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collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Robertson: Eph 4:31 - -- Bitterness ( pikria ).
Old word from pikros (bitter), in N.T. only here and Act 8:23; Rom 3:14; Heb 12:15.

Robertson: Eph 4:31 - -- Clamour ( kraugē ).
Old word for outcry (Mat 25:6; Luk 1:42). See note on Col 3:8 for the other words.

Robertson: Eph 4:31 - -- Be put away ( arthētō ).
First aorist passive imperative of airō , old verb, to pick up and carry away, to make a clean sweep.
Be put away (
First aorist passive imperative of

Robertson: Eph 4:32 - -- Be ye kind to one another ( ginesthe eis allēlous chrēstoi ).
Present middle imperative of ginomai , "keep on becoming kind (chrēstos , used of...
Bitterness (
Bitter frame of mind.

Vincent: Eph 4:31 - -- Wrath
What is commanded in Eph 4:26 is here forbidden, because viewed simply on the side of human passion.
Wrath
What is commanded in Eph 4:26 is here forbidden, because viewed simply on the side of human passion.


Vincent: Eph 4:31 - -- Clamor ( κραυγὴ )
Outward manifestation of anger in vociferation or brawling.
Clamor (
Outward manifestation of anger in vociferation or brawling.

Vincent: Eph 4:32 - -- Be ye ( γίνεσθε )
Lit., become , as following the putting away of anger, etc.
Be ye (
Lit., become , as following the putting away of anger, etc.


Vincent: Eph 4:32 - -- Each other ( ἑαυτοῖς )
Lit., yourselves . See on Col 3:13. " Doing as a body for yourselves that which God did once for you all" (Al...
Each other (
Lit., yourselves . See on Col 3:13. " Doing as a body for yourselves that which God did once for you all" (Alford).
The height of settled anger, opposite to kindness, Eph 4:32.

Wesley: Eph 4:31 - -- Lasting displeasure toward the ignorant, and them that are out of the way, opposite to tenderheartedness.
Lasting displeasure toward the ignorant, and them that are out of the way, opposite to tenderheartedness.

Wesley: Eph 4:31 - -- The very first risings of disgust at those that injure you, opposite to forgiving one another.
The very first risings of disgust at those that injure you, opposite to forgiving one another.

Wesley: Eph 4:31 - -- Or bawling. "I am not angry," says one; "but it is my way to speak so." Then unlearn that way: it is the way to hell.
Or bawling. "I am not angry," says one; "but it is my way to speak so." Then unlearn that way: it is the way to hell.

Wesley: Eph 4:31 - -- Be it in ever so mild and soft a tone, or with ever such professions of kindness. Here is a beautiful retrogradation, beginning with the highest, and ...
Be it in ever so mild and soft a tone, or with ever such professions of kindness. Here is a beautiful retrogradation, beginning with the highest, and descending to the lowest, degree of the want of love.

Wesley: Eph 4:32 - -- As God, showing himself kind and tenderhearted in the highest degree, hath forgiven you.
As God, showing himself kind and tenderhearted in the highest degree, hath forgiven you.
Both of spirit and of speech: opposed to "kind."

JFB: Eph 4:31 - -- Passion for a time: opposed to "tender-hearted." Whence BENGEL translates for "wrath," harshness.
Passion for a time: opposed to "tender-hearted." Whence BENGEL translates for "wrath," harshness.

Lasting resentment: opposed to "forgiving one another."

JFB: Eph 4:31 - -- Compared by CHRYSOSTOM to a horse carrying anger for its rider: "Bridle the horse, and you dismount its rider." "Bitterness" begets "wrath"; "wrath," ...
Compared by CHRYSOSTOM to a horse carrying anger for its rider: "Bridle the horse, and you dismount its rider." "Bitterness" begets "wrath"; "wrath," "anger"; "anger," "clamor"; and "clamor," the more chronic "evil-speaking," slander, insinuations, and surmises of evil. "Malice" is the secret root of all: "fires fed within, and not appearing to by-standers from without, are the most formidable" [CHRYSOSTOM].

JFB: Eph 4:32 - -- God hath shown Himself "kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving to you"; it is but just that you in turn shall be so to your fellow men, who have not erre...
God hath shown Himself "kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving to you"; it is but just that you in turn shall be so to your fellow men, who have not erred against you in the degree that you have erred against God (Mat 18:33).

