Eph 4 | MHM | STEP | Consistency Enforced Paul begins this chapter with an encouragement for Christians to live in a way that matches their faith. As a prisoner in Rome, Paul calls himself the prisoner of the Lord , showing that he is suffering for Christ and is not ashamed of his chains. Instead of asking for help or freedom, he focuses on urging believers to live worthy of their calling as Christians. v. 1 : Paul says, I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called (Ephesians 4:1 ). He reminds them that God has graciously called them out of their old life into a new one through the gospel. Because of this, they should live in a way that brings honor to their calling as Christians. Paul encourages them to live according to the gospel they believe in, showing their faith by their actions. As heirs of God’s kingdom and glory, they should aim to reflect His character in their daily lives.

‏ Ephesians 4

Consistency Enforced

Paul begins this chapter with an encouragement for Christians to live in a way that matches their faith. As a prisoner in Rome, Paul calls himself the prisoner of the Lord, showing that he is suffering for Christ and is not ashamed of his chains. Instead of asking for help or freedom, he focuses on urging believers to live worthy of their calling as Christians.

v. 1: Paul says, I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called (Ephesians 4:1 ^a). He reminds them that God has graciously called them out of their old life into a new one through the gospel. Because of this, they should live in a way that brings honor to their calling as Christians. Paul encourages them to live according to the gospel they believe in, showing their faith by their actions. As heirs of God’s kingdom and glory, they should aim to reflect His character in their daily lives.

The Unity of the Spirit and Christian Conduct

In this section, Paul urges Christians to live in a way that is worthy of their calling in Christ. He emphasizes the importance of humility, gentleness, patience, and love in maintaining unity among believers. Paul teaches that unity and peace are essential in the church, and he encourages believers to support each other and grow together in faith.

v. 3: He urges them to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Paul wants them to do everything they can to stay united and to live in peace with one another, because unity is a sign of God’s presence among his people (Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; Ephesians 4:3 ^b).

v. 4–6: Paul explains that all Christians are part of one body and share one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all. He repeats that unity is at the heart of the Christian faith, and that all believers are joined together as one family in God (There is one body, and one Spirit… One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all; Ephesians 4:4-6 ^c).

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Living as God’s New People

In this section, Paul urges believers to no longer live like unbelievers. He calls Christians to leave behind their old sinful ways and embrace the new life that comes from Christ. Paul explains the difference between the old self and the new self, and encourages the church to reflect Christ’s truth and righteousness in their daily lives.

v. 17: Paul insists that Christians must not live like the Gentiles who do not know God. He describes the way unbelievers live as “in the futility of their minds.” Their thinking is empty and leads nowhere good because it is separated from God and truth (This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind; Ephesians 4:17 ^d).

v. 18: He explains that unbelievers are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God. This is because of their ignorance and the hardness of their hearts. They cannot see what is truly good or right because they have turned away from God (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; Ephesians 4:18 ^e).

v. 19: Because their hearts are hard, they have become insensitive and give themselves over to every kind of impurity. They do whatever feels good, without caring about right or wrong. Paul says they are greedy for more and more impurity (Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness;.

v. 20–21: Paul reminds the believers that they did not learn Christ this way. If they have truly heard about Jesus and have been taught by Him, they know the truth that comes from Christ. The Christian life is different because it is based on Christ’s teaching (But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus; Ephesians 4:20-21 ^f).

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v. 22: He calls them to put off their old self, which is corrupted by deceitful desires. The old way of living is selfish and leads to destruction. Paul urges them to let go of their old sinful habits (That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; Ephesians 4:22 ^g).

v. 23: Instead, they should be renewed in the spirit of their minds. This means letting the Holy Spirit change the way they think, so their thoughts and attitudes become more like Christ’s (And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; Ephesians 4:23 ^h).

v. 24: Paul tells them to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. The new life that God gives is marked by goodness, honesty, and purity (And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness; Ephesians 4:24 ⁱ).

v. 25: From this, Paul gives practical instructions. He says to put away lying and to speak the truth to one another, because all Christians are part of the same body. Honesty and trust are essential to the Christian community (Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another; Ephesians 4:25 ^j).

v. 26–27: Paul advises them not to let anger lead them into sin. If they get angry, they should not let it last or give the devil an opportunity to cause harm (Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil; Ephesians 4:26-27 ^k).

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v. 28: He tells those who used to steal to steal no longer. Instead, they should work honestly with their hands so they can share with others who are in need (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; Ephesians 4:28 ^l).

v. 29: Paul commands them not to use bad language, but only to speak words that help and encourage others. Everything they say should build up the people who listen (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;.

v. 30: He warns them not to grieve the Holy Spirit, who lives in believers and marks them as belonging to God until the day of redemption (And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption; Ephesians 4:30 ^m).

v. 31: Paul urges them to get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, loud quarreling, slander, and all kinds of evil. These attitudes and actions divide and hurt the church (Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice; Ephesians 4:31 ⁿ).

v. 32: Instead, he calls them to be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as God forgave them in Christ (And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you; Ephesians 4:32 ^o).