Chapter 5
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Exhortation
to brotherly love
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1,
2
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Cautions
against several sins
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3–14
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Directions
to a contrary behaviour, and to relative duties
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15–21
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The
duties of wives and husbands are enforced by the spiritual relation between
Christ and the church
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22–33
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Verses 1, 2
Because God, for Christ’s sake, has forgiven you, therefore
be ye followers of God, imitators of God. Resemble him especially in his love
and pardoning goodness, as becomes those beloved by their heavenly Father. In
Christ’s sacrifice his love triumphs, and we are to consider it fully.
Verses 3–14
Filthy lusts must be rooted out. These sins must be dreaded
and detested. Here are not only cautions against gross acts of sin, but against
what some may make light of. But these things are so far from being profitable.
that they pollute and poison the hearers. Our cheerfulness should show itself
as becomes Christians, in what may tend to God’s glory. A covetous man makes a
god of his money; places that hope, confidence, and delight, in worldly good,
which should be in God only. Those who allow themselves, either in the lusts of
the flesh or the love of the world, belong not to the kingdom of grace, nor
shall they come to the kingdom of glory. When the vilest transgressors repent
and believe the gospel, they become children of obedience, from whom God’s
wrath is turned away. Dare we make light of that which brings down the wrath of
God? Sinners, like men in the dark, are going they know not whither, and doing
they know not what. But the grace of God wrought a mighty change in the souls
of many. Walk as children of light, as having knowledge and holiness. These
works of darkness are unfruitful, whatever profit they may boast; for they end
in the destruction of the impenitent sinner. There are many ways of abetting, or
taking part in the sins of others; by commendation, counsel, consent, or
concealment. And if we share with others in their sins, we must expect to share
in their plagues. If we do not reprove the sins of others, we have fellowship
with them. A good man will be ashamed to speak of what many wicked men are not
ashamed to do. We must have not only a sight and a knowledge that sin is sin,
and in some measure shameful, but see it as a breach of God’s holy law. After
the example of prophets and apostles, we should call on those asleep and dead
in sin, to awake and arise, that Christ may give them light.
Verses 15–21
Another remedy against sin, is care, or caution, it being
impossible else to maintain purity of heart and life. Time is a talent given us
by God, and it is misspent and lost when not employed according to his design.
If we have lost our time heretofore, we must double our diligence for the
future. Of that time which thousands on a dying bed would gladly redeem at the
price of the whole world, how little do men think, and to what trifles they
daily sacrifice it! People are very apt to complain of bad times; it were well
if that stirred them more to redeem time. Be not unwise. Ignorance of our duty,
and neglect of our souls, show the greatest folly. Drunkenness is a sin that
never goes alone, but carries men into other evils; it is a sin very provoking
to God. The drunkard holds out to his family and to the world the sad spectacle
of a sinner hardened beyond what is common, and hastening to perdition. When
afflicted or weary, let us not seek to raise our spirits by strong drink, which
is hateful and hurtful, and only ends in making sorrows more felt. But by
fervent prayer let us seek to be filled with the Spirit, and to avoid whatever
may grieve our gracious Comforter. All God’s people have reason to sing for
joy. Though we are not always singing, we should be always giving thanks; we
should never want disposition for this duty, as we never want matter for it,
through the whole course of our lives. Always, even in trials and afflictions,
and for all things; being satisfied of their loving intent, and good tendency.
God keeps believers from sinning against him, and engages them to submit one to
another in all he has commanded, to promote his glory, and to fulfil their
duties to each other.
Verses 22–33
The duty of wives is, submission to their husbands in the
Lord, which includes honouring and obeying them, from a principle of love to
them. The duty of husbands is to love their wives. The love of Christ to the
church is an example, which is sincere, pure, and constant, notwithstanding her
failures. Christ gave himself for the church, that he might sanctify it in this
world, and glorify it in the next, that he might bestow on all his members a
principle of holiness, and deliver them from the guilt, the pollution, and the
dominion of sin, by those influences of the Holy Spirit, of which baptismal
water was the outward sign. The church and believers will not be without spot
or wrinkle till they come to glory. But those only who are sanctified now,
shall be glorified hereafter. The words of Adam, mentioned by the apostle, are
spoken literally of marriage; but they have also a hidden sense in them,
relating to the union between Christ and his church. It was a kind of type, as
having resemblance. There will be failures and defects on both sides, in the
present state of human nature, yet this does not alter the relation. All the
duties of marriage are included in unity and love. And while we adore and
rejoice in the condescending love of Christ, let husbands and wives learn hence
their duties to each other. Thus the worst evils would be prevented, and many
painful effects would be avoided.
Excerpt from:
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible
Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714)
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