Ephesians 4 Bible Study
Unity of the Spirit
Ephesians 4:1–6 NASB95
1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also 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 over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:1 NASB95
1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
eph4.1 “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,”
Paul states again that he is a prisoner on the Lord as in 3.1
Ephesians 3:1 NASB95
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
We established that Paul was held captive and captivated by the presence of God.
eph4.1 “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,”
Paul is making a request here. By using the word implore
implore
• to exhort v. — to earnestly support or encourage a response or action.
Romans 12:1 NASB95
1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
eph4.1 “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,”
Paul is urging the Church to walk worthy
Walk
• to walk (behavior) v. — to live or behave in a specified manner.
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worthily
• in a manner befitting or deserving (of some person or other object).
Ephesians 2:10 NASB95
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Colossians 1:10 NASB95
10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Colossians 2:6 NASB95
6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
1 Thessalonians 2:12 NASB95
12 so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
Paul is telling the Church to behave in a manner that is deserving of the calling that God has giving them / us
calling
• the condition one enters upon the acceptance of a summons; especially all that is expected of a person who accepts God’s summons to the hope of salvation in Jesus.
1. It is the calling of God (Rom. 11:29; Phil. 3:14; comp. 2 Thess. 1:11; 2 Tim. 1:9; Heb. 3:1; 2 Pet. 1:10; Eph. 1:18), because it is God Himself who calls us from darkness to light, and from the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of His dear Son.
Romans 11:29 NASB95
29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
2. It is a high calling (Phil. 3:14), for the prize attached to it is eternal life.
Philippians 3:14 NASB95
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
3. It is a holy calling (2 Tim. 1:9), because the end and purpose of it (at least on earth) is holiness.
2 Timothy 1:9 NASB95
9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,
4. It is a heavenly calling (Heb. 3:1), for it comes from and draws us to heaven.
Hebrews 3:1 NASB95
1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;
5. The hope of our calling (Eph. 4:4) is the hope which those called by God to serve Him may cherish. It belongs to the brethren alone, and proceeds entirely from God (1 Cor. 1:26).
Ephesians 4:4 NASB95
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
1 Corinthians 1:26 NASB95
26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;
eph4.1 “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,”
Paul is making the point for the Church to behave in the way and manner that God has called them too.
VS 2
Ephesians 4:2 NASB95
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
eph4.2 “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,”
Paul list three thing to walk in
humility n.
• the disposition of valuing or assessing oneself appropriately; especially in light of one’s sinfulness or creatureliness.
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gentleness
• acting in a manner that is gentle, mild, and even-tempered.
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patience
• patient endurance of pain or unhappiness.
Colossians 3:12–13 NASB95
12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
eph4.2 “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,”
Paul is asking the Church to Bear with one another with Love
showing tolerance to bear (endure)
• to endure something unpleasant or difficult whether on one’s own behalf or on behalf of someone else.
Colossians 3:13 NASB95
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Paul is indicating that it’s very important to put up (bear) with one another.
Biblical example
A man crying out to Jesus to heal his son. The man states that the disciples could not heal his son
Matthew 17:15–16 NASB95
15 “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and is very ill; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water.
16 “I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him.”
Pay close attention to what Jesus say
Matthew 17:17 NASB95
17 And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.”
• Notice .... Jesus states How long shall I put up with you?
• The “Put Up” is the same Greek word in Eph 4.2
• Notice what Jesus dose next
Matthew 17:18–20 NASB95
18 And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once.
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?”
20 And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.
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• He addresses the situation
• Allows the disciple to ask a question. After he just called them unbelieving group of people.
• Jesus responds and say’s it’s a faith issue.
• The underline point is that Jesus still has Love for his people even when they make a mistake
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Paul is telling the church to put up with one another with the underline being Love!!!
Love
• love (affection) n. — a strong positive emotion of regard and affection.
