John Calvin Commentary Ephesians 4:32

"and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you." — Ephesians 4:32 (ASV)

And be ye kind one to another. With bitterness he contrasts kindness, or gentleness of countenance, language, and manners. And as this virtue will never reign in us, unless attended by compassion, (ουμπάθεια), he recommends that we be tender-hearted. This will lead us not only to sympathize with the distresses of our brothers, as if they were our own, but also to cultivate that true humanity which is affected by everything that happens to them, in the same manner as if we were in their situation. The contrary of this is the cruelty of those iron-hearted, barbarous men, by whom the sufferings of others are seen without any concern whatever.

Forgiving one another. The Greek word translated here as forgiving, (χαριζόμενοι ἑαυτοῖς), is supposed to mean beneficence. Erasmus, accordingly, translates it as (largientes) bountiful. Although the word admits of that meaning, the context induces me to prefer the other view: that we should be ready to forgive. It may sometimes happen that men are kind and tender-hearted, and yet, when they receive improper treatment, do not so easily forgive injuries. So that those whose kindness of heart in other respects disposes them to acts of humanity may not fail in their duty through the ingratitude of men, he exhorts them to discover a readiness to lay aside resentment. To give his exhortation greater weight, he presents the example of God, who has forgiven us, through Christ, far more than any mortal man can forgive his brothers.