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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>Ephesians 4:32 Commentaries: Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newcom.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../vmenus/ephesians/4-32.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmcom/ephesians/4-32.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="http://biblehub.com/commentaries/">Commentaries</a> > Ephesians 4:32</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../ephesians/4-31.htm" title="Ephesians 4:31">◄</a> Ephesians 4:32 <a href="../ephesians/5-1.htm" title="Ephesians 5:1">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.</div><div id="jump">Jump to: <a href="/commentaries/alford/ephesians/4.htm" title="Henry Alford - Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary">Alford</a> • <a href="/commentaries/barnes/ephesians/4.htm" title="Barnes' Notes">Barnes</a> • <a href="/commentaries/bengel/ephesians/4.htm" title="Bengel's Gnomen">Bengel</a> • <a href="/commentaries/benson/ephesians/4.htm" title="Benson Commentary">Benson</a> • <a href="/commentaries/illustrator/ephesians/4.htm" title="Biblical Illustrator">BI</a> • <a href="/commentaries/calvin/ephesians/4.htm" title="Calvin's Commentaries">Calvin</a> • <a href="/commentaries/cambridge/ephesians/4.htm" title="Cambridge Bible">Cambridge</a> • <a href="/commentaries/chrysostom/ephesians/4.htm" title="Chrysostom Homilies">Chrysostom</a> • <a href="/commentaries/clarke/ephesians/4.htm" title="Clarke's Commentary">Clarke</a> • <a href="/commentaries/darby/ephesians/4.htm" title="Darby's Bible Synopsis">Darby</a> • <a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ephesians/4.htm" title="Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers">Ellicott</a> • <a href="/commentaries/expositors/ephesians/4.htm" title="Expositor's Bible">Expositor's</a> • <a href="/commentaries/edt/ephesians/4.htm" title="Expositor's Dictionary">Exp Dct</a> • <a href="/commentaries/egt/ephesians/4.htm" title="Expositor's Greek">Exp Grk</a> • <a href="/commentaries/gaebelein/ephesians/4.htm" title="Gaebelein's Annotated Bible">Gaebelein</a> • <a href="/commentaries/gsb/ephesians/4.htm" title="Geneva Study Bible">GSB</a> • <a href="/commentaries/gill/ephesians/4.htm" title="Gill's Bible Exposition">Gill</a> • <a href="/commentaries/gray/ephesians/4.htm" title="Gray's Concise">Gray</a> • <a href="/commentaries/guzik/ephesians/4.htm" title="Guzik Bible Commentary">Guzik</a> • <a href="/commentaries/haydock/ephesians/4.htm" title="Haydock Catholic Bible Commentary">Haydock</a> • <a href="/commentaries/hastings/ephesians/4-30.htm" title="Hastings Great Texts">Hastings</a> • <a href="/commentaries/homiletics/ephesians/4.htm" title="Pulpit Homiletics">Homiletics</a> • <a href="/commentaries/icc/ephesians/4.htm" title="ICC NT Commentary">ICC</a> • <a href="/commentaries/jfb/ephesians/4.htm" title="Jamieson-Fausset-Brown">JFB</a> • <a href="/commentaries/kelly/ephesians/4.htm" title="Kelly Commentary">Kelly</a> • <a href="/commentaries/king-en/ephesians/4.htm" title="Kingcomments Bible Studies">King</a> • <a href="/commentaries/lange/ephesians/4.htm" title="Lange Commentary">Lange</a> • <a href="/commentaries/maclaren/ephesians/4.htm" title="MacLaren Expositions">MacLaren</a> • <a href="/commentaries/mhc/ephesians/4.htm" title="Matthew Henry Concise">MHC</a> • <a href="/commentaries/mhcw/ephesians/4.htm" title="Matthew Henry Full">MHCW</a> • <a href="/commentaries/meyer/ephesians/4.htm" title="Meyer Commentary">Meyer</a> • <a href="/commentaries/parker/ephesians/4.htm" title="The People's Bible by Joseph Parker">Parker</a> • <a href="/commentaries/pnt/ephesians/4.htm" title="People's New Testament">PNT</a> • <a href="/commentaries/poole/ephesians/4.htm" title="Matthew Poole">Poole</a> • <a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ephesians/4.htm" title="Pulpit Commentary">Pulpit</a> • <a href="/commentaries/sermon/ephesians/4.htm" title="Sermon Bible">Sermon</a> • <a href="/commentaries/sco/ephesians/4.htm" title="Scofield Reference Notes">SCO</a> • <a href="/commentaries/ttb/ephesians/4.htm" title="Through The Bible">TTB</a> • <a href="/commentaries/vws/ephesians/4.htm" title="Vincent's Word Studies">VWS</a> • <a href="/commentaries/wes/ephesians/4.htm" title="Wesley's Notes">WES</a> • <a href="#tsk" title="Treasury of Scripture Knowledge">TSK</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="comtype">EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)</div><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ephesians/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(32) <span class= "bld">Kind . . . tenderhearted.