Ephesians4
King James Version · Public Domain
1I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8Wherefore 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?
10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13Till 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:
14That 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;
15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16From 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.
17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20But ye have not so learned Christ;
21If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27Neither give place to the devil.
28Let 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.
29Let 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.
30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Ephesians 4.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Exhortations to mutual forbearance and union. (1–6). To a due use of spiritual gifts and graces. (7–16). To purity and holiness. (17–24). And to take heed of the sins practised among the heathen. (25–32).
vv1-6
Nothing is pressed more earnestly in the Scriptures, than to walk as becomes those called to Christ's kingdom and glory. By lowliness, understand humility, which is opposed to pride. By meekness, that excellent disposition of soul, which makes men unwilling to provoke, and not easily to be provoked or offended. We find much in ourselves for which we can hardly forgive ourselves; therefore we must not be surprised if we find in others that which we think it hard to forgive. There is one Christ in whom all believers hope, and one heaven they are all hoping for; therefore they should be of one heart. They had all one faith, as to its object, Author, nature, and power. They all believed the same as to the great truths of religion; they had all been admitted into the church by one baptism, with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, as the sign of regeneration. In all believers God the Father dwells, as in his holy temple, by his Spirit and special grace.
vv7-16
Unto every believer is given some gift of grace, for their mutual help. All is given as seems best to Christ to bestow upon every one. He received for them, that he might give to them, a large measure of gifts and graces; particularly the gift of the Holy Ghost. Not a mere head knowledge, or bare acknowledging Christ to be the Son of God, but such as brings trust and obedience. There is a fulness in Christ, and a measure of that fulness given in the counsel of God to every believer; but we never come to the perfect measure till we come to heaven. God's children are growing, as long as they are in this world; and the Christian's growth tends to the glory of Christ. The more a man finds himself drawn out to improve in his station, and according to his measure, all that he has received, to the spiritual good of others, he may the more certainly believe that he has the grace of sincere love and charity rooted in his heart. (Eph 4:17-24)
vv17-24
The apostle charged the Ephesians in the name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus, that having professed the gospel, they should not be as the unconverted Gentiles, who walked in vain fancies and carnal affections. Do not men, on every side, walk in the vanity of their minds? Must not we then urge the distinction between real and nominal Christians? They were void of all saving knowledge; they sat in darkness, and loved it rather than light. They had a dislike and hatred to a life of holiness, which is not only the way of life God requires and approves, and by which we live to him, but which has some likeness to God himself in his purity, righteousness, truth, and goodness. The truth of Christ appears in its beauty and power, when it appears as in Jesus. The corrupt nature is called a man; like the human body, it is of divers parts, supporting and strengthening one another. Sinful desires are deceitful lusts; they promise men happiness, but render them more miserable; and bring them to destruction, if not subdued and mortified. These therefore must be put off, as an old garment, a filthy garment; they must be subdued and mortified. But it is not enough to shake off corrupt principles; we must have gracious ones. By the new man, is meant the new nature, the new creature, directed by a new principle, even regenerating grace, enabling a man to lead a new life of righteousness and holiness. This is created, or brought forth by God's almighty power.
Key Words
ἐγώ (egṓ): I, me
οὖν (oûn): (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
δέσμιος (désmios): a captive (as bound)
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
κύριος (kýrios): supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
παρακαλέω (parakaléō): to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
ὑμᾶς (hymâs): you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
περιπατέω (peripatéō): to tread all around, i.e. walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary)
ἀξίως (axíōs): appropriately
κλῆσις (klēsis): an invitation (figuratively)
Cross References
Ephesians 4Directly quoted by Paul to explain Christ's triumphal ascension and distribution of spiritual gifts to men.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Direct parallel describing the 'new man' renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the trinitarian distribution of diverse gifts (Spirit, Lord, God) to build up one body.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Illuminates Christ's triumph and leading 'captivity captive' by disarming principalities and powers.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbal and thematic parallel of the body knit together by joints, growing from the Head, Christ.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel command to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the command to put on bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness, and meekness.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Urges forgiving one another even as Christ (or God in Christ) forgave you.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Strong verbal parallel instructing believers to walk in lowliness, meekness, long-suffering, and mutual forbearance.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Parallels grace and gifts distributed to individual members according to the measure of faith.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Explains the theological connection between Christ's ascending and His prior descent from heaven.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel list of church offices and gifts (apostles, prophets, teachers) appointed for the body's edification.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Exhorts to lay aside (put off) all malice, guile, hypocrisies, envies, and evil speakings.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The 'new man' is created after God's likeness, echoing the original creation of man.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Exhorts to 'put on' the Lord Jesus Christ, making no provision for lusts.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Old Testament source for the command: 'Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour.'
Supported by Matthew Henry
Detailed exposition of how Christians are 'members one of another' in one body.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Earlier reference in Ephesians to believers being sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Commands putting off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy communication.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Paul reiterates his identity as 'the prisoner of Jesus Christ' to appeal to his readers.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Connects being called in 'one body' to the ruling peace of God in believers' hearts.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Reinforces the trinitarian confession of 'one Lord' Jesus Christ and 'one God' the Father.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Historical fulfillment of Christ ascending to the Father's right hand and pouring out Holy Spirit gifts.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Expands on Christ's role as the supreme Head over all things to the church.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallels the description of Gentile futility, darkened understanding, and being given over to uncleanness.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Contrasts the darkened, alienated state of the Gentiles with their conversion to turn from darkness to light.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The Greek LXX of Psalm 4:4 reads exactly 'Be ye angry, and sin not.'
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Old Testament historical parallel of Israel vexing/grieving God's Holy Spirit.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Warns against the devil, our adversary, walking about seeking whom he may devour.
Supported by Matthew Henry