Ephesians 4 — Unity of the Faith
Introduction: Paul appealed to the saints at Ephesus to live out the new life they have in Christ, and to forsake old ways that were part of their former separation from the Kingdom of God. He wanted them to renew their minds so they would be guided by the Spirit which had sealed them unto the day of redemption. Having a strong unity in the body of Christ here on earth would bring glory to God for his grace and mercy to them.
NOTE: All Bible passages are taken from the 1901 American Standard Version.
A — Walk Worthily of Your Calling
Ephesians 4 “1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called, 2 with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Comments: Paul reminded the believers at Ephesus that he considered himself to be a prisoner in the Lord while he was in the custody of the civil government because he knew that they had received grace through the message of Christ. He strongly encouraged them to be humble and gentle, and to patiently accept each other in their daily living because that was part of their calling to be diligent to show unity in the Spirit and to maintain love within the church through the peace that was their bond with each other.
B — Christ Ascended That He Might Fill All Things
Ephesians 4 “4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all. 7 But unto each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)”
Comments: Paul described the ways in which believers are one in God through the Spirit for one hope by one faith which should provide unity within every group of saints. Paul also wrote that there is given to each individual believer a gift of grace according to the measure determined by Christ. The reference to leading captivity captive seems drawn from Psalm 68:18–19. All people are captive to sin and death, and Christ led believers by grace through faith out of that captivity when he ascended back into heaven having purchased the believer’s salvation. The one who ascended had first descended into the earth after giving himself as a sacrifice for those who would believe. 1 Corinthians 15:1–4 restates that same gospel: Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; was buried; and was raised on the third day according to the scriptures.
C — Gifts Were Given for the Unity of the Faith
Ephesians 4 “11 And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: 13 till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; 15 but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ; 16 from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together… maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.”
Comments: Paul listed some of the leadership positions within the body, beginning with apostles and prophets, who had received their gifts from the Lord to guide all the saints to be more complete in their various ways of ministering to build up the body of Christ. All of the individual functions could bring about unity in the faith with more knowledge about the Son of God, to achieve a maturity of the full measure that Christ can provide. This would make it less likely that errant teaching could lead believers astray through the cunning deceit of those who only profess to believe in God. Speaking truth in love is the way that maturity in Christ will grow — into full realization that he is the head of the body of believers.
D — Be Renewed in the Spirit of Your Mind
Ephesians 4 “17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart… 22 that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit; 23 and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.”
Comments: Because of the foregoing points, Paul affirmed in the Lord that the Ephesians needed to be sure not to live in the manner of unconverted Gentiles, who are separated from the life of God because their hearts are hardened. Paul directed the believers to put away those things that are part of the former manner of life, which can cause corruption in their character through the deceit of lustful sin. They should seek to be renewed in their way of thinking by the new creation they have become through Christ, to have righteousness in the holiness of truth. Paul had written a similar message in Romans 12:2: “be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
E — Do Not Grieve the Holy Spirit of God
Ephesians 4 “25 Wherefore, putting away falsehood, speak ye truth each one with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need. 29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear. 30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you.”
Comments: Paul continued to give some important distinctions that should be part of the Christian life: speak only the truth, don’t let anger lead to sin or linger overnight, work honestly and give to those in need, use speech that edifies rather than corrupts. A primary goal for each Christian is that we not grieve the Holy Spirit of God who has sealed us to be kept for the day of redemption. Jesus himself was both angry and grieved when the people in the synagogue hardened their hearts against a work of mercy (Mark 3:1–5) — showing that emotions are part of human nature, but Christians must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit to avoid bitter feelings and angry outbursts that grieve the Spirit. Paul encouraged believers instead to be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave them. Colossians 3:13–14 gives similar guidance, adding “above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.”
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, I want to be humble and gentle, and to patiently accept other believers with a diligence that will show unity in the Spirit and will maintain love within your church. I believe your grace has given us the bond of peace that should transcend any turmoil that is part of the fallen world. Lord Jesus, you provided the perfect sacrifice to cover our sin, and then you ascended back to heaven to fill all things that you had predetermined according to your purpose. You gave various gifts by your Spirit in different measure to believers so they would complement each other to form a masterpiece of the unity of the faith that would bring all glory to your name, and provide truth from your Word to counteract false teaching. Thank you, Lord, that you have made possible the renewing of the mind while we wait for the renewing into a spiritual body when you call us to heaven to be with you forever. Help me Lord, to abandon the things that grieve your Holy Spirit that has sealed me unto the day of redemption. Amen.
Published 15 April 2015