JFB: Eph 4:32 - -- Rather as Greek, "God in Christ" (2Co 5:19). It is in Christ that God vouchsafes forgiveness to us. It cost God the death of His Son, as man, to forgi...
Rather as Greek, "God in Christ" (2Co 5:19). It is in Christ that God vouchsafes forgiveness to us. It cost God the death of His Son, as man, to forgive us. It costs us nothing to forgive our fellow man.

JFB: Eph 4:32 - -- Rather as Greek, "forgave you." God has, once for all, forgiven sin in Christ, as a past historical fact.
Rather as Greek, "forgave you." God has, once for all, forgiven sin in Christ, as a past historical fact.
Clarke: Eph 4:31 - -- Let all bitterness - Πασα πικρια . It is astonishing that any who profess the Christian name should indulge bitterness of spirit. Those w...
Let all bitterness -

Clarke: Eph 4:31 - -- And wrath - Θυμος is more properly anger, which may be considered the commencement of the passion
And wrath -

Clarke: Eph 4:31 - -- Anger - Οργν is more properly wrath - the passion carried to its highest pitch, accompanied with injurious words and outrageous acts, some of ...
Anger -

Clarke: Eph 4:31 - -- And clamor - Κραυγη Loud and obstreperous speaking, brawling, railing, boisterous talk, often the offspring of wrath; all of which are highl...
And clamor -

Clarke: Eph 4:31 - -- And evil speaking - Βλασφημια· Blasphemy; that is, injurious speaking - words which tend to hurt those of whom or against whom they are ...
And evil speaking -

Clarke: Eph 4:31 - -- With all malice - Κακια· All malignity; as anger produces wrath, and wrath clamor, so all together produce malice; that is, settled, sullen,...
With all malice -

Clarke: Eph 4:32 - -- Be ye kind one to another - Γινεσθε - χρηστοι· Be kind and obliging to each other; study good breeding and gentleness of manners....
Be ye kind one to another -

Clarke: Eph 4:32 - -- Tender-hearted - Ευσπλαγχνοι· Compassionate; having the bowels easily moved (as the word implies) to commiserate the state of the wret...
Tender-hearted -

Clarke: Eph 4:32 - -- Forgiving one another - Should you receive any injury from a brother, or from any man, be as ready to forgive him, on his repentance and acknowledgm...
Forgiving one another - Should you receive any injury from a brother, or from any man, be as ready to forgive him, on his repentance and acknowledgment, as God was, for Christ’ s sake, to forgive you when you repented of your sins, and took refuge in his mercy
1. The exhortations given in this chapter, if properly attended to, have the most direct tendency to secure the peace of the individual, the comfort of every family, and the welfare and unity of every Christian society. That God never prohibits any thing that is useful to us, is an unshaken truth. And that he never commands what has not the most pointed relation to our present and eternal welfare, is not less so. How is it, then, that we do not glory in his commandments and rejoice in his prohibitions? If the gratification of our fleshly propensities could do us good, that gratification had never been forbidden. God plants thorns in the way that would lead us to death and perdition
2. From the provision which God has made for the soul’ s salvation, we may see the nature, and in some sense the extent, of the salvation provided. Much on this subject has been said in the preceding chapter, and the same subject is continued here. God requires that the Church shall be holy, so that it may be a proper habitation for himself; and he requires that each believer should be holy, and that he should, under the influences of his grace, arrive at the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ! Eph 4:13. This is astonishing; but God is able to make all grace abound towards us
3. It is the will of God that Christians should be well instructed; that they should become wise and intelligent; and have their understandings well cultivated and improved. Sound learning is of great worth, even in religion; the wisest and best instructed Christians are the most steady, and may be the most useful. If a man be a child in knowledge, he is likely to be tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine; and often lies at the mercy of interested, designing men: the more knowledge he has, the more safe is his state. If our circumstances be such that we have few means of improvement, we should turn them to the best account. "Partial knowledge is better than total ignorance; he who cannot get all he may wish, must take heed to acquire all that he can."If total ignorance be a bad and dangerous thing, every degree of knowledge lessens both the evil and the danger. It must never be forgotten that the Holy Scriptures themselves are capable of making men wise unto salvation, if read and studied with faith in Christ
4. Union among the followers of Christ is strongly recommended. How can spiritual brethren fall out by the way? Have they not all one Father, all one Head? Do they not form one body, and are they not all members of each other? Would it not be monstrous to see the nails pulling out the eyes, the hands tearing off the flesh from the body, the teeth biting out the tongue, etc., etc.? And is it less so to see the members of a Christian society bite and devour each other, till they are consumed one of another? Every member of the mystical body of Christ should labor for the comfort and edification of the whole, and the honor of the Head. He that would live a quiet life, and keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, must be as backward to take offense as to give it. Would all act on this plan (and surely it is as rational as it is Christian) we should soon have glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will among men
5. A roughness of manners is to some unavoidable; it is partly owing to the peculiar texture of their mind, and partly to their education. But there are others who glory in, and endeavor to cultivate, this ungentle disposition; under this is often concealed a great degree of spiritual pride, and perhaps some malignity; for they think that this roughness gives them a right to say grating, harsh, and severe things. They should be taught another lesson; and if they will not demean themselves as they ought, they should be left to themselves, and no man should associate with them. They are not Christians, and they act beneath the character of men.
Calvin: Eph 4:31 - -- 31.Let all bitterness He again condemns anger; but, on the present occasion, views in connection with it those offenses by which it is usually accomp...
31.Let all bitterness He again condemns anger; but, on the present occasion, views in connection with it those offenses by which it is usually accompanied, such as noisy disputes and reproaches. Between wrath and anger (

