Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed to the day of redemption. There are several ways in which more especially the Spirit may be said to be grieved. Thus, for example — 1. When His office is dishonoured. This is the case whenever the spirituality of Divine worship is called in question or practically ignored. "God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." 2. Again, the Spirit may be said to be grieved whenever His sovereignty is limited. The Spirit is a free agent. He acts as He will, dividing unto every man severally according to His own good pleasure. 3. The Spirit may further be said to be grieved when His prerogative is infringed. If, for example, He is to any extent defrauded of His title as the supreme and only infallible interpreter of the written Word, if, in place of seeking earnestly and humbly to be guided by Him into all truth, we seek to human wisdom or guidance for the interpretation of the inspired Word, if we forsake His guidance — this is to grieve Him. 4. Again, the Holy Spirit is grieved whenever His influence is persistently withstood. This is a case, it is to be feared, of not infrequent occurrence under the ministry of the gospel. (Bishop R. Bickersteth.) Parallel Verses KJV: And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.WEB: Don't grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. |
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