The Life and Epistles of Apostle Paul

1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:⁶

1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted⁷ in the beloved.

1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;⁸

1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

1:9 Having made known⁹ unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

1:10 That in the dispensation¹⁰ of the fulness of times¹¹ he might gather together in one¹² all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,¹³ being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory,¹⁴ who first¹⁵ trusted in Christ.

6. We join "in love" with v. 5.

7. The verbal connection would be more literally given thus: His favor wherewith Be favored us.

8. Comma at the end of verse 7, colon in the middle of v. 8, and no stop at the end of v. 8, taking the verb transitively.

9. This is referred to in Ephesians 3:3. Compare "made known to us the mystery, &c," with "made known to me the mystery," which proves "us" here to correspond with "me" there.

10. Dispensation. According to most interpreters this expression is used in this Epistle in the sense of adjustment, or preparation; but as the meaning it bears elsewhere in St. Paul’s writings (viz. the office of a steward in dispensing his master’s goods ; see 1Corinthians 9:17, and cf. Colossians 1:25) gives a very intelligible sense to the passages in this Epistle, it seems needless to depart from it. The meaning of the present passage is best illustrated by Ephesians 3:2, 3

11. Literally, for a dispensation [of it] which belongs to the fulness of time.

12. Literally, to unite all things under one head, in union with Christ : so Chrysostom explains it. For the doctrine compare 1Corinthians 15:24.

13. Literally, were portioned with our lot.

14. The original may be considered as a Hebraism; literally, that we should be for the glory-praise of Him; compare verse 6.

15. This might mean, as some take it, to look forward with hope: but the other meaning appears most obvious and best suits the context. Compare "went before to ship," Acts 20:13.

1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

1:14 Which is the¹⁶ earnest of our inheritance until the redemption¹⁷ of the purchased¹⁸ possession, unto the praise of his glory.

16. Compare Romans 8:23; and note on 1Corinthians 1:22.

17. Not until (A.V.).

18. Used in the same sense here as "the church which He purchased" (Acts 20:28). The metaphor is, that the gift of the Holy Spirit was an earnest (that is, a part payment in advance) of the price required for the full deliverance of those who had been slaves of sin, but now were purchased for the service of God.

1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

1:18 The eyes of your understanding¹⁹ being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

1:21 Far above all²⁰ principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

1:22 And hath put all things under his feet,²¹ and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

1:23 Which is his body, the fulness²² of him that filleth all in all.

19. The majority of MSS. read "heart," which would give the less usual sense, the eyes of your heart.

20. See Colossians 1:16, and note.

21. Psalm 8:6 (LXX.), quoted in the same Messianic sense, 1Corinthians 15:27, and Hebrews 2:8. Compare also Psalm 110:1.

22. We see here again the same allusion to the technical use of the word Pleroma by false teachers as in Colossians 2:9, 10. St. Paul there asserts, that not the angelic hierarchy, but Christ himself, is the true fulness of the Godhead; and here that the Church is the fulness of Christ, that is, the full manifestation of His being, because penetrated by His life, and living only in Him. It should be observed that the Church is here spoken of so far forth as it corresponds to its ideal.

2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead¹ in trespasses and sins;

2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this² world, according to the prince of the power of the air,³ the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.⁴

2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in⁵ Christ Jesus:

2:7 That in the ages to come⁶ he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:it is the gift of God:

2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained⁷ that we should walk in them.

1. The sentence (in the original) is left unfinished in the rapidity of dictation; but the verb is easily supplied for the context.

2. Compare 2Corinthians 4:4, 1Corinthians 1:20; etc.

3. In the Rabbinical theology evil spirits were designated as the "Powers of the Air." St. Paul is here again probably alluding to the language of those teachers against whom he wrote to the Colossians.

4. Literally, the rest of mankind, i.e. unbelievers. Compare 1Thessalonians 4:13.

5. The meaning is, that Christians share in their Lord’s glorification, and dwell with Him in heaven, in so far as they are united with Him.

6. Viz. the time of Christ’s perfect triumph over evil, always contemplated in the New Testament as near at hand.

7. i.e. God, by the laws of His Providence, has prepared opportunities of doing good for every Christian.

2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh⁸ made by hands;

2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants⁹ of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one,¹⁰ and hath broken down the¹¹ middle wall of partition between us;

2:15 Having abolished in his¹² flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

2:16 And that he might reconcile¹³ both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit¹⁴ unto the Father.

2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:¹⁵

2:22 In whom ye also¹⁶ are builded together for an habitation of God through¹⁷ the Spirit.