</span>—“Kindness” is gentleness in bearing with wrong (<a href="/luke/6-35.htm" title="But love you your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil.">Luke 6:35</a>; <a href="/romans/11-22.htm" title="Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness: otherwise you also shall be cut off.">Romans 11:22</a>; <a href="/ephesians/2-7.htm" title="That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.">Ephesians 2:7</a>; <a href="/1_peter/2-3.htm" title="If so be you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.">1Peter 2:3</a>). “Tenderheartedness” (see <a href="/1_peter/3-8.htm" title="Finally, be you all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brothers, be pitiful, be courteous:">1Peter 3:8</a>) is more positive warmth of sympathy and love. Both issue in free “forgiveness,” after the model of the universal and unfailing forgiveness “of God in Christ” to us—the only model we dare to follow, suggested by our Saviour Himself in the Lord’s Prayer, and expressly enjoined in <a href="/luke/6-36.htm" title="Be you therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.">Luke 6:36</a>. It is a forgiveness which in us, as in Him, does not imply condonation of evil, or even the withholding of needful chastisement, but which absolutely ignores self, conquers man’s selfish anger, and knows no limit, even up to “seventy times seven.”<p><span class= "bld"><a name="mhc" id="mhc"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/mhc/ephesians/4.htm">Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary</a></div>4:29-32 Filthy words proceed from corruption in the speaker, and they corrupt the minds and manners of those who hear them: Christians should beware of all such discourse. It is the duty of Christians to seek, by the blessing of God, to bring persons to think seriously, and to encourage and warn believers by their conversation. Be ye kind one to another. This sets forth the principle of love in the heart, and the outward expression of it, in a humble, courteous behaviour. Mark how God's forgiveness causes us to forgive. God forgives us, though we had no cause to sin against him. We must forgive, as he has forgiven us. All lying, and corrupt communications, that stir up evil desires and lusts, grieve the Spirit of God. Corrupt passions of bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, evil-speaking, and malice, grieve the Holy Spirit. Provoke not the holy, blessed Spirit of God to withdraw his presence and his gracious influences. The body will be redeemed from the power of the grave at the resurrection day. Wherever that blessed Spirit dwells as a Sanctifier, he is the earnest of all the joys and glories of that redemption day; and we should be undone, should God take away his Holy Spirit from us.<a name="bar" id="bar"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/barnes/ephesians/4.htm">Barnes' Notes on the Bible</a></div>And be ye kind one to another - Benignant, mild, courteous, "polite" - χρηστοὶ chrēstoi. <a href="/1_peter/3-8.htm">1 Peter 3:8</a>. Christianity produces true courteousness, or politeness. It does not make one rough, crabby, or sour; nor does it dispose its followers to violate the proper rules of social contact. The secret of true politeness is "benevolence," or a desire to make others happy; and a Christian should be the most polite of people. There is no religion in a sour, misanthropic temper; none in rudeness, stiffness, and repulsiveness; none in violating the rules of good breeding. There is a hollow-hearted politeness, indeed, which the Christian is not to aim at or copy. His politeness is to be based on "kindness;" <a href="/colossians/3-12.htm">Colossians 3:12</a>. His courtesy is to be the result of love, good-will, and a desire of the happiness of all others; and this will prompt to the kind of conduct that will render his conversation. with others agreeable and profitable.<p>Tender-hearted - Having a heart disposed to pity and compassion, and especially disposed to show kindness to the faults of erring brethren; for so the connection demands.<p>Forgiving one another - see the notes on <a href="/matthew/6-12.htm">Matthew 6:12</a>.<p>As God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you - As God, on account of what Christ has suffered and done, has pardoned you. He has done it:<p>(1) "freely" - without merit on your part - when we were confessedly in the wrong.<p>(2) "fully;" he has forgiven "every" offence.<p>(3) "Liberally;" he has forgiven "many" offences, for our sins have been innumerable.<p>This is to be the rule which we are to observe in forgiving others. We are to do it "freely, fully, liberally." The forgiveness is to be entire, cordial, constant. We are not to "rake up" old offences, and charge them again upon them; we are to treat them as though they had not offended, for so God treats us Learn:<p>(1) That the forgiveness of an offending brother is a duty which we are not at liberty to neglect.