Calvin: Eph 4:32 - -- 32.And be ye kind one to another With bitterness he contrasts kindness, or gentleness of countenance, language, and manners. And as this virtue w...
32.And be ye kind one to another With bitterness he contrasts kindness, or gentleness of countenance, language, and manners. And as this virtue will never reign in us, unless attended by compassion, (
Forgiving one another The Greek word here rendered forgiving, (
TSK: Eph 4:31 - -- bitterness : Psa 64:3; Rom 3:14; Col 3:8, Col 3:19; Jam 3:14, Jam 3:15
wrath : Eph 4:26; Pro 14:17, Pro 19:12; Ecc 7:9; 2Co 12:20; Gal 5:20; Col 3:8; ...
bitterness : Psa 64:3; Rom 3:14; Col 3:8, Col 3:19; Jam 3:14, Jam 3:15
wrath : Eph 4:26; Pro 14:17, Pro 19:12; Ecc 7:9; 2Co 12:20; Gal 5:20; Col 3:8; 2Ti 2:23; Tit 1:7; Jam 1:19, Jam 3:14-18, Jam 4:1, Jam 4:2
clamour : 2Sa 19:43, 2Sa 20:1, 2Sa 20:2; Pro 29:9, Pro 29:22; Act 19:28, Act 19:29, Act 21:30, Act 22:22, Act 22:23; 1Ti 3:3; 1Ti 6:4, 1Ti 6:5
evil speaking : Lev 19:16; 2Sa 19:27; Psa 15:3, Psa 50:20, Psa 101:5, Psa 140:11; Pro 6:19, Pro 10:18; Pro 18:8, Pro 25:23, Pro 26:20; Jer 6:28, Jer 9:4; Rom 1:29, Rom 1:30; 1Ti 3:11, 1Ti 5:13; 2Ti 3:3; Tit 2:3, Tit 3:2; Jam 4:11; 1Pe 2:1; 2Pe 2:10,2Pe 2:11; Jud 1:8-10; Rev 12:10
with : Gen 4:8, Gen 27:41, Gen 37:4, Gen 37:21; Lev 19:17, Lev 19:18; 2Sa 13:22; Pro 10:12, Pro 26:24, Pro 26:25; Ecc 7:9; Rom 1:29; 1Co 5:8, 1Co 14:20; Col 3:8; Tit 3:3; 1Jo 3:12, 1Jo 3:15

TSK: Eph 4:32 - -- kind : Rth 2:20; Psa 112:4, Psa 112:5, Psa 112:9; Pro 19:22; Isa 57:1 *marg. Luk 6:35; Act 28:2; Rom 12:10; 1Co 13:4; 2Co 2:10, 2Co 6:6; Col 3:12, Col...
kind : Rth 2:20; Psa 112:4, Psa 112:5, Psa 112:9; Pro 19:22; Isa 57:1 *marg. Luk 6:35; Act 28:2; Rom 12:10; 1Co 13:4; 2Co 2:10, 2Co 6:6; Col 3:12, Col 3:13; 2Pe 1:7
tenderhearted : Psa 145:9; Pro 12:10; Luk 1:78; Jam 5:11
forgiving : Eph 5:1; Gen 50:17, Gen 50:18; Mat 6:12, Mat 6:14, Mat 6:15, Mat 18:21-35; Mar 11:25, Mar 11:26; Luk 6:37; Luk 11:4, Luk 17:4; Rom 12:20,Rom 12:21; 2Co 2:7, 2Co 2:10; Col 3:12, Col 3:13; 1Pe 3:8, 1Pe 3:9; 1Jo 1:9, 1Jo 2:12