8. Meaning a circumcision of the flesh, not of the spirit, — made by man’s hands, not by God’s.

9. Covenants of the promise. Compare Galatians 3:16, and Romans 9:4.

10. Both, viz. Jews and Gentiles.

11. The allusion is evidently to that "balustrade of stone" described by Josephus, which separated the Court of the Gentiles from the holier portion of the Temple, and which it was death for a Gentile to pass. See Ch. XXI. p. 630.

12. i.e. by His death, as explained by the parallel passage, Colossians 1:22.

13. Christians are created in Christ (see above, v. 10), i.e. their union with Christ is the essential condition of their Christian existence.

14. "In one spirit." It is sometimes impossible to translate such expressions accurately, except by a periphrasis.

15. "Holy in the Lord." See the preceding note.

16. You as well as others.

17. Compare 1Corinthians 3:16; and see note 1. "In the spirit" might, however, be taken (with Olshausen and others) merely as an antithesis to "in the flesh."

3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ¹ for² you Gentiles,

3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

3:3 How that by revelation he made³ known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,⁴

3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)⁵

3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his⁶ promise in Christ by the gospel:

1. The sentence is abruptly broken off here, but carried on again at v. 13. The whole passage bears evident marks of the rapidity of dictation.

2. Literally, if, as I suppose you have heard of the office of dispensing (see note on 1:10) the grace of God which was given me for you.

3. In the MSS. the verb is passive.

4. The reference is to chap. 1:9, 10.

5. See notes on verses 18 and 21 above,

6. "His" is omitted by the best MSS.

3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship⁷ of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things⁸ by Jesus Christ:⁹

3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

7. The best MSS. have stewardship, not fellowship. See note on 1:10. St. Paul displayed the nature of his "stewardship" by the manner in which he discharged its duties. Compare 1Corinthians 9:17, and 2 Corinthians 4, and 5.

8. "By Jesus Christ" is not in the best MSS.

9. i.e. by the union of all mankind in the Church. That which calls forth the expressions of rapturous admiration here, and in the similar passage in Romans (Romans 11:33), is the divine plan of including all mankind in a universal redemption.

3:13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father¹⁰ of our Lord Jesus Christ,

3:15 Of whom the whole family¹¹ in heaven and earth is named,

3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,¹² that ye might be filled¹³ with all the fulness of God.

3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

10. The words, "of our Lord Jesus Christ," are not in the best MSS.

11. The sense depends on a paronomasia, the word for "family" (A.V.) meaning a race descended from a common ancestor. Compare Luke 2:4. If fatherhood had this meaning in English (as it might have had, according to the analogy of "a brotherhood"), the verse might be literally rendered from whom every fatherhood in heaven and earth is named; i.e. the very name of fatherhood refers us back to God as the father of all. The A.V. is incorrect, and would require the definite article.

12. Again we observe an apparent allusion to the technical employment of the words Gnosis and Pleroma.

13. Unto, not with (A.V.).

4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

4:2 With all lowliness¹ and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

4:3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.²

4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure³ of the gift of Christ.

4:8 Wherefore he saith,⁴ When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)⁵

4:11 And he gave some, apostles;⁶ and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work⁷ of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

4:13 Till we all come in the unity⁸ of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man,⁹ unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:¹⁰

4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness,¹¹ whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him¹² in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

4:16 From whom¹³ the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part,¹⁴ maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

1. .See note on Colossians 3:12.

2. You omitted in best MSS.

3. This verse is parallel to Romans 12:6, "having gifts differing according to the grace which God has given us." The whole context of the two passages also throws light on both.

4. Literally, it says, i.e. the Scripture says. The quotation is from Psalm 68:18, but slightly altered, so as to correspond neither with the Hebrew nor with the Septuagint. Our two authorized versions of the Psalms have here departed from the original, in order to follow the present passage; probably on the supposition that St. Paul quoted from some older reading.

5. Again we remark an allusion to the doctrine of the Pleroma. Compare 1:23.

6. On this classification of church offices, see p. 381.

7. The word does not mean "the ministry" (A.V.).

8. Literally, the oneness of the faith and of the knowledge.

9. Literally, a man of mature age.

10. See again note on 3:19.

11. Literally, cunningly toward the snares of misleading error.

12. "In every part." See following verse.

13. To grow into Him is to grow to the standard of His growth.

14. Literally rendered, this is from whom all the body (being knit together and compacted by every joint), according to the working of his bounteous providing in the measure of each several part, continues the growth of the body. Compare the parallel passage, Colossians 2:19, from whom the whole body, by the joints which bind it, draws full supplies for its needs, and is knit together and increases in godly growth. A child derives its life from its father, and grows up to the standard of its father’s growth.

