Ephesians4
New International Version
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;
5one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
8This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”
9(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?
10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
11So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,
12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.
15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
18They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.
19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20That, however, is not the way of life you learned
21when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.
22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
23to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
26“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
27and do not give the devil a foothold.
28Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave 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