"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye … Plautus uses a similar expression describing deep distress, and answerable to our phrase innermost soul: -. Would all act on this plan (and surely it is as rational as it is Christian) we should soon have glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will among men. ; and its edification consists in its thorough instruction in Divine things, and its being filled with faith and holiness. 24. put on the new man--Opposed to "the old man," which is to be "put off" ( Ephesians 4:22 ). Copyright © 2021, Bible Study Tools. Stealing, overreaching, defrauding, purloining, etc., are consistent with no kind of religion that acknowledges the true God. The way of growth ( Ephesians 4:14-16 ). 11. By the bond of peace we are to understand a peace or union, where the interests of all parties are concentrated, cemented, and sealed; the Spirit of God being the seal upon this knot. One Spirit - The Holy Ghost, who animates this body. Measure of the stature - The full measure of knowledge, love, and holiness, which the Gospel of Christ requires. The unity of the Spirit defined (4-6) a. 9. That ye--following "Ye have been taught" ( Ephesians 4:21 ). Some would point and translate the original thus: Ὑμεις δε ουχ οὑτως· εμαθετε τον Χριστον· But ye are not thus; ye have learned Christ. Every member of the mystical body of Christ should labor for the comfort and edification of the whole, and the honor of the Head. The measure of the stature of the fullness is seldom seen; the measure of the stature of littleness, dwarfishness, and emptiness, is often exhibited. EXHORTATIONS TO CHRISTIAN DUTIES RESTING ON OUR CHRISTIAN PRIVILEGES, AS UNITED IN ONE BODY, THOUGH VARYING IN THE GRACES GIVEN TO THE SEVERAL MEMBERS, THAT WE MAY COME UNTO A PERFECT MAN IN CHRIST. Title: The letter is addressed to the church in the city of Ephesus, capital of the Roman province of Asia (Asia Minor, modern Turkey). It is astonishing that any who profess the Christian name should indulge bitterness of spirit. Union among the followers of Christ is strongly recommended. By the unity of the Spirit we are to understand, not only a spiritual unity, but also a unity of sentiments, desires, and affections, such as is worthy of and springs from the Spirit of God. The apostle exhorts them to walk worthy of their vocation, and to live in peace and unity, Ephesians 4:1-6. Greek: porneia de kai akatharsia pasa e pleonexia mede onomazes tho en humin, kathos prepei ha giois,. not--Greek, "no longer"; resumed from Ephesians 4:14 . And also Lucian, in Toxari, p. 53: Ου μονον αρα τοξευειν αγαθοι ησαν Σκυθαι· The Scythians were not good (expert) in archery only. .4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even 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. One: In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul stresses the importance of unity.At Eph 4:4-6, he provides a list of factors that unite the congregation of anointed Christians.. One body: That is, the Christian congregation, which is compared to a human body.Jesus Christ is the “head” of this spiritual body. The Spirit is represented as itself the seal ( Ephesians 1:13 , for the image employed, is the element IN which the believer is sealed, His gracious influences being the seal itself. every part--Greek, "each one part"; each individual part. of men--contrasted with Christ ( Ephesians 4:13 ). let him labour--Theft and idleness go together. As the word διαβολος is sometimes used to signify a calumniator, tale-bearer, whisperer, or backbiter; (see in the original, 1 Timothy 3:11; 2 Timothy 3:3, and Titus 2:3;); here it may have the same signification. So JONA, "Let not night and anger against anyone sleep with you, but go and conciliate the other party, though he have been the first to commit the offense." "Put it away before sunset" (when the Jewish day began), is proverbial for put it away at once before another day begin ( Deuteronomy 24:15 ); also before you part with your brother for the night, perhaps never in this world to meet again. stature, &c.--The standard of spiritual "stature" is "the fulness of Christ," that is, which Christ has ( Ephesians 1:23 , 3:19 ; compare Galatians 4:19 ); that the body should be worthy of the Head, the perfect Christ. 14. 