Ephesians · chapter 4 of 6
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Ephesians 4 begins the practical part of the letter: Paul urges believers to walk in a manner worthy of their calling, with humility and patience, keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Christ gives gifts to the church to equip the saints and bring the body to maturity, and believers are to put off the old life, be renewed in mind, put on the new self and live with truth, kindness and forgiveness.
With chapter 4 the letter changes tone: after three chapters on what God has done, Paul shows how to live. The calling received has consequences for the unity of the church, for mutual service and for everyday conduct at home and at work.
Paul, a prisoner for the Lord, urges believers to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which they have been called: with all humility and gentleness, bearing with one another in love and eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.
Grace was given to each according to the measure of Christ's gift, and he ascended and gave gifts to his people. He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists and some shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry and for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Then they will no longer be children, tossed by every wind of doctrine, but, speaking the truth in love, will grow up in every way into him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole body grows.
Then Paul asks them not to walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds, darkened in understanding and hardened in heart. That is not the way they learned Christ: they are to put off the old self, be renewed in the spirit of their minds and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Concrete commands follow: put away falsehood and speak the truth, be angry and do not sin and do not let the sun go down on anger, give no opportunity to the devil, steal no more but work to have something to share with the needy, let no corrupting talk come out but only what builds up, and do not grieve the Holy Spirit, with whom they were sealed. Put away all bitterness, anger and slander; be kind and tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave them.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
Paul asks believers to be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Unity already exists by the Spirit's work; the church's task is to guard it, not invent it.
Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry and to build up the body. The church's work is not only for leaders: all believers are called to serve.
Speaking the truth in love, we grow in every way into Christ, the head. Truth and love go together: truth without love wounds, and love without truth deceives.
Paul asks us to be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving, as God in Christ forgave us. The forgiveness we received is the model and the reason for the forgiveness we give.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: In a manner worthy of the calling to which they were called, with humility, gentleness and patience. — Ephesians 4:1-2
Answer: The unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. — Ephesians 4:3
Answer: To equip the saints for the work of ministry and to build up the body of Christ. — Ephesians 4:11-12
Answer: Put off the old self and put on the new, created after the likeness of God in righteousness and holiness. — Ephesians 4:22-24
Answer: Be angry and do not sin, and do not let the sun go down on your anger. — Ephesians 4:26
Answer: The Holy Spirit of God, with whom they were sealed. — Ephesians 4:30
Ephesians 4 is a good text for evaluating the life of a congregation. In a small group you can ask whether every member knows his or her own service or whether most expect the leaders to do it. You can also review the concrete areas of the chapter: truth in words, anger, honest work, how we speak and forgiveness.
Putting on the new self is a daily decision, not an instant change. There are habits to leave and habits to take up, and it is done best with others. A youth group could, for example, choose one practice from the list, such as saying only what builds up, and encourage one another for a week.
Ephesians 4 describes the unity and maturity of the church and the new life of its members. In chapter 5, Paul continues with the call to imitate God, walk in love and light, and live in mutual submission at home.
Paul cites a psalm about a victorious king who ascends with captives and gives gifts, and applies it to Christ, who ascended after his victory and gave gifts to his church. Christians understand differently who the captives are, but the central point is that Christ has won and gives generously.
Christians hold different views. Some think the apostles and prophets were the foundation of the church and their role is unique; others believe similar ministries exist today. Either way, Paul insists that all gifts serve to equip the saints and build up the body.
The text does not forbid all anger, since there is righteous indignation, but it warns that anger can lead to sin. That is why it asks us not to let the sun go down on anger or give the devil an opportunity: conflict should be dealt with promptly, with truth and without revenge.