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| Chapter 4 |
| Bible Text | Notes and thoughts |
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1 ¶ I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 ¶ With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are 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. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 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 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 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 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. 17 ¶ 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 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 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: 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 labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29 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 grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. |
4:1 - 6:24 The Believer in the world. v1-16. The previous chapters of Ephesian were showing the heavenly calling. Now Paul talks about how to live this life. Jesus was exalted as king, Jesus now had all power and authority. In this passage we see the giving of gifts, but this is not the same as given by the Holy Spirit in other passages, 1 Cor 12. Note the gifts were given by Jesus precisely. v1-3 Harmony - humbleness, peace in the church. not self - love - oneness - we should pray and work for this situation - this means we may have to give up our personal needs for the church. v4-6 Unity - this passage is a confession of faith. One Body - one church in Jesus - this is not referring to a local church. Note there was a tendency to develop a Jewish church or Gentile church. Paul said "all one." One Spirit - Converts - works - unites the body in Christ. One Hope - Faith, we will all be in glory one day, some people teach different levels of glory, Paul says there is no difference in glory, for all equally. One Lord - Calling Jesus Lord was a problem for Christians due to Caesar saying he was divine and should be called "Lord." We have "Lord’s" today, but unless they say they are divine there is no problem with the title. One faith - we all believe in Jesus and all the facts about Him. One Baptism - The Bible refers to two baptisms, in water and in Spirit. The New Testament does not separate them unless the water baptism was due to John the Baptist. Baptism is an outward sign of an inner repentance. After conversion the New Testament only refers to "filling." One God - everything to us. Worth considering these points, does our life reflect these situations. v7-11 Diversity in the church. The church is united but it is made up of individual parts. God is building his church from many bits. We may not be the same design but ultimately we shall be like Jesus. The passage is a leader who has just won a battle and as he goes back to his home he passes out gifts and rewards. Jesus gives particular gifts - Paul uses Psalm 68 in this passage but changes "to men." v9-10 Jesus came from Heaven, humbles himself to become a man so he knows what we need. Died in our place. Went to the grave then returned to heaven. Jesus is everywhere, fills universe - has all power. v11 - Gifts of people, not like gifts given by Spirit. v12-16 One purpose - building of the church. God has provided all the necessary gifts and abilities for this task. Do you know yours and are you using it? v14 Sound Doctrine is essential. Do not be blown about from doctrine to doctrine as if by the wind. Know the truth. This passage appears to be referring to the local church and not the whole Body of Christ as it cannot be ‘tossed about.’ v15 When you speak do so in love so to help others grow. We are one in Christ and we must grow into Him who is the head of the church - . v16 The "parts of the Body " fitting perfectly together, each part being needed and growing in love for each other. See 1 Cor 12:14ff The whole body - serving Jesus - but it needs to grow, v14. The Old Man and the New and his walk. v17-22 The old man is removed, this man which was ruled by the old fallen nature is removed, Rom 6:6 which was full of self, v17; Separated from God, v18; Blind of the things of God, v18; Who were wanting to get deeper into wrong things all the time, v19. We have been able to get rid of this old man through learning of Christ, v20-22. The truth is in Jesus. The New Man. v23-39 The New Man put on. v24 The New Man is the man who has been regenerated, remade by the presence of Jesus in their life. God does not see the old man all He can see is the new man with his garment given through Jesus. This New man has a new mind and attitude v23, unlike the ignorant old man, v18. This New man has been created through the power of God to be in the likeness of God v24. v25-29 This new position allows delivery from wrong life, sin, lying, stealing, anger, wrong speaking, etc. and will not allow Satan to take control v27. Col 1:27. v30-32 Holy Spirit and this New Man. v30 We must not hurt the Holy Spirit by out wrong life, He has sealed you into God’s family and every wrong causes Him pain. Our life can bring God’s honour into disrepute, dishonour, tarnish, shame. We must also remember that we are sealed ready for the "day of Redemption," eternity in the presence of God. Why? v32 God has forgiven you through the blood of Christ. |
Easy English Translation
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