Ephesians 4:19
Verse
Context
New Life in Christ
18They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.19Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more.
Sermons
Chuck Smith
Shane Idleman
Charles FinneyCharles FinneySummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
5. Who being past feeling - Οιτινες απηλγηκοτες. The verb απαλγειν signifies, 1. To throw off all sense of shame, and to be utterly devoid of pain, for committing unrighteous acts. 2. To be desperate, having neither hope nor desire of reformation; in a word, to be without remorse, and to be utterly regardless of conduct, character, or final blessedness. Instead of απηλγηκοτες, several excellent MSS. and versions have απηλπικοτες, being without hope; that is, persons who, from their manner of life in this world, could not possibly hope for blessedness in the world to come, and who might feel it their interest to deny the resurrection of the body, and even the immortality of the soul. 6. Have given themselves over unto lasciviousness - Lasciviousness, ασελγεια, is here personified; and the Gentiles in question are represented as having delivered themselves over to her jurisdiction. This is a trite picture of the Gentile world: uncleanness, lechery, and debauchery of every kind, flourished among them without limit or restraint. Almost all their gods and goddesses were of this character. 7. To work all uncleanness with greediness - This is a complete finish of the most abandoned character; to do an unclean act is bad, to labor in it is worse, to labor in all uncleanness is worse still; but to do all this in every case to the utmost extent, εν πλεονεξια, with a desire exceeding time, place, opportunity, and strength, is worst of all, and leaves nothing more profligate or more abandoned to be described or imagined; just as Ovid paints the drunken Silenus, whose wantonness survives his strength and keeps alive his desires, though old age has destroyed the power of gratification: - Te quoque, inextinctae Silene libidinis, urunt: Nequitia est, quae te non sinit esse senem. Fast., lib. i. v. 413. Thee also, O Silenus, of inextinguishable lust, they inflame; Thou art old in every thing except in lust. Such was the state of the Gentiles before they were blessed with the light of the Gospel; and such is the state of those nations who have not yet received the Gospel; and such is the state of multitudes of those in Christian countries who refuse to receive the Gospel, endeavor to decry it, and to take refuge in the falsities of infidelity against the testimony of eternal truth.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
past feeling--senseless, shameless, hopeless; the ultimate result of a long process of "hardening," or habit of sin (Eph 4:18). "Being past hope," or despairing, is the reading of the Vulgate; though not so well supported as English Version reading, "past feeling," which includes the absence of hope (Jer 2:25; Jer 18:12). given themselves over--In Rom 1:24 it is, "God gave them up to uncleanness." Their giving themselves to it was punished in kind, God giving them up to it by withdrawing His preventing grace; their sin thus was made their punishment. They gave themselves up of their own accord to the slavery of their lust, to do all its pleasure, as captives who have ceased to strive with the foe. God gave them up to it, but not against their will; for they give themselves up to it [ZANCHIUS]. lasciviousness--"wantonness" [ALFORD]. So it is translated in Rom 13:13; Pe2 2:18. It does not necessarily include lasciviousness; but it means intemperate, reckless readiness for it, and for every self-indulgence. "The first beginnings of unchastity" [GROTIUS]. "Lawless insolence, and wanton caprice" [TRENCH]. to work all uncleanness--The Greek implies, "with a deliberate view to the working (as if it were their work or business, not a mere accidental fall into sin) of uncleanness of every kind." with greediness--Greek, "in greediness." Uncleanness and greediness of gain often go hand in hand (Eph 5:3, Eph 5:5; Col 3:5); though "greediness" here includes all kinds of self-seeking.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Who being past feeling,.... Their consciences being cauterized or seared as with a red hot iron, which is the consequence of judicial hardness; so that they have lost all sense of sin, and do not feel the load of its guilt upon them, and are without any concern about it; but on the contrary commit it with pleasure, boast of it and glory in it, plead for it and defend it publicly, and openly declare it, and stand in no fear of a future judgment, which they ridicule and despise: the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions, and the Claromontane exemplar read, who "despairing": of mercy and salvation, saying there is no hope, and therefore grow hardened and desperate in sin; have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness; by "lasciviousness" is meant all manner of lusts, and a wanton and unbridled course of sinning; and their giving themselves over unto it denotes their voluntariness in sinning, the power of sin over them, they being willing slaves unto it, and their continuance in it; and this they do in order to work all uncleanness; to commit every unclean lust, to live in a continued commission of uncleanness of every sort; and that with greediness; being like a covetous man, never satisfied with sinning, but always craving more sinful lusts and pleasures.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:19 no sense of shame: The hardness of unbelievers’ hearts is reflected in their moral insensitivity and sexual immorality (see Rom 1:21-31).
