Unity in the Body of Christ
Study note
The practical section of Ephesians begins with the word 'therefore,' connecting behavior to the theology of chapters 1-3. Paul lists the character qualities that preserve unity: humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love. He then states seven foundational unities (one body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, God and Father) that bind all believers together regardless of background.
1 I am in prison for serving the Lord. So I beg you to live in a way that matches the wonderful calling God gave you. I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other and put up with each other's faults because of your love. With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Work hard to stay united in the Spirit by living at peace with one another. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just like God called all of you to share one hope. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 There is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 There is one God who is Father of everyone. He is above everything, works through everything, and lives in everything. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Gifts for Building Up the Church
Study note
Paul explains that while unity is essential, diversity of gifts is equally part of God's design. Christ's ascension and distribution of gifts is rooted in Psalm 68, applied to Christ's victory over death and his generous giving to the church. The fivefold ministry gifts (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers) exist not to do all the work themselves but to equip every believer for ministry. The goal is corporate maturity, measured by the full stature of Christ, so that the church is no longer vulnerable to doctrinal deception but grows together in truth and love.
7 Each one of us has been given grace in the exact amount that Christ chose to give. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Therefore the Scripture says, "When he rose to the highest place, he took prisoners with him and gave gifts to his people." Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (When it says "he rose up," that means he first came down to the lowest places of the earth. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 The one who came down is the same one who went up above all the heavens. He did this so he could fill the whole universe with himself.) He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 Here are the gifts he gave. He made some people apostles, some prophets, some people to spread the good news, and some pastors and teachers. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 He gave these gifts to prepare God's people to do the work of serving and to make the body of Christ stronger. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 This will keep going until all of us are united in what we believe and in knowing the Son of God. The goal is that we become fully grown-up, reaching the full height of who Christ is. 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 fulness of Christ:
14 Then we will not be like little kids anymore, tossed around like boats in a storm. We will not be blown in every direction by whatever new teaching comes along. We will not be tricked by clever people who twist the truth. 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;
15 Instead, we will speak the truth with love. We will grow up in every way to become more like Christ, who is the head of everything. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 Christ connects every part of the body and holds it all together. As each part does its job, the whole body grows and becomes stronger through love. 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.
The New Self: Putting Off and Putting On
Study note
Paul draws a sharp line between the old Gentile way of life, characterized by darkened understanding and moral corruption, and the new life learned in Christ. The imagery of taking off old clothes and putting on new ones makes transformation tangible and practical. He then gives specific instructions: replace lying with truth, resolve anger quickly, replace stealing with generosity, replace corrupt speech with words that build up, and replace bitterness with kindness and forgiveness modeled on Christ. The warning not to 'grieve the Holy Spirit' (v. 30) underscores that sin affects our relationship with the indwelling God.
17 So I tell you:, with all the Lord's authority. Stop living the empty way that people without God live. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Their thinking has gone dark. They are cut off from the life God gives because they choose to stay ignorant and because their hearts have turned hard. Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 They stopped caring about right and wrong. They threw themselves into every kind of sinful pleasure and always wanted more. Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But that is not the life you learned about when you came to know Christ. But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 I am sure you heard about him and were taught the truth that is found in Jesus. If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 You were taught to take off your old way of living like you take off dirty clothes. That old self was being destroyed by its lying desires. That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 Let God make your thinking completely new. And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 Then put on your new self, the one God created to be truly good and holy. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 So stop lying! Every one of you should tell the truth to the people around you, because we all belong to the same body. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26 It is okay to feel angry, but do not let your anger lead you into sin. And do not go to bed while you are still fuming. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Do not give the devil even a tiny opening in your life. Neither give place to the devil.
28 If you used to steal, stop stealing right now. Instead, get to work doing honest, good things with your hands. Then you will have something to share with people who need help. 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.
29 Do not let any rotten words come out of your mouth. Say only what is helpful and builds people up at the right time, so that your words will be a gift to everyone who hears them. 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.
30 And do not make the Holy Spirit sad. He is the one who marked you as belonging to God until the day God fully sets you free. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, angry outbursts, shouting, and trash-talking. Get rid of every form of meanness. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 Instead, be kind and tenderhearted toward each other. Forgive each other freely, the same way God forgave you through Christ. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.