Efésios 4
Theodoret of Cyrus · Comentário Patrístico (catena)
Efésios 4:1
When Paul recalls his chains his intent is to encourage his hearers to rise above their own infirmities to moral excellence. It is as if he were saying: "Remember that it is in relation to you that I am in prison. Suppose I had refused to preach. I would have been free of all this." In this poignant way the divine apostle elicits sympathy, for he is more content with his chains on Christ's account than a king with his crown. — Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 4.1
Efésios 4:1
They were enjoying the gifts of the Spirit. They were performing miracles, speaking in many tongues and experiencing much prophetic activity. But all this was prone to boggle their minds. Therefore it is about these that he first gives them advice. — Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 4.1
Efésios 4:8
"Therefore it says: 'He ascended on high and led captivity captive; he gave gifts to men.' Indeed, the psalm says, 'He received gifts among men'; but he himself gave them. Both of these things have been done. For by receiving faith, he gives grace in return. Also, the Prophet clearly stated, 'He led captivity captive.' For he did not lead us into captivity when we were free, but when we were under the power of the devil, he led us captive in the opposite direction and gave us freedom. Then he interprets the ascent." — EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS 4.8
Efésios 4:9
"But what is 'ascend' except that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?" The ascent involves the descent. For since he had previously descended and procured our salvation, he ascended again. For the wall of the lower parts of the earth had called forth death. Thus, the Prophet also says, 'They put me in the lower pit.' And again, 'And my substance is in the lower parts of the earth.'" — EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS 4.9
Efésios 4:13
In the future life we shall attain perfection. But in the present life we need all the help we can get from the apostles, the prophets and our teachers. — Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 4.13
Efésios 4:15
This he also says in the letter to the Romans: "Let love be without pretense." In his letter to the Corinthians he speaks of "unpretending love." Here also he calls upon them to act with genuine love and through this to increase the riches of the excellence of their life in the Lord himself. — Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 4.15
Efésios 4:18
By "hardness of heart" he means a complete lack of remorse. When parts of the body are hardened, they feel no sensation, as though they were completely dead. This may happen to the heart. — Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 4.18
Efésios 4:19
At first their sickness was lawlessness. Then it became indulgence. Having slipped then into a lawless way of life, they gradually came to suffer from lack of remorse. Finally they ventured out toward every sin without fear, living the life of corruption beyond indulgence. This is what he means by "becoming greedy to practice every kind of uncleanness." — Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 4.19
Efésios 4:25
It would be extremely perverse, since we belong intimately to one another, to say things that are not true. For this is not the way the body functions. The eyes, for example, when they see cliffs and steep caverns, instantly report them to the feet so that they may turn aside and protect the whole body from harm. — Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 4.25
Efésios 4:28
Idleness is a major source of sin. So it is reasonable for Paul to set honest work over against it. The text contrasts theft, which is an evil work, with honest labor, which is a good work. — Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 4.28