EPHESIANS 4:1-16
Throughout the first 3 chapters, Paul seemed to focus on
doctrinal issues; now he turns his focus to practical issues.
He starts to write about what should be done
as a result of the blessings Christians have in Christ.
VERSE 1.
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to
live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Paul reminds them that he is a prisoner because he preached
that Jews and Gentiles were to be parts of the same body,
which was the church.
Note:
This probably added weight to his request for the Ephesians
to work together in unity. The fact that Paul was willing to
go to prison for his message, stressed the importance of his
request.
“worthy”
– Paul says the way we live should balance out
with the blessings we have received in Christ.
In other words, we should live our lives with
a remembrance of how God has blessed us.
We should have the same fervor to live
righteously as God has to bless us.
VERSE 2.
Be completely humble and gentle;
be patient, bearing with one another in love.
There are four attributes necessary
for achieving and maintaining unity:
1. Humble:
To consider others and their needs
as more important that one’s own needs.
2. Gentle:
Controlled strength (like a domesticated animal).
Example:
A wild horse does not become weak, but it’s
strength is brought under control. It could
accomplish a lot under the direction of a rider.
Note:
When we are gentle, we are brought under
God’s control. We can accomplish a lot
under His direction.
Note:
Paul says to become completely humble and gentle.
Question:
What would be the problem
if one is not completely humble and gentle?
– Inconsistency would make others feel uncomfortable
to the point of not wanting to be around them
(this would result in a breakdown of any unity).
Paul reminds us that achieving unity is not an easy task.
He tells us to:
3. “be patient” and,
4. “bear with one another in love”.
– Question:
Why did he use the word “love”?
– Love may be the only characteristic that makes it
possible for us to tolerate the habits, faults, and
personalities of others.
Note:
For unity to be successful,
others have to be equally tolerant of us.
VERSE 3.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit
through the bond of peace.
“make every effort”
– This does not imply a passive approach,
but a proactive effort (probably with eagerness).
Unity is possible because God’s Spirit dwells in every believer.
“the bond of peace”
– Depicts an act of holding together and strengthening,
(kind of like the physical ligaments of the body).
Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and
the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize.
Such a person goes into great detail about what he
has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up
with idle notions. He has lost connection with the
Head, from whom the whole body, supported and
held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as
God causes it to grow. (Colossians 2:18-19)
The love of Christ holds the spiritual body together.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and
dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever
grievances you may have against one another.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all
these virtues put on love, which binds them all
together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-14)
VERSES 4-5.
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you
were called to one hope when you were called—
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
Paul uses a series of “ones” to express the unity of the church:
– One body (the church)
– One Spirit (God’s Spirit needs to dominate the church)
– One Hope (salvation)
– One Lord (Jesus Christ)
– One Faith (the same for the Jews and Gentiles)
– One baptism (commitment of faith publicly expressed)
Question:
Does this oneness describe
our relationship with others in the church?
VERSE 6.
one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.
– One God, One Father
(He is the authority figure of the church).
VERSE 7.
But to each one of us
grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
Paul turns his focus from the church as a whole and points
out the diversity of the individual believers within the church.
– Each believer has received grace from Christ
(and they have received at least one Spiritual gift).
Note:
God uses our uniqueness (including our Spiritual gift)
to minister in the church, and maintain the unity He desires.
– His grace gives us the strength to use the gifts He gives us.
Note:
Each of us has a gift (or gifts) to meet
specific needs that others cannot fulfill.
Note:
Unity of the church is strengthened when each
member uses his or her particular Spiritual gift.
It is not something to be taken lightly. God gave
us the gift so that we could be useable by Him.
He expects us to use what He has given us.
VERSE 8.
This is why it says: “When he ascended on high,
he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.”
Paul references Psalm 68:18 to make the point
that Christ is the One Who gives the gifts to us.
VERSES 9-10.
(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also
descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who
descended is the very one who ascended higher than
all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
“He also descended to the lower earthly regions”
– Some think it means Christ’s incarnation
(when He became man).
– Some believe it refers to the grave.
– Some believe it means He descended into
Hades between His death and resurrection.
– Some believe it is a reference to His death. He went
down into death to pay the price for our redemption.
VERSE 11.
It was he who gave some to be apostles,
some to be prophets, some to be evangelists,
and some to be pastors and teachers,
It looks like Paul resumed his line of thinking from verse 7.
– The exalted Christ gave gifts to His people. These are not
all the gifts, but these are foundational to the church.
