Ephesians 4 - The Gospel Central

Eph 4: 1-3

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

We are prisoners in the Lord, not of the Lord. The idea Paul is trying to give here is not that of bondage but that of being joyfully locked up in Christ Jesus, fully secure in His love.
Calling. The calling is mentioned in Eph 3:16-20, it is not about callings to the five-fold ministry, but rather calling to walk in power, faith, love and to do far more abundantly around and near us, using that power. You do not need any other calling from above to start walking in it. We never see the early church waiting for a calling to walk in power. They just did. Frequently, the devil has skillfully instilled lethargy and inactivity within the Church while she seeks a unique anointing and calling.
Callings and fruits. Many mistake callings from fruits, when they say we are called to be humble, gentle, love. Yes we are. However, we are expected to show the fruits of the Spirit. This is important because a lot of people think that the fruit is the goal. It isn’t. It’s expected. The fruit is the natural consequence of who you are. We just need to walk in the Spirit for that fruit to manifest. But calling is what you would allow Christ to do through you, in terms of manifestation of power.
Humility and gentleness. It is because we are called to exemplary manifestation of power. It is a huge responsibility. It is easy to lose sight and be prideful. It is easy to fall into the trap of expecting believers to be your followers, while building up your kingdom, while our actual goal is to point others to Christ. Rev. Alexander Dowie is one of many who started off amazingly well, but started but became delusional in thinking he was John the Baptist, and led many of his believers astray.
Tolerance. It involves maintaining composure and exercising restraint, as demonstrated by Jesus in dealing with the faithless disciples (Matt 17:17). It encompasses esteeming others as more significant than oneself (Php 2:3).
Keep the unity of the Spirit…Unity is important. Anything that hinders unity should be dealt with. In Paul’s epistles Paul talks about corporate growth (Php 1:27, Eph 2:21, Col 2:18), because it is the goal of the church to not just individual growth, but corporate growth as well. This is why the Church is referred to as a body. For example, cancer can be understood as a situation where cells act against the interest of the whole body. Normally, cells in the body grow, divide, and die in a controlled manner, contributing to the overall health and function of the organism. However, cancer occurs when cells undergo genetic mutations that disrupt this normal regulation, leading them to grow uncontrollably. Lack of unity is like cancer.
Patience and tolerance.. because not everyone will understand this. Hence we need to be tolerant of any lack of understanding, and need to be patient. The goal should be to preserve the unity of the Spirit in peace. There will be many who will question us walking in power, but it is important to be tolerant and patient towards them.

Eph 4:4-6

There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

Trinity mentioned. When we realize that the New Testament authors generally use the name “God” (Gk. theos) to refer to God the Father and the name “Lord” (Gk. kyrios) to refer to God the Son, then it is clear that there is another trinitarian expression.
One hope of our calling. Eph 1:18 talks about this hope of the calling, which is the glorious inheritance. Check notes on inheritance in Eph 1. This inheritance is the glorious body. We see this in Col 1:5 as well, that this hope is “laid up for you in heaven”.

Eph 4:7-13

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts to men.” (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

In the previous verses, we see Paul elaborating on the unity of the entire church (Eph 4:1-6), and now he talks about diversity of gifts given to the Church. This gift has been apportioned by Christ. This is quoted from Ps 68:18.
Grace. This does not pertain to salvation grace, but rather to the 5-fold ministry as mentioned below. Paul emphasizes five times that God’s grace is a gift (Eph. 2:8, 3:2, 7, 8, 4:7). It cannot be earned through good works or moral excellence (Rom. 11:6, Gal. 2:21). It can only be received through faith (Rom. 5:2).
Led a multitude of captives.
- The phrase “led captivity captive” denotes the release of Old Testament believers by Jesus. During that period, deceased believers were raised to a realm known as Sheol (the Hebrew designation for it). Psalm 16:10 interprets Sheol as “hell,” and in this context it references Jesus, “You will not abandon my soul in hell, nor will you let your Holy One see decay” (as reiterated in Acts 2:27-30).
- Sheol was also where the ungodly dead went, but in Luke 16:19-31, Jesus explains that there was a big divide between them. Those in torment (hell) could see the ones enjoying God’s blessings in the part of Sheol called Abraham’s bosom, or paradise (see Luke 23:43). Even though these Old Testament believers were blessed, they still couldn’t be in God’s presence because Jesus hadn’t completed His work of atonement yet. So, in a way, they were still captives. When Jesus died, He went down into Sheol, took these captives with Him, and brought them up to heaven, into God’s presence, clearing out that part of Sheol. Jesus captured our captors and led them captive. “When he had disarmed the rulers and authorities, he made a public display of them, having triumphed over them” (Col. 2:15). Now, the only thing left in Sheol is hell. In the New Testament, the place is referred to as “Hades,” which is all about torment.
- Jesus defeated the devil and led a multitude of captives out of Sheol.
building up the body of Christ. The 5-fold ministry represents a gift bestowed by Jesus upon the Church with the purpose of nurturing the entire body of Christ. Through this ministry, Jesus operates through individuals to facilitate the development of others, effectively creating a platform for leadership incubation. It is important to observe that as individuals are nurtured and empowered to fulfill their calling and discover their purpose, growth naturally ensues. Consequently, individuals experience personal growth and become more effective in their calling, leading to overall expansion of the church. This symbiotic relationship between growth and development is truly remarkable. The genesis of this transformative process can be traced back to Ephesians 4:11-12, where the leaders appointed by God in the church prioritized the task of building, equipping, and empowering individuals. The outcome is clear: Jesus, through His people, actively participates in the construction and advancement of the church.
Christ’s gift. Christ gave prophets, evangelists, teachers, evangelists and pastors but Holy Spirit is who gave the office.
Role of fivefold ministry. The role of the five fold ministry or the church is to make sure that the congregation is a force that stands tall, firm, in adverse situations like doctrines that stray from the truth, the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting. How? By speaking the truth in love. The five fold ministry has two roles:
- Equipping the church for the work of ministry.
- Edifying the church.

