Ephesians Chapter 4
Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord,
beseech you that ye
walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are
called,
Paul was a prisoner because he was a servant.
These are the practical duties which are now urged
upon all brethren. They come because of our glorious privileges that we have
in Christ Jesus.
They had been called to a glorious calling as he
had shown them in chapter three. Christians have been called with the
highest calling to which man has ever been honored.
Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with
longsuffering,
Fore bearing one another in love;
We are to walk or live with all humility and
gentleness of spirit.
These are the characteristics of walking worthy. To
be easily offended, to take umbrage or offense from our brothers and seek to
get even or pay a brother back for any injuries is opposite of these
qualities. If the heart is filled with love the other qualities will be
shown forth cf: I Cor. 13:1ff
Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond
of peace.
Regarding unity, Jesus prayed that all of His
children be one cf:
John 17:20-21. Neither pray I for these alone, but
for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all
may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also
may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
Paul beseeched us to have no divisions cf:
I Corinthians 1:10-13 Now I beseech you,
brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same
thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye
be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which
are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now
this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos;
and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified
for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
Forbearance and long suffering are essential to
unity and peace. There must be unity of those that have the same Holy
Spirit.
Not merely an outward unity which does not secure
peace and cannot be unity of the spirit.
Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit,
even as ye are called
in one hope of your calling;
The unity commanded has a basis in seven unities
which existed in the church and should exist in all ages. There was then
one body, the Church of Christ, the body of Christ, not a Gentile body and
a Jewish body. Modern denominations were unknown.
cf: Romans 12:5, So we, being many, are
one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
I Corinthians 12:12-13, For as the body is one,
and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many,
are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all
baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether
we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Ephesians 2:16, And that he might reconcile both
unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Colossians 1:18, And he is the head of the body,
the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all
things he might have the preeminence
This verse states plainly there is one body, the
Church. What does the word body in the Bible mean? It means Church.
Prove it again Preacher: OK
Ephesians 1:22-23 And hath put all things
under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to
the church,
Which is his body, the fullness of him that
filleth all in all
What does this verse teach? ... the Church, which
is His Body ...
The Greek deffinate article – the – before Church
also means one.
Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one
Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
There is one
body, or Church what in the world is there that you don’t understand about
one?
Here is where all the disagreement begins.
Baptist preachers believe there is one Church. Catholic priests believe
there is but one Church.
They just can’t point to Romans 16:16 and show
us: Salute one another with an holy kiss.
The churches of Christ salute you.
One Spirit – the same spirit is bestowed upon Jew
& Gentile and upon all saints.
Wherever called and in whatever state, all are
filled with
one hope or expectation: that of immortality and
everlasting life.
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism
One Lord, Jesus Christ, who is the Head of The
Church cf: Ephesians 1:10, Colossians 1:18 and I Corinthians 1:13.
One faith, which is often called the Faith, meaning
the Gospel or pure New Testament Christianity.
One baptism, for all have been baptized into The
Lord upon the profession of the one faith. It is utterly inconsistent with
the apostle’s argument if there are three ways to administer baptism such
as, sprinkling, pouring and immersion. The word baptism comes from the Greek
word baptizo.
In 1611, King James insisted that the translators
stick with the Ecclesiastical words (Catholic) such as Bishops and
baptism. Baptism is actually the trans-anglicized Greek word baptizo
that the translators faced a choice in translating. One, they could tell the
truth and translate the word, dip, immerse, or plunge underwater, and make
all the Catholics and some of the Protestants mad. Two, they could lie and
translate the word, sprinkle, and make all true reformers mad. What they
chose to do was a third option, do nothing and make up a brand-new English
word, baptism.
Several times baptizo is used in the Greek
New Testament when it is not referring to the act of baptizing a person,
and, it is interesting to note how the translators always tell the truth and
translate the word dip, or dippeth cf:
Matthew 26:23 And he answered and said, He that
dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me
Mark 14:20. And he answered and said unto them,
It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.
The fact that baptism is an immersion can be seen
in the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch cf:
Acts 8:36-39 And as they went on their
way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is
water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou
believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I
believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot
to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and
the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the
water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him
no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Note that they BOTH went down into the water.
You do not need to do that to sprinkle or poor
someone.
Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is
above all, and through
all, and in you all.
We have been taught throughout the bible the fact
that there is but one God, and still today, the Jews pray the Shema three
times a day cf: Deuteronomy 6:4.
We have learned that The Church 1. has Unity of
the Head 2. Unity of the Spirit dwelling in the church (the saints) 3.
Unity of Hope (expectation) 4. Unity of the Faith 5. Unity of the
ordinance of baptism for admission into the Church 6. Unity of the Father
7. Unity of organization of the One Body, the Church of Christ.
Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace
according to the
measure of the gift of Christ.
There are special offices and special gifts that
Christ deals to each.
Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up
on high, he
led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
This verse quotes:
Psalms 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou
hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for
the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell
among them.
Paul applies this verse to Christ’s ascension to
Heaven.
The captives are sin, the curse of The Law, and
death.
Gifts are given just as a conquering King
returning in triumph distributed gifts ... Christ gave gifts at His
Ascension.
Eph 4:9 Now that he ascended, what is it but that
he also
descended first into the lower parts of the
earth?
This verse applies to Christ. If He ascended, it
shows He descended from Heaven before His ascension to Heaven.
This must necessarily follow if the one ascending
is Divine and has a home in Heaven as the Psalm Paul is quoting indicates.
Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that
ascended up
far above all heavens, that he might fill all
things.