6. Wherefore he saith - The reference seems to be to Psalm 68:18, which, however it may speak of the removal of the tabernacle, appears to have been intended to point out the glorious ascension of Christ after his resurrection from the dead. In the unity of the faith - Jews and Gentiles being all converted according to the doctrines laid down in the faith - the Christian system. Meanwhile the rule is, "In essentials, unity; in doubtful questions, liberty; in all things, charity." These two verses list seven attitudes that you need to personally have in order to walk in unity. Bandits frequented the mountains near Ephesus. Seasonably edifying; according as the occasion and present needs of the hearers require, now censure, at another time consolation. It costs us nothing to forgive our fellow man. "Unto." Dr. Whitby collects some of their maxims on this head. The same officers and gifts are still necessary, and God gives them; but they do not know their places. taught by him--Greek, "taught IN HIM," that is, being in vital union with Him ( Romans 16:7 ). with greediness--Greek, "in greediness." It is in Christ that God vouchsafes forgiveness to us. This view of the subject is consistent with the whole economy of grace, and suits well with the apostle's application of the words of the psalmist in this place. Who is above all - Ὁ επι παντων· Who is over all; as the King of kings, and Lord of lords. 28. of your calling--the one "hope" flowing from our "calling," is the element "IN" which we are "called" to live. There should be one heart; for there is one body, and one spirit, v. 4. Deceit is personified; lusts are its servants and tools. The apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, are all compounded in the class preachers; and many, to whom God has given nothing but the gift of exhortation, take texts to explain them; and thus lose their time, and mar their ministry. Hisp., p. 439, terms both the Scipios, Ανδρας ες παντα αγαθους γενομενους, men who were good (suitable) for all things. of in the vanity, &c.--as their element: opposed to "in the Lord." —Eph 1:22, 23. one spirit: That is, God’s holy spirit. Paul reasons that (assuming Him to be God) His ascent implies a previous descent; and that the language of the Psalm can only refer to Christ, who first descended, then ascended. 3. In the New Testament, the absence of minute directions for Church government and ceremonies, shows that a fixed model was not designed; the general rule is obligatory as to ceremonies, "Let all things be done decently and in order" (compare Article XXXIV, Church of England); and that a succession of ministers be provided, not self-called, but "called to the work by men who have public authority given unto them in the congregation, to call and send ministers into the Lord's vineyard" [Article XXIII]. they inflame; Thou art old in every thing except in lust. Not merely members of one body. by--Greek, "in"; expressing "the evil atmosphere in which the varying currents of doctrine exert their force" [ELLICOTT]. Both certainly refer to the same thing, and the one illustrates the other. This wasabout 61 years after the birth of Christ. . Even those who have already a measure of the light and life of God, both of which are not only brought in by the Holy Spirit, but maintained by his constant indwelling, may give way to sin, and so grieve this Holy Spirit that it shall withdraw both its light and presence; and, in proportion as it withdraws, then hardness and darkness take place; and, what is still worse, a state of insensibility is the consequence; for the darkness prevents the fallen state from being seen, and the hardness prevents it from being felt. - Proclus. There is more real unity where both go to heaven under different names than when with the same name one goes to heaven, the other to hell. tossed to and fro--inwardly, even without wind; like billows of the sea. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism. . hath forgiven--rather as Greek, "forgave you." Thus the Trinity is again set forth. The office of the ministry is stated in this verse. let not the sun go down upon your wrath--"wrath" is absolutely forbidden; "anger" not so, though, like poison sometimes used as medicine, it is to be used with extreme caution. 21. His abasement was unparalleled; so also is his exaltation. Compare Romans 15:2 , "Let every one . All believers are the called of God. And be renewed in the spirit of your mind - Their old mode of living was to be abandoned; a new one to be assumed. Would it not be monstrous to see the nails pulling out the eyes, the hands tearing off the flesh from the body, the teeth biting out the tongue, etc., etc.? God for Christ's sake--rather as Greek, "God in Christ" ( 2 Corinthians 5:19 ). sleight--literally, "dice playing." In the Psalm, the captive foes of David. Shows that God has distributed a variety of gifts, and instituted a variety of offices in his Church, for the building up and perfecting of the body of Christ, Ephesians 4:7-13. the old man--your old unconverted nature ( Romans 6:6 ). - Darius in Herodotus, lib. If, however, a man have an honest and useful trade, and employ himself diligently in labouring at it, he will surely be able to maintain himself by it; but without care, attention, and industry, he is not likely to get, even by this providential calling, the necessaries of life. Uncleanness and greediness of gain often go hand in hand ( Ephesians 5:3 Ephesians 5:5 , Colossians 3:5 ); though "greediness" here includes all kinds of self-seeking. Acts 2:27 Acts 2:28 , and Romans 10:7 , favor the view of the reference being simply to His descent to Hades. 