Ephesians Chapter 4 is about the unity and living in the body of Christ. It describes how life worthy of being of the Lord’s is.

Being One with Christ

Paul began Ephesians Chapter 4 by saying those who were called in Christ should always be humble and gentle with everyone, especially to one another. They should also be patient and cover everyone with love, just as how Christ did.

Paul explained that there is just one body of Christ and one spirit. Therefore, the unity within the body must be seen in the people who make up the body. This is everyone who is living in Christ and to whom grace has been freely given.

Jesus Ascended on High

Paul quoted the book of Psalms, saying that “He ascended on high,” meaning that Jesus had already descended to the lowly regions to win back those who were lost. Jesus equipped all of His apostles with what they needed in order to preach the Gospel. He was the one who first became mature in faith. This is what the apostles were building up to. They were meant to help everyone understand the faith and become fully mature in Christ.

New Creations in Christ

Paul said that believers should no longer be infants in the world. Instead, they should grow in the knowledge and love of Christ. He then urged the Ephesians to change their way of thinking and to no longer live as Gentiles.

He told them to put away their old self and die to Jesus so that in Him, they would be able to have a better life. He instructed them in Ephesians Chapter 4 about how they should treat each other. They were not to sin when they got angry, not to engage in foul talk, and to forgive everyone who has sinned against them.

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Ephesians 4 (King James Version)

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.)

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

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:

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.

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