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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadWilliam Burkitt Notes and Observations - Ephesians 4:31 - 4:31
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Our apostle had exhorted, in the former verse, not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God; in the next verse, he acquaints us with the particular sins that would afflict and grieve him: namely,
Bitterness, that is, a secret grudge and a smothered displeasure against our brother:
Wrath, or an impetuous fierceness of spirit, upon some real or apprehended injury:
Anger, an eager desire of revenge:
Clamour, loud threatenings, or reviling language:
Evilspeaking, either of others, or to others:
Malice, a rooted enmity, the rage of the devil; and renders a man as like the devil as any sin on this side hell.
All these sins do exceedingly grieve the Holy Spirit; they make him both loathe and leave his lodgings.
In the last verse, as a proper remedy against all the foregoing sins, exhorts them to mutual kindness: Be ye kind one towards another; that is, of a sweet and loving disposition, affable and courteous to each other; neither carrying it loftily or morosely, but affably and humbly; tenderhearted, having a compassionate sense of the miseries and infirmities of one another; forgiving one another whatever has been matter of provocation in each other, according to the example of God, who for Christ's sake has forgiven us.
Learn hence, 1. That Christians are obliged by the laws of their holy religion, to forbear and forgive one another.
Learn, 2. That they are obliged to forgive one another, as God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven them. As God forgives us universally, freely, heartily, and sincerely, and when he has power in his hand to revenge; so should we in like manner forgive one another, even as God for Christ's sake, hath forgiven us.