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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:3

Verse 3 3.Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit. With good reason does he recommend forbearance, as tending to promote the unity of the Spirit. Innumerable offenses arise daily, which might produce quarrels, particularly when we consider the extreme bitterness of man’s natural temper. Some consider the unity of the Spirit to mean that spiritual unity which is produced in us by the Spirit of God. There can be no doubt that He alone makes us “of one accord, of one mind,” (Philippians 2:2,)... read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 4 4.There is one body. (139) He proceeds to show more fully in how complete a manner Christians ought to be united. The union ought to be such that we shall form one body and one soul. These words denote the whole man. We ought to be united, not in part only, but in body and soul. He supports this by a powerful argument, as ye have been called in one hope of your calling. We are called to one inheritance and one life; and hence it follows, that we cannot obtain eternal life without living... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1-3

Walking worthy of our vocation. "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord," etc. The verses, looked at homiletically, suggest the following truths:— I. THAT MAN 'S EXTERNAL CONDITION IN THIS WORLD IS NO TRUE TEST OF HIS REAL WORTH . A greater man than Paul, greater in true thought, lofty aims, disinterested sympathies, self-sacrificing love, Christ-like devotion, and philanthropy, never lived. He was great in himself, great in his spiritual influence, great... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1-3

Walking worthily. It is touching to see how the great apostle, who had a right to issue commands to the Churches in the name of Christ, prefers to beseech his readers with gentle entreaty as "the prisoner in the Lord." This method is as much a mark of his wisdom as of his humility and kindness of heart. For we are all more easily moved by persuasion and sympathy than by patronage and authority. I. CHRISTIANS ARE CALLED TO A HIGH VOCATION . 1. There is a Divine call . ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1-16

CHURCH PRINCIPLE OF GROWTH AND PROGRESS ; THE CHURCH A BODY . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1-16

The unity of the Church. The doxology has just died away with its ascription of glory to God in the Church throughout all ages, and now the apostle turns from his intercession to admonish the Ephesian Christians about the necessity of cultivating lowliness of mind and mutual consideration, that in the Church there may be preserved "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." It is plain from the verses that follow that Paul's conviction was that the Divine glory could only be manifested... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1-16

Exhortation. I. TRANSITION FROM THE DOCTRINAL TO THE PRACTICAL . "I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you." There is a similar transition at Romans 12:1 , "I beseech you therefore." In both cases the " therefore " is the link of connection between doctrine and duty . In both cases the apostle follows up his exposition of doctrine by an affectionate enforcement of duty. In the other case his affectionate tone is caught from a consideration of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:2

SOME POINTS OF A WORTHY WALK . With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love. He begins his enumeration with passive graces—eminently those of Christ. Lowliness or humility may well be gendered by our remembering what we were when God's grace took hold of us ( Ephesians 2:1-3 ). Meekness is the natural expression of a lowly state of mind, opposed to boisterous self-assertion and rude striving with others; it genders a subdued manner and a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:2

Graces that promote the harmony of the Church. "All lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love." These graces are specially needful in the Church; for their opposites, pride, irascibility, and impatience do much to create heart-burning and division. I. LOWLINESS OF MIND . 1. Its nature . It is that deep humility, as opposed to pride, arrogance, and conceit, which is produced by a right sense of our weakness, ignorance, and dependence, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:2-6

Details of a walk worthy of the vocation. This walk demands— I. THE PRESERVATION OF SOCIAL CONCORD , THROUGH THE QUIET OR PASSIVE VIRTUES , which, having been very characteristic of Christ, are eminently incumbent on all who bear his Name. 1. Lowliness , arising from a chastened sense of our sin and unworthiness. 2. Meekness , which is in speech what lowliness is in spirit. 3. Long-suffering and forbearance in love ; in opposition to hastiness,... read more

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