Ephesians4
World English Bible · Public Domain
1I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called,
2with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
3being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4There is one body and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling,
5one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in us all.
7But to each one of us, the grace was given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8Therefore he says, “When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to people.”
9Now this, “He ascended”, what is it but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?
10He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.
11He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;
12for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ,
13until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
14that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;
15but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ,
16from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.
17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
18being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts.
19They, having become callous, gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20But you didn’t learn Christ that way,
21if indeed you heard him and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus:
22that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit,
23and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.
25Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
26“Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath,
27and don’t give place to the devil.
28Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.
29Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
30Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander be put away from you, with all malice.
32And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ 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