Ephesians 4
Ephesians 4 is a section in which Paul emphasizes unity and maturity in the church for the Ephesian church and its believers, and urges them regarding a new way of living. While chapters 1–3 mainly discuss God’s grace and the mystery of salvation, starting from chapter 4 it explains, in practical terms, what form that life worthy of the salvation should take. Broadly, it can be divided into four sections: the church’s oneness (verses 1–6), the diversity of gifts and their purpose (verses 7–16), living as the new self (verses 17–24), specific practices of the new self (verses 25–32)—and you can consider it in those four parts.
1verseI therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called,
2versewith all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
3versebeing eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4verseThere is one body and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling,
5verseone Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6verseone God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in us all.
7verseBut to each one of us, the grace was given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8verseTherefore he says, “When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to people.”
9verseNow this, “He ascended”, what is it but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?
10verseHe who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.
11verseHe gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;
12versefor the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ,
13verseuntil 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,
14versethat 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;
15versebut speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ,
16versefrom 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.
17verseThis 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,
18versebeing 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.
19verseThey, having become callous, gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20verseBut you didn’t learn Christ that way,
21verseif indeed you heard him and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus:
22versethat you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit,
23verseand that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24verseand put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.
25verseTherefore, putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
26verse“Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath,
27verseand don’t give place to the devil.
28verseLet 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.
29verseLet 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.
30verseDon’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31verseLet all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander be put away from you, with all malice.
32verseAnd be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
The Church’s Oneness and Maturity
Paul emphasizes the posture of Christians, such as humility, gentleness, and patience, and especially urges them to diligently keep “the unity the Spirit has brought about” within the faith community (verses 1–6). Then he says that although the gifts Christ gives to each person are different, that diversity is ultimately used to be of service for the growth and benefit of the whole church (verses 7–16). Through these different roles and missions, he shows that the church can grow into a complete form, and that when each member performs their part, they can reach true maturity.
Put Off the Old Self and Put On the New Self
Beginning with verse 17, he urges that we must live by turning away from the way we used to live (the old self) and instead live in a changed way (the new self). He stresses that life must actually change because of faith, and that new standards must be set not only for thoughts and deeds but also for words and relationships (verses 17–24). More than a simple improvement in ethics, he repeatedly highlights and emphasizes the identity of the “new self” that is fitting for the gospel.
Practical Practices of the New Self
In the final section (verses 25–32), we find concrete and practical instructions, such as getting rid of falsehood and speaking the truth, not even letting anger go so far that it becomes sin, doing good instead of stealing, and speaking words that build up virtue instead of filthy talk. It also urges believers to be kind and compassionate toward one another and to forgive each other. These actions become the real, everyday way believers build one another up within the faith community.
Meditation Points
- In the community to which I belong, am I making practical efforts for oneness?
- What gifts has God given me, and how am I using them for the church and for my neighbors?
- You can reflect on whether you are living a life consistent with the identity of the new self, moving away from old habits and thoughts.
Try Applying It to Me
- Let’s decide on one small action we will put into practice today—how we will treat our neighbors with humility and gentleness, for unity and peace.
- Let’s check whether my words and actions are beneficial to the community, and I will practice words that build others up.
- Even in my everyday life, let’s choose continually the way of the “new self,” and reflect today as well on whether my life is evidence of the gospel.