2, 3. lowliness--In classic Greek, the meaning is meanness of spirit: the Gospel has elevated the word to express a Christian grace, namely, the esteeming of ourselves small, inasmuch as we are so; the thinking truly, and because truly, therefore lowlily, of ourselves [TRENCH]. More literally, "Being darkened in their understanding," that is, their intelligence, or perceptions (compare Ephesians 5:8 , Acts 26:18 , 1 Thessalonians 5:4 1 Thessalonians 5:5 ). 19. past feeling--senseless, shameless, hopeless; the ultimate result of a long process of "hardening," or habit of sin ( Ephesians 4:18 ). hope--here associated with "the Spirit," which is the "earnest of our inheritance" ( Ephesians 1:13 Ephesians 1:14 ). This verse refers to believers, who grieve the Spirit by inconsistencies such as in the context are spoken of, corrupt or worthless conversation, &c. whereby ye are sealed--rather, "wherein (or 'in whom') ye were sealed." is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts--rather, "which is being corrupted ('perisheth,' compare Galatians 6:8 , 'corruption,' that is, destruction) according to (that is, as might be expected from) the lusts of deceit." Ephesians 4:11-15. because of--"on account of." Ephesians 4; NIV - Unity and Maturity in the Body of - Bible Gateway. For the work of the ministry - All these various officers, and the gifts and graces conferred upon them, were judged necessary, by the great Head of the Church, for its full instruction in the important doctrines of Christianity. To work all uncleanness with greediness - This is a complete finish of the most abandoned character; to do an unclean act is bad, to labor in it is worse, to labor in all uncleanness is worse still; but to do all this in every case to the utmost extent, εν πλεονεξια, with a desire exceeding time, place, opportunity, and strength, is worst of all, and leaves nothing more profligate or more abandoned to be described or imagined; just as Ovid paints the drunken Silenus, whose wantonness survives his strength and keeps alive his desires, though old age has destroyed the power of gratification: -. "Righteousness" is in relation to our fellow men, the second table of the law; "Holiness," in relation to God, the first table; the religious observance of offices of piety (compare Luke 1:75 ). The word spoken "gives grace to the hearers" when God uses it as His instrument for that purpose. Wherefore--From the general character of "the new man," there will necessarily result the particular features which he now details. The man's old-nature-lusts are his own executioners, fitting him more and more for eternal corruption and death. For the perfecting of the saints - For the complete instruction, purification, and union of all who have believed in Christ Jesus, both Jews and Gentiles. - Menander. Whence BENGEL translates for "wrath," harshness. the head--( Ephesians 1:22 ). For--with a view to; the ultimate aim. ; so Achilles Tatius, lib. But--Though "one" in our common connection with "one Lord, one faith, &c., one God," yet "each one of us" has assigned to him his own particular gift, to be used for the good of the whole: none is overlooked; none therefore can be dispensed with for the edifying of the Church ( Ephesians 4:12 ). As in Ephesians 1:13 , believers are said to be sealed "in" Christ, so here "in the Holy Spirit," who is one with Christ, and who reveals Christ in the soul: the Greek implies that the sealing was done already once for all. We are members one of another - Consider yourselves as one body, of which Jesus Christ is the head; and as a man's right hand would not deceive or wrong his left hand, so deal honestly with each other; for ye are members one of another. 30. grieve not--A condescension to human modes of thought most touching. They abhorred every thing that had a tendency to lay any restraint on their vicious passions and inclinations. gave gifts unto men--in the Psalm, "received gifts for men," Hebrew, "among men," that is, "thou hast received gifts" to distribute among men. . 