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes: Eph 4:31 - -- Let all bitterness - see the notes on Eph 4:2. And wrath - The word here does not differ essentially from anger. Anger - see the no...
Let all bitterness - see the notes on Eph 4:2.
And wrath - The word here does not differ essentially from anger.
Anger - see the note on Eph 4:26. All cherished, unreasonable anger.
And clamour - Noise, disorder, high words; such as men use in a brawl, or when they are excited. Christians are to be calm and serious. Harsh contentions and strifes; hoarse brawls and tumults, are to be unknown among them.
And evil-speaking - Slander, backbiting, angry expressions, tale-bearing, reproaches, etc.
With all malice - Rather, "with all evil"-

Barnes: Eph 4:32 - -- And be ye kind one to another - Benignant, mild, courteous, "polite"- χρηστοὶ chrēstoi . 1Pe 3:8. Christianity produces true c...
And be ye kind one to another - Benignant, mild, courteous, "polite"-
Tender-hearted - Having a heart disposed to pity and compassion, and especially disposed to show kindness to the faults of erring brethren; for so the connection demands.
Forgiving one another - see the notes on Mat 6:12.
As God for Christ’ s sake hath forgiven you - As God, on account of what Christ has suffered and done, has pardoned you. He has done it:
(1) "freely"- without merit on your part - when we were confessedly in the wrong.
(2) "fully;"he has forgiven "every"offence.
(3) "Liberally;"he has forgiven "many"offences, for our sins have been innumerable.
This is to be the rule which we are to observe in forgiving others. We are to do it "freely, fully, liberally."The forgiveness is to be entire, cordial, constant. We are not to "rake up"old offences, and charge them again upon them; we are to treat them as though they had not offended, for so God treats us Learn:
(1) That the forgiveness of an offending brother is a duty which we are not at liberty to neglect.
\caps1 (2) t\caps0 he peace and happiness of the church depend on it. All are liable to offend their brethren, as all are liable to offend God; all need forgiveness of one another, as we all need it of God.
\caps1 (3) t\caps0 here is no danger of carrying it too far. Let the rule be observed, "As God has forgiven you, so do you forgive others."Let a man recollect his own sins and follies; let him look over his life, and see how often he has offended God; let him remember that all has been forgiven; and then, fresh with this feeling, let him go and meet an offending brother, and say, "My brother, I forgive you. I do it frankly, fully, wholly. So Christ has forgiven me; so I forgive you. The offence shall be no more remembered. It shall not be referred to in our contact to harrow up your feelings; it shall not diminish my love for you; it shall not prevent my uniting with you in doing good. Christ treats me, a poor sinner, as a friend; and so I will treat you."
Poole: Eph 4:31 - -- Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger these all seem to relate to the inward affection, as the two following to the effects of it in the words.
B...
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger these all seem to relate to the inward affection, as the two following to the effects of it in the words.
Bitterness may imply a secret lurking displeasure at another, or rather a confirmed and permanent one;
wrath the first boiling up of the passion, which affects the body in the commotion of the blood and spirits; and
anger a greater height and paroxysm of the same passion, or an eager desire of revenge: see Col 3:8 .
And clamour such inordinate loudness as men in anger are wont to break out into in their words.
And evil speaking either with respect to God or man, though the latter seems particularly meant here; railing, reviling, reproaching, &c., the ordinary effects of immoderate anger.
With all malice maliciousness, or malignity of heart, in opposition to kindness and tenderness, Eph 4:32 : see Rom 1:29 1Co 5:8 14:20 Tit 3:3 .

