Ephesians 4

Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

Here we have the same word for prisoner as in the last chapter. I  should mention that prisoner is  fine translation for this word I just wanted to point out that the word means bound to.

The word vocation is the Greek word klēsis It means to have a calling. We are to walk worthy of our calling. What does that mean? We all this first means that we heard God's call like it talks about in 1 Timothy 2:4. When we got saved we were given certain abilities and we are to use them for the benefit of the body of Christ 1 Corinthians 12:12 ff, Matthew 10;8,  and 1 Corinthians 14:5. This involves operations of all 9 manifestations.

The word are can also be translated were. We were called in the past tense.

2 With all lowlines as and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

The word lowlines means we are to keep our minds in check. Remember all that was expounded in chapters 1-3 about how it is all by grace we had nothing to do with our being saved.. It was because of what Jesus Christ did.

Meekness does not mean being a whimp. Jesus Christ was the meekest person who ever lived but he was no mealy mouthed whimp! He confronted the heads of the temple and told them the truth about themselves. He called them hypocrite’s, whited sepulchres (Matthew 23:27) They were of their father the devil (John 8:44). Meekness simply means you understand there is something bigger than you are. There is something worth you dedicating your life to.

Longsuffering means we have patients.

Forbearing means we stand erect and firm we don’t move off the word we stand for God. We withstand the assault or onslaught. Of course it is done with God’s love the same love he loves us with.

I like the ESV translation:

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

The word endeavouring means to put forth a great effort. It is the same Greek word we translate as Study in 2 Timothy 2:15.  We need to put forth a great effort in all we do in the word. We are to keep the unity of the spirit.

We put forth great effort to keep ourselves unified on the spirit we also need to keep the bond of peace.

The word used for unity is only used twice in the bible here and in verse 13.  Both times it is talking about unity of the spirit. The word bond is used of the ligaments in the body being tied together.

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

There is only one body of Christ and the living saviour is the head of that body. No person is any more important than another within that body.

There is one baptism remember that and look at Acts 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

John baptism ended with the coming of holy spirit, because there is only one baptism.

The number one is used seven times. The number seven is the number of spiritual perfection. The last item listed the seventh is God. Jesus sits in the middle between God  and man.

7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Again we are told we are given grace. No place are our works even menti oned.

8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

The REV reads as follows on verse 8

Therefore he says, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to people.

The gifts will be listed shortly.

9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

Verses nine and ten are pointing out who led the the ones who were captive.

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

There are five gift ministries listed.It never says that these people are to be lauded in any fashion. These are functions or jobs people end up serving in.

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

This is the purpose for those who have these ministries. They are there and will be there till we are become that perfect man till we become Christ like.

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

20 But ye have not so learned Christ;

21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

27 Neither give place to the devil.

28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.