Exodus 34:6 NASB95
6 Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;
Paul talks about anger later in the text
Ephesians 4:26 NASB95
Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
If the Lord can have compassion on us. We need to show the same compassion towards other. Remember this Godly love transcends the world we know. Because this Love came from Heaven
Another Example
Genesis 45:1 (NASB95)
1 Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried, “Have everyone go out from me.” So, there was no man with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers.
Joseph show compassion on the same family members that did him wrong!!
He had to forgive them for what they did to him. He had to become strong in the Lord.
The Lord has a way of healing all wounds
Vs 3
Ephesians 4:3 NASB95
3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Paul also tells them to be diligent (be eager) to keep the oneness / harmony / being on one accord in the spirit.
This is done through the bond of peace
connection <==> bond
• a connection based on kinship or marriage or common interest understood as something that fastens various parts (as on a ship) together.
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peace
• harmonious relations and freedom from disputes; especially during the absence of war.
Colossians 3:14–15 NASB95
14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Paul has said earlier to put up with one another in Love. He could be stating that there could come a time where folks have a difference of opinions etc...
• With that said.
• He is telling them to stay unified in the spirit.
• Because it is the Peace of God that ties us together in Him.
Vs 4
Ephesians 4:4 NASB95
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
eph4.4 “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;”
Paul lets them know that there is Only One Body and Spirit
He goes into great details in 1 cor 12
Spirit
1 Corinthians 12:4–6 NASB95
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.
6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.
Body
1 Corinthians 12:12–14 NASB95
12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
Vs 5
Ephesians 4:5 NASB95
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Paul uses this word “εἷς = One” nine times is five vs
1 Corinthians 12:11 NASB95
11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
• There is One Lord aka ruler
• We proclaim only one Faith!!!
• There only one way of baptism
John 3:5 NASB95
5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
eph4.4 “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;”
Paul speaks of One Hope.
• This hope is eternal life.
• Because of Christ Resurrection from the graves.
• It has giving us access to eternal life.
Calling
• invitation to experience of special privilege and responsibility, call, calling, invitation
› Hope
Ephesians 1:18 NASB95
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
Romans 8:24 NASB95
For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?
2 Corinthians 3:12 NASB95
Therefore, having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech,
1 Timothy 1:1 NASB95
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope,
VS 6
Ephesians 4:6 NASB95
6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
Romans 11:36 NASB95
36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
Vs 7-16
Ephesians 4:7–16 NASB95
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
8 Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts to men.”
9 (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)
11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
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.
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;
15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
16 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.
Vs 7
Ephesians 4:7 NASB95
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
eph4.7 “But to each one of us grace was given”
Paul notes something.
He states that to every person grace was giving
grace (outworking)
• the resulting activity that is a necessary consequence of genuine, beneficent goodwill; especially used of the outworking of God’s goodwill.
We also remember that we have also been giving a gift to impact God’s kingdom
Matthew 25:15 NASB95
15 “To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.
1 Corinthians 12:7 NASB95
7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
1 Corinthians 12:11 NASB95
11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
eph4.7 “according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”
The Main subject of this section is Gift
• what remands vital is that not only did Jesus save us by showing his grace. It was also his grace in giving us a gift to impact the kingdom with his message.
• Also, to note we don’t all have the same ministry … but our gift still was giving to invoke change and impact the world.
• Its to display what Jesus did for us on the cross and to also bring souls to the Kingdom of God
• Don’t look down on your gift. God gave you that gift for a reason. You have been designed for that gift
Romans 12:3–8 NASB95
3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.
4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,
5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;
7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;
8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:3–8 AMP
3 For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.
4 For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use,
5 So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another].
6 Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith;
7 [He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching;
8 He who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness.
1 Corinthians 12:1–7 NASB95
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware.
2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led.
3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.
6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.
