2, 3. lowliness--In classic Greek, the meaning is
meanness of spirit: the Gospel has elevated the word to express a
Christian grace, namely, the esteeming of ourselves small, inasmuch as
we are so; the thinking truly, and because truly, therefore lowlily, of
ourselves [TRENCH].
meekness--that spirit in which we accept God's dealings with us
without disputing and resisting; and also the accepting patiently of the
injuries done us by men, out of the thought that they are permitted by
God for the chastening and purifying of His people
(2Sa 16:11;
compare
Ga 6:1;
2Ti 2:25;
Tit 3:2).
It is only the lowly, humble heart that is also meek
(Col 3:12).
As "lowliness and meekness" answer to "forbearing one another in love"
(compare "love,"
Eph 4:15, 16),
so "long-suffering" answers to
(Eph 4:4)
"endeavoring (Greek, 'earnestly' or 'zealously giving
diligence') to keep (maintain) the unity of the Spirit (the unity
between men of different tempers, which flows from the presence of the
Spirit, who is Himself 'one,'
Eph 4:4)
in (united in) the bond of peace" (the "bond" by which "peace" is
maintained, namely, "love,"
Col 3:14, 15
[BENGEL]; or, "peace" itself is the "bond" meant,
uniting the members of the Church [ALFORD]).
JFB.
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