The Pulpit Commentary — Ephesians — Section 213

one person singing one hymn, then another strictly. Most commentators connect it with anotLcr, and eo on; and the meetings the three immediately preceding participles would seem to havo been for eociBl Christian (speaking, singing, giving thanks), but ore enjoyment rather thu.n for the public wor- unable to find a link of connection. Better ship of God. In the Epistle to tho Colos- connect with ver. 15. Mutual subjection is sians it is, "Teaching Bnd admonishina one po.rt of a wise, circumspect walk, i.e. mutual Bnother with psBlms," and this has mo~e of recognition of each other's riahts 0 o.nd of our the idea. of publio worship ; and if it be obligations to serve them. ln some sense proper to express joyful feelings in the com- we are nil servants, i.e. we are bound to pBratively priYate social gatherings of Chris- servo others; the very father is, in this tiBns, it ie proper to do the same in united sense, servant of his child. So in the Chris- publio worship. In psalms and hymns and tio.u Church we o.re all in o. sense servants spiritual songs. The precise meaning of (" By love serve oue another," Gal. v. 15; these terms is not eu.sily seen ; " psalms " we comp. Matt. xx. 26-28; John xiii. 15, 16). should naturally apply to the Old Testament This view is in harmony with the humh/6 psalms, but the want of the article makes spirit of the gospel. Pride leads ns to the meaning more general, equivalent to demand rigorously from others what we " songs with the character of the psalms ; " fancy they owe to us; humility, to give to "hymns," songs celebrating the praises of the others what Christ teaches that we owe to Divine Being, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; them. The one feeling is to be discouraged, "spiritual songs" or odes of a more general the other exercised and strengthened. In cast, meditative, historical, hortatory, or the verses following we have this precept didactic. But .these must be "spiritual," split up into its constituent filaments. The such as the Holy Spirit would lead ue to reading of R.V., "in the fear of Obrist," has use and would use with us for our good. more -authority tha.n A.V., "in the fear of The two clnuses oorrespond : " be filled with God." It brings to our mind the wonderful the Spirit ; " U.epeaking in spiritual songs." example of Christ in this element of cho.- Receive the Spirit-pour out the Spirit; let 111.cter (comp. Luke ii. 51; Heh. v. 8). Rc- your songs be effusions sent forth from your vereutio.l rego.rd for him should inspire us hearts with the. aroma of the Holy Spirit. with the same spirit (Phil. ii. 5-8). Singing and making melody with your heart Ver. 22-ch. vi. 9.-EXROBTATION TO RE- to the Lord; i.e. to the Lord Jesus. Soµie LATIVE DUTIES. have argued that while 41iovns denotes sing- Ver. 22.-Wives, submit yourselves to your ing, ,j,&M.on•s means striking the musice.l own hnsbonds, as to the Lord. Though Chttis- instrument. But ,i,&;u.., is so frequently tiBnity emo.ncipates Bnd elevntes W'.lmnn.. it used in o. more general .sense, that it can does not release her from the duty of & 1b- hardly be restricted to this meaning here. jection (comp. 1 Pet. iii. 1-6). Tho relnt-011 The great thought is thBt this musicBl to the husbo.nd is intensified in order to service must .not be musiool only, but a enforce the duty: "your own husbBnds," , ,i, service of the heart, in rendering whioh .the l1i10,s lw1ip&u,: os we any, "she deserted l ~r heart must be in a stu.te of worship. own child." The "o.s to" denotes o. para lcl V'or. 20.-Giving tho.nks always for all duty: as it is your duty to be subject to things; this being not only o. most Christian Christ, so also to your husbBnds (soe Ill :.t duty, but cm oxcellont way to keep tho verso). heBrt in good tono, to keop up happy fool- Ver. 23.-For the h11Bband is the head of ings-the duty not being occasiono.l, but the wife, o.s Christ aloo is the Head of 1ne "always," and not for things primii fac:ia Church. The woman was ma.do for tho mAn agreeable only, but "for all things" (see (Gen. ii. 18; 1 'l'im. ii. 13), showing l lio Job ii. 10; Rom. viii. 28). In the Na.me of Divine purpose that the mo.n should bo l ho our Lord J esue Christ to God, even the Father. hcBd and centre of the household, Bill1 U ut God the Father is the proper Object of the position of the wife, BS wifo, shou Id tho.nksgiving, e.e of pwyer genero.lly; but be one of subordination. Purollel to this the thanks are to be given in the Name arro.ngement is the rolo.tion of Christ to of Ghrist. That is, through him who h~ the Church. In words, Bt least, all admit brought in the economy of grace, whereby for the heo.dship of Christ, o.nd the subordino- wrath we get blessing, for suffering we get tiou of the Churoh to him. The Christi1\n reward, for misery glory; whereby, in short, hous~hold, on o. much lower level, should the whole aspect of lifo is brightened, Bnd exemplify the so.me relation. Being himsel! oven the greatest ·trials o.nd sorrows turned saviour of the body. This is not said by into real blessings. wo.y of contrast, but still by wny of poro.llcl. Ver. 21.-Subjeoting yourselves one to Tho very soviourship of Christ should find another in the fear of Christ. Tho last of on o.nalogy in tho Christian husbBnd. The the pBrtioipio.l exhortations depending on husband should bo tho evcr-vigiluut ond the general exhortation of ver. 15 to walk 1elf-denying protector, g1mr,lian, deliverer,  'l'HE EPIS'l'LE TO THE EPHESIANS. Loa. v. 1-33.