7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
1 Corinthians 12:1–7 BE:NT
1 Now: about things relating to the spirit’s work, my brothers and sisters, I don’t want you to remain ignorant.
2 You know that when you were still pagans you were led off, carried away again and again, after speechless idols.
3 So I want to make it clear to you that nobody who is speaking by God’s spirit ever says ‘Jesus be cursed!’; and nobody can say ‘Jesus is Lord!’, except by the holy spirit.
4 There are different types of spiritual gifts, but the same spirit;
5 there are different types of service, but the same Lord;
6 and there are different types of activity, but it is the same God who operates all of them in everyone.
7 The point of the spirit being revealed in each one is so that all may benefit.
gift
• something acquired or given without compensation in return.
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measure (quantity)
• how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify.
Vs 8
Ephesians 4:8 NASB95
8 Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts to men.”
eph4.8 “Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, ””
Psalm 68:18 KJV 1900
18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: Thou hast received gifts for men; Yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.
Psalm 68:18 NASB95
18 You have ascended on high, you have led captive Your captives; You have received gifts among men, even among the rebellious also, that the Lord God may dwell there.
Psalm 68:18 BE:NT
18 You went up on high, you took captives, to get gifts among people, Yes, defiant ones, to dwell as Yah God.
eph4.8 “He led captive a host of captives, ”
Led Captive (Captivity)
• to capture (by force) v. — to take possession of by force, as after an invasion.
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Captive:
• captives ⇔ captivity n. — a large number of captives.
Colossians 2:15 NASB95
15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.
In the next Vs. Paul explains what he means when He ascended on High
eph4.8 “ And He gave gifts to men.””
Even though it may seem like Paul is talking about something else .
The main point is still tied to the Gifts
Gifts meaning is different from Vs 7 gift
“Gifts “present n. — something transferred to a person as an object to be received without compensation.
Vs 9-10
Ephesians 4:9–10 NASB95
9 (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)
Paul speaks of what Christ has done for us
Look at what the scripture say’s
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 NASB95
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
2 Corinthians 8:9 NASB95
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
Key Vs
Ephesians 1:20–23 NASB95
20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,
23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Colossians 1:15–20 NASB95
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.
17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.
19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,
20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
Ephesians 4:9–10 BE:NT
9 When it says here that ‘he went up’, what this means is that he also came down into the lower place, that is, the earth.
10 The one who came down is the one who also ‘went up’—yes, above all the heavens!—so that he might fill all things.
All this means is that Jesus took death and Satan powers and over ruled it .
He won the battle and now has empowered us by giving us a gift to draw other back to him
Start Here 4.27.22
Recap
eph4.1 “1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,”
• to walk (behavior) || to live or behave in a specified manner.
• worthily || in a manner befitting or deserving (of some person or other object).
eph4.3 “3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
• Paul sets us up for understanding that Unity is vital.
• Hence why he makes the statement of being quick to preserve the unity of the Spirit
eph4.4-6 “4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also 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 over all and through all and in all.”
Paul speaks of One Hope and one Body, one spirit .
• This hope is eternal life .
• 🔑 there’s only one Faith....🔥🔥 this equals ... the statement that there’s only one Way
eph4.7 “7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”
• In this section Paul speaks about what Jesus left us.
• He left us a gift
🚨Vs 11
Ephesians 4:11 NASB95
11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
eph4.11 “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,”
This ties into eph 4.8
eph4.11 “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,”
1 Corinthians 12:28 AMP
28 So God has appointed some in the church [for His own use]: first apostles (special messengers); second prophets (inspired preachers and expounders); third teachers; then wonder-workers; then those with ability to heal the sick; helpers; administrators; [speakers in] different (unknown) tongues.
Another passage stating the same message
Vs 12
Ephesians 4:12 NASB95
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
📌
This vs expands on what was said in Vs 11
The gift that was giving . has two functions
• equip the church to do ministry
• build the Body of Christ
equipping
• completing n. — the bringing of someone or something to completion (perfect and adequate in every respect) and fit for some purpose.
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building up n.
• the act of bringing something closer to fullness or completion; understood as if assisting in the construction of an incomplete building.
