Ephesians 4:1-6 WEB

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:1

I therefore - Therefore, because God has provided for you such an abundant salvation, and ye have his testimonies among you, and have full liberty to use all the means of grace; The prisoner of the Lord - Who am deprived of my liberty for the Lord's sake. Beseech you that ye walk - Ye have your liberty, and may walk; I am deprived of mine, and cannot. This is a fine stroke, and wrought up into a strong argument. You who are at large can show forth the virtues of him who called you... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:2

With all lowliness - It is by acting as the apostle here directs that a man walks worthy of this high vocation; ταπεινοφροσυνη signifies subjection or humility of mind. Meekness - The opposite to anger and irritability of disposition. Long-suffering - Μακροθυμια· Long-mindedness - never permitting a trial or provocation to get to the end of your patience. Forbearing one another - Ανεχομενοι αλληλων· Sustaining one another - helping to support each other in all the miseries... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:3

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace - There can be no doubt that the Church at Ephesus was composed partly of converted Jews, as well as Gentiles. Now, from the different manner in which they had been brought up, there might be frequent causes of altercation. Indeed, the Jews, though converted, might be envious that the Gentiles were admitted to the same glorious privileges with themselves, without being initiated into them by bearing the yoke and burden of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:4

There is one body - Viz. of Christ, which is his Church. One Spirit - The Holy Ghost, who animates this body. One hope - Of everlasting glory, to which glory ye have been called by the preaching of the Gospel; through which ye have become the body of Christ, instinct with the energy of the Holy Ghost. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:5

One Lord - Jesus Christ, who is the governor of this Church. One faith - One system of religion, proposing the same objects to the faith of all. One baptism - Administered in the name of the holy Trinity; indicative of the influences, privileges, and effects of the Christian religion. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:6

One God - The fountain of all being, self-existent and eternal; and Father of all, both Jews and Gentiles, because he is the Father of the spirits of all flesh. Who is above all - Ὁ επι παντων· Who is over all; as the King of kings, and Lord of lords. And through all - Pervading every thing; being present with every thing; providing for all creatures; and by his energy supporting all things. And in you all - By the energy of his Spirit, enlightening, quickening, purifying, and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:1

Verse 1 The three remaining chapters consist entirely of practical exhortations. Mutual agreement is the first subject, in the course of which a discussion is introduced respecting the government of the church, as having been framed by our Lord for the purpose of maintaining unity among Christians. 1.I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord. His imprisonment, which might have been supposed more likely to render him despised, is appealed to, as we have already seen, for a confirmation of his... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:2

Verse 2 2.With all humility. He now descends to particulars, and first of all he mentions humility The reason is, that he was about to enter on the subject of Unity, to which humility is the first step. This again produces meekness, which disposes us to bear with our brethren, and thus to preserve that unity which would otherwise be broken a hundred times in a day. Let us remember, therefore, that, in cultivating brotherly kindness, we must begin with humility. Whence come rudeness, pride, and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:3

Verse 3 3.Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit. With good reason does he recommend forbearance, as tending to promote the unity of the Spirit. Innumerable offenses arise daily, which might produce quarrels, particularly when we consider the extreme bitterness of man’s natural temper. Some consider the unity of the Spirit to mean that spiritual unity which is produced in us by the Spirit of God. There can be no doubt that He alone makes us “of one accord, of one mind,” (Philippians 2:2,)... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:4

Verse 4 4.There is one body. (139) He proceeds to show more fully in how complete a manner Christians ought to be united. The union ought to be such that we shall form one body and one soul. These words denote the whole man. We ought to be united, not in part only, but in body and soul. He supports this by a powerful argument, as ye have been called in one hope of your calling. We are called to one inheritance and one life; and hence it follows, that we cannot obtain eternal life without living... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:4

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