---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible"
author: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Commentaries"
section: 766 of 927
url: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/766/
cite: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, section 766. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/766/"
---

# Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

*Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown*

The Victorian standard commentary, critical and practical, from Genesis to Revelation.

## 766. Ephesians · 7 of 12

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/766/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/766/#p-N

[¶0] faith and ... knowledge--Full unity of faith is then found, when all alike thoroughly know Christ, the object of faith, and that in His highest dignity as "the Son of God" [De Wette] ([Ep 3:17], ; [2Pe 1:5]). Not even Paul counted himself to have fully "attained" ([Php 3:12-14]). Amidst the variety of the gifts and the multitude of the Church's members, its "faith" is to be ONE: as contrasted with the state of "children carried about with EVERY WIND OF DOCTRINE." ([Ep 4:14]).

[¶1] perfect man--unto the full-grown man ([1Co 2:6]; [Php 3:15]; [He 5:14]); the maturity of an adult; contrasted with children ([Ep 4:14]). Not "perfect men"; for the many members constitute but one Church joined to the one Christ.

[¶2] stature, &c.--The standard of spiritual "stature" is "the fulness of Christ," that is, which Christ has ([Ep 1:23]; ; compare [Ga 4:19]); that the body should be worthy of the Head, the perfect Christ.

[¶3] 14. Translate, "To the end that"; the aim of the bestowal of gifts stated negatively, as in [Ep 4:13] it is stated positively.

[¶4] tossed to and fro--inwardly, even without wind; like billows of the sea. So the Greek. Compare [Jas 1:6].

[¶5] carried about--with every wind from without.

[¶6] doctrine--"teaching." The various teachings are the "winds" which keep them tossed on a sea of doubts ([He 13:9]; compare [Mt 11:7]).

[¶7] by--Greek, "in"; expressing "the evil atmosphere in which the varying currents of doctrine exert their force" [Ellicott].

[¶8] sleight--literally, "dice playing." The player frames his throws of the dice so that the numbers may turn up which best suit his purpose.

[¶9] of men--contrasted with Christ ([Ep 4:13]).

[¶10] and--Greek, "in."

[¶11] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive--Translate as Greek, "craftiness tending to the methodized system of deceit" ("the schemes of error") [Alford]. Bengel takes "deceit," or "error," to stand for "the parent of error," Satan (compare [Ep 6:11]); referring to his concealed mode of acting.

[¶12] 15. speaking the truth--Translate, "holding the truth"; "following the truth"; opposed to "error" or "deceit" ([Ep 4:14]).

[¶13] in love--"Truth" is never to be sacrificed to so-called "charity"; yet it is to be maintained in charity. Truth in word and act, love in manner and spirit, are the Christian's rule (compare [Ep 4:21], ).

[¶14] grow up--from the state of "children" to that of "full-grown men." There is growth only in the spiritually alive, not in the dead.

[¶15] into him--so as to be more and more incorporated with Him, and become one with Him.

[¶16] the head--([Ep 1:22]).

[¶17] 16. ([Col 2:19]).

[¶18] fitly joined together--"being fitly framed together," as in [Ep 2:21]; all the parts being in their proper position, and in mutual relation.

[¶19] compacted--implying firm consolidation.

[¶20] by that which every joint supplieth--Greek, "by means of every joint of the supply"; joined with "maketh increase of the body," not with "compacted." "By every ministering (supplying) joint." The joints are the points of union where the supply passes to the different members, furnishing the body with the materials of its growth.

[¶21] effectual working--([Ep 1:19]; ). According to the effectual working of grace in each member (or else, rather, "according to each several member's working"), proportioned to the measure of its need of supply.

[¶22] every part--Greek, "each one part"; each individual part.

[¶23] maketh increase--Translate, as the Greek is the same as [Ep 4:15], "maketh (carrieth on) the growth of the body."

[¶24] 17. therefore--resuming the exhortation which he had begun with, "I therefore beseech you that ye walk worthy," &c. ([Ep 4:1]).

[¶25] testify in the Lord--in whom (as our element) we do all things pertaining to the ministry ([1Th 4:1] [Alford]; [Ro 9:1]).