He descended to the very deepest abasement taking
on human form and becoming a Servant. He overcame sin and death in His own
death, burial and now He is raised. Now He is exalted to the right hand of
God. God’s throne is represented as above the Heavens as God is above all
cf:
Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a
great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our profession.
Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest became us,
who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher
than the heavens;
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some,
prophets; and
some, evangelists; and some, pastors and
teachers;
Christ gave gifts to men v: 7-8. Of these gifts
were various offices.
In the matter of the offices that continue in
existence today,
it is the duty of the church to recognize and
call out the men who meet the exact conditions and qualifications Christ
has given for those offices.
Apostles were all chosen by Christ and had to be
an eye-witness of His resurrection cf:
Acts 1:21-22 Wherefore of these men which have
companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among
us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was
taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his
resurrection
Apostles therefore could have no successors. They
still remain as teachers today by the authority of their New Testament
writings.
Some prophets: an inspired office, essential in
the church for teaching until the New Testament was completed. Some such
as Luke and Jude wrote books of the New Testament.
Some evangelists such as Phillip Acts 8:4ff &
21:8, Timothy and Titus. This office is to preach the gospel and is
necessary as long as the church remains on earth cf:
II Timothy 4:1-2 I charge thee therefore
before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the
dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in
season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and
doctrine.
This office of evangelist does not require
supernatural gifts to preach the Gospel. The descriptions of their work
and duties are found in I & II Timothy and Titus. Every evangelist or
minister who is not a personal soul winner should be immediately replaced
or retrained. Evangelists or ministers who do not personally bear fruit is
taking up the pulpit space, salary and living quarters that a soul winner
could be filling.
Pastors and Teachers also known as shepherds,
bishops, elders, presbyters and overseers. They are described as:
“especially those who labored in the word and doctrine”.
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for
the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Helping saints to higher and holier lives for
carrying out the work of the ministry.
Always intended to minister to the up building of
the church within and without ... perfect is complete or full grown
spiritually.
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the
faith, and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man,
unto the
measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
Unity is one of the great objects to be attained
through these offices. Not only unity of the faith, but also notice in the
verse - unity of knowledge of the Son of God. Full unity will be found
only when all alike know Christ. A full grown man is a noble
manhood, fully developed, being Christ-like.
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more
children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of
doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby
they lie in wait to deceive;
Children are feeble, inexperienced, and easily
deceived.
It is doctrine that has broken up unity by the
tricks of men, craft and cunningly employed by teachers of false doctrine
that Paul warned the Ephesian elders against in cf:
Acts 20:30
Also of your own
selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples
after them.
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow
up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Truth is never to give place to false doctrine
but is to be spoken only in love. Boldly tempered with meekness.
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined
together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to
the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the
body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Every member of the body deriving life from the
head, which is Christ, is to work in his place harmoniously for the
increase of the body.
Eph 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the
Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of
their mind,
After stating the great principles name in verses
3-16,
Paul returns to his exhortation found in verses
1-3.
Having come out from the heathen, and abandoned
all their sins they are to live Christ-like.
Eph 4:18 Having their understanding darkened,
being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in
them, because of the blindness of their heart:
The Gentiles walked or lived in darkness of life.
Vanity is a life in darkness, unenlightened by
the gospel of Christ. The idea is willful blindness.
Eph 4:19 Who being past feeling have given
themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with
greediness.
Having trampled conscience underfoot until it is
calloused, and having silenced its admonitions, they gave themselves over
to lasciviousness - Greek – as-elg-i-a - filthy wantonness and evil.
Purity of life was not even considered a virtue
among the Gentiles.
Eph 4:20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
You are Gentiles like those described, but you
have learned Christ.
Eph 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and
have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
You have heard and been taught the truth in
Christ.
Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former
conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful
lusts;
The old man, which is the sinful life, is
contrasted to the new man in Christ.
Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your
mind;
By having a new mind and spirit cf:
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this
world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may
prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which
after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
He who has a new mind within him is born again of
water and spirit and is newly created in righteousness. Cf:
John 3:3-5 Jesus answered and said unto him,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see
the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when
he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be
born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be
born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom
of God.
Eph 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak
every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Since ye have been taught of Christ, put away
falsehood and speak the truth.
All are members of one Christian household or
family.
Eph 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the
sun go down upon your wrath:
This is a quote of Psalms 4:4 in the Septuagent
version.
Do not sin through anger.
If circumstances of anger arise, do not be led
astray.
Eph 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.
By cherishing anger, a person under a fit of
anger, is ready to be tempted to evil deeds.
Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but
rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is
good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
All sorts of sinners have been converted to
Christ.
Honest labor is the best antidote to a dishonest
life.
Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out
of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may
minister grace unto the hearers.
All cursing, anything that is rotten in your
speech, anything that will demoralize others, or is obscene or immoral in
your language is forbidden.
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,
whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Such sins grieve the spirit. If we grieve Him
away, we will not be sealed on the day of redemption.
List of negative things to put away:
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and
anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all
malice:
These verses enforce duties essential to keeping
the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. These are every day duties
of life.
Verse 31 being negative & verse 32 being
positive.
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another,
Tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God
for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Mat 5:7 Blessed
are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy
Mat 5:43-46 Ye have heard that it hath been said,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you,
Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate
you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That
ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh
his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just
and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have
ye? do not even the publicans the same?
Mat 6:12 And
forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Mat 6:14-15 For if ye forgive men their
trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive
not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your
trespasses.
Isa 1:18 Come now,
and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall
be as wool