I. Blessing God for the whole range of heavenly blessing bestowed by Him, ver. 3-14 ; and then thanksgiving and prayers for the saints, 15-ii. 10.
1 Kpoy'h'TrfxQTots, which Engl. Vers. renders trusted, instead of hope. — ED.
2 See App. It is the same word occurring in a different sense.
II. A more special admonition concerning their formerly miserable, but now blessed condition, ver. 11-22 ; and then the apostle's supplication, that they might be strengthened, iii. 1, 2, 14, 15; with the doxology, 20, 21.
I. General — that they should walk worthily, as
1. The unity of the Spirit and diversity of gifts, iv. 1, 2,
7,8.
2. As the difference of their heathen and Christian state
require, 17—24. IT. Special —
1) So that they should avoid
1. Lying, 25.
2. Anger, 26, 27.
3. Theft, 28.
4. Corrupt conversation, 29, 30.
5. Bitterness, 31-v. 2.
6. Impurity, 3—14.
7. Drunkenness, ver. 15—20 ; the virtues being every
where commended to which those vices are opposed, with the addition of submission, 21.
2) That they should do their duty,
1. As wives and husbands, 22, 23, 25, 26.
2. As children and fathers, vi. 1, 2, 4.
3. As servants and masters, 5, 6, 9.
3) And, lastly, an exhortation to the spiritual warfare, 10,
11, 19, 20.
There is a great resemblance between this epistle and that to the Colossians, which has been already noticed ; wherefore the two writings may be advantageously compared together. — sv •Truer,, with all) Paul describes the source and the archetype of this blessing, He has chosen us, having predestinated, ver. 4, 5 ; also its nature, He hath embraced us in His grace, ver. 6 ; also its parts, remission, etc., ver. 7, 8.— svXoyta, ivith blessing) The