(As a result of this discussion Dr Hort's proposed emendation
kaqwv" ejstin ajlhqeiva/, ejn
was placed in the margin, as an alternative reading to that of the text, in Westcott and Hort's edition.)
II. The outward manifestation of the Christian Life, personal and social (Eph. 4:25-6:9).
1. Special features in the Christian character (4:25-5:14).
2. Cardinal social relationships (Eph. 5:15-6:9).
1. Special features in the Christian character
(4:25-5:14):
truth
(vs. 25),
control of anger
(26 f.),
honest labour
(28),
good language
(29 f.),
tenderheartedness
(32),
lovingkindness
(Eph. 5:1 f.),
as opposed to impure and selfish indulgence. The Christian life the life of a child of light
(7-14).
After completing the general view of the Christian Life, St Paul illustrates it in detail. He first deals with some personal characteristics of Christians (4:25-5:14); and then with the cardinal social relationships (Eph. 5:15-6:9).
(1) Some personal characteristics of Christians (4:25-5:14). St Paul notices first special traits as to truth (4:25), self-control (26 f.), labour
(28), language (29 f.), tenderness (31 f.). He then marks the fundamental contrast between selfsacrifice and selfishness (Eph. 5:1-6); and develops the thought that the Christian life is the life of a child of light (7-14).
25. Wherefore, putting away falsehood, speak ye the truth each one with his neighbour, because we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your sense of provocation , 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stealeth steal no more; but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing that is good that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need. 29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but whatever is good to supply (build up) that which is needed, that it may give grace to them that hear. 30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of GOD, in Whom ye were sealed unto a day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and railing be taken away from you, with all malice; 32 and shew yourselves kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you. v. 1 Shew yourselves therefore imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in lore, even as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for you, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odour of fragrance. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or selfishness, let it not even be named among you as becometh saints; 4 and so of filthiness and foolish talking or jesting, which are not befitting; but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know by what ye observe, that no fornicator nor unclean person nor selfish man, which is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and GOD.
6 Let no man deceive you with empty words; for because of these things cometh the wrath of GOD upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Do not therefore shew yourselves partakers with them; 8 for ye were once darkness, but now are light in the Lord: walk as children of light 9 for the fruit of light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth 10 proving what is well-pleasing to the Lord; 11 and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even shew them in their true nature ( convict them ) ; 12 for the things which are done by them in secret it is a shame even to speak of. 13 But all things when they are shewn in their true nature ( convicted ) by the light are made manifest; for everything that is made manifest is light. 14 Wherefore the poet saith