Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

“"Receiving ministration." knit together--The Greek is translated, "compacted," Eph 4:16: implying firm consolidation. with the increase of God-- (Eph 4:16); that is, wrought by God, the Author and Sustainer of the believer's spiritual life, in union with…”

“Wherefore--The oldest manuscripts omit "Wherefore." if ye be dead--Greek, "if ye died (so as to be freed) from," &c. (compare Ro 6:2; Ga 2:19). rudiments of the world-- (Col 2:8).”

“Rome having ceased to look for Him in patient faith, has set up a visible mockhead, a false anticipation of the millennial kingdom. The Papacy took to itself by robbery that glory which is an object of hope, and can only be reached by bearing the cross now.”

“It implies a self-idolizing, grasping spirit; far worse than another Greek term translated "the love of money" (1Ti 6:10). which is--that is, inasmuch as it is "idolatry." Compare Note, see on Eph 4:19, on its connection with sins of impurity.”

“(Eph 4:25.) put off--Greek, "wholly put off"; utterly renounced [TITTMANN]. (Eph 4:22). the old man--the unregenerate nature which ye had before conversion. his deeds--habits of acting.”

“Christ is all--Christ absorbs in Himself all distinctions, being to all alike, everything that they need for justification, sanctification, and glorification (1Co 1:30; Ga 2:20). in all--who believe and are renewed, without distinction of person; the sole di…”

“Forbearing--as to present offenses. forgiving--as to past offenses. quarrel--rather as Greek, "cause of blame," "cause of complaint." Christ--who had so infinitely greater cause of complaint against us. The oldest manuscripts and Vulgate read "the Lord." En…”

“Seeming graces, where love is wanting, are mere hypocrisy. Justification by faith is assumed as already having taken place in those whom Paul addresses, Col 3:12, "elect of God, holy . . . beloved," and Col 2:12; so that there is no plea here for Rome's vi…”

“Paul contrasts (as in Eph 5:18, 19) the songs of Christians at their social meetings, with the bacchanalian and licentious songs of heathen feasts. Singing usually formed part of the entertainment at Greek banquets (compare Jas 5:13). with grace--Greek, "I…”

“God and the Father--The oldest manuscripts omit "and," which seems to have crept in from Eph 5:20. by him--Greek, "through Him" as the channel of His grace to us, and of our thanksgiving to Him (Joh 14:6, end).”

“(Eph 5:22-33.) be not bitter--ill-tempered and provoking. Many who are polite abroad, are rude and bitter at home because they are not afraid to be so there.”

“(Eph 6:1.) unto the Lord--The oldest manuscripts read, "IN the Lord," that is, this is acceptable to God when it is done in the Lord, namely, from the principle of faith,and as disciples in union with the Lord.”

“(Eph 6:4.) It is a different Greek verb, therefore translate here, "irritate not." By perpetual fault-finding "children" are "discouraged" or "disheartened." A broken-down spirit is fatal to youth [BENGEL].”

“(Eph 6:5, 6.) This is to fear God, when, though none sees us, we do no evil: but if we do evil, it is not God, but men, whom we fear. singleness--"simplicity of heart." fearing God--The oldest manuscripts read, "the Lord."”

“And--omitted in the oldest manuscripts (compare Eph 6:7, 8). Compare the same principle in the case of all men, Hezekiah (2Ch 31:21; Ro 12:11). do, do it--two distinct Greek verbs, "Whatsoever ye do, work at it" (or "labor at" it). heartily--not from servi…”

“He addresses the slaves: Serve ye the Lord Christ, and leave your wrongs in His hands to put to rights: (translate), "For he that doeth wrong shall receive back the wrong which he hath done (by just retribution in kind), and there is no respect of persons" wit…”

“Here it is an opportunity for preaching the word, which would be best afforded by his release from prison (1Co 16:9; Re 3:8). to speak--so that we may speak. the mystery of Christ-- (Col 1:27). for which . . . also--on account of which I am (not only "an …”

“But while this is included in their subject of prayer, Php 1:12, 13, written somewhat later in his imprisonment, clearly shows that "a door for the word" could be opened, and was opened, for its manifestation, even while he remained imprisoned (compare 2Ti …”

“Onesimus--the slave mentioned in the Epistle to Philemon (Phm 10, 16), "a brother beloved." a faithful . . . brother--rather, "the faithful brother," he being known to the Colossians as the slave of Philemon, their fellow townsman and fellow Christian. one…”

“Epaphras, &c., were also fellow laborers, but Gentiles. unto--that is, in promoting the Gospel kingdom. which have been--Greek, "which have been made," or "have become," that is, inasmuch as they have become a comfort to me. The Greek implies comfort in fore…”

“Christ--The oldest manuscripts add "Jesus." labouring fervently--As the Greek, is the same, translate, "striving earnestly" (see on Col 1:29 and Col 2:1), literally, "striving as in the agony of a contest." in prayers--Translate as Greek, "in his prayers…”

“It is conjectured that Luke "the beloved physician" (the same as the Evangelist), may have first become connected with Paul in professionally attending on him in the sickness under which he labored in Phrygia and Galatia (in which latter place he was detained …”