And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Kindness contrasts with bitterness; tender-heartedness means we suffer with our brothers as if their distress were our own, not like those iron-hearted men who watch others' pain without concern. But even the kindest may struggle to forgive when they receive injury, so Paul holds up God's example: He has forgiven us in Christ far more than any man can forgive his brother.
AI summary
The apostle having gone through his exhortation to mutual love, unity, and concord, in the foregoing verses, there follows in these an exhortation to Christian purity and holiness of heart and life, and that both more general (Eph 4:17-24) and in several particular instances, Eph 4:25-32.
Commenting on Ephesians 4:17-32
True politeness springs from benevolence, not mere hollow courtesy; a Christian must be the most polite of men, his courtesy rooted in genuine love and desire for others' happiness. Forgive freely, fully, liberally, as God forgave you in Christ without merit on your part, forgiving every offense, not raking up old wrongs but treating the offender as though he had never sinned.
AI summary