Ephesians 4:19
New Life in Christ
18They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.19Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Plagued by a Guilty Conscience
By Chuck Smith2.2K29:42Guilty ConscienceMRK 2:2ROM 1:28EPH 4:19In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of recognizing and heeding the voice of God. He emphasizes that it is possible for individuals to shut their minds off to God's voice and ignore the warnings of the Holy Spirit. The speaker also highlights the consequences of turning away from God, as seen in Romans chapter one, where those who rejected God were given over to reprobate minds and engaged in vile actions. The sermon concludes with a story from the Bible about Joseph, who was mistreated by his jealous brothers but ultimately brought before Jesus for forgiveness.
Marriage: Sex, Gross Good or God?
By Shane Idleman5891:06:27PRO 5:18JER 29:13MAT 5:28MRK 7:20ROM 1:181CO 6:91CO 7:1EPH 4:19HEB 13:4
This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking God's will in relationships, highlighting the dangers of sexual immorality, the need for purity, and the impact of lust on individuals and marriages. It calls for repentance, humility, and a return to God's standards in a culture filled with sexual perversion and deception. The speaker urges listeners to seek God wholeheartedly, to build trust in relationships, and to prioritize righteousness over worldly desires.
A Seared Conscience
By Charles Finney0Moral ResponsibilityConsciencePSA 32:3PRO 28:13ROM 2:15EPH 4:191TI 4:22TI 3:1HEB 10:22JAS 1:221PE 3:161JN 1:9Charles Finney addresses the concept of a seared conscience, explaining that it is not merely a lack of knowledge of right and wrong, but a state of insensitivity to moral obligations and guilt. He outlines the characteristics and consequences of a seared conscience, emphasizing how it can develop through neglecting moral duties, indulging in sin, and resisting the affirmations of reason. Finney warns that a seared conscience leads to apathy towards moral issues and a lack of remorse for wrongdoing, ultimately distancing individuals from God. He encourages self-examination and a return to a sensitive conscience to restore moral clarity and spiritual health.
A Seared Conscience--No. 2
By Charles Finney0Spiritual SensitivityConscienceMAT 7:21ROM 2:152CO 1:12GAL 6:7EPH 4:191TI 4:2HEB 10:22JAS 1:221PE 2:191JN 1:9Charles Finney warns about the dire consequences of a seared conscience, emphasizing that it leads to delusion regarding one's moral character, false security, and a mistaken sense of hope. He explains that a seared conscience can result in abandonment by the Spirit of God, a life of uselessness, and even physical ailments due to neglect of moral and physical laws. Finney stresses the importance of maintaining a sensitive conscience to avoid becoming a negative influence on others and to fulfill one's potential for good in the world. He calls for self-examination and the cultivation of a quick conscience, especially among those in ministry, to prevent the spread of sin and to promote true holiness.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
5. Who being past feeling - Οιτινες απηλγηκοτες. The verb απαλγειν signifies, 1. To throw off all sense of shame, and to be utterly devoid of pain, for committing unrighteous acts. 2. To be desperate, having neither hope nor desire of reformation; in a word, to be without remorse, and to be utterly regardless of conduct, character, or final blessedness. Instead of απηλγηκοτες, several excellent MSS. and versions have απηλπικοτες, being without hope; that is, persons who, from their manner of life in this world, could not possibly hope for blessedness in the world to come, and who might feel it their interest to deny the resurrection of the body, and even the immortality of the soul. 6. Have given themselves over unto lasciviousness - Lasciviousness, ασελγεια, is here personified; and the Gentiles in question are represented as having delivered themselves over to her jurisdiction. This is a trite picture of the Gentile world: uncleanness, lechery, and debauchery of every kind, flourished among them without limit or restraint. Almost all their gods and goddesses were of this character. 