Consistency Enforced. (a. d. 61.)

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible · Matthew Henry · Public domain; electronic edition by Christian Classics Ethereal Library

CONSISTENCY ENFORCED. (A. D. 61.)

This is a general exhortation to walk as becomes our Christian profession. Paul was now a prisoner at Rome; and he was the prisoner of the Lord, or in the Lord, which signifies as much as for the Lord. See of this, Ephesians 3:1. He mentions this once and again, to show that he was not ashamed of his bonds, well knowing that he suffered not as an evil doer: and likewise to recommend what he wrote to them with the greater tenderness and with some special advantage. It was a doctrine he thought worth suffering for, and therefore surely they should think it worthy their serious regards and their dutiful observance. We have here the petition of a poor prisoner, one of Christ's prisoners: "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you," &c. Considering what God has done for you, and to what a state and condition he has called you, as has been discoursed before, I now come with an earnest request to you (not to send me relief, nor to use your interest for the obtaining of my liberty, the first thing which poor prisoners are wont to solicit from their friends, but) that you would approve yourselves good Christians, and live up to your profession and calling; That you walk worthily, agreeably, suitably, and congruously to those happy circumstances into which the grace of God has brought you, whom he has converted from heathenism to Christianity. Observe, Christians ought to accommodate themselves to the gospel by which they are called, and to the glory to which they are called; both are their vocation. We are called Christians; we must answer that name, and live like Christians. We are called to God's kingdom and glory; that kingdom and glory therefore we must mind, and walk as becomes the heirs of them.

More for Ephesians 4:1

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Matthew Henry on Ephesians 4:1-6Ephesians 4:1-6 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryNothing is pressed more earnestly in the Scriptures, than to walk as becomes those called to Christ's kingdom and glory. By lowliness, understand humility, which is opposed to pride. By meekness, that excellent disposit…The Pulpit Commentary on Ephesians 4:1-32Ephesians 4:1-32 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION PRACTICAL PORTION OF THE EPISTLE.The Pulpit Commentary on Ephesians 4:1-16Ephesians 4:1-16 · The Pulpit CommentaryCHURCH PRINCIPLE OF GROWTH AND PROGRESS; THE CHURCH A BODY.The Pulpit Commentary on Ephesians 4:1Ephesians 4:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryI therefore. Inference not only from last chapter, but the whole Epistle. Paul's interest in the Ephesians led him to a double application of the great subject which he had expounded:The Pulpit Commentary on Ephesians 4:1Ephesians 4:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe Christian walk. "Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called." We now come to the practical part of the Epistle, and the first exhortation is a striking one. Paul attached great importance to the element of…The Pulpit Commentary on Ephesians 4:1Ephesians 4:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryEthics after Theology. The doctrinal part of the Epistle is now finished and the practical part begins. This is the true and natural order. I. IT IS IN THE SPHERE OF THE DOCTRINAL THAT WE FIND THE POWER THAT CARRIES US…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Ephesians 4:1-6Nothing is pressed more earnestly in the Scriptures, than to walk as becomes those called to Christ's kingdom and glory. By lowliness, understand humility, which is opposed to pride. By meekness, that excellent disposit…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ephesians 4:1The obligations of the Christian calling. "Walk worthy of the calling wherewith ye are called." I. THE NATURE OF THIS CALLING. It is the Christian vocation. We are called out of darkness into God's marvelous light (1 Pe…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ephesians 4:1-16Exhortation. I. TRANSITION FROM THE DOCTRINAL TO THE PRACTICAL. "I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you." There is a similar transition at Romans 12:1, "I beseech you therefore." In both cases the "therefore…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ephesians 4:1-3Walking worthy of our vocation. "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord," etc. The verses, looked at homiletically, suggest the following truths:— I. THAT MAN'S EXTERNAL CONDITION IN THIS WORLD IS NO TRUE TEST OF HIS REA…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ephesians 4:1Ethics after Theology. The doctrinal part of the Epistle is now finished and the practical part begins. This is the true and natural order. I. IT IS IN THE SPHERE OF THE DOCTRINAL THAT WE FIND THE POWER THAT CARRIES US…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ephesians 4:1The Christian walk. "Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called." We now come to the practical part of the Epistle, and the first exhortation is a striking one. Paul attached great importance to the element of…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ephesians 4:1-3Walking worthily. It is touching to see how the great apostle, who had a right to issue commands to the Churches in the name of Christ, prefers to beseech his readers with gentle entreaty as "the prisoner in the Lord."…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ephesians 4:1-32EXPOSITION PRACTICAL PORTION OF THE EPISTLE.Joseph S. Exell and contributors