1. *O felloe, the prisoner) The bonds of Paul were subservient to the calling of the Ephesians ; and these ought to be so affected by them (his bonds) as to delight Paul with their obedience ; a striking instance of feeling, rtQo$. — Iv Kvplu, in the Lord) construed with prisoner. — 7% xX^tfswj, of the vocation) ver. 4. This is de rived from ch. i. 18 ; nay, rather from ch. i., ii., and iii. [For the second part of the epistle begins here, comprehending exhortations, and especially those which flow from the doctrine already discussed.
-V. g.] Comp. Col. iii. 15.
2. Msra — fj^sra, with — with) To these refer the two following participles, avz%6/j,svoi, cKouddfyvrsc, forbearing, endeavouring dili gently, which, being in the nominative, depend on the preceding imperative implied, walk ye. \_The man, who is affected, as he ought to be, with a sense of the Divine calling, will be found to be adorned with the virtues mentioned in this passage,- 1 Pet. iii. 9 ; Phil. i. 27. — V. g.] — cratfTjg, with all) To be construed also with meekness [Vfaunjros] (as well as with raxsivoppoGuvyg, loivliness), Col. iii. 12, 13. — ramivotppocvvris, lowliness of mind) From a sense of grace, Rom. xi. 20. — z\> aya^y), in love) In the bond of peace, ver. 3, corresponds to this expression. " In love" occurs again, ver. 15, 16. And here, love is preached [inculcated] : faith, in ver. 5 ; hope, in ver. 4.
3. Typify to keep) Even where there is no division, there is need of admonitions. — rr,v kvorqra, the unity} So far as we are concerned, for the Holy Spirit in Himself remains one, ver. 4. — ev TU> ffuvdsmy, in the bond) The bond, by which peace is main tained, is love itself; Col. iii. 14, 15.
4. "Ef tfw^a %.ai 6v nvsu/Aa, one body and one Spirit) In the Apostles' Creed, the article relating to the Church properly follows the article relating to the Holy Spirit. — xal sv9 and one) Spirit, Lord, God and Father : the Trinity ; comp. the following verses. — sv fj.iu gX-r/5/, in one hope) The Spirit is the earnest, and there fore the hope of the inheritance is joined with the mention of His name.