Eph 4:13

Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

To a mature man. Paul says here that the most important thing is to grow in the unity of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, unto mature man. That’s how we reach the maturity. We have the mind of Christ, but increasing in the knowledge of the Scriptures is necessary for us to grow mature.
Corporate growth. Whenever the Bible talks about us in the spirit it talks about fullness of God dwelling in us. But in the corporate set up as a whole Christ will have to grow in us. We will have to grow as a holy temple in the Lord. This growth is also mentioned in Eph 4:13 where the whole church and the grace that has been given to the church has been used to build the church. Our goal is to make sure that the whole church goes to the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of Son of God, to a perfect man, Christ, according to His fullness. Is it the same thing that we have received according to Eph 1:16.

Eph 4:14

As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;

Tossed here and there. Immaturity is about being tossed around by every word of doctrine, and falling easily for other schemes of the devil. It’s when we are carried away by every wave of doctrine. You cannot believe both “God will not let any plague come near your house” and “God wants you to be sick so that you will get deeper affection for God”. When you hear the Word, it is important to check the scriptures like the Bereans did (Acts 17:11), and clarify all the doubts as much as possible. Once confirmed, stand by it, hold on to it, come what may!

Eph 4:15-16

but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Growth. Growing together as a united community means being honest with each other in a caring way. True unity can only be established on a foundation of truth. This truth helps us see things we might otherwise miss, and it allows us to grow and improve, just like iron sharpens iron. The five-fold ministry plays a crucial role in this process. It’s important to ensure that there is a strong sense of community and connection among the members of the Church, which is the body of Christ. Paul emphasizes that collective growth of the church is as important as individual growth. Many people claim to love God, yet make no efforts to get along with other believers. As John said, you cannot truly love God if you do not love your brother. Additionally, God is deeply invested in the church growing together into a mature, stable corporate organism that doesn’t waver with every new teaching.
Truth in love. Here’s a rule of thumb. When we want to say something to someone very honest and straightforward, the first thing we need to check is, if we love them. If we don’t feel it, then don’t say it.
The truth is someone’s Word. If God says something for you to speak forth to another person, and fear is holding you back, then by doing so, you have rejected the Word for the other person. You didn’t allow the other person to accept or reject, but rejected it yourself.
Not associating with a sinful believer is doing truth in love. You can see someone as a brother in love and keep less company with him, so that he will be saved. Because eventually when the person is saved he will be so grateful. This is speaking truth in love.

Eph 4:17-19

So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.

Given themselves over to sensuality. If you walk in the futility of the mind, without having your mind renewed, it is just a matter of time before you give yourselves to sensuality. That is why Paul says in Rom 12:2 to be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
Mind. Paul clearly mentions to not walk with darkened mind but walk with a renewed mind. Mind renewal happens when we act in complete sync with scriptures.

Eph 4:20-24

But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

You have put off once and for all. WUEST translation gives a good picture.
Putting off the old man. The concept of “putting off the old self” in Ephesians 4 is not something that needs to be done daily. When Paul speaks about putting off the old self and putting on the new self, he is referring to a past event that occurred at the moment of salvation. In Ephesians 4:22-24, the verbs “to put off” and “to put on” are infinitives, meaning they don’t have a specific time reference. WUEST translates it correctly. Paul makes it clear in Colossians 3:9-10 that believers have already laid aside the old self and put on the new self. This is a completed action that took place at salvation. Therefore, it’s not about a daily ritual of putting off the old self, but rather living in the reality of what has already been accomplished in Christ. As believers, we are encouraged to live in accordance with our new identity, allowing the Spirit to guide us and produce His fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23). The focus is on renewing our minds to align with the truth of who we are in Christ, not on repeatedly trying to put off something that has already been dealt with (Romans 12:2).

