God has placed us in a specific
setting
- Eph. 4:1-16 (NKJV) I,
therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to
walk worthy of the calling with which you were
called,
- Prisoner -- Before giving his appeal, Paul
once again refers to himself as the prisoner of
the Lord (see 3:1).
- Eph. 3:1 (NKJV) For this reason I, Paul, the
prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—
- Pay the Cost -- By mentioning his
imprisonment he gently reminds his readers that
he knows the worthy Christian walk can be costly
and that he has paid considerable cost himself
because of his obedience to the Lord.
- An Example -- He would not ask them to walk
in a way in which he had not himself walked or
pay a price that he himself was not willing to
pay.
- Total Commitment -- His present physical
circumstance seemed extremely negative from a
human perspective, but Paul wanted his readers
to know that this did not change his commitment
to or his confidence in the Lord.
Beseech – (parakalevw),
(3870)Paul made no apology for pleading with people to
do what he knew was right.
- means to call to one’s side, with the idea of
wanting to help or be helped.
- It connotes intense feeling, strong desire. In
this context it is not simply a request but a plea,
an imploring or begging.
- Paul was not giving suggestions to the Ephesians
but divine standards, standards apart from which
they could not live in a way that fittingly
corresponded to their being children of God.
Walk – (peripatevw),
(4043) is frequently used in the New Testament to refer
to daily conduct, day–by–day living, and it is the theme
of the last three chapters of Ephesians.
Contrast between 4:1 & 4:17
Eph. 4:17 (NKJV) This I say, therefore, and
testify in the Lord, that you should no longer
walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in
the futility of their mind,
A Worthy Walk
Eph. 5:2 (NKJV) And walk in love, as
Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us,
an offering and a sacrifice to God for a
sweet-smelling aroma.
Eph. 5:8 (NKJV) For you were once darkness, but
now [you] [are] light in the Lord. Walk as
children of light
Eph. 5:15 (NKJV) See then that you walk
circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
Worthy -- ( ajxivw"),
(516)has the root meaning of balancing the scales—
- what is on one side of the scale should be equal
in weight to what is on the other side.
- By extension, the word came to be applied to
anything that was expected to correspond to
something else.
The believer who walks in a manner worthy of the
calling with which he has been called is one whose daily
living corresponds to his high position as a child of
God and fellow heir with Jesus Christ. His practical
living matches his spiritual position.
Eph. 4:2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with
longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3
endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond
of peace.
Our attitude
lowliness -- (tapeinofrosuvnh),
(5012)), is a compound word that literally means to
think or judge with lowliness, and hence to have
lowliness of mind.
- John Wesley observed that "neither the Romans
nor the Greeks had a word for humility."
- The very concept was so foreign and abhorrent to
their way of thinking that they had no term to
describe it. Apparently this Greek term was coined
by Christians, probably by Paul himself, to describe
a quality for which no other word was available.
- When, during the first several centuries of
Christianity, pagan writers borrowed the term
tapeinophrosuneµ, they always used it
derogatorily—frequently of Christians—because to
them humility was a pitiable weakness.
- A Christian seeing himself in relationship to a
sovereign, omnipotent God
gentleness – (prau>th",
(4240)) denotes meekness. In its use in Scripture,
in which it has a fuller, deeper significance than
in non–scriptural Greek writings, it consists not in
a person’s "outward behaviour only; nor yet in his
relations to his fellow–men; as little in his mere
natural disposition. Rather it is an inwrought grace
of the soul; and the exercises of it are first and
chiefly towards God. It is that temper of spirit in
which we accept His dealings with us as good, and
therefore without disputing or resisting; it is
closely linked with the word
tapeinophrosuneµ [humility], and follows
directly upon it, Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12;
- Meekness is power under control.
- Biblical meekness, or gentleness, is power under
the control of God.
- A meek person is normally quiet, soothing, and
mild mannered, and he is never avenging,
self–assertive, vindictive, or self–defensive.
longsuffering -- (makroqumiva),
(3115)), forbearance, patience, longsuffering (makros,
long, thumos,
temper), is usually rendered "longsuffering,"
- Makrothurmia
(patience) literally means long–tempered, and is
sometimes translated longsuffering.
- The patient person endures negative
circumstances and never gives in to them.
bearing with one another in love – ( ajnevcomai),
(430)) signifies to hold up against a thing and so to
bear with (ana,
up, and
echomai, the Middle Voice of
echoµ,
to have, to hold)
- Forbearing one another in love
signifies
bearing their infirmities out of a principle of
love, and so as not to cease to love them on the
account of these.
- The best Christians have need to bear one with
another, and to make the best one of another, to
provoke one another’s graces and not their passions.