• edifying
Romans 7:1–5 NASB95
1 Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives?
2 For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband.
3 So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man.
4 Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.
5 For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.
Paul makes it clear in the text that as born-again believers were joined to the body of Christ to Bear fruit
The gift that God has giving us has within itself to bear fruit (build the body of Christ)
📚Bear Fruit
🟡to produce consequences ⇔ bear fruit v. — to produce actions and natural consequences befitting one’s nature; conceived of as a tree bearing fruit according to its kind.
Luke 8:15 NASB95
15 “But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.
Growth
Synopsis
The process of development and maturing, used to refer to the progress of the kingdom of God and the spiritual development of believers. Scripture uses images of growth (such as seeds, plants and infants) to stress the dynamic nature of personal faith and the kingdom of God.
The apostles worked and prayed for growth in believers
2 Corinthians 13:9 NASB95
9 For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.
Dimensions of spiritual growth
In faith
2 Corinthians 10:15–16 NASB95
15 not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you,
16 so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another.
In knowledge
2 Peter 3:18 NASB95
18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
In love
1 Thessalonians 4:10 NASB95
10 for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more,
Growth comes from God
Colossians 2:19 NASB95
19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.
Growth comes through discipleship
Putting away the sinful self
1 Peter 2:1 NASB95
1 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,
Moving on from basic teaching
Hebrews 6:1–2 NASB95
1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
2 of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.
Maturing in thinking
1 Corinthians 14:20 NASB95
20 Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
Persevering in faith
James 1:4 NASB95
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
The growth of the kingdom of God
God promises that his kingdom will grow
Colossians 1:6 NASB95
6 which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth;
Vs 13
Ephesians 4:13 NASB95
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.
eph4.13 “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.”
Key word is ALL and ATTAIN
• All : meaning not just the Church of Ephesus but also the Body of Christ
• Attain : really means to reach
eph4.13 “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.”
There a method to what Paul is saying to the church
The gift that the Lord has giving or left for us in regards to vs 11.
These gifts are for preparing the church for ministry and to be building up the Body
With the end result of the church / body having unity of the 🔥Faith
Ephesians 4:3 NASB95
3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:5 NASB95
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
This goes back to what Paul said about there being ONE !!!
Unity in this vs means || oneness
oneness
• the quality of being united into one.
He also speaks of Knowledge
Knowledge
• personal recognition n. — coming to understand something clearly and distinctly or as true and valid; often with a personal acquaintance that necessitates a positive or negative reaction.
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🔑🔑We should be united in our Faith “ belief “ and Understanding of Jesus
This will lead us to mature and not be like the people in Hebrews
Hebrews 5:11–14 NASB95
11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.
14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
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Ephesians 4:13 BE:NT
13 The purpose of this is that we should all reach unity in our belief and loyalty, and in knowing God’s son. Then we shall reach the stature of the mature Man measured by the standards of the king’s fullness.
vs 14
Ephesians 4:14 NASB95
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;
As a result of reaching the unity of the faith and knowledge of Jesus.
👉We should not be fake in our Faith and not lead astray by every type of trickery teaching preaching
🔑We must go on into maturity
1 Corinthians 3:1–2 NASB95
1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ.
2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,
1 Corinthians 14:20 NASB95
20 Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
tossed
• to be wave-pitched v. — to move abruptly here and there due to the violence of waves.
🔑 Paul uses the word tossed and links it to false teaching.
Remember that Paul stated earlier that there is one Faith = Teaching
🚨However the Devil will use every trick in the book to trick you into believing a lie. Remember every lie has some truth to it. With that said the devil will also distort that lie into something that is far off the Mark .
