*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
For the fruit of the light. [1] This parenthesis is introduced, to point out the road in which the children of light ought to walk. A complete description is not given, but a few parts of a holy and pious life are introduced by way of example. To give them a general view of duty, their attention is again directed to the will of God. Whoever desires to live in a proper and safe manner, let him resolve to obey God, and to take his will as the rule. To regulate life entirely by his command is, as he says in another Epistle, a reasonable service, (Romans 12:1,) or, as another inspired man expresses it, To obey is better than sacrifice. (1 Samuel 15:22.) I wonder how the word Spirit (pneumatos) has crept into many Greek manuscripts, as the other reading is more consistent, -- the fruit of the light Paul's meaning indeed is not affected; for in either case it will be this, that believers must walk in the light, because they are "children of the light." This is done, when they do not live according to their own will, but devote themselves entirely to obedience to God, -- when they undertake nothing but by his command. Besides, such obedience is testified by its fruits, such as goodness, righteousness, and truth.
1 - The English version reads, The fruit of the Spirit; Calvin's, The fruit of light. Without attempting, in a brief note, to balance the various readings, it may be proper to mention, that, instead of pneumatos, (of the Spirit,) many Greek manuscripts have thotos, (of the light,) and the latter reading has been adopted by Griesbach. -- Ed
For the fruit of the Spirit - That is, since the Holy Spirit through the gospel produces goodness, righteousness, and truth, see that you exhibit these in your lives, and thus show that you are the children of light. On the fruits of the Spirit, see the notes on Galatians 5:22-23.
Is in all goodness - Is seen in producing all kinds of goodness. He who is not good is not a Christian.
For the fruit of the Spirit - Instead of Spirit, Πνευματος, ABD*EFG, the Syriac, Coptic, Sahidic, Ethiopic, Armenian, Vulgate, and Itala, together with several of the fathers, read φωτος, light, which is supposed by most critics to be the true reading, because there is no mention made of the Spirit in any part of the context. As light, Ephesians 5:8, not only means the Divine influence upon the soul, but also the Gospel, with great propriety it may be said: The fruit of the light, i.e. of the Gospel, is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth. Goodness, αγαθωσυνῃ, in the principle and disposition; righteousness, δικαιοσυνη, the exercise of that goodness in the whole conduct of life; truth, αληθεια, the director of that principle, and its exercise, to the glorification of God and the good of mankind.
(For the fruit of the (d) Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
(d) By whose power we are made light in the Lord.
For the fruit of the Spirit,.... Either of the spirit of man, as renewed, or rather of the Spirit of God; the allusion is to fruits of trees: the believer is a tree of righteousness; Christ is his root; the Spirit is the sap, which supports and nourishes; and good works, under the influence of his grace, are the fruit: the Alexandrian copy, and some others, and the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions, read "the fruit of light"; which agrees with the preceding words: and the genuine fruit of internal grace, or light,
is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth; the fruit of "goodness", lies in sympathizing with persons in distress; in assisting such according to the abilities men have in a readiness to forgive offences and injuries; and in using meekness and candour in admonishing others: "righteousness" lies in living in obedience to the law of God; in attending the worship and service of him; and in discharging our duty to our fellow creatures; and this as goodness, is very imperfect, and not to be boasted of, or trusted to, nor is salvation to be expected from it: "truth" is opposed to lying, to hypocrisy, to error and falsehood; and where the Spirit of God, and the work of grace are, there will be more or less an appearance of these fruits.
fruit of the Spirit--taken by transcribers from Galatians 5:22. The true reading is that of the oldest manuscripts, "The fruit of THE LIGHT"; in contrast with "the unfruitful works of darkness" (Ephesians 5:11). This verse is parenthetic. Walk as children of light, that is, in all good works and words, "FOR the fruit of the light is [borne] in [ALFORD; but BENGEL, 'consists in'] all goodness [opposed to 'malice,' Ephesians 4:31], righteousness [opposed to 'covetousness,' Ephesians 5:3] and truth [opposed to 'lying,' Ephesians 4:25]."
The fruit of the light - Opposite to " the unfruitful works of darkness," Ephesians 4:11. Is in - That is, consists in. Goodness and righteousness and truth - Opposite to the sins spoken of, Ephesians 4:25,&c.
*More commentary available at chapter level.