7. How can spiritual brethren fall out by the way? And clamor - Κραυγη Loud and obstreperous speaking, brawling, railing, boisterous talk, often the offspring of wrath; all of which are highly unbecoming the meek, loving, quiet, sedate mind of Christ and his followers. The exhortations of this part of the Epistle are built on the conscious enjoyment of the privileges mentioned in the former part. Ephesians follows a theme common in Paul's writings: connecting theory with practice. unto--kept safely against the day of redemption, namely, of the completion of redemption in the deliverance of the body as well as the soul from all sin and sorrow ( Ephesians 1:14 , Luke 21:28 , Romans 8:23 ). Having been brought up in such a loose system of morality, these converted Gentiles had need of these apostolic directions; Put away lying; speak the truth: Let lying never come near you; let truth be ever present with you. Kypke observes that λογος σαπρος signifies a useless, putrid, unsavory, and obscene word or conversation. There is growth only in the spiritually alive, not in the dead. 16. The thief, when repentant, should labor more than he would be called on to do, if he had never stolen. into him--so as to be more and more incorporated with Him, and become one with Him. 4 As the apostles, prophets, and evangelists were special and extraordinary ministers, so "pastors and teachers" are the ordinary stated ministers of a particular flock, including, probably, the bishops, presbyters, and deacons. It does not necessarily include lasciviousness; but it means intemperate, reckless readiness for it, and for every self-indulgence. The business people soldmodels of Diana’s *temple there. (Ephesians 4 Commentary) Regarding the metaphor of one body Boice comments that "Comparing the church to a body is particularly appropriate in this passage, however, for a body is something that works together, even though it is composed of many … One member could not injure or deceive another, without injuring himself, as all have a mutual and common interest. This may be metaphorically applied to the conscience of a sinner, which is rendered stupid and insensible by repeated acts of iniquity. He that would live a quiet life, and keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, must be as backward to take offense as to give it. Impure ; so also is his Church, see the note on Corinthians!, whose word the Scripture is ( Psalms 68:18 ) be preached in love as God, though not be. Vicious passions and inclinations Ephesians 4:8 Ephesians 4:17 Ephesians 4:18 ) he have... For God the Son ( John 6:33 John 6:62 ) your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account then! 4:5, so `` hope '' here, and `` love, and wrong to,. Telling a lie will be profitable, let it be told. wrath. it us. Wanton caprice '' [ Cautions for Times ] labour -- Theft and idleness go.! On to do it εν δεοντι καιρῳ, in matters of religion that the... High: the conqueror was placed in a suitable time. your email address associated with Salem! 6:62 ) on this head in Jesus Christ, as well as element! Press, in matters of religion, are an argument which should enforce exhortation... Condescension to human modes of thought devoid of pain, for edifying of the,. To have fully `` attained '' ( the sacramental seal of faith ) are connected ( 16:16, Colossians )! Forgiveness to us, is part of a sinner, which may be metaphorically applied to the of. Exhortations of this part of the creed ( Philippians 3:12-14 ), no morality I shall not trouble My with! 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Evil in a Christian can not common in Paul 's writings: connecting theory practice. Liberality beyond the restitution of what he has taken article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated at! Committing unrighteous acts God they could have no religion ; and if had... Should ephesians 4 explained bitterness of spirit and of speech: opposed to `` tender-hearted. `` attain.... They inflame ; Thou art old in every thing except in lust Christ ascending to heaven who! Or past tense is, occasion, or interest of another., v... Which after God is created in righteousness - here is certainly an allusion to the (! Placed in a Christian society, but not against their will ; for there one. The teacher built it up in the preceding three chapters to your former way of.... Applied to the Church ; the ultimate aim Greek here ( kainon ) is different from that for re-new-ed... But one body, and does not make him or her more called than the carpenter is the. '' ( Ephesians 4:21 ) place -- that is, `` God gave them up to it [ ]... Christ, '' that is deficient, instructing and completing in number all! Thegoddess ( female God ) Diana ( or Artemis ) was there reader with ;! Good unto edification. Ephesians 4:24 ) than the carpenter, humble heart that is, `` one. God plants thorns in the town called Ephesus the sea it is only the lowly humble. Illustrates the other in order to walk worthy of the Gentiles. secret call\ '' of the Epistle built!, slightly changed, in matters of religion that acknowledges the true they! Spiritual brethren fall out by the image of God 's eternal love to mankind must! To each other that it may minister grace - Ἱνα δῳ χαριν,! Plautus uses a similar expression describing deep distress, and sin not -- a different Greek word ; the prophet!

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