👉with that said its very important that you take the Word of God seriously and that you study for your self-approved
2 Timothy 2:15 NASB95
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
🔥🔥in other words we need to be a part of a local church that is going to equip the church for ministry and to build the body up.🔥🔥
🚨🚨This will result in the people having a solid foundation
🔑which will cause them not to be doubled minded in their ways ... seeking for the next big thing or the next new word
Because you will be likened to Christ as your standard
James 1:6 NASB95
6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
Jude 12 NASB95
12 These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted;
Vs 15
Ephesians 4:15 NASB95
15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
Ephesians 4:15 NLT
15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.
🔥🔥 Notice what Paul says . He says speak the truth in Love
Question || what is truth ?
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Truth
Synopsis
The NT encompasses the Greek idea of truth as reality, as well as the Hebraic concepts of faithfulness and reliability. Jesus Christ is shown as “the Truth” and the apostles present the gospel as “truth”.
Truth as opposed to falsehood and lies
Ephesians 4:25 NASB95
25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
Truth as faithfulness and reliability
The quality of truth
Philippians 4:8 NASB95
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything, worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
John 1:17 NASB95
17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
John 3:21 NASB95
21 “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
John 4:24 NASB95
24 “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
John 17:17 NASB95
17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.
Romans 2:20 NASB95
20 a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth,
Jesus Christ as truth
John 14:6 NASB95
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
John 1:14 NASB95
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 15:1 NASB95
1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
The Spirit as truth
John 16:13 NASB95
13 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
The gospel and the Christian faith as truth
Ephesians 1:13 NASB95
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
John 8:31–32 NASB95
31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
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🚨🚨 What is also 🔑 is that Paul makes the statement that the church will grow up aka become mature in Jesus.
He goes on to say that Jesus is the Head of the body and its him who is the giver of the gift.
He has also giving every one of us a gift to bring him glory , honor and praise .
This gift is to draw souls to him
1 Corinthians 12:6–11 NASB95
6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.
7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;
9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.
11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
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What is also amazing is that each gift if fitted in its rightful place. By each person doing their part it causes the church as a whole to grow. Which the body is building itself up in Love
Love
• love (affection) n. — a strong positive emotion of regard and affection.
Ephesians 4:15 BE:NT
15 Instead, we must speak the truth in love, and so grow up in everything into him—that is, into the king, who is the head.
Vs 16
Ephesians 4:16 NASB95
16 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.
Ephesians 4:16 NLT
16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
If we are to sum up this section we could come to the conclusion .
#1🔵🟡 God is the giver of gifts
#2 👉 He gives everyone a gift according to what they can handle
#3 👉Each has a role in building up the Kingdom of God. There are some that are for preparing the church (body) for ministry
#4👉 the main goal is for the body to be in unity of the faith and in the knowledge of Jesus ... AKA to be a mature believer
#5 👉as a result of being a mature saint . this should cause the members of the body not to be tricked by every kind of teaching . Which can be the devil trying to trick the believer into believing in a lie
#Lastly 👉🔴.. With everybody doing their part it will have a good effect on the body as a whole ... meaning that the church as a whole will grow with the foundation of the growth being Love ...
The Christian Walk
Ephesians 4:17–24 NASB95
17 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,
18 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;
19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
20 But you did not learn Christ in this way,
21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,
22 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,
23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
VS 17
Ephesians 4:17 NASB95
17 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,
eph4.17 “17 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,”
affirm
• testify; bear witness
eph4.17 “17 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,”
to walk (behavior)
• to live or behave in a specified manner.
Notice how Paul is bridging together Vs 17 and Vs 1
He tells them in Vs 17 that they should not walk(live, behave) in the way of the Gentiles... or in this case the World.
Ephesians 2:1–2 NASB95
1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
Now compare to Vs 1
Ephesians 4:1 NASB95
1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
He uses the same word for walk … But Paul is telling them to walk(live, behave ) in a way that is worthy of the calling that you and I have been called to ...
eph4.17 “17 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,”
Paul here points out what the Gentiles are doing.
Key word here is the MIND
Paul speak to the state of the peoples MIND
💡futility
• uselessness as a consequence of being purposeless or incapable of producing results.
