Back to Home Page | Back to Index |

Ephesians Chapter Four

 
Chapter Four General Review
 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THE CHAPTER
 
1) To see the importance of walking in unity and purity
 
2) To appreciate the gifts Christ has given the church for our 
 edification, and the need for each one to do their share
 
SUMMARY
 
Beginning with this chapter and proceeding through the rest of the
epistle, Paul exhorts the Ephesians to walk in a manner worthy of their
calling. Having described earlier how Jesus attained unity between Jew
and Gentile through His death on the cross, Paul now pleads with them 
to "walk in unity". With humility, gentleness, longsuffering, 
forbearance and love, they should be diligent to maintain the unity of 
the Spirit in the bond of peace. The unity of the Spirit is then 
defined as consisting of one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one 
faith, one baptism and one God (1-6).
 
Perhaps as motivation, Paul reminds them of the gracious gifts Christ 
gave His church following His ascension to heaven. Such gifts included
the offices of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, 
which are designed to equip the saints for ministry and bring the body 
of Christ to maturity. In this way, it should not be misled by false 
doctrine, but instead by speaking the truth in love should grow in 
Christ as each member does it share (7-16).
 
The last half of this chapter addresses the need to "walk in purity".
Contrasting how they once walked as Gentiles in licentiousness and 
greediness, they are reminded of the truth which is in Jesus. This 
truth calls upon them to put off the old man with its deceitful lusts,
to be renewed in the spirit of their mind, and to put on the new man 
that is created in righteousness and holiness. Therefore they are 
called upon to put away lying, anger, theft, and all forms of evil 
speaking, lest they grieve the Holy Spirit by whom they were sealed for
the day of redemption. Instead, they are to speak with truth and 
grace, work hard to help those in need, and be kind, tender-hearted, 
and forgiving just as God has forgiven them in Christ (17-32).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. A CALL TO WALK IN UNITY (1-16)
 
 A. PRESERVING THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT (1-7)
 1. To walk worthy of our calling (1)
 2. With the proper attitudes (2-3)
 a. Lowliness and gentleness
 b. Longsuffering, bearing with one another in love
 c. Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
 peace
 3. The unity of the Spirit defined (4-6)
 a. One body
 b. One Spirit
 c. One hope of your calling
 d. One Lord
 e. One faith
 f. One baptism
 g. One God and Father of all
 
 B. EDIFYING THE BODY OF CHRIST (8-16)
 1. For to each one grace was given as measured out by Christ
 (8-10)
 a. As foretold in Scripture
 b. Having ascended far above all the heavens to fill all
 things
 2. Gifts Christ gave to His church (11)
 a. Apostles
 b. Prophets
 c. Evangelists
 d. Pastors
 e. Teachers
 3. Purpose of such gifts (12-16)
 a. Equipping the saints for the work of ministry
  b. Edifying the body of Christ, till we all come to:
 1) The unity of the faith
 2) The knowledge of the Son of God
 3) A perfect man
 4) The measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ
 c. That we might no longer be children...
 1) Tossed about by every wind of doctrine
 2) Tricked by the cunning craftiness of those who lie in
 wait to deceive
 d. That we speak the truth in love...
 1) So we may grow up in all things into Christ, the head
 2) To cause growth of the body for the edifying of itself
 in love
 a) As we are joined and knit together by what each joint
 supplies
 b) As every part does its effective work in doing its
 share
 
II. A CALL TO WALK IN PURITY (17-32)
 
 A. NOT AS THE GENTILES WALK (17-19)
 1. Who walk in the futility of their mind (17-18)
 a. With understanding darkened, being alienated from the life
 of God
 b. With ignorance, because of the hardening of their heart
 2. Who have given themselves over to licentiousness (19)
 a. Being past feeling
 b. To work all uncleanness with greediness
 
