Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Ver. 1. _Children, obey your parents_] As Isaac did Abraham in submitting to be sacrificed; as Christ became obedient even to the death of the cross. _ For this is right_] Good and acceptable before God and men, 1 Timothy 5:4. _See Trapp... [ Continue Reading ]
Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) Ver. 2. _First commandment with promise_] To wit, with special promise of long life. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 15:4 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Ver. 3. _And thou mayest live long_] Good children help to lengthen their parents' days, as Joseph did Jacob's. God therefore lengthens theirs in _red-hostimentum, _ as it were. Or if he take from them this long lease, he gives... [ Continue Reading ]
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ver. 4. _Provoke not, &c._] God forbids bitterness and austerity in husbands, Colossians 3:19; masters,Colossians 4:1; parents here, and Colossians 3:21. Superiors must so carry themsel... [ Continue Reading ]
Servants, be obedient to them that are _your_ masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Ver. 5. _Servants, be obedient_] The centurion was happy in his servants: and no marvel, for he was a loving master. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 8:6 _"_ And o... [ Continue Reading ]
Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; Ver. 6. _Not with eyeservice_] And yet it were well if we would do God, our great Master, but eyeservice. For his eye is ever upon us, and pierceth into the inward parts. So that they much dece... [ Continue Reading ]
With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Ver. 7. _As to the Lord_] In obedience to his will, and with reference to his glory.... [ Continue Reading ]
Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether _he be_ bond or free. Ver. 8. _Whether he be bond or free_] The centurion did but complain of the sickness of his servant, and Christ, unasked, says, I will come and heal him. He that came in the shape... [ Continue Reading ]
And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. Ver. 9. _Do the same things_] That is, Do your parts and duties by them; and use them as men, not as beasts. _Eadem dicit, non opere et of... [ Continue Reading ]
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Ver. 10. _Be strong in the Lord_] For by his own strength shall no man prevail, 1 Samuel 2:9. Get God's arm, wherewith to wield his armour, and then you may do anything.... [ Continue Reading ]
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ver. 11. _Put on the whole armour_] Or else never think to do the afore mentioned duties; we have a busy adversary to deal with. The Turks bear no weapons but in travel; then some of them seem like a walkin... [ Continue Reading ]
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high _places_. Ver. 12. _Not against flesh and blood_] Hereby the apostle meaneth not so much the corruption as the weakness of o... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ver. 13. _That ye may be able to withstand_] Not seeking to resist Satan's craft with craft, fraud with fraud, _sed per apertum martem, _ but by open defiance. He shoots... [ Continue Reading ]
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; Ver. 14. _Stand therefore_] στητε, a military expression. A man may well say to the Christian soldier, as Simon in the ecclesiastical history did to the pillars, which he whipped before the ear... [ Continue Reading ]
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Ver. 15. _And your feet shod_] As one that is well booted or buskined can walk unhurt amidst briars and brambles, so may he amidst Satan's snares, whereof all places are full, that is, fortified with gospel comforts, whereby God create... [ Continue Reading ]
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Ver. 16. _Above all_] επι πασιν, Or, over and upon all. For the word here rendered a shield, cometh from another word that signifieth a door, θυρεος, θυρα; to note, that as a door or gate... [ Continue Reading ]
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Ver. 17. _The helmet of salvation_] Hope which holds head above water, and maketh the soul with outstretched neck expect deliverance, Romans 8:19, crying out not only, _Dum spiro, spero, _ While living I hope,... [ Continue Reading ]
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ver. 18. _Praying always_] Prayer is not only a part of the armour, but enables to use all the rest. It is not only a charm for that crooked serpent, Leviatha... [ Continue Reading ]
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, Ver. 19. _And for me_] Ministers must be especially prayed for, that they may have a door not only of utterance, but of entrance to men's hearts, and so be able to save themsel... [ Continue Reading ]
For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ver. 20. _I am an ambassador_] Venerable for mine age and authority, as the word πρεσβευω signifieth. The ancient and the honourable are usually employed as ambassadors. _Cognata sunt_ γηρας and γερας. Old... [ Continue Reading ]
But that ye also may know my affairs, _and_ how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: Ver. 21. _But that ye may know_] It is of good use to the Church to know the lives and affairs of men eminent in goodness and of exemplary holines... [ Continue Reading ]
Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and _that_ he might comfort your hearts. Ver. 22. _Comfort your hearts_] It is God that comforts by the creatures, as by conduit pipes. The air yields light as an instrument; the water may heat, but not of itself. When... [ Continue Reading ]
Peace _be_ to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ver. 23. _Peace be to the brethren_] These only be the children of peace, Luke 10:10. The wicked are like the troubled sea, Isaiah 57:20, which may seem sometimes still, but is never so; no more are they... [ Continue Reading ]
Grace _be_ with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. _To the_ Ephesians written from Rome, by Tychicus. Ver. 24. _In sincerity_] εν αφθαρσια. Or "immortality," opposite to that Anathema Maranatha, 1 Corinthians 16:23 .... [ Continue Reading ]