• emptiness
What is 🔑 is that the People who Paul is talking about is spiritually dead ( empty)
Romans 1:21 NASB95
21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Colossians 2:18 NASB95
18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind,
1 Peter 1:18 NASB95
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
2 Peter 2:18 NASB95
18 For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error,
🚨🚨 We must learn not to continue to live a life like the World dose.
VS 18
Ephesians 4:18 NASB95
18 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;
Paul continues to speak on the condition of those who are not saved
There are 2 keys words in this sentence
• Darkened
• Excluded
He states that there understanding is darkened
to become inane ⇔ darken v.
— to be or become unable or unwilling to perceive or understand; conceived as becoming more deficient in light or brightness.
There Darkened in their understanding
Excluded
to consider alien v. — to consider foreign and consequently separate from another country or citizenry.
💡Because of this state there excluded from the life of God. Meaning Heaven at this time is not there home and their hope is lost.
The by-product of this is the result of sinful ignorance that lives within them.
Which leads to the heart being hardened.
Hardness
• callousness n. — the state of being devoid of feeling and mental awareness.
🔥🔥All of this points to one thing . These people are spiritually blind
💡Blindness, spiritual
Synopsis
An inability or unwillingness to perceive the truth of the gospel.
Unbelievers are spiritually blind
1 Corinthians 2:14 NASB95
14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
The blindness both of idols and those who worship them:
Ezekiel 12:2 NASB95
2 “Son of man, you live in the midst of the rebellious house, who have eyes to see but do not see, ears to hear but do not hear; for they are a rebellious house.
Micah 4:12 NASB95
12 “But they do not know the thoughts of the Lord, and they do not understand His purpose; For He has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.
Jesus Christ speaks in parables because of the spiritual dullness of the people:
Luke 8:10 NASB95
10 And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.
Isaiah 6:9–10 NASB95
9 He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand.’
10 “Render the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Otherwise they might see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed.”
Spiritual blindness is a result of sin
Lamentations 4:14 NASB95
14 They wandered, blind, in the streets; They were defiled with blood So that no one could touch their garments.
Zephaniah 1:17 NASB95
17 I will bring distress on men So that they will walk like the blind, Because they have sinned against the Lord; And their blood will be poured out like dust And their flesh like dung.
2 Corinthians 4:4 NASB95
4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
The consequences of spiritual blindness
Romans 1:18–23 NASB95
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
Hatred and darkness:
1 John 2:9 NASB95
9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now.
1 John 2:11 NASB95
11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
The removal of spiritual blindness
2 Corinthians 4:6 NASB95
6 For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
VS 19
Ephesians 4:19 NASB95
19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
eph4.19 “19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.”
The Result 🔥
Because these people are spiritually blind they have giving them self over to Sin
Notice that Paul says that these folks have become callous
to be callous
• to be or become unfeeling and without shame.
The NIV states that these people have lost their sensitivity .🚨🚨 in other words they are num to the things of God .
So, it’s not hard for them to give themselves over to sensuality
sinful abandon (sensuality)
• indulgence in sensual pleasure unrestrained by convention or morality.
eph4.19 “19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.”
This type of Numbness or being cold from this group of folks .
leads them to practice every kind of impurity
immorality <==> filth
• immorality understood especially as dirty and impure; especially used of sexual sins.
They practice this impurity with greediness
greediness
• the excessive and immoderate desire of acquiring more and more (wealth).
This is the reason why you have some folk act the way they do with no shame.
In essence there caring out the orders of the Father the Devil
VS 20
Ephesians 4:20 NASB95
20 But you did not learn Christ in this way,
🔴There’s a shift now.
• Paul has outlined what the state of those who are not walking in the ways of Christ .
🔥🔥Now he says What a minute !!!! You did not learn about Jesus in this way.
Matthew 11:29 NASB95
29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
In the latter Vs he is going to explain what he means .
With that said there is something to be said .
