John Calvin Commentary Ephesians 4:2

"with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;" — Ephesians 4:2 (ASV)

With all humility. He now proceeds to specific points, and first of all he mentions humility. The reason is that he was about to discuss the subject of Unity, to which humility is the first step. This, in turn, produces meekness, which inclines us to bear with our fellow believers, and thus to preserve that unity which would otherwise be broken a hundred times a day.

Let us remember, therefore, that in cultivating brotherly kindness, we must begin with humility. From where do rudeness, pride, and disdainful language towards fellow believers come? From where do quarrels, insults, and reproaches come? Do they not come from this: that each person carries their love of self, and their regard for their own interests, to excess?

By laying aside haughtiness and a desire to please ourselves, we shall become meek and gentle, and acquire that moderation of temper which will overlook and forgive many things in the conduct of our fellow believers. Let us carefully observe the order and arrangement of these exhortations. It will be useless to inculcate forbearance until natural fierceness has been subdued and mildness acquired; and it will be equally vain to discuss meekness until we have begun with humility.

Forbearing one another in love. This agrees with what is elsewhere taught, that love suffereth long and is kind (1 Corinthians 13:4). Where love is strong and prevalent, we shall perform many acts of mutual forbearance.