 B. BUT AS LEARNED FROM CHRIST (20-32)
 1. Having heard and been taught by Him, and the truth which is in
 Him (20-24)
 a. To put off the old man which grows corrupt in its deceitful
 lusts
 b. To be renewed in the spirit of one's mind
 c. To put on the new man which was created according to God in
 righteousness and holiness
 2. Therefore putting away things of the old man (25-31)
 a. Such as lying, instead speaking truth
  b. Such as anger, giving place to the devil
 c. Such as stealing, instead working to give to those in need
 d. Such as corrupt speech, instead speaking with grace to
 edify those who hear
 e. Such as grieving the Holy Spirit, by whom we were sealed
 for the day of redemption
 f. Such as all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil 
 speaking, all malice
 3. Instead be kind to one another (32)
 a. Tender-hearted, forgiving
  b. Just as God in Christ forgave us
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
 - A call to walk in unity (1-16)
 - A call to walk in purity (17-32)
 
2) How is the Christian to walk? (1)
 - In a manner worthy of our calling
 
3) What attitudes are consistent with the Christian walk? (2-3)
 - Lowliness, gentleness, longsuffering, bearing with one another in
 love
 - Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
 
4) What seven facets make up the unity of the Spirit? (4-6)
 - One body, one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one 
 faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all
 
5) What gracious gifts has been given by Christ to His church? (7-11)
 - That which enabled some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists,
 pastors and teachers
 
6) What is the purpose of such gifts or functions? (12-14)
 - To equip the saints for service
 - To edify the body of Christ
 - To help all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of
 the Son of God
 - To help all mature and no longer be children, troubled by false
 doctrine
 
7) As we speak the truth in love, what are we to be doing? What 
 assists us in this? (15-16)
 - Growing up in all things in Christ
 - Our connection to Christ as the head, and the effective working of
 every member doing its part
 
8) How should we no longer walk? (17)
 - As the rest of the Gentiles
 
9) How are those in the world walking? Why? (17-19)
 - In the futility of their mind and being past feeling, they are
 given to licentiousness, uncleanness and greediness
 - Their understanding is darkened, being alienated from God because
 of the ignorance in them due to the hardness of their heart
 
10) In contrast, what truth have we learned from Christ? (20-24)
 - To put off the old man which grows corrupt according to its
 deceitful lusts
 - To be renewed in the spirit of our minds
 - To put on the new man that was created by God in righteousness and
 true holiness
 
11) What sort of things are we to therefore put away? (25-32)
 - Lying, anger, theft, corrupt and evil speech, bitterness, wrath
 
12) What sort of things should we be doing instead? (25-32)
 - Speaking with truth and grace, working to help those in need,
 being kind, tender-hearted, forgiving others as God in Christ
 forgave us
 
13) Why should we be concerned about doing such things? (30)
 - Lest we grieve the Holy Spirit, by whom we were sealed for the day
 of redemption

Walking Together In Unity (4:1-16)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. For three chapters, Paul has dealt with "doctrine" in which he has 
 described both:
 a. Our spiritual "possessions" in Christ (1)
 b. Our spiritual "position" in Christ (2,3)
 
2. In the remaining three chapters of this epistle, Paul will focus on
 "duty", i.e., responsibilities that are ours because of the blessings
 we enjoy as described in the previous chapters
 
3. Of the blessings described, one upon which Paul elaborated is the
 "unity" that we have in Christ by virtue of His work on the cross...
 a. He has reconciled both Jew and Gentile to God in "one body" -
 Ep 2:14-16
 b. Now, Gentiles can be fellow heirs, of the "same body" - Ep 3:6
 
4. It should not be surprising, then, that the first duty that Paul 
 exhorts us to fulfill is "to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond
 of peace" - Ep 4:3
 a. Christ "attained" this unity by His work on the cross
 b. Our task is to "maintain" it
 
[Beginning, then, with a charge to "walk worthy of the calling with 
which you were called" (Ep 4:1), Paul describes how to have a "worthy 
walk", and that is by displaying...]
 
