Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
More literally, "Being darkened in their understanding," that is, their intelligence, or perceptions (compare Ephesians 5:8; Acts 26:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5).
alienated--This and "darkened," imply that before the fall they (in the person of their first father) had been partakers of life and light: and that they had revolted from the primitive revelation (compare Ephesians 2:12).
life of God--that life whereby God lives in His own people: as He was the life and light in Adam before the irruption of death and darkness into human nature; and as He is the life in the regenerate (Galatians 2:20). "Spiritual life in believers is kindled from the life itself of God" [BENGEL].
through--rather as Greek, "on account of the ignorance," namely, of God. Wilful ignorance in the first instance, their fathers not "choosing to retain God in their knowledge." This is the beginning point of their misery (Acts 17:30; Romans 1:21, Romans 1:23, Romans 1:28; 1 Peter 1:14).
because of--"on account of."
blindness--Greek, "hardness," literally, the hardening of the skin so as not to be sensible of touch. Hence a soul's callousness to feeling (Mark 3:5). Where there is spiritual "life" ("the life of God") there is feeling; where there is not, there is "hardness."
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Song of Solomon 4:1
Isaiah 6:10
Isaiah 25:7
Isaiah 44:20
Romans 1:18
Ephesians 1:18
Ephesians 2:1
Ephesians 2:12
Ephesians 4:9
Ephesians 4:17
Ephesians 4:19
Colossians 1:21
1 Thessalonians 4:5
1 Thessalonians 5:4
Hebrews 9:7
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.
E-mail this page
