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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:1

Verse 1 1.Be ye therefore followers. The same principle is followed out and enforced by the consideration that children ought to be like their father. He reminds us that we are the children of God, and that therefore we ought, as far as possible, to resemble Him in acts of kindness. It is impossible not to perceive, that the division of chapters, in the present instance, is particularly unhappy, as it has made a separation between parts of the subject which are very closely related. If, then,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:2

Verse 2 2.And walk in love as Christ also hath loved us. Having called on us to imitate God, he now calls on us to imitate Christ, who is our true model. We ought to embrace each other with that love with which Christ has embraced us, for what we perceive in Christ is our true guide. And gave himself for us. This was a remarkable proof of the highest love. Forgetful, as it were, of himself, Christ spared not his own life, that he might redeem us from death. If we desire to be partakers of this... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:3

Verse 3 3.But fornication. This chapter, and the Colossians 3:0, contain many parallel passages, which an intelligent reader will be at no loss to compare without my assistance. Three things are here enumerated, which the apostle desires Christians to hold in such abhorrence, that they shall not even be named, or, in other words, shall be entirely unknown among them. By uncleanness he means all base and impure lusts; so that this word differs from fornication, only as the whole class differs... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 5:1

EXPOSITIOn Be ye therefore imitators of God, as children beloved. These words are closely connected with the preceding. In Ephesians 4:32 he had urged the example of God in one very momentous matter; he now urges it in a more general sense and on another ground. We ought to forgive men because God has forgiven us—all admit that; but moreover, we ought to imitate our Father in his forgiveness and in his loving spirit, be-because beloved children should always imitate, and will... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 5:1

"Followers of God." This is the high destiny of God's children. I. THE DUTY HERE COMMANDED . "Be ye imitators of me." It is to do The special point of imitation here is the duty of showing a forgiving spirit to one another. II. WHY WE SHOULD IMITATE GOD . 1. Because we are his " dear children ." Whom should children imitate but their father? Believers have had experience of their Father's wisdom, love, and power, and it is only an instinct of filial... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 5:1

"Imitators of God." I. HOW IT IS POSSIBLE FOR US TO BE IMITATORS OF GOD . It is vain to try to imitate God if all resemblance to God is beyond our reach. But this is not the case. While speculative theology is fatally successful in magnifying the distance between man and God, practical revelation is ever bringing us nearer to God. 1. We are like God by nature . God is spirit, and we are spiritual beings. As Channing taught, all spirits are of one family. God... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 5:1-14

The walk suitable to the children of light: no fellowship with sins of the flesh. The fearful prevalence of sensual vice at Ephesus naturally led the apostle to dwell on it emphatically as one of the worst rags of the old man, a rag to be wholly and forever cast away. But, indeed, there are few heathen communities where sensual vice does not flourish when men have it in their power to indulge in it. It is singular how universal sin is in connection with the irregular and disorderly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 5:1-14

What to imitate and to avoid. I. THE IMITATION OF GOD AND CHRIST . 1. The imitation of God . "Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children." The force of example is abundantly acknowledged. How much do most of us suffer from the low standard of opinion and practice with which we are surrounded? On the other hand, we have all felt what it is to come into Contact with one who is raised above the common standard. By his strength of principle and generous... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 5:1-16

The love and the wrath of God enforcing morality. Paul is still working for the unity of the Church and calling for that watchful and pure walk on the part of the Ephesians which can alone promote it. He consequently brings to bear upon them the allied motives of the love and the wrath of God. And here we may remark, in passing, that the moralities which have tried to work themselves without the aid of Divine sanctions have proved practically powerless. No "independent morality" has as yet... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 5:2

And walk in love. Taking up anew the exhortation of Ephesians 4:1 . Let your ordinary life be spent in an atmosphere of love. Drink it in from heaven, as plants drink in the sunshine; radiate it forth from eyes and face; let hands and feet be active in the service; let looks, words, and acts all be steeped in it. Even as Christ also loved us. The passing from the Father to the Son as our Example is not a new departure; for the Son reveals the Father, the Son's love is the counterpart of... read more

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