Ephesians 4

Ephesians Chapter 4 Theological Commentary

Overview

Ephesians chapter 4 marks the beginning of the "practical" section of Paul's epistle. After detailing and establishing the doctrine of grace in the preceding three chapters, Paul now exhorts believers on the manner of life they ought to lead. This chapter can be broadly divided into two parts. First, verses 1-16 emphasize the unity and maturity of the church. Second, verses 17-32 urge the practical application of putting off the old self and putting on the new self.

Structure of the Text

Verses 1-3: Exhortation to Unity

Believers are exhorted to live in a manner worthy of their calling, emphasizing tolerance in love with humility, gentleness, and patience.

Verses 4-6: The Basis of Unity

The basis for unity is presented by reminding believers of the one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father.

Verses 7-16: Diversity and Unity of Gifts, and the Maturity of the Church

The diversity of gifts given by Christ to each person is explained, and it is emphasized that these gifts should be used for the benefit and maturity of the church. Believers are encouraged to grow into the full maturity of Christ's body.

Verses 17-24: Put Off the Old Self and Put On the New Self

Believers are urged to abandon the life of the old self, which lives in the futility of vain thoughts like the Gentiles, and to live the life of the new self, created in the likeness of God.

Verses 25-32: Specific Practices of Life

Believers are exhorted to put away falsehood and speak the truth, to be angry but not sin, not to steal, and to speak words that build others up. Furthermore, the practice of forgiveness and love is emphasized, urging believers to forgive one another as God in Christ has forgiven them.

Key Themes

Unity of the Church: The unity of the church, made one in Christ, is of utmost importance, and for this, believers must tolerate one another in love with humility, gentleness, and patience.

Maturity of Believers: It is crucial for the church to mature to the full stature of Christ through the diverse gifts God has given to each member.

Life of the New Self: The new life created in Christ is characterized by abandoning the sinful habits of the old self and living a life of truthfulness, love, forgiveness, and holiness.

Sectional Commentary

4:1 "Therefore I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,"

Reformed Tradition: Paul, identifying himself as a prisoner for the Lord, uses the authority of the gospel he received to implore the Ephesian believers to live lives worthy of their calling. This is a practical response to doctrinal teaching.

Methodist Tradition: Paul emphasizes his imprisonment for Christ, which serves as a strong motivation for believers to obey in order to comfort him in his suffering.

Evangelical Tradition: The word "Therefore" serves as a connector, urging a practical life as a natural consequence of the great truths of God's grace and salvation explained in the preceding three chapters.

4:2 "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,"

Reformed Tradition: Humility is the opposite of pride, signifying a disposition of self-abasement. Gentleness refers to a soft disposition that is not easily provoked to anger or hurt.

Holiness Tradition: Humility and gentleness represent a low view of oneself and a tender heart, which are foundational to the Christian life.

Orthodox Tradition: It is important to bear with one another in love with humility, which means thinking lowly of oneself, and gentleness, which means not easily becoming angry at the faults of others, along with patience.

4:3 "striving to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Reformed Tradition: This is an exhortation to diligently keep the unity of the church, which the Spirit has already created. It calls for active human cooperation with the Spirit's work.

Methodist Tradition: This is an exhortation to firmly guard the unity of the church, which is bound together by peace, the fruit of the Spirit.

Evangelical Tradition: Christians should avoid conflict and pursue peace, which is essential for maintaining church unity.

4:4-6 "There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

Reformed Tradition: The unity of the church is built upon seven "one"s: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father.

Methodist Tradition: The fact that believers share the Triune God (one Lord, one Spirit, one God and Father) serves as the basis for unity among believers.

Lutheran Tradition: All believers share one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, which provides a strong foundation for church unity.

Insights from the Original Languages

4:1 "to walk" (περιπατεῖν - peripatein): This word means "to walk" and signifies not merely movement but a way of life, attitude, and overall conduct. It indicates that the Christian's life should be consistent with the calling they have received.