I. THE "ATTITUDES" FOR MAINTAINING UNITY (1-3)
 
 A. LOWLINESS...
 1. This word means:
 a. The having a humble opinion of one's self
 b. A deep sense of one's (moral) littleness
 c. Modesty, humility, lowliness of mind
 2. This virtue is necessary in order in order to properly value 
 others around you - cf. Ph 2:3-4
 3. Without this virtue, members in the body begin trying to be the
 "head" of the body, a role reserved only for Christ
 
 B. GENTLENESS...
 1. This word can be translated as gentleness, mildness, meekness
 2. It is not a quality of weakness, but of power under control
 a. Moses was a meek man (Num 12:3), but capable of great
 strength and boldness
 b. Jesus was "meek and lowly in heart" (Mt 11:29), but we see
 where He drove the money changers out of the temple
  3. Thus it is being gentle, even when there is the potential for 
 being harsh, but gentleness is more conducive for maintaining 
 unity
 
 C. LONG-SUFFERING...
 1. The idea here is one of patience, forbearance, longsuffering, 
  slowness in avenging wrongs
 2. When the body consists of members who are not perfect, and 
 often sin against each other, maintaining unity is not possible
 unless they are willing to endure each other's imperfections
 
 D. BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE...
 1. Similar to longsuffering, "bearing" means to sustain, to bear,
 to endure
 2. What makes such "longsuffering" and "forbearance" possible is 
 another virtue: "love"
 3. As Paul wrote in his chapter on love: "love suffers long...is
 not provoked" - 1 Co 13:4-5
 4. Indeed, the virtue of love is the "tie" that binds all these 
 virtues together - cf. Co 3:12-14
 
 E. ENDEAVOR...
 1. Displaying these virtues does not come naturally nor easy, nor 
 does maintaining unity
 2. Thus the need for much effort, as Paul uses a word which means 
 "to exert one's self, endeavor, give diligence"
 
[Only by giving diligence to display ALL these virtues, can we hope to 
"keep (maintain) the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ep 
4:3).
 
But just as important as having the right "attitudes", is understanding
and holding to...]
 
II. THE "BASIS" OF UNITY (4-6)
 
 A. ONE BODY...
 1. This refers to the body of Christ, the church - Ep 1:22-23
 2. Of course, Paul speaks here of the church in the "universal" 
 sense
 a. The "body" of saved believers throughout the world
 b. Of which Christ is the "head", and "savior of the body" - 
 Ep 5:23
 3. While there may be many "local" churches (congregations), there
 is only ONE "universal" church, with ONE "head" - Jesus Christ!
 
 B. ONE SPIRIT...
 1. This would be the Holy Spirit
 2. Who has already been described in this epistle...
 a. As "the Holy Spirit of promise" - Ep 1:13
 b. As "the guarantee of our inheritance" - Ep 1:14
 c. By Whom both Jew and Gentile have access to the Father - 
 Ep 2:18
 d. In Whom God habitats those who are being built a "holy 
 temple" - Ep 2:21-22
 e. By Whom the "mystery of Christ" was revealed to the apostles
 and prophets - Ep 3:5
 f. Through Whom God strengthens with might the inner man - 
 Ep 3:16
 g. As the One whose "unity" is to be maintained in the bond of 
 peace - Ep 4:3
 
 C. ONE HOPE OF YOUR CALLING...
 1. For Paul, this pertains primarily to "the resurrection of the 
 dead" - Ac 23:6; 24:15; Ro 8:23-24; cf. 1 Co 15:19-23; Ph 
 3:10-11,20-21
 2. Which necessarily includes such concepts of "salvation" (1 Th
 5:8) and "eternal life" (Ti 1:2; 3:7)
 