<p>(2) the peace and happiness of the church depend on it. All are liable to offend their brethren, as all are liable to offend God; all need forgiveness of one another, as we all need it of God.<p>(3) there is no danger of carrying it too far. Let the rule be observed, "As God has forgiven you, so do you forgive others." Let a man recollect his own sins and follies; let him look over his life, and see how often he has offended God; let him remember that all has been forgiven; and then, fresh with this feeling, let him go and meet an offending brother, and say, "My brother, I forgive you. I do it frankly, fully, wholly. So Christ has forgiven me; so I forgive you. The offence shall be no more remembered. It shall not be referred to in our contact to harrow up your feelings; it shall not diminish my love for you; it shall not prevent my uniting with you in doing good. Christ treats me, a poor sinner, as a friend; and so I will treat you." <a name="jfb" id="jfb"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/jfb/ephesians/4.htm">Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary</a></div>32. (Lu 7:42; Col 3:12).<p>even as—God hath shown Himself "kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving to you"; it is but just that you in turn shall be so to your fellow men, who have not erred against you in the degree that you have erred against God (Mt 18:33).<p>God for Christ's sake—rather as Greek, "God in Christ" (2Co 5:19). It is in Christ that God vouchsafes forgiveness to us. It cost God the death of His Son, as man, to forgive us. It costs us nothing to forgive our fellow man.<p>hath forgiven—rather as Greek, "forgave you." God has, once for all, forgiven sin in Christ, as a past historical fact. <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/poole/ephesians/4.htm">Matthew Poole's Commentary</a></div> <span class="bld">And be ye kind; </span> sweet, amiable, facile in words and conversation, <span class="bld"><a href="/luke/6-35.htm" title="But love you your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil.">Luke 6:35</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Tender-hearted; </span> merciful, quickly moved to compassion: so we have <span class="ital">bowels of mercies, </span><span class="bldvs"> <a href="/colossians/3-12.htm" title=" Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering;">Colossians 3:12</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">Forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you; </span> be placable, and ready to forgive, therein resembling God, who for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you more than you can forgive to one another. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="gil" id="gil"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/gill/ephesians/4.htm">Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible</a></div>And be ye kind one to another,.... Good, affable, courteous; which appears in looks, words, and actions; by looking pleasantly on each other, speaking kindly to one another, and mutually doing every good office that lies in their way, and in their power: <p>tender hearted: which is opposed to a being hard hearted to them that are in distress, and close at hand to the needy; to cruelty and severity to such who are subject to them, or have injured them; and to a rigid and censorious spirit to them that are fallen: <p>forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you; whatever offences are given, or injuries done by the saints one to another, and so far as they are committed against them, they should forgive, and should pray to God for one another, that he would manifest his forgiveness of them, as committed against him; and this should be done in like manner as God forgives in Christ, and for his sake; that is, fully and freely, and from their hearts; and so as to forget the offences, and not to upbraid them with them hereafter; yea, they should forgive them before they repent, and without asking for it, and that for Christ's sake, and because they are members of his: the Complutensian edition reads, "even as Christ hath forgiven us": the Arabic version also reads us, and so some copies: the words may be rendered, "giving freely to one another, even as God in Christ has given freely to you"; saints should give freely to one another, for outward support, where it is needful; and should impart spiritual gifts and experience for inward comfort, where it is wanted, and as they have ability; and that from this consideration, that all they have, whether in temporals or spirituals, is freely given by God in Christ, and for his sake; with whom he freely gives them all things; in whom he has given them grace, and blessed them with all spiritual blessings; as peace, pardon, righteousness, and eternal life. <a name="gsb" id="gsb"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/gsb/ephesians/4.htm">Geneva Study Bible</a></div><span class="cverse2">And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, <span class="cverse3">{19}</span> even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.