In love
Eph. 4:2 (NKJV) with all lowliness and
gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one
another in love,
Eph. 4:15 but, speaking the truth in love,
may grow up in all things into Him who is the
head--Christ--
Eph. 4:16 from whom the whole body, joined and
knit together by what every joint supplies,
according to the effective working by which every
part does its share, causes growth of the body for
the edifying of itself in love.
3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace.
endeavoring
-- (spoudavzw),
(4704)µ (to be diligent)
basically means to make haste, and from that come the
meanings of zeal and diligence.
- One commentator describes it as a holy zeal that
demands full dedication.
- 2 Tim. 2:15 "Be diligent to present
yourself approved to God as a workman who does not
need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of
truth"
Unity
- Preservation of the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace should be the diligent and constant
concern of every believer.
- Paul is not speaking of organizational unity,
such as that promoted in many denominations and in
the ecumenical movement.
- He is speaking of the inner and universal unity
of the Spirit by which every true believer is bound
to every other true believer.
True Unity in God
Eph. 4:4 [There] [is] one body and one
Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of
your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith,
one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who
[is] above all, and through all, and in you all.
- Everything that relates to salvation, the
church, and the kingdom of God is based on the
concept of unity, as reflected in Paul’s use of
seven one’s in these three verses.
- The cause, or basis, of outward oneness is inner
oneness.
- Practical oneness is based on spiritual oneness.
Gifts
Eph. 4:7 But to each one of us grace was given
according to the measure of Christ's gift.
But – is used here as an adversative rather than as a
simple conjunction.
- It could be translated "in spite of that" or "on
the other hand," contrasting the previous subject
matter with what is about to be said.
- This interpretation of but brings together the
emphasis of unity that has been the echoing
theme of verses 3–6 with the parallel emphasis of
diversity, which is the theme of verses 7–11.
Each one of us –It sets the individual (each one)
over against the "all" (v. 6) in regard to unity in the
Body of Christ.
- Unity is not uniformity and is perfectly
consistent with diversity of gifts.
- Thus Paul moves from the unity of believers to
the uniqueness of believers.
Grace –Grace to accomplishment God’s will and desire
for the believer, enablement.
Measure / share - (mevtron),
(3358)) denotes (II) that which is measured, a
determined extent, a portion measured off,
- The measure or specific portion given is by
sovereign design from the Head of the church.
- The Lord has measured out the exact proportion
of each believer’s gift
- Each believer is to function in Christ’s Body by
God’s enablement, proportional to the gift
(spiritual ability) bestowed on him/her, no more and
no less
- Eph. 4:7 (NKJV) But to each one of us grace
was given according to the measure of
Christ's gift.
- Eph. 4:13 (NKJV) till we all come to the
unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the
Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure
of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
- Eph. 4:16 (NKJV) from whom the whole body,
joined and knit together by what every joint
supplies, according to the effective working by
which every part does its share, causes
growth of the body for the edifying of itself in
love.
Christ’s gift -- Enabling grace is measured out to be
consistent with what is necessary for the operation of
Christ’s gift.
- The term
doµrea (gift) does not focus on the
undeservedness of the gift as does
- nor on the spiritual source of the gift as does
pneumatikoµn
("spiritual gifts")
- but on the freeness of the gift (cf. Matt. 10:8;
Rom. 3:24).
Eph. 4:8 Therefore He says: "When He ascended on
high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men."
9 (Now this, "He ascended"--what does it mean but that
He also first descended into the lower parts of the
earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended
far above all the heavens, that He might fill all
things.)
- Paul is set to delineate some of the gifts
Christ has given, but before mentioning specific
gifts bestowed on the whole church,
- he uses Psalm 68:18 as a comparison passage to
show how Christ received the right to bestow those
gifts.
- The obvious differences between both the Hebrew
and Greek (Septuagint) Old Testament texts of Psalm
68:18 and Paul’s citation of it suggest that he is
probably making only a general allusion to the
passage for the sake of analogy, rather than
specifically identifying it as a direct prediction
of Christ.
- Psalm 68 is a victory hymn composed by David to
celebrate God’s conquest of the Jebusite city and
the triumphant ascent of God (represented by the Ark
of the Covenant) up Mount Zion (cf. 2 Sam. 6–7; 1
Chron. 13).
Formal Ministers of the Gospel
11 And He Himself gave some [to] [be] apostles, some
prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and
teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints
- Christ not only gives gifts to individual
believers but to the total Body.
- To each believer He gives special gifts of
divine enablement, and to the church overall He
gives specially gifted men as leaders (see v. 8, "He
gave gifts to men")—as apostles … prophets …
evangelists, and … pastors and teachers.
