_THE DUTY OF CHILDREN TOWARDS THEIR PARENTS, AND OF SERVANTS TOWARDS THEIR MASTERS. OUR LIFE IS A WARFARE, NOT ONLY AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT ALSO AGAINST SPIRITUAL ENEMIES. THE COMPLETE ARMOUR OF A CHRISTIAN, AND HOW IT OUGHT TO BE USED: TYCHICUS IS COMMENDED._ _Anno Domini 62._ THE Apostle,... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH IS THE FIRST COMMANDMENT WITH PROMISE;— The church of Rome would hence argue, that the second commandment, which forbids the worship of images, having a promise added to it, of God's shewing mercy to thousands in them that love him and keep his commandments, can be no longer obligatory under t... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT—THOU MAYEST LIVE LONG, &C.— It has been observed, that the Apostle does not say, _upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee,_ that he might not encourage a vain hope in the Jews of continuing in the land of Canaan. And if it were considered that those to whom he was writing were chiefly... [ Continue Reading ]
YE FATHERS, PROVOKE NOT YOUR CHILDREN, &C.— _"Ye fathers, be careful not to exasperate your children,_ by an overbearing and tyrannical behaviour; by rigorous severity; lest by this means you should excite them to such a secret indignation, as may make it difficult for them to restrain those express... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT WITH EYE-SERVICE,— "Not as attending on their business only while their master's eyes are upon them." Grotius takes notice of the great elegance of the _compound words_ made use of here in the original; which our translators have endeavoured to imitate. But as the Greek abounds more in such comp... [ Continue Reading ]
FORBEARING THREATENING:— "Forbearing not only cruel and dangerous blows, butallsevere and rigorous threatening; and every thing of an over-hasty and tyrannical conduct." Mr. Locke paraphrases it: "Forbearing the roughness even of unnecessary menaces.... [ Continue Reading ]
PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD,— The word in the original is πανοπλια, _panoply,_ which includes _all sorts of armour,_ whether offensive or defensive. This the Apostle applies to the exercise of all those Christian graces with which we are furnished by God, to be made use of in his strength, as wel... [ Continue Reading ]
PRINCIPALITIES, AGAINST POWERS,— These are put here for those revolted angels, who stood in opposition to the kingdom of God. The _rulers of the darkness of this world,_ seems to mean those who have long usurped a dominion over the world, and who, in the present age, hold men in the chains of heredi... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING YOUR LOINS GIRT ABOUT, &C.— It has often been observed, that the _military girdle_ was not only an ornament, but a defence; as it hid the gaping _joints_ of the armour, and kept them close and steady, as well as fortified the loins of those who wore it, rendering them more vigorous and fit fo... [ Continue Reading ]
YOUR FEET SHOD WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE.— "With that peaceful and benevolent temper which is so much recommended by the gospel, as an essential part of the Christian character; and which, like the _boots_ worn by soldiers, willbearyouunhurt through the many difficulties and trials... [ Continue Reading ]
ABOVE ALL,— _Over and above all._ Blackwall. This last translation best answers to the particle επι here used, and best expresses the allusion to _the situation of the shield,_ as covering the other pieces of the armour;—which has here a beautiful propriety, as _truth, righteousness,_ and _peace,_ a... [ Continue Reading ]
AND TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION, &C.— "Possess that cheerful hope of complete deliverance and eternal happiness, which will cover your head in the day of battle, and give you a well grounded boldness and confidence, which will greatly conduce to your success: and brandish in your hand the _sword of... [ Continue Reading ]
WATCHING THEREUNTO WITH ALL PERSEVERANCE— "Be assiduously careful to maintain a praying frame of spirit, and to watch for all convenient seasons for prayer; as also to watch against the designs and methods of your adversaries, and for all opportunities and assistances to annoy and defeat them; and t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND FOR ME, THAT UTTERANCE MAY BE GIVEN UNTO ME,— _"And for me in particular, that I may, with freedom and plainness of speech, preach the word."_... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHICH I AM AN AMBASSADOR IN BONDS:— Some would render the original (πρεσβευω εν αλυσει) _I grow old in a chain:_ comp. Philemon 1:9 the phrase where Παυλος πρεσβυτης signifies _Paul the aged._ But it is certain that the common version of this passage may be justified. As the persons of ambassado... [ Continue Reading ]
TYCHICUS, A BELOVED BROTHER— He was one of St. Paul's friends and fellow-labourers, and had been his companion in the last interview that he had with the elders of Ephesus, when he sent for them to come to him at Miletus. See Acts 20:4; Acts 20:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN SINCERITY.— The Greek word signifies _in incorruption,_ αφθαρσια. Mr. Locke explains the wordof such a _love_ as would prevent men's _mixing_ any thing with the gospel which was not genuine, and might render it ineffectual. Comp. Galatians 2:4. But it seems rather to express that uprightness of h... [ Continue Reading ]