Ver. 1. Worthy of the vocation] There is a το πρεπον, a seemliness appertaining to each calling; so here. We must wal k nobly and comfortably, as becometh the heirs of God and coheirs of Christ. Scipio, when a harlot was offered him, answered, Vellem, si non essem Imperator; I would if I were not general of the army. Antigonus being invited to a place where a notable harlot was to be present, asked counsel of Menedemus, what he should do? He bade him only remember that he was a king’s son. So let men remember their high and heavenly calling, and do nothing unworthy of it. Luther counsels men to answer all temptations of Satan with this only, Christianus sum, I am a Christian. They were wont to say of cowards in Rome, There is nothing Roman in them: of many Christians we may say, There is nothing Christian in them. It is not amiss before we be serviceable for the world, to put Alexander’s question to his followers, that persuaded him to run at the Olympic games, Do kings use to run at the Olympics? Every believer is God’s firstborn; and so higher than the kings of the earth, Psalms 89:27. He must therefore carry himself accordingly, and not stain his high blood.
Ver. 2. With all lowliness and meekness] These are virtutes collectaneae, as Bernard calleth them, a pair of twin sisters, never asunder.
Ver. 3. The unity of the Spirit] That is, unanimity; this keeps all together which else will shatter and fall asunder. The daughter of dissension is dissolution, saith Nazianzen. Endeavouring] σπουδαζοντες, Or using all possible caref ulness: this imports, 1. The necessity; 2. Difficulty of the duty. Satan will endeavour, by making division, to get dominion.
Ver. 4. In one hope of your calling] That is, unto one inheritance, which we all hope for. Fall not out therefore by the way, as Joseph charged his brethren.
Ver. 5. One baptism] The author to the Hebrews speaketh of baptisms, Ephesians 6:2. But either he puts the plural for the singular; or else he meaneth it of the outward and inward washing, which the schools call baptismum fluminis et flaminis, the baptism of water and fire. [See Trapp on “Mt 3:11”]
Ver. 6. One God and Father of all] Have we not all one Father? saith Malachi. (Malachi 2:10) Why then dissent and jar we? How is it that these many ones here instanced unite us not? “My dove, mine undefiled is but one,” Song of Solomon 6:9.
Ver. 7. According to the measure] And may not Christ do with his own as he listeth? Those of greater gifts are put upon hotter service, στεργε παροντα.
Ver. 8. He led captivity captive, &c.] As in the Roman triumphs, the victor ascended up to the Capitol in a chariot of state, the prisoners following on foot with their hands bound behind, and they threw certain pieces of coin abroad, to be picked up by the common people; so Christ in the day of his solemn inauguration into his heavenly kingdom, triumphed over sin, death, and hell, Colossians 2:15, and gave gifts to men. And gave gifts unto men] The Hebrew hath it, Psalms 68:18 “Thou receivest, gifts for men.” Christ received them that he might give them, and said, “It is a more blessed thing to give than to receive.” The Psalmist adds, “Ever for the rebellious.” To them also Christ gives common gifts, for the benefit of his people. Augustus in his solemn feast gave gifts; to some gold, to others trifles. So God in his ordinances, to some saving grace, to others common grace, and with this they rest content.
Ver. 9. Into the lower parts] That is, into his mother’s womb; according to Psalms 139:15 “I was curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth,” i.e. in the womb, where God formed and featured me: like as curious workmen, when they have some choice piece in hand, they perfect it in private, and then bring it forth to light for men to gaze at.
Ver. 10. Far above all heavens] That is, above all visible heavens, into the third heaven; not in the Utopia of the Ubiquitaries. That he might fill all things] viz. With the gifts of his Holy Spirit; for the further he is from us in his flesh, the nearer by his Spirit; he is more efficacious absent than present.
Ver. 11. Some pastors and teachers] Distinct officers, Romans 12:7,8, yet one man may be both, 1 Corinthians 12:28,29. The essential differences between pastors and teachers in each congregation is much denied by many learned and godly divines.
Ver. 12. For the perfecting of the saints] καταρτισμον, for the jointing of them whom the devil hath dislocated.
Ver. 13. Unto the measure of the stature] Or age; that age wherein Christ filleth all in all, as Ephesians 3:19. The saints (say some) shall rise again in that vigour of age that a perfect man is at about 33 years old, each in their proper sex; whereunto they think the apostle here alludeth. In heaven (say others) we shall all have an equal grace, though not an equal glory.