denotes every luxury inconsistent with frugality. See its oppo site, ver. 19, concerning the effect of spiritual fulness. — d So generally the LXX. in Prov. quoted above : aXXa avdpuKoig dixaloig, but associate with righteous men.
19. AaXoumg gauro%, speaking among yourselves) The anti thesis is, to the Lord; comp. Col. iii. 16, note. The Spirit makes believers eloquent [disertos], — -v^aX^o/;, in psalms) of the Bible, of David, new and unpremeditated, with the addition of an instrument. — ly/i/o/j, in hymns) to be used in the express praise of God. — <f>da?$) songs, which are or may be sung on any sacred subject. — Kvsu/Aarr/.aTs, spiritual) not worldly, as those of the drunkards are. — rti Kupiy, to the Lord) Christ, who searches the hearts.
20. Ev%apiffrovvTsg, giving thanks) Paul often urges this duty, and diligently practises it : it is performed by the mind, by the tongue, and by working. Col. iii. 17. — -rravrwv, for all things) The neuter, including the power of the masculine ; comp. 1 Thess. v. 18. — 'l7j<roD, of Jesus) by whom all things become ours.
21.' AX\q\oig, to one another) Now he proceeds to treat con cerning our duty to others ; and the foundation of this is the fear of Christ,2 which derives its motives from the Christian faith ; 1 Pet. ii. 13. A rare phrase; comp. 2 Cor. v. 11 ; 1 Cor. x. 22.
22. A/ ywaTxeg, wives) Inferiors are put in the first place, then superiors, ver. 25 ; ch. vi. 1, 4, 5, 9 ; 1 Pet. iii. 1, 7, because the proposition regards subjection ; and inferiors ought to do their duty, of whatsoever kind their superiors are. Many of those that are inferior become superiors ; and he who acts well as an inferior, acts well as a superior.3 Moreover, all these are addressed in the second person ; therefore it is the duty of all to hear and read the Scripture; comp. 1 John ii. 13. — IMoie, to your own) Wives should obey their own husbands, even although
1 Beng. says this in contrast to Horace's praise of wine, as making eloquent, " Frecundi calices quern non fecere disertum ? " — ED.
2 Namely, this reading, tv (pofiu XptaTov, which the older Ed. had judged not quite certain, both the margin of the 2d Ed. reckons as quite certain, and the Germ. Vers. expresses it. — E. B.
AB Vulg. read Xpiarov', I) (A)/ read ' Iwov ; Gg read 'I>jo-oy Rec. Text, Qtov, without good authority. — ED.
3 " Qui bene subest, bene prseest."