4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness,¹⁵ to work all uncleanness with greediness.

4:20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt¹⁶ according to the deceitful lusts;

4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor:for we are members one of another.

4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not:¹⁷ let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

4:27 Neither give place to the devil.

4:28 Let him¹⁸ that stole steal no more:but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good¹⁹ to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed²⁰ unto the day of redemption.

4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

4:32 And be²¹ ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

15. For this see note on 1Corinthians 5:11; and compare Ephesians 5:3.

16. Not "corrupt" (A.V.), but going on in the way of ruin.

17. Psalm 4:4 (LXX)

18. Him that steals (present). The A.V. would require the aorist. It should be remembered that the stealers (klephts) of the N. T. were not what we should now call thieves (as the word is generally rendered in A.V.), but bandits; and there is nothing strange in finding such persons numerous in the provincial towns among the mountains of Asia Minor. See p. 145.

19. Literally such as is good for needful budding up ("building" always implies "the church" or something equivalent), that it may give a blessing to the hearers.

20. The tense is mistranslated in A.V. Literally, in whom you were sealed. The meaning is rendered evident by 1:13, 14. It is the constant doctrine of St. Paul that the gift of the Holy Spirit is a seal or mark of Christ’s redeemed, which was given them at their conversion and reception into the Church, as a foretaste of their full redemption. Compare Romans 8:23.

21. Literally, "become ye." This word is sometimes used as simply equivalent to "be ye." Compare v. 17.

5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor.¹

5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness,² let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient:but rather giving of thanks.

5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an³ idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain⁴ words:for because of these things⁵ cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord:walk as children of light:

5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit⁶ is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.⁷

5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them⁸ in secret.

5:13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light:for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.⁹

5:14 Wherefore he saith,¹⁰ Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.¹¹

1. Genesis 8:21 (LXX):See Philippians 4:18, where it is quoted

2. It has been before remarked that this passage is conclusive as to the use of this particular Greek word by St. Paul; for what intelligible sense is there in saying that "covetousness" must not be so much as named? See note on 1Corinthians 5:11. It was there remarked that the use of concupiscence in English is an analogous case; it might be added that the word lust itself is likewise used in both senses; e. g. "the lust of gold." [Since our First Edition, we are glad to see that this old view of the Pauline usage of the word has been adopted by Prof. Jowett and Prof. Stanley, in their notes on Romans 1:29, and 1 Corinthians v. 11, respectively, and by Dean Trench in his Synonymes.]

3. See note on Colossians 3:5.

4. Namely, reasonings to prove the sins of impurity innocent. See 1Corinthians 6:12 20, and the note.

5. Viz., the gins of impurity. Compare Romans 1:24-27.

6. Light, not Spirit, is the reading of the best MSS.

7. The verb means to lay bare the real character of a thing by exposing it to open scrutiny.

8. "What is done by them," i.e. the Heathen.

9. Such appears to be the meaning of this difficult verse, viz., that, when the light falls on any object, the object itself reflects the rays; implying that moral evil will be recognized as evil by the conscience, if it is shown in its true colors by being brought into contrast with the laws of pure morality. The preceding "is made manifest" does not allow us to translate the same form immediately following as active (as A.V.).

10. See note on 4:8.

11. There is no verse exactly corresponding with this in the O. T. But Isaiah 60:1 is perhaps referred to. We must remember, however, that there is no proof that St. Paul intends (either here or 1Corinthians 2:9) to quote the Old Testament. Some have supposed that he is quoting a Christian hymn; others, a saying of our Lord (as at Acts 20:35.)

5:15 See then that ye walk¹² circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

5:16 Redeeming¹³ the time, because the days are evil.

5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein¹⁴ is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

5:19 Speaking to yourselves¹⁵ in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;¹⁶

5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

12. Dean Ellicott’s translation, "See then how ye walk with exactness," is literally accurate, though scarcely intelligible to an English reader.

13. See Colossians 4:5, and note.

14. Literally, in doing which is riotous living,

15. We put a full stop after to one another (here), as Colossians 3:16.

16. Throughout the whole passage there is a contrast implied between the Heathen and the Christian practice, q. d. When you meet, let your enjoyment consist, not in fulness of wine, but fulness of the Spirit; let your songs be, not the drinking-songs of heathen feasts, but psalms and hymns; and their accompaniment, not the music of the lyre, but the melody of the heart; while you sing them to the praise, not of Bacchus or Venus, but of the Lord Jesus Christ. For the construction and punctuation, see Colossians 3:16.

