted according to the Septuagint. The allusion is to that union which makes husband and wife, as it were, one person (cp. 1 Cor. vi. 16); and which has a reference to the union of Christ and His Church.