Ephesians 4:20–24 (WUEST) But as for you, not in this manner did you learn the Christ, since, indeed, as is the case, you heard and in Him were taught just as truth is in Jesus, that you have put off once for all with reference to your former manner of life the old self who is being corrupted according to the passionate desires of deceit; moreover, that you are being constantly renewed with reference to the spirit of your mind; and that you have put on once for all the new self who after God was created in righteousness and holiness of truth.

Eph 4:25-29

Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

No unwholesome word. We are only to talk things which will edify and build other people. Unwholesome talk includes complaining, and anything that is against what the Word says about you. We are only to talk things which will edify and build other people. Try to not complain for 30 days and rather decided to talk positively to see what changes would happen. Unwholesome talk includes complaining, and anything that is against what the Word says about you.
Give grace. Paul always opens his letters with grace and peace. Even when he wrote to messed up churches like Corinth, he mentioned grace and peace, which means that irrespective of what is going in the lives of people who hear you, always speak life and peace. This is also evident in Eph 4:29 when he says let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but always say what imparts peace.
Words have impact In Numbers 14:6-10, the reason why the people were destroyed was because they spoke fear. God doesn’t want us to speak fear. He wants us to speak faith and grace. Paul says that in Eph 4:29-32 that our words should have grace for its listeners.

Eph 4:30-32

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Grieving the Holy Spirit. It is possible that grieving the Holy Spirit is because of the Words spoken. This is because Paul talks about words in Eph 4:29 and then he talks about grieving the Holy Spirit and then again in Eph 4:31 he talks about speech.
Like Christ forgave you…We are to forgive just like Christ Jesus forgave us. We hear stuff like forgive but do not trust again. It is not true. You can forgive like Jesus forgave. Jesus saw that his disciples ran away when it was the time of needed. He was rejected. But yet, he loved them the next time. He forgave them, and trusted them to do better. When Paul persecuted the church, Ananias trusted him and forgave him. He spent his time with the disciples right after that. Imagine if Jesus stopped trusting us every time we sinned and offended him, we wouldn’t last a day. If you have a problem with anyone, forgive them. He says that if you go to bed angry or bitter, it is a seed which is being planted, and by morning it will be much bigger and affect your surroundings. He seems to be saying that it affects to the point that they have sickness. 2 Cor 2:11 says that unforgiveness causes Satan to take some sort of advantage of us. You are also to forgive as many times as possible as Jesus said in Luke 17:1-6.“I realize that God can never bless us on the lines of being hardhearted, critical or unforgiving. This will hinder faith quicker than anything” -Smith Wigglesworth
Forgiving each other. Being kind to one another and loving one another is directly related to forgiving one another. You cannot love a person without forgiving them. Unforgiveness causes Satan to have some advantage over us. You are also to forgive as many times as possible as Jesus said in Luke 17:1-6. How do we love them then? As Jesus loved.
Just as God in Christ… This shows the principle which Jesus Christ mentioned in the Lord’s prayer, which was to forgive as we forgive those who sin against us. So here, in Ephesians 1:7 it says we have the forgiveness of sins, and in Ephesians 4:32 it says to forgive just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Christ forgave us without us asking for it, and it becomes our responsibility to give forgiveness the same way God forgave us. Once you truly allow forgiveness in your life, even the darkest sin, you will freely forgive those who sin against us.
Kindness. Kindness has been linked with tenderheartedness (Eph. 4:32), for it originates from it. With Kindness, we forgive (Eph. 4:32). Doing good to enemies and loving them is part of kindness (Luke 6:35). When loving them, it helps to know that they are not like this because they want to. Everyone is in need, and it is the need that is driving them to be so. Satan has held them bondage and what they are, is not what they wanted to be. As a child, they never wanted to be who they are. So be kind to them. Lend to them. What if they will ask us over and over again? Help them, but also try to teach them something, or how to work, help them. Expect nothing in return and helping people is kindness (Luke 6:35). Being kind to the ungrateful (Luke 6:35). Understand that when you do that, you will feel taken advantage of, and used, but God wants us to be kind nevertheless. It is very clear that people are trying to take advantage of you, still help them, be kind. Help them because you are kind to them, and because that is what your Father in heaven would do.
Forgive… So picture this: something bad happens to you, like you get punched in the face. Instantly, there’s a gap between what you think is fair and what’s actually going on. Your gut reaction is as strong as the punch itself – you feel wronged, get mad, and want some payback. If something bad happens to the other person, it evens the score. If they give you a rose and apologize, you might accept it, depending on how big the gap is. But what if you can’t make things right? There is a law of our flesh that says self-worth is the total of our emotions over time. If you keep getting hit and can’t do anything about it, your brain starts to compensate. Abused kids go through this – their brains make a shift that makes them think they deserve the abuse. People might see it as humility, but it’s really just low self-worth. So when you forgive you are refusing to payback. This blesses you. Forgiveness is a debt. To forgive, you need to die to the you, who has the need to pay-back.