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Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:29

Let no corrupt communication - Πας λογος σαπρος . Kypke observes that λογος σαπρος signifies a useless, putrid, unsavory, and obscene word or conversation. Useless, particularly that which has been rendered so by old age and corruption. Putrid, impure; so Aristophanes in Lysistrat., p. 859, calls a bad woman σαπρα : εμοι συ λουτρον, ω σαπρα· Tune, Spurca! balneum mihi parabis? Calumnious, or reproachful; whatever has a tendency to injure the name, fame, or interest of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:27

Verse 27 27.Neither give place ( τῷ διαβόλῳ) to the devil. I am aware of the interpretation which some give of this passage. Erasmus, who translates it, “neither give place to the Slanderer,” (calumniatori ,) shews plainly that he understood it as referring to malicious men. But I have no doubt, Paul’s intention was, to guard us against allowing Satan to take possession of our minds, and, by keeping in his hands this citadel, to do whatever he pleases. We feel every day how impossible, or, at... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:28

Verse 28 28.Let him that stole steal no more. This includes not merely the grosser thefts which are punished by human laws, but those of a more concealed nature, which do not fall under the cognizance of men, — every kind of depredation by which we seize the property of others. But he does not simply forbid us to take that property in an unjust or unlawful manner. He enjoins us to assist our brethren, as far as lies in our power. That he may have to give to him that needeth. “Thou who formerly... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:29

Verse 29 29.No filthy speech. He first forbids believers to use any filthy language, including under this name all those expressions which are wont to be employed for the purpose of inflaming lust. Not satisfied with the removal of the vice, he enjoins them to frame their discourse for edification. In another Epistle he says, “Let your speech be seasoned with salt.” (Colossians 4:6.) Here a different phrase is employed, if any (speech) be good to the use of edifying, which means simply, if it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:17-32

Raw material for Christian unity. It comes upon us with something like a surprise, the exhortations of the present passage after the glories which have gone before. But they are instructive in that they bring out the raw material out of which Paul hoped to manufacture Christian unity. It is evident that he despaired of none, even supposing they had been guilty of the gravest crimes and characterized by the deepest pollution. Does not his grand hope rebuke our faint-heartedness? I. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:25-32

Vices. The apostle here enumerates five vices pertaining to the old man , or Gentile state , and shows how they are contradicted by Christianity. I. LYING . 1. The negative of Christianity . "Wherefore, putting away falsehood." Lying sufficiently indicates what is meant, if we take it as including falsehood in act as well as falsehood in speech. It is the intention to deceive that makes the lie, whatever its manifestations. The goodness of the motive does not alter... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:25-32

The abjured and the enjoined in Christian life. "Wherefore," etc. In the preceding verses, as we have seen, under the head of The true method of studying Christianity , the apostle exhorted the Ephesians "to put off the old man and to put on the new man." He here proceeds to particularize and urge this the great practical work of Christianity. He abjures the elements of the old man and enjoins the elements of the new. Our subject is the abjured and the enjoined in the Christian... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:26-27

Restraints upon anger The apostle teaches that we are not to allow the irritations or exasperations of life to become the occasion of sin, that we are not to cherish anger, and that we are not to give scope to Satan by temper which may open the heart to those passions of hatred and revenge that are identified with his operations. The passage teaches— I. TEXT THERE IS AN ANGER THAT IS NOT SINFUL . This affection is, indeed, implanted in our nature for righteous ends.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:27

Neither give place to the devil. Place or room, opportunity and scope for acting in and through you. There seems no special reference to the last exhortation, but as that demands a special act of vigilance and self-control, so the activity of the devil demands vigilance and self-control on all occasions, and especially on those on which the devil is most apt to try to get a foothold. The reference to the devil is not a figure, but an obvious recognition of his personality, and of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:28

Let the stealer stem no more . ὁ κλέπτων may be translated either as a noun or as the present participle. In either case it implies that even Christians might continue to steal, and that they had to be warned against the habit. This may seem strange to us, but not to those who consider how little theft was thought of among the pagans, and how liable such habits are to remain among converts from heathenism. Where there is a low moral tone and an uneducated conscience, very great... read more

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