5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.¹⁷

5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church:¹⁸ and he is the savior of the body.¹⁹

5:24 Therefore²⁰ as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing²¹ of water by the word,

5:27 That he²² might present it to himself²³ a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord²⁴ the church:

5:30 For we are members of his body,²⁵ of his flesh, and of his bones.

5:31 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.²⁶

5:32 This is a great mystery:but I²⁷ speak concerning Christ and the church.

5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular²⁸ so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

17. Christ is the reading of the best MSS. That this comprehends all the special relations of subjection which follow (and should be joined with what follows) is shown by the omission of submit yourselves (in the next verse) by the best MSS.; an omission to which Jerome testifies. The transition of participial into imperative clauses is according to the analogy of the similar hortatory passage, Romans 12:8 to 19.

18. This statement occurs 1Corinthians 2:3 almost verbatim.

19. The literal English is, he is the deliverer of his body; and an analogy is implied to the conjugal relation, in which the husband maintains and cherishes the wife.

20. The conjunction cannot be translated "therefore" (A.V.).

21. "The water" (not simply "water"); literally, by the laver of the water, equivalent to laver of regeneration (Titus 3:5). The following in the word is exceedingly difficult. Chrysostom and the patristic commentators generally explain it of the formula of baptism; De Wette takes the same view. But see St. Paul’s use of the same expression elsewhere, Romans 10:8, 10:17, also Ephesians 6:17; and moreover, as Winer and Meyer have remarked, the junction of "in the word" with the verb letter suits the Greek. On this view, the meaning is that the Church, having been purified by the waters of baptism, is hallowed by the revelation of the mind of God imparted to it, whether mediately or immediately. Compare Hebrews 4:12, 13.

22. The best MSS. read thus.

23. The Church is compared to a bride, as 2Corinthians 11:2.

24. The best MSS. read Christ.

25. The words "of his flesh and of his bones" are not found in the MSS. of highest authority (A. and B.). They may have easily been introduced from the Septuagint, where they occur immediately before the following quotation, viz. at Genesis 2:23.

26. Genesis 2:24 (LXX).

27. The pronoun is emphatic: but I, while I quote these words out of the Scriptures, use them in a higher sense.

28. In your individual capacity, contrasted with the previous collective view of the members of the Church as the bride of Christ.

6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord:for this is right.

6:2 Honor thy father and mother;¹ which is the first commandment with² promise;

6:3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.³

6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath:but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

1. Exodus 20:12, and Deuteronomy 5:16 (LXX not exactly verbatim).

2. Literally, in a promise. The command being (as it were) set in a promise.

3. The word lord implies the idea of servants.

6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling,⁴ in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

6:7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord,⁵ and not to men:

6:8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

6:9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening:knowing that your⁶ Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

4. "With fear and trembling" has this meaning in St. Paul’s language. Compare 1Corinthians 2:3.

5. See note on Colossians 3:25.

6. Some of the best MSS. read "both their and your," which brings out still more forcibly the equality of slaves and masters in the sight of Christ.

6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord,⁷ and in the power of his might.

6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against⁸ principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the⁹ darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

6:13 Wherefore take unto¹⁰ you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all,¹¹ to stand.

6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

6:16 Above all,¹² taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

6:17 And take the helmet of salvation,¹³ and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:¹⁴

7. This is the literal meaning.

8. Compare Colossians 2:15, and the note; also John 12:31.

9. "This world" is omitted in the best MSS.

10. "Take up," literally.

11. Not "done" (A.V.), but "overthrown."

12. To cover all. If it meant in addition to all (Ellicott), it would surely have come last in the list.

13. The head of the Christian is defended against hostile weapons by his knowledge of the salvation won for him by Christ.

14. For the meaning of "word of God," see note on chap. v. 26. It is here represented as the only offensive weapon of Christian warfare. The Roman pilum (John 19:34) is not men tioned. For a commentary on this military imagery, and the circumstances which naturally suggested it, see the beginning of the next chapter.

6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

6:20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds:¹⁵ that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

6:21 But that ye also¹⁶ may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a¹⁷ beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:

6:22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.

6:23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

6:24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in¹⁸ sincerity.¹⁹ Amen.

15. See Paley’s observations (Horoe Paulinoe, in loco), and our preceding remarks on Custodia Militaris.

16. "You also."

17. See the parallel passage, Colossians 4:7.

18. The difficulty of the concluding words is well known:the phrase might also be translated in immortality, with the meaning whose love endures immortally. Olshausen supposes the expression elliptical, for "that they may have life in immortality;" but this can scarcely be justified.

19. "Amen," as usual, is omitted in the best MSS.