Here in Ephesians the fruit of light, in contrast with the fruitless works of darkness (Eph. 5:10), is said to be shewn in all goodness and righteousness and truth (Eph. 5:9)a classification of moral duties marking our obligation to self, our neighbour, God; while in another place (4:2) humility (
tapeinofrosuvnh
), meekness (
prau?th"
), and longsuffering (
makroqumiva
) are named as graces, which Christians are bound to cultivate, forbearing one another in love and living in the bond of peace. Kindness (
crhstovth"
), joined with these in Col. 3:12, stands in Ephesians (Eph. 2:7) as a Divine attribute. But in 4:32 St Paul speaks of the duty of Christians to be to one another kind (
crhstoiv
) and tender-hearted (
eu[splagcnoi
), and thus (Eph. 5:1) imitators of God.
Thanksgiving (
eujcaristiva
).
But rather giving of thanks (Eph. 5:4)our dutyrecognising the signs of God's love in every good thing.
Giving thanks ( eujcaristou'nte" ) always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father. (Eph. 5:20.)
So St Paul's opening Hymn of Praise (1:3-14) is followed by thanksgiving for the faith of the Ephesians:
For this cause I also, having heard of the faith which is among you in the Lord Jesus, and which ye shew toward all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you.
Prayer (
proseuchv
).
( a ) In all prayer ( proseuch'" ) and supplication ( dehvsew" ), praying ( proseucovmenoi ) at every season in spiritnot in form or in word only, but in that part of our being through which we hold communion with Godand also watching thereunto ( eij" aujto; ajgrupnou'nte" ) in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
(
b
) So at 1:16 in the Epistleafter thanksgiving Prayer:making mention (of you) in my prayers (
ejpi; tw'n proseucw'n mou
).
The Church.
( a ) And He gave Him to be Head over all things to the Church, which is His body, the fulness of Him Who reaches His fulness through all things in all. (1:22 f.)
( b ) That now to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly order may be made known through the Church the manifold wisdom of God. (3:10.)
( c ) To Him be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus unto all the generations of the age of the ages. (3:21.)
(
d
) For a husband is head of the wife, as Christ also is Head of the Church, being Himself Saviour of the body. But as the Church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives even as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself up for it;......that He might present the
Church to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing....... (Eph. 5:23-27.)
Cf. 5:29, nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as Christ the Church. But I speak looking to Christ and to the Church. (Eph. 5:32.)
The Communion of Saints.