Ephesians 4:30

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Ephesians 4:30 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:30 — American Standard Version

Context — Ephesians 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
30And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, &c.] Not a believer's own spirit, sanctified by the Holy Ghost, which is grieved by sin; nor the spirit of a good man, that hears our words and sees our actions, and is displeased and troubled at them; but the third person in the Trinity: and this is said of him by an anthropopathy, and supposes something done that is offensive to him; and he may be grieved, not only by unconverted persons, by their stubborn resistance and opposition to the Gospel and means of grace, and by their contempt of his person, office, and grace, but by believers themselves, and who are here spoken to; and which may be done both by their words, lying, angry, and corrupt ones,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“grieve not--A condescension to human modes of thought most touching. Compare "vexed His Holy Spirit" (Isa 63:10; Psa 78:40); "fretted me" (Eze 16:43 : implying His tender love to us); and of hardened unbelievers, "resist the Holy Ghost" (Act 7:51). This verse refers to believers, who grieve the Spirit by inconsistencies such as in the context are spoken of, corrupt or worthless conversation, &c. whereby ye are sealed--rather, "wherein (or 'in whom') ye were sealed." As in Eph 1:13, believers are said to be sealed "in" Christ, so here "in the Holy Spirit," who is one with Christ, and who reveals Christ in the soul: the Greek implies that the sealing was done already once for all. It is the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God - This is addressed to Christians, and it proves that it is possible for them to grieve the Holy Spirit. The word used here - λυπεῖτε lupeite - means properly to afflict with sorrow; to make sad or sorrowful. It is rendered to make sorry, or sorrowful, Matthew 14:9; Matthew 17:23; Matthew 18:31; Matthew 19:22; Matthew 26:22, Matthew 26:37; Mark 14:19; Joh 16:20; 2 Corinthians 2:2; 2Co 6:10; 2 Corinthians 7:8-9, 2 Corinthians 7:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13. It is rendered “grieved,” Mark 10:22; John 21:17; Romans 14:15; 2 Corinthians 2:4-5; Ephesians 4:20; and once. “in heaviness,” 1 Peter 1:6. The verb does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. The…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Grieve not the Holy Spirit - By any disobedience. Particularly by corrupt discourse; or by any of the following sins. Do not force him to withdraw from you, as a friend does whom you grieve by unkind behaviour. The day of redemption - That is, the day of judgment, in which our redemption will be completed. Ephesians 4:31”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:30 Believers must not alienate God’s Holy Spirit, who identifies them as belonging to God (cp. Mark 3:29; Acts 5:3-5, 9; 1 Thes 4:8; Heb 6:4-8). • has identified you as his own (or has put his seal on you): The presence of the Spirit both confirms and guarantees the future redemption of believers (see Eph 1:13-14; Rom 8:16-17; 2 Cor 1:22; 1 Jn 4:13).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“grieve: Gen 6:3, Gen 6:6; Jdg 10:16; Psa 78:40, Psa 95:10; Isa 7:13, Isa 43:24, Isa 63:10; Eze 16:43; Mar 3:5; Act 7:51; Th1 5:19; Heb 3:10, Heb 3:17 whereby: Eph 1:13 the day: Eph 1:14; Hos 13:14; Luk 21:28; Rom 8:11, Rom 8:23; Co1 1:30, Co1 15:54 Ephesians 4:31”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification