53 matching verse commentaries
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
INTRODUCTION TO Ephesians 5 The apostle, in this chapter, goes on with his exhortations to the duties of religion; and such in general as relate to purity of life, and against uncleanness; and particularly treats of the duties of married persons. And whereas in the latter part of the preceding chapter, he had exhorted to kindness and tenderness,...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Be ye therefore followers of God,.... Not in his works of infinite wisdom and almighty power, which is impossible; but in acts of righteousness and holiness, and particularly in acts of mercy, goodness, and beneficence; as in forgiving injuries and offences, and in freely distributing to the necessities of the saints; as the connection of the...
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary - Matthew Henry
We had several important exhortations in the close of the foregoing chapter, and they are continued in this: particularly, I. We have here an exhortation to mutual love and charity, ver. 1, 2. II. Against all manner of uncleanness, with proper arguments and remedies proposed against such sins: and some further cautions are added, and other duties...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
Be ye therefore followers of God, Or, imitators of God,- Eph_5:1. As dear children; Children are naturally imitators. They are usually inclined to imitate their father; this is, therefore, a most comely and appropriate precept: “Be ye therefore imitators of God, as dear children.”
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And walk in love,.... To God; to which the saints are obliged, not only by the law of God, which requires it, but by the goodness of God, and the discoveries of his love to them; and which shows itself in fearing to offend him, in a conformity to his will, in making his glory the chief end of all actions, and in loving all that belong to him: and...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
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 sweet smelling savor. What a path to walk in! “Walk in love.” What a well-paved way it is! “As Christ also hath loved us.” What a blessed Person for us to follow in that divinely royal road! It would have been hard for us to...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness,.... The apostle proceeds to dehort from several vices, which are unbecoming the dear children and followers of God; and which the love of Christ should constrain them to avoid: the first of these, which is simple "fornication", is the sin which is committed between single or unmarried persons;...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; So far from ever falling under the power of these evils, do not even name them; count them sins unmentionable to holy cars. In what a position do we find “covetousness” placed, side by side with “fornication end all uncleanness”! In the...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting,.... The former of these may include all filthy gestures and behaviour, every indecent habit and attire, and all actions which have a tendency to excite lust; and also all impure words, these discover an impure heart, and are the means of corrupting men's minds and manners; filthy speaking, is a...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient but rather giving of thanks. All sorts of evil, frivolous, fruitless talk should be condemned by the Christian. He should feel that he lives at a nobler rate, he lives to purpose; he lives to bear fruit; and that which has no fruit about it, and out of which no good can...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
For this ye know,.... Or, "know ye this", as the Alexandrian copy, and some others, and the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions read: that no whoremonger, nor unclean person; anyone that is guilty of fornication, adultery, incest, c. Nor covetous man, who is an idolater: as every man is, that indulges his lusts, the idols of his own heart...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath, any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. What a sweeping sentence! This is indeed a sword with two edges. Many will flinch before it; and yet, though they flinch, they will not escape, for Paul speaks neither more nor less than the...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Let no man deceive you with vain words,.... With vain philosophy, vain babblings, with foolish and filthy talking; suggesting that these were not sinful the apostle had condemned; or that they were small sins, the frailties of human life; and that God would take no notice of them, and they might continue in them with impunity: such deceivers there...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
Let no man deceive you with vain words for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. These are the very things God hates. If, therefore, they are in you, God cannot look upon you with the love that he feels towards his children. “These things” he cannot endure, and “because of these things cometh the wrath...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Be not ye therefore partakers with them. In their sins, and acts of disobedience; by keeping needless company with them; by abetting and encouraging sinful practices; by conniving at them, and not reproving for them; or by committing the same things.
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
For ye were sometimes darkness,.... Not only dark, but darkness itself; exceeding blind, dark, and ignorant, respecting spiritual things; so the Gentiles were wont to be called by the Jews, הושך, "darkness" (k) itself; of this darkness, [See comments on Ephesians 4:18]. But now [are ye] light in the Lord; either in, or by the Lord Jesus Christ,...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, Then, “these things” suited you. Eph_5:8. But now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light; Get clean away from these dark things; travel no more in the thick gloom of these abominations. God help you to walk in the light as he is in the light!
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
For the fruit of the Spirit,.... Either of the spirit of man, as renewed, or rather of the Spirit of God; the allusion is to fruits of trees: the believer is a tree of righteousness; Christ is his root; the Spirit is the sap, which supports and nourishes; and good works, under the influence of his grace, are the fruit: the Alexandrian copy, and...
Spurgeon - Verse Expositions - Charles H. Spurgeon
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. We ought to pray that our whole life may be “acceptable unto the Lord.” We are ourselves “accepted in the Beloved; “ and, that being the case, it should be our great desire that every thought and word and deed, ay, every...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. There are many things that are acceptable to God, as the person of Christ, his righteousness, sacrifice, sufferings, death, and mediation; the persons of his people, their services, sufferings, sacrifices of prayer, and praise to him, and of bounty and liberality to the poor; their graces, and the exercise...