7. To work all uncleanness with greediness - This is a complete finish of the most abandoned character; to do an unclean act is bad, to labor in it is worse, to labor in all uncleanness is worse still; but to do all this in every case to the utmost extent, εν πλεονεξια, with a desire exceeding time, place, opportunity, and strength, is worst of all, and leaves nothing more profligate or more abandoned to be described or imagined; just as Ovid paints the drunken Silenus, whose wantonness survives his strength and keeps alive his desires, though old age has destroyed the power of gratification: - Te quoque, inextinctae Silene libidinis, urunt: Nequitia est, quae te non sinit esse senem. Fast., lib. i. v. 413. Thee also, O Silenus, of inextinguishable lust, they inflame; Thou art old in every thing except in lust. Such was the state of the Gentiles before they were blessed with the light of the Gospel; and such is the state of those nations who have not yet received the Gospel; and such is the state of multitudes of those in Christian countries who refuse to receive the Gospel, endeavor to decry it, and to take refuge in the falsities of infidelity against the testimony of eternal truth.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
past feeling--senseless, shameless, hopeless; the ultimate result of a long process of "hardening," or habit of sin (Eph 4:18). "Being past hope," or despairing, is the reading of the Vulgate; though not so well supported as English Version reading, "past feeling," which includes the absence of hope (Jer 2:25; Jer 18:12). given themselves over--In Rom 1:24 it is, "God gave them up to uncleanness." Their giving themselves to it was punished in kind, God giving them up to it by withdrawing His preventing grace; their sin thus was made their punishment. They gave themselves up of their own accord to the slavery of their lust, to do all its pleasure, as captives who have ceased to strive with the foe. God gave them up to it, but not against their will; for they give themselves up to it [ZANCHIUS]. lasciviousness--"wantonness" [ALFORD]. So it is translated in Rom 13:13; Pe2 2:18. It does not necessarily include lasciviousness; but it means intemperate, reckless readiness for it, and for every self-indulgence. "The first beginnings of unchastity" [GROTIUS]. "Lawless insolence, and wanton caprice" [TRENCH]. to work all uncleanness--The Greek implies, "with a deliberate view to the working (as if it were their work or business, not a mere accidental fall into sin) of uncleanness of every kind." with greediness--Greek, "in greediness." Uncleanness and greediness of gain often go hand in hand (Eph 5:3, Eph 5:5; Col 3:5); though "greediness" here includes all kinds of self-seeking.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Who being past feeling,.... Their consciences being cauterized or seared as with a red hot iron, which is the consequence of judicial hardness; so that they have lost all sense of sin, and do not feel the load of its guilt upon them, and are without any concern about it; but on the contrary commit it with pleasure, boast of it and glory in it, plead for it and defend it publicly, and openly declare it, and stand in no fear of a future judgment, which they ridicule and despise: the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions, and the Claromontane exemplar read, who "despairing": of mercy and salvation, saying there is no hope, and therefore grow hardened and desperate in sin; have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness; by "lasciviousness" is meant all manner of lusts, and a wanton and unbridled course of sinning; and their giving themselves over unto it denotes their voluntariness in sinning, the power of sin over them, they being willing slaves unto it, and their continuance in it; and this they do in order to work all uncleanness; to commit every unclean lust, to live in a continued commission of uncleanness of every sort; and that with greediness; being like a covetous man, never satisfied with sinning, but always craving more sinful lusts and pleasures.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
4:19 no sense of shame: The hardness of unbelievers’ hearts is reflected in their moral insensitivity and sexual immorality (see Rom 1:21-31).