Theodoret of Cyrus — Commentary on Scripture

Ephesians 4:8

"Therefore it says: 'He ascended on high and led captivity captive; he gave gifts to men.' Indeed, the psalm says, 'He received gifts among men'; but he himself gave them. Both of these things have been done. For by receiving faith, he gives grace in return. Also, the Prophet clearly stated, 'He led captivity captive.' For he did not lead us into captivity when we were free, but when we were under the power of the devil, he led us captive in the opposite direction and gave us freedom. Then he interprets the ascent."

EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS 4.8

Ephesians 4:9

"But what is 'ascend' except that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?" The ascent involves the descent. For since he had previously descended and procured our salvation, he ascended again. For the wall of the lower parts of the earth had called forth death. Thus, the Prophet also says, 'They put me in the lower pit.' And again, 'And my substance is in the lower parts of the earth.'"

EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS 4.9

Ephesians 4:13

In the future life we shall attain perfection. But in the present life we need all the help we can get from the apostles, the prophets and our teachers.

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 4.13

Ephesians 4:15

This he also says in the letter to the Romans: “Let love be without pretense.” In his letter to the Corinthians he speaks of “unpretending love.” Here also he calls upon them to act with genuine love and through this to increase the riches of the excellence of their life in the Lord himself.

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 4.15

Ephesians 4:18

By “hardness of heart” he means a complete lack of remorse. When parts of the body are hardened, they feel no sensation, as though they were completely dead. This may happen to the heart.

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 4.18

Ephesians 4:19

At first their sickness was lawlessness. Then it became indulgence. Having slipped then into a lawless way of life, they gradually came to suffer from lack of remorse. Finally they ventured out toward every sin without fear, living the life of corruption beyond indulgence. This is what he means by “becoming greedy to practice every kind of uncleanness.”

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 4.19

Ephesians 4:25

It would be extremely perverse, since we belong intimately to one another, to say things that are not true. For this is not the way the body functions. The eyes, for example, when they see cliffs and steep caverns, instantly report them to the feet so that they may turn aside and protect the whole body from harm.

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 4.25

Ephesians 4:28

Idleness is a major source of sin. So it is reasonable for Paul to set honest work over against it. The text contrasts theft, which is an evil work, with honest labor, which is a good work.

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 4.28

Ephesians 5:2

Here too he reveals the equality of the Father and the Son. For having called them to be imitators of God, he then urges the same pattern with respect to the Son. The Father has bestowed forgiveness. The Son has loved us and gave up his life for us.

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 5.2

Ephesians 5:5

Paul also makes this point in his letter to the Corinthians. He speaks of covetousness as idolatry, reminding us of the Lord’s saying: “No one can serve two masters; and you cannot serve God and Mammon.”

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 5.5

Ephesians 5:10

You share in the Word. You have received the grace of the Holy Spirit. Now you are made able to discern what is pleasing to God.

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 5.10

Ephesians 5:14

It is to be noted that this testimony is not scriptural, for we nowhere find it in the canonical text. Some interpreters have argued that those who were favored with spiritual grace were writing psalms. The apostle himself hints at this when he says in his letter to the Corinthians, “each of you has a psalm.”

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 5.14

Ephesians 5:21

We must not be submissive to those who command us to act unlawfully. But to those who call us to live with piety, we must be subject to one another. Having laid down this general law of obedience, Paul next advises the Ephesians in detail on their duties to another.

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 5.21

Ephesians 5:23

The apostle has been very constrained in setting forth this analogy [of the husband as the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church, his body]. Its purpose is to encourage women to respect men and to implant in men an affection for their wives.

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 5.22-23

Ephesians 5:24

As one who is giving instruction to the pious, Paul here adds the words “subject in all things.” It is evident from this analogy that he is speaking essentially to the pious, to those well trained in religious life. None of those reared in piety would think of putting their own affairs before God.

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 5.24

Ephesians 5:30

Just as Eve was fashioned from Adam, so were we from Christ the Lord. We are buried with him in baptism. We rise with him. We eat his body and drink his blood [in the Eucharist].

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 5.30

Ephesians 5:31

You are to respect the first law [of creation], he says in effect, which was laid down along with the fashioning of the woman and implanted in human nature.… This is the fruit of marriage: One child comes of two partners. The apostle, having recalled the holy requirement of marriage [that the two shall become one flesh], shows that this is illustrated also in the spiritual marriage. He not only demonstrates it but virtually shouts it out.

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 5.31

Ephesians 6:1

The order in which he gives his injunctions is worthy of admiration. For first he has given laws to husbands and wives, for marriage comes before childbirth. Then he tends to fathers and children, for childbirth is the fruit of marriage, since it is only after the birth that one is called a father and one called son. Finally he has set forth his instructions to servants and masters. This arises from the social environment, as distinguished from those arrangements that come about under the laws of nature. Thus, having given all these specific injunctions, he once again gives them a common one.

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 6.9

Ephesians 6:5

It was necessary for Paul to offer instructions for slaves. They were present everywhere in the church, which contains all classes and strata of human society, both men and women, parents and children, slaves and masters, rich and poor, governors and the governed.

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 6.5

Ephesians 6:8

He shows that slavery and mastery are categories that are confined to this present life. When we pass on from here, these distinctions will no longer apply. There nothing will be based on social status, such as slave or master, but on virtue and vice.

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 6.8