 D. ONE LORD...
 1. This refers to Jesus, of course - 1 Co 8:5-6
  2. Whom God has made "both Lord and Christ" - Ac 2:36
 
 E. ONE FAITH...
 1. This the body of truth, "the faith", which Jude says was "once
 for all delivered to the saints" - Jude 3
 2. It is that "pattern of sound words" of that Paul taught Timothy
 (2 Ti 1:13), and which he was to commit to faithful men (2
 Ti 2:2)
 3. We find this "pattern of sound words" in the pages of the New 
 Testament, which contains that which all Christians must 
 believe
 
 F. ONE BAPTISM...
 1. This is the baptism...
 a. Commanded by Jesus - Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-16
 b. Preached and commanded by His apostles - Ac 2:38; 10:48
 c. By which those who submit to are added to the Lord's body, 
 the church - Ac 2:42,47
 2. I.e., the baptism in which a penitent believer is immersed in 
 water for the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit
 - Ac 2:38; 10:47-48
 
 G. ONE GOD AND FATHER...
 1. The Father, Who together with the Son and Holy Spirit, makes up
 the "Godhead"
 2. Note that Paul emphasizes both:
 a. His personality ("Father of all")
 b. His transcendence and omnipresence ("who is above all, and 
 through all, and in you all")
 
[These "seven ones" constitute "the unity of the Spirit" that as 
Christians we must be so diligent to keep "in the bond of peace". Not 
one of these is "non-essential"! E.g., just as crucial as maintaining 
who the "One Lord" is, so we must be steadfast in holding to the "One 
Baptism"!
 
To assist us in our efforts to "keep the unity of the Spirit", Christ 
has given to His church certain "gifts". Let's now consider ...]
 
III. THE "GIFTS" FOR UNITY (7-16)
 
 A. THE SOURCE OF THESE GIFTS... (7-10)
 1. They come from the bounty of Christ's grace (7)
 2. As prophesied, they were given after Christ ascended to heaven
 (8-10)
 
 B. THE NATURE OF THESE GIFTS... (11)
 1. Is Paul referring to "spiritual gifts" (cf. 1 Co 12:1-11), or
 "functions"?
 a. If "spiritual gifts", then we should read verse 11 to say 
 "gave some to..."
 b. If "functions", then verse 11 should read "gave some to 
 be..."
 c. The use of "doreas" and "domata" instead of "charismata" in 
 verses 7-8 suggests Paul has in mind "functions", and not
 "spiritual gifts"
 2. Understanding it as "functions", we see that Christ gave some
 to be...
 a. APOSTLES
 1) Those who were to be eye-witnesses of the resurrection 
 - Ac 1:15-22
 2) Their role in the church was foundational, necessary to 
 the establishment of the church - Ep 2:20
 3) As such, their work or function was temporary
 b. PROPHETS
 1) These were inspired men and women used in the process of 
 revelation - Ep 3:5; cf. Ac 2:17; 11:28; 21:9
 2) As with the apostles, their role was foundational, 
 necessary to the establishment of the church - Ep 2:20
 3) Just as apostles were not replaced, so the prophets' role
 was temporary - cf. 1 Co 13:8
 c. EVANGELISTS
 1) Literally, "bearers of good news"
 2) These are individuals like Philip (Ac 21:8), who 
 proclaimed the gospel of Christ both publicly and 
 privately - cf. Ac 8:5-13,26-40
 3) Timothy was charged to "do the work of an evangelist" 
  - 2 Ti 4:5
 4) Unlike apostles and prophets, their work does not involve
 "laying the foundation", but rather building upon that 
 which is already laid, which they do every time they lead
  someone to Christ
 5) Therefore, their work or function continues to the 
 present
 c. PASTORS AND TEACHERS
 1) It may be that Paul intended these terms to describe one
 function (because "some" is not repeated)
 a) The role of "pastor" (shepherd) certainly requires
 "feeding" or teaching
 b) While there is indication elsewhere that there was a
 special function of "teachers" in the local church -
 Ac 13:1; 1 Co 12:28-29; 2 Ti 1:11; Ja 3:1
 2) The term "pastor" is found only here in the Scriptures,
 but from Ac 20:17,28 and 1 Pe 5:1-2 it becomes clear
 that "pastors, shepherds, elders, presbyters, bishops,
 overseers" are simply different terms describing the
 spiritual leaders of local congregations
 3) The nature of the work of "pastors and teachers" (i.e.,
 overseeing and feeding the flock of God) naturally
 follows the work of the evangelists
 4) And like the function of evangelist, continues to the
 present
 d. What about DEACONS?
 1) Clearly Paul does not intend this passage in Ephesians to
 be an exhaustive list of functions in the Lord's church,
 for he does not mention deacons - cf. Ph 1:1; 1 Ti 3:8
 2) But the list is adequate to illustrate the point: Christ
 has given "gifts" to His church!
 
