“Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)”
With a promise. This commandment being delivered with a special promise of a long life, which promise is to be understood conditionally, especially in regard to Christians, i.e. unless it be a greater favour to be taken out of the world young. (Witham)
“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;”
Your carnal; temporal masters, whether Christians or heathens. (Witham)
“Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;”
Not serving to the eye; to please men only, but to do the will of God. (Witham)
“And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. forbearing: or, moderating your: some read, both your and their Master”
Forbearing threatenings; forbearing, and remitting the punishments which you might perhaps threaten them with, and they deserve. (Witham)
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. flesh: Gr. blood and flesh spiritual: or, wicked spirits high: or, heavenly”
Flesh and blood, which may either signify temptations of the flesh, or raised by mortal men. — Principalities and powers; i.e. devils, or apostate angels, who before their fall were in such ranks of spirits, and who are permitted to rule over the wicked in this world of darkness. (Witham) — By which we are to understand the fallen angels. For as by nature, and from their creation, they were the governors of this corporeal world, and were deprived of this their power on account of their pride, they received it (though limited by certain restrictions) in order to tempt man. (Estius) — Rulers of the world of this darkness. By these are meant the devils who exercise their power and authority in our inferior and dark atmosphere, by raising winds, storms, tempests, &c. By darkness may be understood the wicked, in whom Satan reigns as in a citadel. (Menochius) — Our inferior world is called dark and misty in comparison of the world above, which is always bright, serene, and clear. Our atmosphere is called the cloudy and dark heavenly. Cicero, in his Tuscul Quæst. Prudentius likewise, in Hamartigenia, writes thus:
“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;”
Your loins….with truth, both as to doctrine and a good life, keeping your baptismal promises. — Having on the breastplate of justice, not only of the particular virtue of justice, but of all virtues in general. (Witham)
“And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”
Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel; i.e. prepared to walk in the ways of the gospel, as a soldier must be prepared and in readiness to march or to fight. (Witham)
“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
The shield of faith. A lively faith working by charity, which will enable you to conquer your greatest enemies, and to escape their fiery darts, their greatest temptations, and attacks. (Witham)
“Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. in sincerity: or, with incorruption To the Ephesians written from Rome, by Tychicus.”
Who love our Lord Jesus Christ. Literally, “in incorruption;” with purity of heart and mind. (Witham)