</span><p>(19) An argument taken from the example of Christ, most grave and strong, both for the pardoning of those injuries which have been done to us by our greatest enemies, and much more for having consideration of the miserable, and using moderation and gentle behaviour towards all men.</div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><div class="comtype">EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)</div><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/egt/ephesians/4.htm">Expositor's Greek Testament</a></div><a href="/ephesians/4-32.htm" title="And be you kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.">Ephesians 4:32</a>. <span class="greekheb">γίνεσθε δὲ εἰς ἀλλήλους χρηστοί</span>: <span class="ital">but become ye kind one to another</span>. The <span class="greekheb">δέ</span> is omitted by [478], <span class="ital">k</span>, 177, Clem., etc., while <span class="greekheb">οὖν</span> is substituted for it in [479]1[480], 114. It is bracketed by WH and by Tr marg., and is omitted by [481]. But it is quite in place, having its combined <span class="ital">connecting</span> and <span class="ital">opposing</span> force; <span class="ital">cf.</span> on <a href="/ephesians/4-15.htm" title="But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:">Ephesians 4:15</a> above. <span class="greekheb">γίνεσθε</span> (not <span class="greekheb">ἐστέ</span>), = “become ye,” or “show yourselves,” rather than “be ye”. The idea is that they had to abandon one mental condition and make their way, beginning there and then, into its opposite. <span class="greekheb">χρηστοί</span>, = <span class="ital">kind, benignant</span>, used of <span class="ital">God</span> (<a href="/luke/6-35.htm" title="But love you your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil.">Luke 6:35</a>; <a href="/romans/2-4.htm" title="Or despise you the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?">Romans 2:4</a>; <a href="/1_peter/2-3.htm" title="If so be you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.">1 Peter 2:3</a>), but here (its only occurrence in the Epistles) of <span class="greekheb">ηνη</span>—<span class="greekheb">εὔσπλαγχνοι</span>: <span class="ital">tender-hearted</span>. There could be no better rendering. In <a href="/colossians/3-12.htm" title=" Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering;">Colossians 3:12</a> the same disposition is expressed by <span class="greekheb">σπλάγχνα οἰκτιρμοῦ</span>. It is only in Scripture and in eccles. Greek that the adject. conveys the idea of <span class="ital">compassion</span> (<span class="ital">Pray. of Manass., 7; Test. XII. Patr.,</span> <span class="ital">Test. Zab.</span>, § 9).—<span class="greekheb">χαριζόμενοι ἑαυτοῖς</span>: <span class="ital">forgiving each other</span>. Partic. co-ordinate with the <span class="greekheb">χρηστοί</span>, <span class="greekheb">εὔσπλαγχνοι</span>, denoting one special form in which the kindness and tender-heartedness were to show themselves. <span class="greekheb">χαρίζομαι</span> means either to <span class="ital">give graciously</span> (<a href="/luke/7-21.htm" title="And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and to many that were blind he gave sight.">Luke 7:21</a>; <a href="/romans/8-32.htm" title="He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?">Romans 8:32</a>; <a href="/philippians/2-9.htm" title="Why God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:">Php 2:9</a>, etc.), or to <span class="ital">forgive</span> (<a href="/luke/7-42.htm" title="And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?">Luke 7:42</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/2-7.htm" title="So that contrariwise you ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.">2 Corinthians 2:7</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/2-10.htm" title="To whom you forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;">2 Corinthians 2:10</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/12-13.htm" title="For what is it wherein you were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.">2 Corinthians 12:13</a>; <a href="/colossians/2-13.htm" title=" And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;">Colossians 2:13</a>; <a href="/colossians/3-13.htm" title=" Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do you.">Colossians 3:13</a>). Some adopt the former sense here (Vulg., <span class="ital">donantes</span>; Eras., <span class="ital">largientes</span>). But the second is more in harmony with the context. For the use of <span class="greekheb">ἑαυτοῖς</span> as = <span class="greekheb">ἀλλήλοις</span> in classical Greek (<span class="ital">e.g.