Commentary on Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians Timothy Titus and Philemon John Calvin
CHAPTER 5
adds, singing in your hearts; as if he had said, ``Let your praises be not merely on the tongue, as hypocrites do, but from the heart.'' What may be the exact difference between psalms and hymns, or between hymns and songs, it is not easy to determine, though a few remarks on this subject shall be offered on a future occasion. 176 The appellation spiritual, given to these songs, is strikingly appropriate; for the songs most frequently used are almost always on trifling subjects, and very far from being chaste.
20. Giving thanks always. He means that this is a pleasure which ought never to lose its relish; that this is an exercise of which we ought never to weary. Innumerable benefits which we receive from God yield fresh cause of joy and thanksgiving. At the same time, he reminds believers that it will argue ungodly and disgraceful sloth, if they shall not always give thanks, --- if their whole life shall not be spent in the study and exercise of praising God.
Ephesians 5:21-27
Ephesians 5:21-27
21. Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 21. Subditi estote invicem in timore Christi (vel, Dei.) 22. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 22. Mulieres suis maritis subditae sint tanquam Domino; 23. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church; and he is the savior of the body.
23. Quoniam vir est caput uxoris, quemadmodum et Christus caput est Ecclesiae, qui idem est servator corporis.
24. Therefore, as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
24. Caeterum quemadmodum Ecclesia subest Christo, ita et mulieres suis maritis in omnibus.
25. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
25. Viri, diligite vestras uxores; quemadmodum et Christus dilexit Ecclesiam, et se ipsum tradidit pro ea,
26. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word;
26. Ut eam sanctificaret, mundans lavacro aquae in Verbo; 27. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy, and without blemish.
27. Ut sisteret eam sibi gloriosam Ecclesiam, non habentem maculam, aut rugam, aut quicquam tale; sed ut esset sancta et irreprehensibilis.
21. Submit yourselves. God has bound us so strongly to each other, that no man ought to endeavor to avoid subjection; and where love reigns, mutual services will be rendered. I do not except even kings and governors, whose 176See Calvin Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, etc., page217.