Ephesians 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them… Ignorance may be distinguished into five kinds; human, natural, affected, invincible, proud, and puffed up. 1. Human. — This is not sinful, as in Adam not to know his nakedness nor Satan's subtlety; as in the angels, and even Christ, as man, not to know the latter day. 2. Natural. — The ignorance of infirmity, incident to man's nature since the Fall. 3. Affected ignorance (see John 3:19). — These shut their ears when God calleth; and, being housed in their security, will not step to the door to see if the sun shines. This ignorance, if I may say so, doth reside rather in their affection than understanding part. 4. Invincible ignorance. — When God hath naturally darkened the understanding by a sore punishment of original sin. 5. A proud ignorance. — Whereof there is no hope, saith Solomon (Proverbs 27:1). The other is invincible, indeed this more invincible: a fool is sooner taught. (T. Adams.) Parallel Verses KJV: Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: |
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