 C. THE PURPOSE OF THESE GIFTS... (12-16)
 1. To prepare members of the body for service ("equip the saints 
 for work of ministry")
 2. To build up the members of the body ("edify the body of 
 Christ"), so they...
 a. Can grow to maturity (13)
 1) Possessing the unity of the faith
 2) Having the knowledge of the Son of God
 3) Measuring up to the stature expected of those in Christ
 b. Will not be children (14)
 1) Tossed to and fro by every doctrine that comes along
 2) Easily deceived by cunning and false teachers
 c. But instead will be "growing upward" as the body of Christ 
 (15-16)
 1) Growing up in all things into the Head, Christ
 2) From which the whole body can grow, provided every part 
 does it share
 3) Made possible also as we "speak the truth in love" and 
 "edify itself in love"
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. If we can just...
 a. Display the "attitudes" necessary for unity
 b. Hold fast to the "basis" upon which our unity rests
 c. Utilize the "gifts" Christ has given to assure we all come to the 
 unity of the faith
 ...then Christ's work on the cross will not be in vain! - cf. Ep 
 2:16
 
2. Not only that, but then we will also truly conduct ourselves in a 
 manner "worthy of the calling with which you were called" - Ep 4:1
 a. We were called to be "fellow citizens with the saints and members
 of the household of God" - Ep 2:19
 b. We were called to be "a holy temple in the Lord", "a habitation of
 God in the Spirit" - Ep 2:21-22
 c. We were called to "make known the manifold wisdom of God" - Ep
 3:10
 
Are you doing all you can as a member of the body of Christ to "walk
together in unity", and by so doing walk in manner worthy of our
calling?

Walking In Truth And Holiness (4:17-32)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In the previous lesson, we saw where Paul began to describe our
 "duty" to "walk worthy of the calling with which you were called"
 - Ep 4:1
 
2. In doing so, he first called us to "walk together in unity" by 
 admonishing us to...
 a. Display the "attitudes" crucial for maintaining unity - Ep 4:2-3
 b. Understand the "basis" of the unity we have in Christ - Ep 4:4-6
 c. Utilize the "gifts" given by Christ to His church that serves to 
 keep the body of Christ together and growing - Ep 4:7-16
 
3. In the last half of chapter four (Ep 4:17-32), Paul continues to 
 describe the sort of "walk" that is worthy of our calling, especially
 as "a holy temple in the Lord" (cf. Ep 2:21-22)
 a. Whereas the first half emphasized "Walking Together In Unity"
 b. This section emphasizes "Walking In Truth And Holiness"
 
[We begin, then, in verse 17 with...]
 
I. THE ADMONITION (17-24)
 
 A. NO LONGER WALK LIKE THE REST OF THE GENTILES... (17-19)
 1. They walk "in the futility of their mind" - How so?
 a. It starts with the "hardening of their heart" 
  b. Which leads to "ignorance that is in them"
 c. Because of such ignorance they are "alienated from the life
 of God"
 d. And that results "having their understanding darkened"
 -- Notice where Jesus describes this same process - cf. Mt 13:
 14-15
 2. Their walk is "past feeling" - as indicated by the fact they...
 a. "have given themselves over to licentiousness" (i.e., 
 unbridled lust, excess)
 b. "work all uncleanness with greediness"
 -- Desensitized, they seek after ever-increasing forms moral 
 depravity - cf. Ro 1:18-32
 