4:2 "humility" (ταπεινοφροσύνης - tapeinophrosynes): This means "lowliness of mind" and refers to a humble attitude towards oneself, not overestimating oneself. "Gentleness" (πραΰτητος - praütētos) signifies meekness, mildness, and controlled strength.

4:4 "body" (σῶμα - sōma): This refers to the church as the body of Christ, emphasizing the organic unity of the church.

4:7 "grace" (χάρις - charis): This means God's unmerited favor or kindness and refers to the gifts Christ gives to each believer.

4:11 "apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers" (ἀποστόλους, προφήτας, εὐαγγελιστάς, ποιμένας καὶ διδασκάλους - apostolous, prophētas, euangelistas, poimenas kai didaskalous): These are the offices Christ has given to build up the church and equip the saints.

Theological Perspectives — Comparison by Tradition

Connection Between Doctrinal Foundation and Practical Life:

Presbyterian/Reformed Tradition: Ephesians 4 presents practical exhortations as a natural consequence of the doctrinal teachings in the first three chapters. The connector "Therefore" clarifies this logical flow.

Methodist Tradition: Based on doctrinal teachings, Paul exhorts believers on the manner of life they ought to lead.

Evangelical Tradition: Emphasizes that an understanding of theological truths must lead to transformation and practice in the believer's life.

Importance and Basis of Unity:

Presbyterian/Reformed Tradition: The seven "one"s (body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, God the Father) demonstrate that church unity is not based on human effort but on divine realities.

Lutheran Tradition: Highlights that the fundamental elements of faith shared by all believers provide a strong foundation for church unity.

Methodist Tradition: Emphasizes that the sharing of the Triune God is a key element that enables unity among believers.

Gifts and Church Maturity:

Reformed Tradition: Stresses that the diverse gifts given by Christ should be harmoniously used for the benefit and maturity of the church.

Evangelical Tradition: Emphasizes the importance of achieving unity within the diversity of gifts and maturing to the full stature of Christ.

Life of the New Self:

Holiness Tradition: Urges believers to cast off the sinful life of the old self and live a new life in Christ, characterized by holiness and truthfulness.

Orthodox Tradition: Stresses the need to abandon the futile thoughts and sinful habits of the old self and live the life of the new self, created anew in the image of God.

Cross-References

Life Worthy of Calling (4:1): Philippians 1:27 ("Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ"), Colossians 1:10 ("so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him")

Humility and Gentleness (4:2): Philippians 2:3 ("Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves."), Galatians 5:22-23 ("But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control")

Unity (4:3-6): 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 ("For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."), John 17:21 ("that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.")

Diversity and Unity of Gifts (4:7-16): 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 ("Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good... All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.")

Old Self and New Self (4:17-24): Romans 6:6 ("We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.")

Love and Forgiveness (4:25, 31-32): Colossians 3:12-14 ("Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.")

Sermon / Application Points

A Life Worthy of Our Calling: We have been called by the gospel of Christ. This calling carries with it the responsibility for our way of life, how we "walk." We must treat one another with humility, gentleness, patience, and love so that our lives may be worthy of the glory and value of our calling.

The Power of Unity: The church is already one in Christ. This oneness is rooted in the Spirit's work within us and the singular basis of our faith that we share (one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, etc.). We must diligently maintain this unity created by the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Harmonious Use of Gifts: God has given diverse gifts to each believer. These gifts are not for criticizing or envying one another but for building up and maturing the body of Christ. We must serve one another through our gifts and build up the church.

Identity as the New Self: We are new creations in Christ. We must cast off the sinful habits and thoughts of the old self and live the life of the new self, characterized by truthfulness, holiness, and love. Our identity lies not in the ways of the world but in the new life created according to God's will.

A Life of Forgiveness: Just as God has unconditionally forgiven us through Christ, we must forgive one another. Forgiveness is central to the Christian life and is the power that heals our relationships and builds up a healthy community. We must cast away bitterness and anger and embrace one another in love, imitating God's forgiveness.