Albert Barnes Commentary Ephesians 4:30

"And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption." — Ephesians 4:30 (ASV)

And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30). This is addressed to Christians, and it proves that it is possible for them to grieve the Holy Spirit. The word used here, lupeite, properly means to afflict with sorrow; to make sad or sorrowful. It is rendered "to make sorry" or "sorrowful" in Matthew 14:9; Matthew 17:23; Matthew 18:31; Matthew 19:22; Matthew 26:22, 37; Mark 14:19; John 16:20; 2 Corinthians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 6:10; 2 Corinthians 7:8, 9, 11; and 1 Thessalonians 4:13.

It is rendered grieved in Mark 10:22; John 21:17; Romans 14:15; 2 Corinthians 2:4, 5; Ephesians 4:30; and once "in heaviness" (1 Peter 1:6). The verb does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament.

The common meaning is to treat others in such a way as to cause grief. We are not to suppose that the Holy Spirit literally endures grief or pain at human conduct.

The language used is suited to describe what humans endure, and it is applied to Him to denote conduct that is suited to cause grief.

The meaning here is: do not pursue a course of action that, in its own nature, is suited to pain the benevolent heart of a holy being. Do not act towards the Holy Spirit in a manner that would produce pain in the heart of a friend who loves you.

There is a course of conduct that will drive that Spirit from the mind as if He were grieved and pained—just as a course of ingratitude and sin would pain the heart of an earthly friend and cause him to leave you.

If asked what that conduct is, we may reply:

1. Open and gross sins. They are particularly referred to here; and Paul's meaning is that theft, falsehood, anger, and similar vices would grieve the Holy Spirit and cause Him to depart.

2. Anger, in all its forms. Nothing is more suited to drive away all serious and tender impressions from the mind than the indulgence of anger.

3. Licentious thoughts and desires. The Spirit of God is pure, and He does not dwell in a soul that is filled with corrupt imaginings.

4. Ingratitude. We feel ingratitude more than almost anything else; and why should we suppose that the Holy Spirit would not feel it also?

5. Neglect. The Spirit of God is grieved by that. Often He prompts us to pray; He disposes the mind to seriousness, to the reading of the Bible, to tenderness and penitence. We neglect those favored moments of our piety and lose those happy seasons for becoming like God.

6. Resistance. Christians often resist the Holy Spirit. He would lead them to be dead to the world, yet they pursue their plans for gain. He would teach them the folly of fashion and vanity, yet they dress themselves in the most extravagant attire. He would keep them from the splendid party, the theater, and the ballroom, yet they go there. All that is necessary for a Christian to do in order to be eminent in piety is to yield to the gentle influences that would draw him to prayer and to heaven.

Whereby you are sealed (Ephesians 4:30b). (See Barnes' commentary on 2 Corinthians 1:22).

Until the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30c). (See Barnes' commentary on Ephesians 1:14).