John Bengel Commentary - Ephesians 5:22 - 5:22

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John Bengel Commentary - Ephesians 5:22 - 5:22


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Eph 5:22. Αἱ γυναῖκες, wives) Inferiors are put in the first place, then superiors, Eph 5:25; ch. Eph 6:1; Eph 6:4-5; Eph 6:9; 1Pe 3:1; 1Pe 3:7, because the proposition regards subjection; and inferiors ought to do their duty, of whatsoever kind their superiors are. Many of those that are inferior become superiors; and he who acts well as an inferior, acts well as a superior.[88] Moreover, all these are addressed in the second person; therefore it is the duty of all to hear and read the Scripture; comp. 1Jn 2:13.-ἸΔΊΟΙς, to your own) Wives should obey their own husbands, even although elsewhere they should seem to have superior prudence: ὑποτασσόμενοι is to be supplied from Eph 5:21.[89] It is said of children and servants, obey [ὑπακούετε], ch. Eph 6:1; Eph 6:5. There is a greater equality in the case of husbands and wives;[90] comp., however, Rom 13:1.-Ὡς, as) The subjection which is rendered by the wife to the husband, is at the same time rendered to the Lord Christ Himself. It is not compared with the obedience which the Church renders to Christ, but with that which the wife herself ought to render to Christ. Obedience is rendered to the husband, under the eye of Christ; therefore also to Christ Himself.

[88] “Qui bene subest, bene præest.”

[89] Wherefore in the Germ. Vers., Eph 5:22 is only put in a parenthesis.-E. B.

[90] Therefore ὑποτασσομενοι, subordinate, not ὑπακούετε, is said in their case.-ED.