Bible Commentary

Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 6. eyeservice ] The word is found elsewhere only Col 3:22, and was possibly coined by St Paul. It is the “service” which works for another only under the compulsion of inspection, and only in external … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 6:6”

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; 5 9. The Christian Home: Servants and Masters 5. Servants ] Bondservants, slaves. Cp. Col 3:22-25; and see 1Co 7:21-22; 1Ti 6:1-2; Tit 2:9-10; Philemon; 1Pe 2:18-25. The Gospel nowhere … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 6:5”

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 4. fathers ] We may equally well render, parents. Moses’ parents are called (Heb 11:23, Gr.) his fathers. The expression is found in the classics, Greek and Latin. The father is the head of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 6:4”

That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 3. that, &c.] The Gr. is nearly verbatim from the LXX. of Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. It is observable that the Apostle omits the last words of the original promise. Is not this on purpose, to dilate the reference … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 6:3”

Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; 2. Honour, &c.] Exo 20:12; Deu 5:16. The Gr. here is verbatim that of the LXX. On the duty, cp. Mat 19:19; Mar 7:10; Mar 10:19; Luk 18:20. The “honour” is that not of mere sentiment but of obedience. See for illustration, Mat … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 6:2”

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Ch. Eph 6:1-4. The Christian Home: Children and Parents 1. Children ] Cp. Col 3:20. obey ] The Gr. word differs from that rendered “submit yourselves” (Eph 6:22). It is the same as that below, Eph 6:5, rendered “be obedient.” The child, and the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 6:1”

Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife [see] that she reverence [her] husband. 33. Nevertheless ] The word recalls the reader from the Divine but incidental “mystery” of the mystical Union to the holy relationship which is at once a type of it and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 5:33”

This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 32. This is, &c.] More precisely, This mystery is great. For the word “mystery” see above, Eph 1:9, Eph 3:3-4; Eph 3:9; and below Eph 6:19. The word tends to mean something of the sphere of spiritual truth not discoverable by observation … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 5:32”

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. 31. For this cause, &c.] The Gr. in this verse is practically identical with that of Gen 2:24. We may reverently infer that the Apostle was guided to see in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 5:31”

For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 30. members ] Limbs; the word used above Eph 4:25; and cp. Rom 12:4-5; 1Co 6:15 (a strict parallel), 1Co 12:27. of his flesh, and of his bones ] Three important MSS. (AB ) supported by other but not considerable authority, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 5:30”