Brief Exposition of Galatians and Ephesians, Exposition 2 · Chapter 5
CHAP. V.
THe Apostle, in the first part of this Chapter (having, first, confirmed the precept given in the last words of chap. 4. by pressing upon them to imitate God in forgiving one another, from the fountain of love, ver. 1, 2.) doth yet exhort them unto such duties as belong unto all Christians in generall. And, first, he forbiddeth six vices, all of them almost contrary unto chastity: because, first, they are uncomely for Saints, ver. 3. Secondly, inconvenient, ver. 4. Thirdly, they exclude from Gods Kingdom, ver. 5. And fourthly, they bring down Gods wrath, ver. 6. Secondly, he dehorteth from partaking with wicked men in their sins, ver. 7. because of that blessed change wrought in them from darknesse to light, ver. 8. The force of which consequence, is proved from the fruits of light, ver. 9. and (having pointed at the rule of right walking, ver. 10. and explained the precept, set down, ver. 7. by discharging all accession to the sins of the wicked, and enjoyning them to reprove them, ver. 11.) he enforceth yet further the duty so explained, first, from the abominable filthinesse of those sins, ver. 12. Secondly, from the good following upon reproof, even the conviction of the sinner, ver. 13. And, thirdly, from Gods own example, who reproveth the world of sin, and thereby conveyeth light unto them, ver. 14. Thirdly, he exhorteth to circumspect walking, ver. 15. which consisteth mainly in redeeming the time, ver. 16. and, in order hereto, that they would acquaint themselves with Gods revealed will, ver. 17. Fourthly, he exhorteth them to eschew drunkennesse. And, fifthly, to be filled with the Spirit, ver. 18. and to vent that fulnesse of the Spirit, first, in melodious singing of praises unto God, ver. 19. Secondly, in giving of thanks for all things, ver. 20.
In the second part of the Chapter, The Apostle (having premitted a generall exhortation unto all, to submit themselves one to another, ver. 21.) doth presse those duties, which belong to Christians, as they are members of Families. And, first, the duties of wives under the name of submission, set forth by the manner of it, as unto the Lord, ver. 22. Secondly, by the ground or reason of it, the husbands headship, illustrated from Christs, ver. 23. Thirdly, by the pattern of it, the Churches subjection to Christ. And, fourthly, by the extent of it, to all things, ver. 24. Next, he presseth the duty of husbands under the name of love, 1. from Christ's love to His Church, giving Himself for her, ver. 25. and that for two ends, to wit, the sanctification, ver. 26. and glorification thereof, ver. 27. Secondly, from the near union betwixt husband and wife, they being one flesh, and therefore he ought to love her, ver. 28. Because, 1. all men care for their own flesh. 2. Christ careth for His Church, ver. 29. because of the strict union betwixt Him and the Church, ver. 30. And thirdly, the ancient law of Marriage doth expresly enjoyn so much, ver. 31. And because he hath spoken of the union betwixt Christ and the Church, he declareth it to be a great and unsearchable mysterie, ver. 32. and so concludeth the purpose, by summing the duties of husbands and wives in two words, love and reverence.