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and
aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and
members of God’s household, built on the foundation
of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself
as the chief cornerstone. (Ephesians 2:19-20)
– Apostles:
Could be a reference to the twelve
chosen by Jesus during His earthly ministry.
It is important for us to realize that when we
were saved, we have been chosen to be apostles.
Note:
Matthias replaced Judas.
In those days Peter stood up among the believers
(a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)
and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled
which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth
of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for
those who arrested Jesus – he was one of our number
and shared in this ministry.” (With the reward he got
for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell
headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines
spilled out. Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this,
so they called that field in their language Akeldama,
that is, Field of Blood.) “For,” said Peter, “it is written
in the book of Psalms, “ ‘May his place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “ ‘May another
take his place of leadership.’ Therefore it is necessary
to choose one of the men who have been with us the
whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus
was taken up from us. For one of these must become a
witness with us of his resurrection.” So they proposed
two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus)
and Matthias. Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s
heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take
over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he
belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias;
so he was added to the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:15-26)
– Evangelists:
Those who are gifted in leading others
to Christ (in group settings, or individually).
– Pastors and Teachers:
The way Paul phrases them together,
it appears they are considered as one gift.
Question:
How does it make you feel to know
that Christ has given you at least one gift?
Question:
If we are not aware of having a gift,
should we have doubts about our salvation?
Question:
If we are not using our gift, or gifts,
do you think Christ will take them away?
VERSE 12.
to prepare God’s people for works of service,
so that the body of Christ may be built up
Paul explains why Christ gives believers Spiritual gifts.
If everyone is using their Spiritual gift, then the church
body will be built up, but if anyone is not using the gift
God gave him or her, then the body of the church will
become stagnant and that is never a good thing.
VERSE 13.
until we all reach unity in the faith and in the
knowledge of the Son of God and become mature,
attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Paul mentions some of the results of using our Spiritual gifts:
– Spiritual gifts are not just for individual
gratification, but for the good of the body.
– As we use our gifts, we help others (and ourselves)
to grow in the faith and knowledge of Christ.
– As we minister in the church body and reach out to
those who do not know Christ, we grow and mature
in Him.
VERSE 14.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth
by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of
teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in
their deceitful scheming.
Paul was concerned about the danger of false teaching
(a danger he had mentioned to them previously).
I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in
among you and will not spare the flock. Even from
your own number men will arise and distort the truth
in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on
your guard! Remember that for three years I never
stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
(Acts 20:29-31)
He wanted the Ephesians to be well-grounded in their faith.
Note:
His message is applicable to us as well. We need spiritual
maturity so that we will not be “infants, tossed back and
forth” by every religious idea that comes along.
Paul was blunt when he characterized false teachers.
Note:
As believers, we must be alert since false teachers
will use deceitful practices, detailed schemes, and
every manipulative ploy to recruit followers.
VERSE 15.
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things
grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
In contrast, believers are to speak the truth in love.
Question:
If we know the other person is not going to like the truth:
– Should we share the truth with them?
– How can we share the truth “in love”?
Note:
Some people feel that love is demonstrated by avoiding
the truth. Others take pride in sharing the truth, but do
not show love. Both love and truth are needed; when used
together it indicates a spiritual growth and maturity.
Christ is the Head of the church and the source of its vitality
and growth. This is why we should know more about Him
and invite Him into our worship (when we worship individually,
and when we gather corporately to worship God).
VERSE 16.
From him the whole body, joined and held together
by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself
up in love, as each part does its work.
Paul points out the importance of everyone’s participation.
When each part of the church body is functioning properly,
the church can accomplish much.
Note:
Each of us need to realize how important we are to the
church, and consider the seriousness of our responsibility.
Note:
If one part of the body is not functioning properly,
it not only affects one area, but the entire body as well.
SUMMARY:
– Each of us needs to determine which church activities we enjoy
and feel comfortable with. This could indicate where our spiritual
gifts are most beneficial.
Note:
We also need to be willing to try new areas of service.
– As we discover our gifts and use them,
we help to maintain the unity established by God’s Spirit.
– When we use our spiritual gifts, God merges our ministry
with the ministries of others in the church to accomplish
the unity He desires (this helps to build the church body).
– Each believer is important to God and He welcomes
our participation in His ministry (even though He
can accomplish His goals without us).
CHALLENGE:
– Pray that God will reveal our spiritual gift.
– Pray that God will show us where and how
to use the gift (or gifts) He has given us.
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