Ephesians 4
Philippians 4 contains the apostle Paul’s final words of encouragement to the believers in Philippi, expressions of gratitude, and greetings. In the earlier chapters, Paul emphasized the joy, humility, and posture of faith within the gospel, and in chapter 4 he highlights the importance of practicing encouragement as well as cultivating harmony, prayer, and an attitude of gratitude within the community.
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.
Structure and Flow
- Verses 1–3: Encouragement for reconciliation and unity - Paul urges two female leaders, Euodia and Syntyche, to have the same mindset and emphasizes unity in the community.
- Verses 4–9: Encouragement regarding joy and peace - Along with the well-known instruction, “Rejoice in the Lord always,” it says that when you bring your requests to God in prayer and thanksgiving, God’s peace will guard your hearts and minds. It also asks you to think about and put into practice good things.
- Verses 10–20: Paul’s gratitude and contentment - He expresses gratitude for the support of the Philippian church and emphasizes a spirit of contentment regardless of circumstances. The verse “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (verse 13) is included in this section. Paul says that the Philippian church’s partnership and support are more important for their benefit than for his own, and he assures them that God will supply their needs.
- Verses 21–23: Final greetings and blessing - He closes the letter by sending greetings in Christ Jesus and wishing that God’s grace would be with them.
Meditation Points
- How can we discover the importance of harmony and unity within the community in this chapter?
- In my life, how are attitudes of “rejoicing always,” “not being anxious,” “gratitude and prayer,” and “adaptability and contentment” being revealed?
- Let us reflect on God’s peace that guards me, and what is true and good that I should think about and practice.
Try Applying It to Me
- In various situations of life, you can put into practice an attitude of gratitude and contentment, as the Word teaches.
- When fear and worry arise, try putting it into practice so that you can entrust everything to God through prayer and supplication.
- Within many relationships—at home, at work, and in the church—you can also practice reconciliation and unity first.
- Each day, let us check whether the standard for our thoughts and actions is “true, honest, just, and worthy of love.”
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