He exhorteth to unity; and declareth that God therefore giveth divers gifts unto men, that his church might be edified and grow up in Christ: he calleth them from the impurity of the Gentiles, to put on the new man, and to cast off lying, and corrupt communication.
Anno Domini 62.
THE great discoveries in the foregoing part of this Epistle, to which the Apostle has given the appellation of the mystery of God, and of Christ, were set forth by him, not merely for the purpose of weaning the Ephesians from the vain mysteries of their idol gods, and of fixing them in the belief and profession of the gospel; but also for giving them an elevation of sentiment and affection, becoming those whose minds were enlightened with the knowledge of the mystery of God's will; and, at the same time, for leading them to a right behaviour, in all the relations of life wherein they were placed. Accordingly, as a proper introduction to the excellent summary of morality containedintheremainingChapter softhisEpistle,theApostle,fromtheconsideration of the great privileges which the Ephesians enjoyed in the Christian fellowship, earnestly besought them to live in a manner worthy of the calling by which they were called, that is, of the honourable appellations bestowed on them by God since their admissionintotheChristianfellowship, ver.l.—And,first of all, he commanded them to assist each other when in distress, from a principle of love, Ephesians 4:2.—and to live together in peace, because the disciples of Christ, the initiated into the mystery of God, make one body, or society, are animated by one Spirit, have one hope of their calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and worship one God, the supreme Ruler of the Universe, Ephesians 4:3-6.—Whereas, none of the heathen fellowships had any such bonds of union, leading them to consult each other's interests.—Next, he informed them, that, for the right instruction and government of this well-united body, or fellowship, various supernatural gifts were distributed to the different members thereof, by Christ, the head of the fellowship, Ephesians 4:7.—and, from Psalms 68 proved that the power of distributing these gifts to men was conferred on Christ, in his mediatorial capacity, as a reward of his obedience unto death, Ephesians 4:8.—and in confutation of the unbelieving Jews, who affirmed that the Christ was never to die, John 12:34 he told them that the expression in the Psalm, He ascended on high, implies Messiah's descent from heaven, and death on earth, Ephesians 4:9-10.—Then he observed, that, by these gifts, some were fitted to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, Ephesians 4:11.—in order that they might build the church of Christ, Ephesians 4:12.—Wherefore, the fellowship of the mystery of God was a much more excellent and better regulated society than any of the heathen fellowships, on account of the extraordinary endowments possessed by its directors and teachers, among many other reasons. And he informs them, that the faithful, persevering members of this fellowship should arrive at the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, in such entire harmony and agreement as will cement them together in still dearer bonds; and, getting above that infant state in which so many of them now are, they shall grow up to the maturity of a perfect man, even to the full measure of the spiritual stature, so as to reach what may be called the standard of the fulness of Christ, attaining to those eminent degrees of grace and goodness which will fit them to become his stated residence, and to be filled with the most glorious tokens of his presence and favour, Ephesians 4:13-14.—In the mean time, he commanded all the teachers of the Christian fellowship to speak tothe people the true doctrines of the gospel from love, that they might adhere closely to Christ, the head of the body, or fellowship, by holding the doctrines delivered to them by those teachers whom he had inspired and authorized, Ephesians 4:15-16.
Having thus explained the bonds by which the members of the fellowship of the mystery of God are united, the principles by which they are actuated, the supernatural gifts with which many of them were endowed, especiallythose who were appointed to instruct and direct the whole body, and the duty of those who were appointed by Christ instructers, St. Paul, as an inspired apostle, or mystagogue of the mystery of God, in the name, and by the authority of Christ, the head of the fellowship, commanded the Ephesians to relinquish the vices which prevailed among the idolatrous Gentiles, and, in particular, no longer to walk, as the other Gentiles walked, in the foolishness of their minds. For, although the Gentiles boasted that their mysteries were the only true wisdom, and the only effectual support of the soul, they were, in reality, foolishness, and led those who were guided by them into every kind of sensuality, Ephesians 4:17-19.—contrary both to the doctrine and to the example of Christ, Ephesians 4:20-21.—Likewise, he commanded them to lay aside all their former lusts, and to be renewed in their mind after the image of God, which, he told them, consists in righteousness and true holiness; an idea of God very different from the representations of the heathen Gods given in the mysteries, Ephesians 4:22-24.—and particularly to abstain from lying, anger, theft, and obscene discourse, because these vices grieved the Spirit of God, who had sealed, or marked them as persons belonging to the fellowship and mystical body of Christ, Ephesians 4:25-30.—Then a second time he prohibited anger in all its modes, and enjoined kindness and forgiveness of injuries, after the example of Christ their head, Ephesians 4:31-32.