Ephesians 4 is a chapter in the New Testament of the Bible that talks about unity in the body of Christ and the importance of living a life worthy of the calling we have received.
The chapter begins with Paul urging the believers in Ephesus to lead a life worthy of their calling as followers of Christ. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining unity in the body of Christ, and encourages them to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
Paul then goes on to describe the different roles and responsibilities within the body of Christ. He mentions that Christ has given gifts to the church, including apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers. These gifts are given to equip and build up the body of Christ, so that we can "grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ."
In addition to these gifts, Paul also emphasizes the importance of humility and gentleness in our relationships with one another. He tells the believers to "be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." He also encourages them to forgive one another, just as Christ has forgiven them.
Finally, Paul urges the believers to put off their old selves and put on their new selves, which are renewed in the image of God. This means living a life that is characterized by righteousness, holiness, and truth, rather than indulging in the ways of the world.
In summary, Ephesians 4 teaches us about the importance of unity in the body of Christ, the role of spiritual gifts in building up the church, and the importance of living a life worthy of our calling as followers of Christ. It encourages us to be humble, gentle, and patient with one another, and to put off our old selves and put on our new selves, which are renewed in the image of God.
Ephesians 4
But spiritual communism does not involve social communism or even social equality, nor will social distinctions be obliterated in a pure Church, except so far as they hinder spiritual communion. So if you come from a camp that believes one of those thought lines, or are going to a church with these beliefs, you are not going to hear teaching on the five âfold gifting much at all. ¡ God, in His forgiveness, bore all of the penalty for the wrong we did against Him. If there be a deep pit, and its mouth, covered with reeds, shall present to the eye the appearance of solid ground, will not the eye use the foot to ascertain whether it is hollow underneath or whether it is firm and resists? However, some have understood this as Christ descending "below" the earth in some type of activity during the three days between His death and resurrection. But you cannot say then that the apostolic gifting is not for today and that it stopped at some arbitrary point in time! A body can only function properly if it tells itself the truth.
Enduring Word Bible Commentary Ephesians Chapter 4
This means every part and joint provides what it can supply in a coordinated effort. The way God works unity: through spiritual gifts of leadership in the church. He is called by God is to raise up and release people that want to start new ministries apostolic as well as people that want to share their faith evangelists. Let him who stole steal no longer : The new man does not steal , but he works with his hands. Therefore, putting away lying : The new man tells the truth.
This was evidence of His triumph over every foe the leading of captivity captive. According to the energy in the measure or, proportion of each individual part. These ministries work together to produce strong, mended, fit Christians. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. That is a western overlay in my opinion.
It is due to the Spirit, as well as to the interests of the kingdom of God, that the unity of the Spirit be maintained in the bond of peace. And then he is grieved because he sees that you love worldly things better than you love him. With the power He used to bring the world into being at His disposal, He willingly reined in any impulse to retaliate or take over. These are varied, because what each gets he gets for the good of the rest; the Church is a fellowship or brotherhood, where each has an interest in all and all in each, and is bound to act accordingly. Here a few thoughts and questions for you. He does not lie awake wondering if he is going to eat tomorrow. We are confident that this unity is found in Jesus Christ, by the Spirit of God.
It looks silly and awkward as it labors to cover short distances. I expect part of the problem is a definitional one concerning apostles and prophets and the fear of attributing canonical authority to any claims to continuing apostolic and prophetic ministries. The word is metamorphosis, and God has that in mind for you. All lying, and corrupt communications, that stir up evil desires and lusts, grieve the Spirit of God. Even at best the natural understanding cannot discover these things, and when it is not only imperfect but darkened - made more obscure than ever by sin see after - its guidance is altogether defective. This let us seek after; let us live near to Christ, for this is the best way of promoting unity. She is particularly passionate about helping children and families learn their faith through song.
. Not pagans only, but some of whom better things might be expected, need this charge. This sets forth the principle of love in the heart, and the outward expression of it, in a humble, courteous behaviour. Paul is imploring us to use these five gifts to build up the church so we can come to full maturity in our knowledge and understanding of Christ. What would it be like to go through such drastic and amazing changes? Understanding who we are is the foundation of this worthy walk. If they do not do their work, then at best we will have a radically distorted view of evangelists, pastors and teachers. This is consistent with both the ultimate purpose of God i.
The question is who are the APEs? We can understand this unity of the Spirit by understanding what it is not. Remember the emphasis in the NT about gifts is that gifts differ and that all are needed for the body to function properly. But it's not until a day or two later that the full story is told. Here again the background of the shaliach is in view. I would say, all people are gifted with some combination of APEST but SOME are actually leaders and have more of a role in the equipping. 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. Unity in the Body 1As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Without sense of shame, without conscience, without fear of God or regard for man, without any perception of the dignity of human nature, the glory of the Divine image, or the degradation of sin. It is that they are filled with things that lead to nothing. The sensuality of the heathen was and is something dreadful. It is also no wonder we have made Seminary THE THING for aspiring Christian leaders to obtain and we have overly intellectualized the church knowledge seems to be more important in Western churches than obedience. Where there is a low moral tone and an uneducated conscience, very great irregularities may be found. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
The second part of this chapter Ephesians 4:17â32 focuses on the new life believers have in Christ. This whole context is about the people of God. In him all the gifts are wrapped up and fully seen in the gospels. Put off⌠the old man⌠put on the new man : This has the same idea of putting off or putting on a set of clothes. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. When this happens, it naturally causes the growth of the body both in size and strength , but especially growth for building itself up in love.
Because of this high calling, we should walk live in a different way than the world around us does. This let us seek after; let us live near to Christ, for this is the best way of promoting unity. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. I would be most helped if you could help clarify how to reconcile Eph 2 with the gifts of the ascended Christ in Eph 4 please. It's kind of a messy word for people that you don't like. When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men : Paul did not quote the passage exactly as it appears in Psalm 68.
