apostle here refers. It is urged that they have their origin in the very consitution of our nature; that they are not malignant ; that they may co-exist with amia- ble tempers ; and that they are not hurtful to others, that no one is the worse for them if no one knows them, &c. Paul, therefore, cautions his readers in every age of the church, not to be deceived by such vain words; assuring them that for these things (for fornication and covetousness), the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience. With vain words, κενοῖς λόγοις. Kevos means empty. Kevoi λόγοι, there- fore, are empty words ; words which contain no truth, and are therefore both false and fallacious, as those will find who trust to them. Zhe wrath of God. This ex- pression is a fearful one, because the wrath of man is _ the disposition to inflict evil, limited by man’s feeble- ness; whereas the wrath of God is the determination to punish in a being without limit either as to his pre- sence or power. This wrath, the apostle says, cometh on the children of disobedience. The present is either for the certain future, ‘ will assuredly come ;’ or it has its proper force. The wrath of God against these sins is now manifested in his dealings with those who commit them. He withdraws from them his Spirit, and finally gives them up to a reprobate mind. On the phrase “ children of disobedience,” see ch. 2, 2.
V. 7. Such being the determination of God to pun- ish the unclean and the covetous, the apostle says, “ Be ye not therefore partakers with them.” That is, be not their associates in these sins, which of necessity
CHAP. v. vs. 8. 9. 289
would expose you to the penalty threatened against them.
Y. 8. This is enforced by a reference to their con- version from a previous state of sin and misery to one of holiness and blessedness. or ye were sometime darkness. As light stands for knowledge, and as know- ledge, in the scriptural sense of the word, produces holiness, and holiness happiness; so darkness stands for ignorance, such ignorance as inevitably produces sin, and sin misery. Therefore, the expression, “ ye were darkness,” means, ye were ignorant, polluted, and wretched. But now ye are light in the Lord, i. 6. in virtue of union with the Lord, ye are enlightened, sanctified, and blessed. Walk as children of the light, i. e. as the children of holiness and truth. ‘“ Children of light,” means enlightened ; as ‘ children of famine,’ means the ‘famished ;’ see ch. 2, 2. The exhortation is that they should walk in a way consistent with their character as men illuminated and sanctified by their union with the Lord Jesus.
V.9. For the fruit of light,* i. 6. the fruit or effect of divine illumination is in all, i. e. consists in all the forms of goodness, righteousness, and truth. Goodness, ἀγαθωσύνη, is that which makes a man ἀγαθός, good ; and righteousness, δικαιοσύνη, is that which makes a man δίκαιος, righteous. These Greek words differ very
* The common text has here πνεύματος instead of φωτός. The latter reading is now universally adopted as the correct one on the authority not only of the MSS. but of the context.
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