Bible Commentary

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 19. to yourselves ] R.V., one to another. The Gr. admits either rendering (see above on Eph 4:32); but the parallel, Col 3:16 (“teaching and admonishing, &c.”) is clearly for the R. V. here, as … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 5:19”

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 18. drunk with wine ] Cp. for similar cautions, Pro 20:1; Pro 23:30-31; Luk 21:34; Rom 13:13 ; 1Co 5:11; 1Co 6:10; Gal 5:21; 1Ti 3:3. “He fitly follows up a warning against impurity with a warning against drunkenness” (Bengel). … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 5:18”

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord [is.] 17. be ye not ] Lit., become ye not; let not unwatchfulness pull you down. understanding ] Better, probably, understand. what the will of the Lord is ] “The good, and perfect, and acceptable will of God” apprehended by the disciple … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 5:17”

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 16. redeeming the time ] Lit., buying out (from other ownership) the opportunity. So Col 4:5. The same phrase occurs (Aramaic and Greek) Dan 2:8; “I knew of a certainty that ye would buy the time ”; where the meaning plainly is, “that ye would get your … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 5:16”

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 15 21. The subject pursued: the talent of time: temperance: spiritual songs: thanksgiving: humility 15. See then ] The more general exhortation to a holy life-walk is resumed here, after the special entreaties thus given to avoid, yet influence, surrounding darkness. walk ] … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 5:15”

Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 14. Wherefore ] With regard to the fact that whatever is really brought to light, in the sense of true spiritual conviction, becomes light. he saith ] Or possibly it (the Scripture) saith. See note on Eph … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 5:14”

But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 13. all things that are reproved ] More lit., all things, when being reproved, or convicted. doth make manifest ] Render, certainly, is made manifest, or more precisely, is being manifested. So the Lat. versions, and, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 5:13”

For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 12. even to speak ] See above on “not once named”, Eph 5:12. Perhaps the suggestion here is that the “reproof” of Eph 5:11 was to come more through a holy life, and less through condemnatory words. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 5:12”

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them.] 11. unfruitful ] “For the end of these things is death” (Rom 6:21). The metaphor of fruit, which we have just had (Eph 5:9), is almost always used in connexions of good. See a close parallel, Gal 5:19; Gal 5:22, “the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 5:11”

Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 10. proving ] Testing, by the touchstone of His declared and beloved Will; putting every action, and course of action unreservedly to that proof, and unreservedly approving, in action, all that passes it. Cp. Rom 1:28 (where lit. “they did not approve to retain God, &c.”), Rom 12:2 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ephesians 5:10”