</span>, Soph., <span class="ital">Antig.</span>, 145) see Kühner, <span class="ital">Greek Gram.</span>, ii., p. 497; Jelf, <span class="ital">Greek Gram.</span>, § 54, 2. In the NT the same use prevails (<a href="/1_corinthians/6-7.htm" title="Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because you go to law one with another. Why do you not rather take wrong? why do you not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?">1 Corinthians 6:7</a>; <a href="/colossians/3-13.htm" title=" Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do you.">Colossians 3:13</a>; <a href="/colossians/3-16.htm" title=" Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.">Colossians 3:16</a>, etc.). The two forms are often conjoined in the same paragraph or sentence, both in classical Greek (Xen., <span class="ital">Mem.</span>, ii., 7, iii., 5, 16, etc.) and in the NT (as here, <a href="/colossians/3-13.htm" title=" Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do you.">Colossians 3:13</a>; <a href="/1_peter/4-8.htm" title="And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.">1 Peter 4:8</a>, etc.). If there is any distinction between them, it is that the idea of <span class="ital">fellowship</span> or <span class="ital">corporate unity</span> is more prominent in <span class="greekheb">ἑαυτοῖς</span>; <span class="ital">cf.</span> Blass, <span class="ital">Gram. of N. T. Greek</span>, pp. 169, 170; Light. and Ell. on <a href="/colossians/3-13.htm" title=" Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do you.">Colossians 3:13</a>.—<span class="greekheb">καθὼς καὶ ὁ Θεὸς ἐν χριστῷ ἐχάρισατο ὑμῖν</span>: <span class="ital">even as also God in Christ forgave you</span>. <span class="greekheb">καθὼς</span> points to the Divine example; <span class="greekheb">καὶ</span> places the two instances, the Divine and the human, over against each other; the reference and the comparison indicate the supreme reason or motive for our fulfilment of the injunction. <span class="greekheb">ἐν χριστῷ</span> is not “for Christ’s sake” (AV) or <span class="ital">per Christum</span> (Calv.), but “<span class="ital">in</span> Christ” as in <a href="/2_corinthians/5-19.htm" title="To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.">2 Corinthians 5:19</a>; the God who forgives being the God who manifests Himself and acts <span class="ital">in</span> the suffering, reconciling Christ. The aor. should be rendered <span class="ital">did forgive</span> with Wicl., Tynd., Gen., Bish., RV (not “hath forgiven” as in AV, etc.), the point being the forgiveness effected when Christ died. The reading <span class="greekheb">ὑμῖν</span>, supported by [482] [483] [484] [485], 37, Sah., Boh., Vulg., Goth., Eth., etc. is to be preferred on the whole to <span class="greekheb">ἡμῖν</span> which appears in [486] [487] [488], 17, 47, Syr., Arm., etc., L gives <span class="greekheb">ἡμῖν</span> in text; TrWHRV give it in margin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span>[478] Codex Vaticanus (sæc. iv.), published in photographic facsimile in 1889 under the care of the Abbate Cozza-Luzi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span>[479] Codex Claromontanus (sæc. vi.), a Græco-Latin MS. at Paris, edited by Tischendorf in 1852.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span>[480] Codex Augiensis (sæc. ix.), a Græco-Latin MS., at Trinity College, Cambridge, edited by Scrivener in 1859. Its Greek text is almost identical with that of G, and it is therefore not cited save where it differs from that MS. Its Latin version, f, presents the Vulgate text with some modifications.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span>[481] Codex Angelicus (sæc. ix.), at Rome, collated by Tischendorf and others.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span>[482] Codex Sinaiticus (sæc. iv.), now at St. Petersburg, published in facsimile type by its discoverer, Tischendorf, in 1862.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span>[483] Codex Alexandrinus (sæc. v.), at the British Museum, published in photographic facsimile by Sir E. M. Thompson (1879).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span>[484] Codex Boernerianus (sæc. ix.), a Græco-Latin MS., at Dresden, edited by Matthæi in 1791. Written by an Irish scribe, it once formed part of the same volume as Codex Sangallensis (<span class="greekheb">δ</span>) of the Gospels. The Latin text, g, is based on the O.L. translation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span>[485] Codex Porphyrianus (sæc. ix.), at St. Petersburg, collated by Tischendorf. Its text is deficient for chap. <a href="/context/ephesians/2-13.htm" title="But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made near by the blood of Christ....">Ephesians 2:13-16</a>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span>[486] Codex Claromontanus (sæc. vi.), a Græco-Latin MS. at Paris, edited by Tischendorf in 1852.