- "He gave" emphasizes the sovereign choice and
authority given to Christ because of His perfect
fulfillment of the Father’s will.
Work of the Body
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ
-
for the equipping of the saints
- equipping -- (
katartismov"),
(2677) basically refers to that which is fit, is
restored to its original condition, or is made
complete.
- The word was often used as a medical term for
the setting of bones.
-
for the work of ministry,
- Paul’s language indicates that it is not the
gifted men who have the most direct responsibility
to do the work of service.
- The entire church is to be aggressively involved
in the work of the Lord
-
for the edifying of the body of
Christ
Edifying – (oijkodomhv
, (3619)) denotes
- the act of building (oikos,
a home, and
demoµ, to build);
- this is used only figuratively in the N.T., in
the sense of edification, the promotion of spiritual
growth (lit., the things of building up)
- Eph. 2:20 (NKJV) having been built on the
foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus
Christ Himself being the chief corner[stone], 21
in whom the whole building, being joined
together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
- Eph. 4:12 (NKJV) for the equipping of the
saints for the work of ministry, for the
edifying of the body of Christ,
- Eph. 4:29 (NKJV) Let no corrupt word proceed
out of your mouth, but what is good for
necessary edification, that it may impart
grace to the hearers
Goal of the edification of the Body
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and
of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man,
to the measure of the stature of the fullness of
Christ;
Positive
13 till we all come to the unity of
the faith –
The ultimate spiritual target for the church
begins with the unity of the faith (cf. v. 3).
As in verse 5, faith does not here refer to the
act of belief or of obedience but to the body of
Christian truth, to Christian doctrine.
of the knowledge of the Son of God –
Knowledge – (ejpivgnwsi"
, (1922)), denotes exact or full knowledge, discernment,
recognition, and is a strengthened form of No. 1,
expressing a fuller or a full knowledge, a greater
participation by the knower in the object known, thus
more powerfully influencing him. It is not found in the
Gospels and Acts. Paul uses it 15 times
to a perfect man –
Perfect – (teleiovtero"
, (5046)), the comparative degree of No. 1, is used in
Heb. 9:11, of the very presence of God.¶
- (tevleio"
, (5049)) signifies having reached its end (telos),
finished, complete, perfect. It is used (I) of
persons, (a) primarily of physical
development, then, with ethical import, fully grown,
mature,
- God’s great desire for His church is that every
believer, without exception, come to be like His Son
- manifesting the character qualities of the One
who is the only measure of the full–grown,
- perfect, mature man.
to the measure of the stature of the
fullness of Christ --
Measure / share - (mevtron
, (3358)) denotes (II) that which is measured, a
determined extent, a portion measured off,
- Eph. 4:7 (NKJV) But to each one of us grace was
given according to the measure of Christ's
gift.
- Eph. 4:13 (NKJV) till we all come to the unity
of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
to a perfect man, to the measure of the
stature of the fullness of Christ;
- Eph. 4:16 (NKJV) from whom the whole body,
joined and knit together by what every joint
supplies, according to the effective working by
which every part does its share, causes
growth of the body for the edifying of itself in
love.
- But they must and can reach a degree of maturity
that pleases and glorifies the Lord.
- The goal of Paul’s ministry to believers was
their maturity, as indicated by his labors to
"present every man complete (teleios,
mature) in Christ" (Col. 1:28–29; cf. Phil.
3:14–15).
14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to
and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine,
by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of
deceitful plotting,
Having no thorough knowledge of God’s Word, they are
tossed here and there by waves of popular sentiment and
are carried about by every wind of new doctrine that
seems appealing.
trickery --
(kubiva),
(2940) is the term from which we get cube,
and was used of dice–playing.
Just as today, the dice were often "loaded" or
otherwise manipulated by professional gamblers to their
own advantage. The term for dice therefore became
synonymous with dishonest trickery of any sort.
Craftiness -- (panourgiva),
(3834)
is a similar term, carrying the idea of clever
manipulation of error made to look like truth.
deceitful -- (meqodiva
, (3180)) denotes craft, deceit (meta,
after, hodos,
a way), a cunning device, a wile, and is translated
"wiles (of error)" in Eph. 4:14, R.V. [A.V. paraphrases
it, "they lie in wait (to deceive)"], lit., ‘(with a
view to) the craft (singular) of deceit;’ in 6:11, "the
wiles (plural) (of the Devil.)"
plotting --(plavnh),
(4106) is used later in the letter to refer to
"the schemes of the devil" (6:11).
No doubt it has reference to planned, subtle,
systematized error.
lit., a wandering, whereby those who are led astray
roam hither and thither, is always used in the N.T., of
mental straying, wrong opinion, error in morals or
religion.
