Ephesians 4:1
Here begins the second part of this epistle, in which he exhorts them to the practice of Christian virtues. (Witham)... [ Continue Reading ]
Here begins the second part of this epistle, in which he exhorts them to the practice of Christian virtues. (Witham)... [ Continue Reading ]
_In one hope of your vocation. The three great reasons that we have to love one another are contained in this verse, because we have but one body, of which Christ is the head. We are all animated by the same spirit, viz. the Holy Ghost, who is given to us all, and we all live in the same hope of ete... [ Continue Reading ]
This contains some more reasons why Christians should love one another. We are all servants of the same God, believe the same mysteries, and receive the same sacraments, whoever may be the dispenser of them. --- One faith. As rebellion is the bane of commonwealths and kingdoms, and peace and concord... [ Continue Reading ]
_To every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. That is, as it hath pleased Christ to bestow his free gifts upon us; to shew, says St. John Chrysostom, that it was not according to any merit of ours. The words also shew that Christ is the giver and author of graces... [ Continue Reading ]
_He led captivity captive. [1] St. Jerome and others expound these words of Christ's delivering the pious souls that had died before his ascension, and which were detained in a place of rest which is called Limbus Patrum [i.e. Limbo of the Fathers; sometimes called Paradise (Luke xxiii. 43.), Abraha... [ Continue Reading ]
_Into the lower parts of the earth. This cannot signify into the grave only, especially since in that which we look upon as the apostles' creed, we first profess to believe that he was buried, and afterwards that he descended into hell. (Witham)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Some indeed he gave to be apostles, &c. It is said (1 Corinthians xii. 28.) that God (even with the Greek article) gave some to be apostles, &c. and here it is said of Christ: another proof that Christ is the true God. (Witham)_... [ Continue Reading ]
[BIBLIOGRAPHY] In mensuram ætatis plenitudinis Christi; _Greek: eis metron elikias (ætatis vel staturæ) Greek: tou pleromatos tou Christou. See St. Augustine, lib. xxii. de Civ. Dei, chap. xv. et seq. tom. vii. p. 678.; St. Jerome in Epitaphio Paulæ. tom. iv. part 2. p. 635.; St. John Chrysostom, h... [ Continue Reading ]
Unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the age [2] of the fulness of Christ; that is, according to the measure of the full and perfect age of Christ. Of the ancient interpreters, some expound this of what shall happen in the next world, after the resurrection, when all the elect shall have bodies e... [ Continue Reading ]
[BIBLIOGRAPHY] In nequitia hominum, _Greek: en te kubeia, in fallacia: Greek: kubeia, est lusus aleæ. See St. John Chrysostom, p. 821. Ed. Sav._... [ Continue Reading ]
by what every joint supplieth, &c. St. Paul compares the Church and mystical body of Christ (as he does elsewhere) to a natural body, whose perfection depends on the harmony, union, and concurrence of all the different parts; and so in the Church, of which Christ is the head, some are apostles, some... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who despairing, [4] (without faith and charity) according to the Latin text and some Greek manuscripts; though according to the ordinary Greek, without grief or sorrow, (to wit, for their sins) have given themselves over to all manner of vices, unto covetousness. [5] Some take notice that the Greek... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be angry, and sin not, as it is said Psalm iv. 5. Anger, as a passion of the mind, may proceed from a good motive and be guided by reason; as our Saviour, Christ, (Mark iii. 5.) is said to have looked about at the Jews with anger, i.e. with a zeal against their blindness and malice. --- Let not the... [ Continue Reading ]
_That it may afford grace to the hearers; i.e. that your speech may contribute to their good and edification. (Witham)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Grieve not the Holy Spirit: not that the Holy Ghost can be contristated. It is a metaphor; and the sense is, sin not against the Holy Ghost. (Witham) --- To contristate the Holy Spirit is a metaphorical expression, which signifies to offend God, or the Holy Ghost, who has sealed us by the sacrament... [ Continue Reading ]