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span>[487] Codex Mosquensis (sæc. ix.), edited by Matthæi in 1782.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span>[488] Codex Angelicus (sæc. ix.), at Rome, collated by Tischendorf and others.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/cambridge/ephesians/4.htm">Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges</a></div><span class="bld">32</span>. <span class="ital">be</span>] Lit., <span class="bld">become</span>; shew yourselves, in the actions and developments of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="ital">kind</span>] The Gr. word (noun or adj.) occurs in similar contexts, <a href="/luke/6-35.htm" title="But love you your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil.">Luke 6:35</a>; <a href="/romans/2-4.htm" title="Or despise you the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?">Romans 2:4</a>; <a href="/romans/11-22.htm" title="Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness: otherwise you also shall be cut off.">Romans 11:22</a> (“<span class="ital">goodness</span>”); <a href="/2_corinthians/6-6.htm" title="By pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,">2 Corinthians 6:6</a>; <a href="/galatians/5-22.htm" title="But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,">Galatians 5:22</a>; <a href="/colossians/3-12.htm" title=" Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering;">Colossians 3:12</a>. Its primitive meaning is “<span class="ital">useful</span>”; hence “helpful,” and so “kindly.”—It is the original of “easy” in <a href="/matthew/11-30.htm" title="For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.">Matthew 11:30</a>; the Lord’s “yoke” is a real yoke, but instinct with the lovingkindness of Him who imposes it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="ital">tender-hearted</span>] The same Gr. word as in <a href="/1_peter/3-8.htm" title="Finally, be you all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brothers, be pitiful, be courteous:">1 Peter 3:8</a> (A.V., “<span class="ital">pitiful</span>”). It occurs nowhere else in N.T. <span class="bld">Kind-hearted</span> may perhaps be a better rendering, as somewhat wider. The word carries the idea of the previous word a little more into life and detail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="ital">forgiving one another</span>] Lit., “<span class="ital">forgiving yourselves</span>.” Usage and common sense alike fully justify the rendering of A.V. and R.V. (which reads, somewhat needlessly, “<span class="ital">each</span> other”). The “yourselves,” as a grammatical fact, indicates the solidarity of the body within which the reciprocity takes place; though this fine shade of meaning must not be exaggerated.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span>For a close parallel to the precept see <a href="/colossians/3-13.htm" title=" Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do you.">Colossians 3:13</a>. The holy duty of heartfelt forgiveness, entire and unreserved, is prominent in the Lord’s teaching; cp. especially the Lord’s Prayer (<a href="/matthew/6-12.htm" title="And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.">Matthew 6:12</a>; <a href="/luke/11-4.htm" title="And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.">Luke 11:4</a>); <a href="/matthew/18-21.htm" title="Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?">Matthew 18:21</a>, &c. No duty is more readily owned in the abstract, none more repugnant to the will in many a case in the concrete. But the law of Christ knows no exceptions, and grace is able to meet every demand for fulfilment.—It is humbling and instructive to see here, as in the Lord’s Prayer, that the <span class="ital">abiding need</span> for mutual forgiveness is assumed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="ital">even as</span>] The Divine pardon is at once supreme example and sacred motive. Cp. just below, ch. <a href="/ephesians/5-2.htm" title="And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling smell.">Ephesians 5:2</a>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="ital">God</span>] The Father, “Fount of Deity,” and as such styled often simply God where Christ is also and distinctively named (<a href="/john/17-3.htm" title="And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.">John 17:3</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/5-19.htm" title="To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.">2 Corinthians 5:19</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/13-13.htm" title="All the saints salute you.">2 Corinthians 13:13</a>; Judges 21). The Son has also Deity, but as in the Stream, not in the Fountain. See Pearson, <span class="ital">On the Creed</span>, Art. 1.