Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Ephesians Ch.5 / 6 Ch.s
EPH:5
* Exhortation to brotherly love. (1,2) Cautions against several
sins. (3-14) Directions to a contrary behaviour, and to relative
duties. (15-21) The duties of wives and husbands are enforced by
the spiritual relation between Christ and the church. (22-33)
#1,2 Because God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you, therefore
be ye followers of God, imitators of God. Resemble him
especially in his love and pardoning goodness, as becomes those
beloved by their heavenly Father. In Christ's sacrifice his love
triumphs, and we are to consider it fully.
#3-14 Filthy lusts must be rooted out. These sins must be
dreaded and detested. Here are not only cautions against gross
acts of sin, but against what some may make light of. But these
things are so far from being profitable. that they pollute and
poison the hearers. Our cheerfulness should show itself as
becomes Christians, in what may tend to God's glory. A covetous
man makes a god of his money; places that hope, confidence, and
delight, in worldly good, which should be in God only. Those who
allow themselves, either in the lusts of the flesh or the love
of the world, belong not to the kingdom of grace, nor shall they
come to the kingdom of glory. When the vilest transgressors
repent and believe the gospel, they become children of
obedience, from whom God's wrath is turned away. Dare we make
light of that which brings down the wrath of God? Sinners, like
men in the dark, are going they know not whither, and doing they
know not what. But the grace of God wrought a mighty change in
the souls of many. Walk as children of light, as having
knowledge and holiness. These works of darkness are unfruitful,
whatever profit they may boast; for they end in the destruction
of the impenitent sinner. There are many ways of abetting, or
taking part in the sins of others; by commendation, counsel,
consent, or concealment. And if we share with others in their
sins, we must expect to share in their plagues. If we do not
reprove the sins of others, we have fellowship with them. A good
man will be ashamed to speak of what many wicked men are not
ashamed to do. We must have not only a sight and a knowledge
that sin is sin, and in some measure shameful, but see it as a
breach of God's holy law. After the example of prophets and
apostles, we should call on those asleep and dead in sin, to
awake and arise, that Christ may give them light.
#15-21 Another remedy against sin, is care, or caution, it being
impossible else to maintain purity of heart and life. Time is a
talent given us by God, and it is misspent and lost when not
employed according to his design. If we have lost our time
heretofore, we must double our diligence for the future. Of that
time which thousands on a dying bed would gladly redeem at the
price of the whole world, how little do men think, and to what
trifles they daily sacrifice it! People are very apt to complain
of bad times; it were well if that stirred them more to redeem
time. Be not unwise. Ignorance of our duty, and neglect of our
souls, show the greatest folly. Drunkenness is a sin that never
goes alone, but carries men into other evils; it is a sin very
provoking to God. The drunkard holds out to his family and to
the world the sad spectacle of a sinner hardened beyond what is
common, and hastening to perdition. When afflicted or weary, let
us not seek to raise our spirits by strong drink, which is
hateful and hurtful, and only ends in making sorrows more felt.
But by fervent prayer let us seek to be filled with the Spirit,
and to avoid whatever may grieve our gracious Comforter. All
God's people have reason to sing for joy. Though we are not
always singing, we should be always giving thanks; we should
never want disposition for this duty, as we never want matter
for it, through the whole course of our lives. Always, even in
trials and afflictions, and for all things; being satisfied of
their loving intent, and good tendency. God keeps believers from
sinning against him, and engages them to submit one to another
in all he has commanded, to promote his glory, and to fulfil
their duties to each other.
#22-33 The duty of wives is, submission to their husbands in the
Lord, which includes honouring and obeying them, from a
principle of love to them. The duty of husbands is to love their
wives. The love of Christ to the church is an example, which is
sincere, pure, and constant, notwithstanding her failures.
Christ gave himself for the church, that he might sanctify it in
this world, and glorify it in the next, that he might bestow on
all his members a principle of holiness, and deliver them from
the guilt, the pollution, and the dominion of sin, by those
influences of the Holy Spirit, of which baptismal water was the
outward sign. The church and believers will not be without spot
or wrinkle till they come to glory. But those only who are
sanctified now, shall be glorified hereafter. The words of Adam,
mentioned by the apostle, are spoken literally of marriage; but
they have also a hidden sense in them, relating to the union
between Christ and his church. It was a kind of type, as having
resemblance. There will be failures and defects on both sides,
in the present state of human nature, yet this does not alter
the relation. All the duties of marriage are included in unity
and love. And while we adore and rejoice in the condescending
love of Christ, let husbands and wives learn hence their duties
to each other. Thus the worst evils would be prevented, and many
painful effects would be avoided.