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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 5:15-21

Walk circumspectly, or strictly. The apostle goes on to urge a circumspect, wise, and earnest life, closely conformed in all things to the will of God, fashioned according to that idea of wisdom which is set forth in the proverb, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Nothing is of more value than fixed principles for guiding our life. One settled conviction may be of inestimable value; e . g . the conviction that nothing can come to any good in the end which is against... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 5:15-21

Exhortation to exercise wisdom in regard to our manner of walk. "Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise." The object to which we are to look is this—how we walk; in other words, the conduct of our life. In regard to this we are to be careful. At cross-roads there are sometimes finger-posts put up to indicate where the different roads lead to, that travelers may be at no loss. By looking carefully at these, they may save themselves much trouble and delay. So it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 5:15-21

(2) Two worlds of one race. "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the Name of our Lord... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 5:17-21

Inspiration, spirituous and spiritual. Following up his exhortations about holy living, Paul now proceeds to the subject of understanding the Lord's will. In doing so he comes across the necessity which human nature feels for excitement of some kind, and, warning the Ephesians against the low excitement of wine, he commends the high excitement of the Spirit, with all its pleasurable manifestations. In other words, he speaks of inspiration, but condemns the spirituous while he commends the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 5:18-21

The true antidote to drunkenness. There is a real contrast here exhibited between fullness of wine and fullness of the Spirit. There is an intensity of feeling produced in both cases. "There is one intensity of feeling produced by stimulating the senses; another, by vivifying the spiritual life within. The one commences with impulses from without, the other is guarded by forces from within." The one tends to ruin, the other to salvation. The Spirit-fullness "will keep the soul holy, the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 5:20

Giving thanks always for all things ; this being not only a most Christian duty, but an excellent way to keep the heart in good tone, to keep up happy feelings—the duty not being occasional, but "always," and not for things prima facto agreeable only, but "for all things" (see Job 2:10 ; Romans 8:28 ). In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father. God the Father is the proper Object of thanksgiving, as of prayer generally; but the thanks are to be given in the Name of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 5:20

Thanksgiving. There are three points in this exhortation to thanksgiving that arrest our attention, viz. the time, the objects, and the method. I. THE TIME FOR THANKSGIVING . There is a time for everything. When, therefore, is thanksgiving seasonable? Always. As we should pray without ceasing by living in constant communication with God, so a spirit of gratitude should pervade our whole life and express itself by the brightness and color that it gives to every action ( Psalms... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 5:21

Subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ. The last of the participial exhortations depending on the general exhortation of Ephesians 5:15 to walk strictly, Most commentators connect it with the three immediately preceding participles (speaking, singing, giving thanks), but are unable to find a link of connection. Better connect with Ephesians 5:15 . Mutual subjection is part of a wise, circumspect walk , i.e. mutual recognition of each other's rights and of our... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 5:20

Giving thanks always - This is probably designed to be connected with the preceding verse, and to denote that the proper subject of psalms and hymns is thanksgiving and praise. This is indeed always the main design, and should be so regarded; and this part of worship should be so conducted as to keep up in the heart a lively sense of the mercy and goodness of God.For all things - ὑπὲρ πάντων huper pantōn - for all things, or all “persons.” Dr. Barrow supposes that the meaning here is, that... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 5:21

Submitting yourselves one to another - Maintaining due subordination in the various relations of life. This general principle of religion, the apostle proceeds now to illustrate in reference to wives Ephesians 5:22-24; to children Ephesians 6:1-3; and to servants, Ephesians 6:5-8. At the same time that he enforces this duty of submission, however, he enjoins on others to use their authority in a proper manner, and gives solemn injunctions that there should be no abuse of power. Particularly he... read more

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