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="ital">for Christ’s sake</span>] Lit. and better, <span class="bld">in Christ</span>. The reason of pardon, and the process of it, are alike summed up “in Christ,” “in” Whom the Father reveals Himself as God of Peace: “in” Whom resides the immediate atoning <span class="ital">reason</span> of Peace; and “in” Whom, by grace and faith, are the human objects of pardon, “very members incorporate” of Him Who is eternally the Accepted One of the Father.—Cp. <a href="/ephesians/1-7.htm" title="In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;">Ephesians 1:7</a>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="ital">hath forgiven</span>] Lit., and better, <span class="bld">did forgive</span>; ideally and in covenant, “before the world was”; historically, when the Son was accepted and glorified as the perfect Propitiation, raised from the dead; in individual experience, when each person believed (<a href="/romans/5-1.htm" title="Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:">Romans 5:1</a>, &c.) It is important to observe how the Apostle bids them deal with Divine forgiveness not as a hope but as a fact. Cp. <a href="/1_john/2-12.htm" title="I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.">1 John 2:12</a>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="ital">you</span>] There is considerable, but not preponderating, evidence for a reading “us”. The question between the two readings is not of practical importance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/bengel/ephesians/4.htm">Bengel's Gnomen</a></div><a href="/ephesians/4-32.htm" title="And be you kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.">Ephesians 4:32</a>. <span class="greekheb">Ἐχαρίσατο</span>, <span class="ital">has forgiven</span>) He has shown Himself <span class="ital">kind, merciful, forgiving</span>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="pul" id="pul"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ephesians/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 32.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another</span> (opposed to bitterness, wrath, anger; Bengel). Kind (<span class="greek">χρηστοί</span>), sweet, amiable in disposition, subduing all that is harsh and hasty, encouraging all that is gentle and good; tender-hearted (<span class="greek">εὔσπλαγχνοι</span>), denoting a specially compassionate feeling, such as may arise from the thought of the infirmities, griefs, and miseries to which more or less all are subject; these emotional conditions to bear the practical fruit <span class="accented">of forgiveness</span>, and the forgiveness to be mutual (<span class="greek">χαριζόμενοι</span> <span class="greek">ἑαυτοῖς</span>), as if under the feeling that what you give today you require to ask tomorrow, net being too hard on the faults of others, remembering that you have your own. <span class="cmt_word">Even as God in Christ also forgave you.</span> The A.V. rendering, "for Christ's sake," is objectionable every way: it is not literal; it omits the characteristic feature of the Epistle, "in Christ," losing the force of the consideration that the forgiveness was dispensed by the Father, acting with or wholly one with the Son; and it gives a shade of countenance to the great error that the Father personally was not disposed to forgive till he was prevailed on to do so by the interposition of the Son. The aorist, "<span class="accented">forgave</span>," is more literal and better than the perfect, "hath forgiven;" it points to a definite time when forgiveness was bestowed, viz. the moment of real belief in Christ, and hearty acceptance of his grace. The vague atmosphere in which many envelop the question of their forgiveness is very hurtful; it checks their thanksgivings, dulls their joy, quenches hope, and dilutes the great dynamic power of the gospel - the power that impels us to forgive our brother, as well as to abound in the work of the Lord with a tender conscience, the sense of forgiveness urges to the most full and hearty doing of God's will; but when hypocrites, with seared consciences claim to be forgiven, they steal what is not their own, and become more abandoned to wickedness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span> Ephesians 4:32<a name="vws" id="vws"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/vws/ephesians/4.htm">Vincent's Word Studies</a></div>Be ye (γίνεσθε)<p>Lit., become, as following the putting away of anger, etc.<p>Kind (χρηστοί)<p>See on easy, <a href="/matthew/11-30.htm">Matthew 11:30</a>; see on gracious, <a href="/1_peter/2-3.htm">1 Peter 2:3</a>.<p>Each other (ἑαυτοῖς)<p>Lit., yourselves. See on <a href="/colossians/3-13.htm">Colossians 3:13</a>. 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