Eph 4:1-16
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
, therefore-Because of chapters 1-3 we are to act a certain way
Worthy– this means equal weight, this is referring to our calling
Calling- This is referring not only salvation but our calling to unity.
Lowliness- Humility this was in contrast to the culture.
Gentleness- Meekness, this is the opposite of self promotion, roundness. Not controlled by anger
Longsuffering-Patience the idea is never give up even when you want to.
bearing with one another-We are all in the same family, Saved by the same God, even when it is hard.
Love-Putting others firsts. We are to consider the other person before ourselves.
to keep-we do not need to make unity based on chapter 3
the bond of peace- when we walk according to the call and practice these three principles we will have peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were 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 body-The universal Church
one Spirit-The Holy Spirit
one hope-The hope of the resurrection
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says:
“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”
9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)
Grace- Enablement
measure of Christ’s gift- This is best understood as the gift that he wanted to give us.
VS 8- This is most likely a summery of all of Ps 68
As a victor Christ has the right to give his followers gifts
first descended into the lower parts of the earth-This is referring to the death of Christ
who ascended far above all the heavens- This is referring to the resurrection and ascending to heaven
fill all things-This is looking back at 1:23
First Baptist Church Delmar 