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in
all things into Him who is the head--Christ—
speaking the truth (ajlhqeuvw),
(226) which means to speak, deal, or act truthfully.
In love
Eph. 4:2 (NKJV) with all lowliness
and gentleness, with longsuffering,
bearing with one another in love,
Eph. 4:15 but, speaking the truth
in love, may grow up in all things
into Him who is the head--Christ--
Eph. 4:16 from whom the whole body,
joined and knit together by what every
joint supplies, according to the
effective working by which every part
does its share, causes growth of the
body for the edifying of itself in
love.
Description of the unity of the body
4:16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit
together by what every joint supplies, according to the
effective working by which every part does its share,
causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in
love.
Whole Body
Joined – (sunarmologevw,
(4883)), to fit or frame together (sun,
with, harmos,
a joint, in building, and
legoµ,
to choose), is used metaphorically of the various parts
of the Church as a building,
Eph. 2:21 (NKJV) in whom the whole
building, being joined together,
grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
Knit together –(sumbibavzw,
(4822)) signifies to cause to coalesce, to join or knit
together
Col. 2:2 (NKJV) that their hearts may
be encouraged, being knit together
in love, and [attaining] to all riches
of the full assurance of understanding,
to the knowledge of the mystery of God,
both of the Father and of Christ,
Col 2:19 (NKJV) and not holding fast
to the Head, from whom all the body,
nourished and knit together by
joints and ligaments, grows with the
increase [that] [is] from God.
Joint – (aJfhv,
(860)), a ligature, joint (akin to
haptoµ,
to fit, to fasten), occurs in Eph. 4:16 and Col. 2:19.
Col 2:19 (NKJV) and not holding fast
to the Head, from whom all the body,
nourished and knit together by
joints and ligaments, grows with the
increase [that] [is] from God.
Supplies - (ejpicorhgiva,
(2024)), a full supply, occurs in Eph. 4:16, / lit., ‘by
the supply of every joint,’ metaphorically of the
members of the Church, the Body of which Christ is the
Head.
Effective working – (ejnevrgeia,
(1753)) (Eng., energy) is used (1) of the power of God,
Eph. 1:19 (NKJV) and what [is] the
exceeding greatness of His power toward
us who believe, according to the
working of His mighty power
Eph. 3:7 (NKJV) of which I became a
minister according to the gift of the
grace of God given to me by the
effective working of His power.
Part - (ei|",
(1520)), the first cardinal numeral, masculine
Measure / share - (mevtron),
(3358)) denotes that which is measured, a determined
extent, a portion measured off,
Eph. 4:7 (NKJV) But to each one of us
grace was given according to the
measure of Christ's gift.
Eph. 4:13 (NKJV) till we all come to
the unity of the faith and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, to a
perfect man, to the measure of
the stature of the fullness of Christ;
Eph. 4:16 (NKJV) from whom the whole
body, joined and knit together by what
every joint supplies, according to the
effective working by which every part
does its share, causes growth of
the body for the edifying of itself in
love.
Cause -- (poievw
, (4160)), to do, is translated by the verb to cause
in
Increase – (aujxavnw
, (837)), to grow or increase, of the growth of that
which lives, naturally or spiritually, is used (a)
transitively, signifying to make to increase, said
of giving the increase,
Edifying – (oijkodomhv
, (3619)) denotes (a) the act of building (oikos,
a home, and
demoµ, to build); this is used only
figuratively in the N.T., in the sense of
edification, the promotion of spiritual growth
(lit., the things of building up), Rom. 14:19; 15:2;
1 Cor. 14:3, 5, 12, 26, e.g.; (b) a building,
edifice, whether material, Matt. 24:1, e.g., or
figurative, of the future body of the believer, 2
Cor. 5:1, or of a local church, 1 Cor. 3:9, or the
whole Church, "the body of Christ," Eph. 2:21.
Eph. 2:21 (NKJV) in whom the whole
building, being joined together,
grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
Eph. 4:12 (NKJV) for the equipping of
the saints for the work of ministry, for
the edifying of the body of
Christ,
Eph. 4:29 (NKJV) Let no corrupt word
proceed out of your mouth, but what is
good for necessary edification,
that it may impart grace to the hearers.
In love
Eph. 4:2 (NKJV) with all lowliness
and gentleness, with longsuffering,
bearing with one another in love,
Eph. 4:15 but, speaking the truth
in love, may grow up in all things
into Him who is the head--Christ--
Eph. 4:16 from whom the whole body,
joined and knit together by what every
joint supplies, according to the
effective working by which every part
does its share, causes growth of the
body for the edifying of itself in
love.
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