Poole: Eph 4:32 - -- And be ye kind sweet, amiable, facile in words and conversation, Luk 6:35 .
Tender-hearted merciful, quickly moved to compassion: so we have bowel...
And be ye kind sweet, amiable, facile in words and conversation, Luk 6:35 .
Tender-hearted merciful, quickly moved to compassion: so we have bowels of mercies, Col 3:12 .
Forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’ s sake hath forgiven you be placable, and ready to forgive, therein resembling God, who for Christ’ s sake hath forgiven you more than you can forgive to one another.
Gill: Eph 4:31 - -- Let all bitterness,.... These words are a dehortation from several vices good men are liable to, by which the Spirit of God is grieved: "bitterness" s...
Let all bitterness,.... These words are a dehortation from several vices good men are liable to, by which the Spirit of God is grieved: "bitterness" sometimes designs the corruption of nature, which is the gall of bitterness, and bond of iniquity; and sometimes actual sins and transgressions, even those of God's own people, which are evil and bitter things; and sometimes heretical doctrines, which are roots of bitterness; and sometimes sinful words spoken by the saints, one against another; and here perhaps it signifies, the first offence taken in the mind, against any person, upon any account, which should at once be put away, and not encouraged:
and wrath: heat of spirit, which follows upon bitterness, or upon the spirit being embittered and offended; see Eze 3:14.
And anger; a sinful one, cautioned against before, Eph 4:26.
And clamour and evil speaking; such as brawlings, contentions, contumelies, reproaches, slanders, &c. arising from an embittered, wrathful, and angry disposition: these should all
be put away from you, with all malice; being the deeds of the old man, unbecoming such as are born again, and grieving to the Spirit of God.

Gill: Eph 4:32 - -- And be ye kind one to another,.... Good, affable, courteous; which appears in looks, words, and actions; by looking pleasantly on each other, speaking...
And be ye kind one to another,.... Good, affable, courteous; which appears in looks, words, and actions; by looking pleasantly on each other, speaking kindly to one another, and mutually doing every good office that lies in their way, and in their power:
tender hearted: which is opposed to a being hard hearted to them that are in distress, and close at hand to the needy; to cruelty and severity to such who are subject to them, or have injured them; and to a rigid and censorious spirit to them that are fallen:
forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you; whatever offences are given, or injuries done by the saints one to another, and so far as they are committed against them, they should forgive, and should pray to God for one another, that he would manifest his forgiveness of them, as committed against him; and this should be done in like manner as God forgives in Christ, and for his sake; that is, fully and freely, and from their hearts; and so as to forget the offences, and not to upbraid them with them hereafter; yea, they should forgive them before they repent, and without asking for it, and that for Christ's sake, and because they are members of his: the Complutensian edition reads, "even as Christ hath forgiven us": the Arabic version also reads us, and so some copies: the words may be rendered, "giving freely to one another, even as God in Christ has given freely to you"; saints should give freely to one another, for outward support, where it is needful; and should impart spiritual gifts and experience for inward comfort, where it is wanted, and as they have ability; and that from this consideration, that all they have, whether in temporals or spirituals, is freely given by God in Christ, and for his sake; with whom he freely gives them all things; in whom he has given them grace, and blessed them with all spiritual blessings; as peace, pardon, righteousness, and eternal life.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Eph 4:1-32
TSK Synopsis: Eph 4:1-32 - --1 He exhorts to unity;7 and declares that God therefore gives divers gifts unto men;11 that his church might be edified,16 and grow up in Christ.18 He...
MHCC -> Eph 4:29-32
MHCC: Eph 4:29-32 - --Filthy words proceed from corruption in the speaker, and they corrupt the minds and manners of those who hear them: Christians should beware of all su...
Matthew Henry -> Eph 4:17-32
Matthew Henry: Eph 4:17-32 - -- The apostle having gone through his exhortation to mutual love, unity, and concord, in the foregoing verses, there follows in these an exhortation t...
Barclay: Eph 4:25-32 - --Paul has just been saying that when a man becomes a Christian, he must put off his old life as a man puts off a coat for which he has no further use....

Barclay: Eph 4:25-32 - --(iii) Paul goes on to say that the Christian must never let the sun set upon his wrath. Plutarch tells us that the disciples of Pythagoras had a rule...

Barclay: Eph 4:25-32 - --Paul ends this chapter with a list of things which must go from life.
(a) There is bitterness (pikria, 4088). The Greeks defined this word as long-s...
Constable: Eph 4:1--6:21 - --III. THE CHRISTIAN'S CONDUCT 4:1--6:20
Practical application (chs. 4-6) now follows doctrinal instruction (chs. ...

Constable: Eph 4:1--6:10 - --A. Spiritual walk 4:1-6:9
Paul had explained the unity of Jewish and Gentile believers in the church and...

Constable: Eph 4:17-32 - --2. Walking in holiness 4:17-32
In the first part of this chapter Paul stressed the importance of...