[¶26] henceforth ... not--Greek, "no longer"; resumed from [Ep 4:14].

[¶27] other--Greek, "the rest of the Gentiles."

[¶28] in the vanity, &c.--as their element: opposed to "in the Lord." "Vanity of mind" is the waste of the rational powers on worthless objects, of which idolatry is one of the more glaring instances. The root of it is departure from the knowledge of the true God ([Ep 4:18], ; [Ro 1:21]; [1Th 4:5]).

[¶29] 18. More literally, "Being darkened in their understanding," that is, their intelligence, or perceptions (compare [Ep 5:8]; [Ac 26:18]; [1Th 5:4], ).

[¶30] alienated--This and "darkened," imply that before the fall they (in the person of their first father) had been partakers of life and light: and that they had revolted from the primitive revelation (compare [Ep 2:12]).

[¶31] life of God--that life whereby God lives in His own people: as He was the life and light in Adam before the irruption of death and darkness into human nature; and as He is the life in the regenerate ([Ga 2:20]). "Spiritual life in believers is kindled from the life itself of God" [Bengel].

[¶32] through--rather as Greek, "on account of the ignorance," namely, of God. Wilful ignorance in the first instance, their fathers not "choosing to retain God in their knowledge." This is the beginning point of their misery ([Ac 17:30]; [Ro 1:21], 23, 28; [1Pe 1:14]).

[¶33] because of--"on account of."

[¶34] blindness--Greek, "hardness," literally, the hardening of the skin so as not to be sensible of touch. Hence a soul's callousness to feeling ([Mr 3:5]). Where there is spiritual "life" ("the life of God") there is feeling; where there is not, there is "hardness."

[¶35] 19. past feeling--senseless, shameless, hopeless; the ultimate result of a long process of "hardening," or habit of sin ([Ep 4:18]). "Being past hope," or despairing, is the reading of the Vulgate; though not so well supported as English Version reading, "past feeling," which includes the absence of hope ([Jr 2:25]; 18:12).

[¶36] given themselves over--In [Ro 1:24] it is, "God gave them up to uncleanness." Their giving themselves to it was punished in kind, God giving them up to it by withdrawing His preventing grace; their sin thus was made their punishment. They gave themselves up of their own accord to the slavery of their lust, to do all its pleasure, as captives who have ceased to strive with the foe. God gave them up to it, but not against their will; for they give themselves up to it [Zanchius].

[¶37] lasciviousness--"wantonness" [Alford]. So it is translated in [Ro 13:13]; [2Pe 2:18]. It does not necessarily include lasciviousness; but it means intemperate, reckless readiness for it, and for every self-indulgence. "The first beginnings of unchastity" [Grotius]. "Lawless insolence, and wanton caprice" [Trench].

[¶38] to work all uncleanness--The Greek implies, "with a deliberate view to the working (as if it were their work or business, not a mere accidental fall into sin) of uncleanness of every kind."

[¶39] with greediness--Greek, "in greediness." Uncleanness and greediness of gain often go hand in hand ([Ep 5:3], ; [Col 3:5]); though "greediness" here includes all kinds of self-seeking.

[¶40] 20. learned Christ--([Php 3:10]). To know Christ Himself, is the great lesson of the Christian life: this the Ephesians began to learn at their conversion. "Christ," in reference to His office, is here specified as the object of learning. "Jesus," in [Ep 4:21], as the person.

[¶41] 21. If so be that--not implying doubt; assuming what I have no reason to doubt, that

[¶42] heard him--The "Him" is emphatic: "heard Himself," not merely heard about Him.

[¶43] taught by him--Greek, "taught IN Him," that is, being in vital union with Him ([Ro 16:7]).

[¶44] as the truth is in Jesus--Translate in connection with "taught"; "And in Him have been taught, according as is truth in Jesus." There is no article in the Greek. "Truth" is therefore used in the most comprehensive sense, truth in its essence, and highest perfection, in Jesus; "if according as it is thus in Him, ye have been so taught in Him"; in contrast to "the vanity of mind of the Gentiles" ([Ep 4:17]; compare [Joh 1:14], ; 18:37). Contrast [Joh 8:44].