3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ver. 3. The unity of the Spirit ] That is, unanimity; this keeps all together which else will shatter and fall asunder. The daughter of dissension is dissolution, saith Nazianzen. Endeavouring ] σπουδαζοντες , Or using all possible carefulness: this imports, 1. The necessity; 2. Difficulty of the duty. Satan will endeavour, by making division, to get dominion. read more
lowliness: Numbers 12:3, Psalms 45:4, Psalms 138:6, Proverbs 3:34, Proverbs 16:19, Isaiah 57:15, Isaiah 61:1-Leviticus :, Zephaniah 2:3, Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 5:3-Deuteronomy :, Matthew 11:29, Acts 20:19, 1 Corinthians 13:4, 1 Corinthians 13:5, Galatians 5:22, Galatians 5:23, Colossians 3:12, Colossians 3:13, 1 Timothy 6:11, 2 Timothy 2:25, James 1:21, James 3:15-Job :, 1 Peter 3:15 forbearing: Mark 9:19, Romans 15:1, 1 Corinthians 13:7, Galatians 6:2 Reciprocal: Genesis 13:8 - brethren... read more
Ephesians 4:4, John 13:34, John 17:21-Isaiah :, Romans 14:17-Psalms :, 1 Corinthians 1:10, 1 Corinthians 12:12, 1 Corinthians 12:13, 2 Corinthians 13:11, Colossians 3:13-Ezra :, 1 Thessalonians 5:13, Hebrews 12:14, James 3:17, James 3:18 Reciprocal: Genesis 13:8 - brethren Exodus 26:3 - coupled together Exodus 28:32 - that it be not rent 1 Kings 16:21 - divided Psalms 122:6 - Pray Psalms 133:1 - how good Ecclesiastes 4:12 - and a Song of Solomon 6:9 - General Ezekiel 11:19 - I will give Mark... read more
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit — That mutual union and harmony, which is a fruit of the Spirit. The bond of peace is love. read more
2. With It must be specially noted that St. Paul here specifies the virtues conducive to the unity which he is preparing to enforce. Lowliness The reverse of the love of “pre-eminence,” imputed by St. John to Diotrephes, (3 John 1:9,) the greatest of all sources of dissension in Churches. Chrysostom truly says that it is a self-undervaluation, even under consciousness of higher worth. The greater the man, the truer the magnanimity that consents to become nothing in order to common ... read more
3. Endeavouring Zealously aiming. Unity of the Spirit That unity of love which the Spirit inspires and creates. Bond, consisting of peace. Peace is the very girdle and tie which binds the bundle. read more
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John Trapp Complete Commentary - Ephesians 4:2
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Ver. 2. With all lowliness and meekness ] These are virtutes collectaneae, as Bernard calleth them, a pair of twin sisters, never asunder. read more