The Pulpit Commentary — Ephesians — Section 162

specially needful in the Church; for their opposites; pride, irascibility, and impatience do much to create heart-burning and division. I. LoWLINESS OF MIND. 1. Its tuiture. It is that deep humility, as opposed t1, pride, arrogance, and_ conceit, which is produ~ by a right sense of our weakness, 1gnornnce, an~ depe1;1<1ence, and by a due apprec1at1on of the undeserved glory to which we are called m Christ Jesus. Men are made humble and self-dititrustful less by the l..iwwle.:lge that they are weak, ignorant, and mortal, than by the fact that, while striving i,,r_a hii;:her end, they are 11lways coming short of it by their mistakes and their follies, :.:·,~ are ID constaut need of a strength greater than their own. It is thus possible ta ''!::te ::. high aim with a profound humility. 2. Its importance. It is necessary lw,rn:se fu-.d requires it (Micah vi. S); because Christ c-xemplified it (Matt. xi. 29), l't'<'an:se God dwells with the humble (Isa. h-iii. 15); because it is the way to leam wisdom (Prov. xi. 2), to attain grace and holiness (Prov. iii. 5, 6; Jas. iv. 6), and to pre:-en-e unity in the Church (Ja.s. i,. 1). It has many promises made to it. God will respect the humble (Isa. !xvi. 2), he will give them grace (1 Pet. v. 6), he will exalt them (1 Pet. v. 6), and reward them with all good things. Its importance is specially manifest in Church relations. Believers are not to think of themseives more highly than they ought t-0 think (Rom. xii. 3), nor exalt themselves above their degree (2 Cor. x. 13-15), but to esteem others better than themselves (Phil. ii. 3). Let believers, therefore, have a humble apprehension of their knowledge, for" knowledge 1,uffeth up" (1 Cor. viii 1); and humble thoughts of their goo_dness, for we cannot understand all our errors, and need to be cleansed from our secret faults (Ps. xix. 12). Let them "pnt on humbleness of mind," as the brightest ornament of Christian character (CoL iii. 12). 11. Mui.:m:ss. There is a natural connection between meekness and humility, and therefore they are often joined together. 1. Its natwre. It is that disposition which «ioc:, not arraign God and does not avenge itself on man. As regards God, it implies a rc:acly submission to the authority of bis Word (Ja.s. i. 21), and a cheerful resignation to i..Lis proviaence, as opposed to murmuring and fretfulness (Ps. xxxix. 9). As rcf;<.rds man., the meek will have a calm temper under provocations; he will be "slow ,u =th" (Jas. L 19); he will give "the sott answer that turneth a.way wrath" (Prov. :: ,. 1); he will show that ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which adorns more than rnLies (1 Pet. iii. 4). When joined with strength it makes one of the most effective c:,ar-Jcters. It is especially to be esteemed in a religions life. Therefore the apostle says, " Let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom" (Jas. iii.13). It is with meekness and fear that we a.re to give a reason of our hope (1 Pet. iii. 15), and it is in a spirit of meekness we are to recover the erring (Gal. vi. l). It is one of the nine graces of the Spirit (Gal. v. 22). 2. its importance. . See how largely it contributes to the usefulness of Christian life. The meek man has great power with men. See how it contributes to the comfort of life; for it keeps him from the friction of temper that so often detracts from true repose; it brings us nearer and nearer to him who was pre-eminently "meek and lowly of spirit" (Matt. xi. 29); and it has the promise of the earth for an inheritance (Matt. v. 5). Let us, therefore, seek meekness (Zeph. ii. 3). IIL LoNG-oUFFERING. 1. Its natwre. It is the disposition that leads us to supprllSS our anger (2 Cor. vi. 6; Gal. v. 22); and is opposed to that irritability often exvressively called shortness of temper, which is quick to show resentment. This spirit is of great moment in the Church, where there may be frequent collisions of opiruon., or interest, or feeling, and it waits with patience till the passionate or obstinate &:<c: their way to more reasonable courses. 2. Its importance, God commands it (Rom. rii. 17). He exemplifies it (Matt. v. 44; llom. v. 6-8), and !,is Son bas left us a u,ost impre&ive exhibition of it (1 Pet. ii. 21-23). We all fail iu our duty an,J nt:ed to ha\'e due considcrntion made to our failings. We are above all to bear and forbe...r in matters of religious fellowship (Hom. xv. 1). IV. THE SPI.E.IT IN WlflCH THIS LONG-SUFFERING 18 TO DE EXERCISED. " Forbearing one another in love." Christians are not to resent injuries or retaliate for wrongs done tc, them, but are to bear with each other's infirmities, to cover each other's weaknesses, to pity each other's frailties, and to forgive the provocations they injlict upon each other. This is to bi:! done, not from a principle /'Jf merely worldly courtesy or from OIi. IV. 1---32.] THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS. 161