Ephesians 4:26

DEXROLL at aol.com DEXROLL at aol.com
Wed Mar 27 03:55:18 EST 2002


    This passage has always puzzled me and in looking at it more closely, it 
seems to be clearly a series of prohibitions after the initial command.  "Be 
angry ( perhaps even  - continue being angry - present imperative)  and stop 
sinning ( MH + Present imperative = demand of the cessation of the action) .  
Stop letting the sun go down on your provocation and stop giving a place to 
the Devil. !"

    This fits well with the context which in verse 25 speaks of ... putting 
away lying ... speaking truth with his neighbor, because we are members one 
of another.  And the following verses speak of conduct that is enjoined 
because of the benefit to the individual and the rest of the church. The 
writer is saying that there must be a quick response to sin in the church  
and that it is because of concern one for the other and the necessity of not 
letting a problem get out of hand. 

    To say that the writer is saying "you can be angry , but don't sin in 
your anger" --( which is the essential meaning usually given for this verse) 
-- does not fit the context and  makes no sense of the simple string of 
command and prohibitions.  

    

David Rollins - Dexroll at aol.com






More information about the B-Greek mailing list