 B. INSTEAD, WALK IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUE HOLINESS... (20-24)
 1. This is how you learned Christ
 a. As you heard Him and were taught by Him (through His 
 apostles, of course - cf. Mt 28:19-20)
 b. In Whom is the truth - cf. Jn 8:31-31; 14:6
 2. For you were taught to "put off" the "old man"
 a. That is, your "former conduct", how you behaved before you 
 were saved - cf. Co 3:5-9
 b. Putting off the old man is needed because it is never 
 content, but "grows corrupt according to the deceitful 
 lusts" (like addictive drugs, you always need more)
 3. And to "be renewed in the spirit of your mind"
 a. Which is the key to true "transformation" - cf. Ro 12:1-2
 b. You "renew" your mind only as you "set your mind on things 
 above" - cf. Co 3:1-2
 4. And to "put on the new man"
 a. A new man "which was created according to God" - cf. Co 
 3:10
 b. A new man, "in righteousness and true holiness" - cf. Co 
 3:12-17
 
[In giving the admonition "No longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles",
Paul has made it clear that it involves both a "putting off" and a 
"putting on". I.e., our "Walking In Truth And Holiness" is not just a
bunch of "Thou Shalt Not's", there are also some "Thou Shalt's".
 
To illustrate further the difference between the "old man" (how the rest
of the Gentiles walk) and the "new man" (how Christians are to walk), we
find Paul making...]
 
II. THE APPLICATION (25-32)
 
 A. CASE IN POINT: LYING... (25)
 1. The "old man" thinks nothing of lying
 2. The "new man" puts away lying, and in its place speaks truth 
 with his neighbor (especially to those who members of the same 
 body)
 
 B. CASE IN POINT: ANGER... (26-27)
 1. The "old man" gets angry and lets it linger, or get out of 
  control
 2. The "new man" may get angry, but does not...
 a. Let it linger ("do not let the sun go down on your wrath"
 b. Allow it to prompt sinful behavior ("nor give place to the
 devil")
 
 C. CASE IN POINT: STEALING... (28)
 1. The "old man" is willing to steal
 2. The "new man" not only stops stealing, but works so he can help
 others in need!
 
 D. CASE IN POINT: CORRUPT COMMUNICATION... (29)
 1. The "old man" doesn't worry or care what comes out of his mouth
 2. The "new man" not only avoids "corrupt communication", but
 seeks to speak that which is uplifting to those who hear
 
 E. SUMMARY... (30-32)
 1. Why be concerned about putting off the "old man" and putting on
 the "new man"?
 a. When Christians act like the "old man", it grieves the Holy 
 Spirit
 b. By the Holy Spirit we were sealed for the day of redemption 
 - cf. Ep 1:13-14
 2. Therefore, we ought to put away those things befitting the "old
 man" (bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, malice)
 3. And in it's place we need to put on those things befitting the
 "new man" (being kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another 
  just as God forgives us in Christ)
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. What a contrast there would be if all those in the church truly 
 carried out the admonition to "Walk In Truth And Holiness"!
 a. The church would stand out like "a city that is set on a hill"! 
  - cf. Mt 5:14-16
 b. And the world, though it now has "their understanding darkened", 
 might be more likely to come to see the truth that is in Jesus
 c. But what hope is there if the church is more like the world than 
 the "holy temple" it is to be?
 
2. Brethren, are we "grieving the Holy Spirit of God"?
 a. While the increasing worldliness in our society naturally concerns
 us...
 b. Let's be careful not to react with attitudes that are more in
 keeping with the "old man"
 c. But having been "sealed for the day of redemption", let's be sure
 to react in "righteousness and true holiness"
 
In our next lesson, we will see that "walking worthy of our calling"
also involves "Walking In Love, Light, And Wisdom"...

－－《Executable Outlines》