That if you have learned about Jesus and the teaching has led you to have a life that still favors the WORLD then you have been taught wrong .!!!!
VS 21
Ephesians 4:21 NASB95
21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,
Three 🔑 statements
🔴 you have heard Him
Heard
• to learn ⇔ hear v. — to learn or become aware of something, conceived of as hearing about it.
Romans 10:14 NASB95
14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?
Ephesians 1:13 NASB95
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 2:17 NASB95
17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;
Colossians 1:5 NASB95
5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel
🔴have been taught in Him
Taught
• to be instructed v. — to be or become informed of instructions or directions for some task.
Colossians 2:7 NASB95
7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
🔴just as truth is in Jesus
💡Truth (statement)
• a true statement; with the implication that the statement is dependable.
What is key is that Paul reminds the people that Jesus is the truth and the truth is in Jesus.
You can hang your head on every word he says. 🔴He[Jesus] is dependable.
Proverbs 23:23 NASB95
23 Buy truth, and do not sell it, get wisdom and instruction and understanding.
Psalm 86:11 NASB95
11 Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.
John 14:6 NASB95
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
1 Timothy 2:3–4 NASB95
3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
vs 22
Ephesians 4:22 NASB95
22 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,
eph4.22 “22 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,”
🔑 Point .... Paul is indicating that in the teaching if Jesus aka the Gospel .
This teaching will consist of one leaving their old ways
🚨🚨Lay aside
Lay
**lay aside; take off
Colossians 3:8 NASB95
8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
Hebrews 12:1 NASB95
1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
James 1:21 NASB95
21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.
1 Peter 2:1 NASB95
1 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,
🚨🚨`Old Self
Romans 6:6 NASB95
6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;
If we are going to walk with the Jesus . We must be willing to put away our old self . Matter of fact when we are born again that old man(nature ) does not have the Power over us like it used too. Because we died to it.
eph4.22 “22 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,”
Why is this so important.
Paul states that the Old is corrupted by its deceitful lust ( desires)
Meaning the Flesh has its own agenda.
That agenda is for us to have a blended belief where our hearts not fully devoted to God . But our hearts being partially devoted .
2 Corinthians 11:3 NASB95
3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.
Hebrews 3:13 NASB95
13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
• This is the devils plan
• .He knows he cannot beat Jesus.
• So, the next best thing is to brainwash the minds of God’s people .
• Get them to worship the Devil and the Lord at the same time .
• at the end of the day the Devils wants to be worshipped like he is Go.
Vs 23
Ephesians 4:23 NASB95
23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
What is Key is that Paul telling the church to be renewed in their MIND
💡to be renewed (state)
• to be or become reestablished in a like-new and often improved manner.
What this suggest is that at one point and time we all had the mind of Christ. but we lost it when we were born into this world.
By being born again . We are reestablishing the connect we once had.
This can only come by being born again.
Romans 12:2 NASB95
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Colossians 3:10 NASB95
10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—
1 Peter 1:13 NASB95
13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Vs 24
Ephesians 4:24 NASB95
24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Ephesians 4:24 NLT
24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
We are to embrace this new nature .
Put
• to be imparted ⇔ be clothed v. — to be or become bestowed or endowed with a quality or condition; understood as being wrapped in a covering.
Colossians 3:10 NASB95
10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—
Romans 6:4 NASB95
4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
Romans 7:6 NASB95
6 But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.
🔑🔑Paul is stating for us to put on the New Nature which has been created in God
Vs 25-32
Ephesians 4:25–32 NASB95
25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
26 Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
27 and do not give the devil an opportunity.
28 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.
29 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.
30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
VS 25
Ephesians 4:25 NASB95
25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
eph4.25 “25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.”
Background 🔑word is Laying
Laying
to stop a state ⇔ take off v. — to stop oneself being in a state or condition; conceived of as divesting oneself of a garment.
Paul is telling the Church lay aside every falsehood
Falsehood
• Lie
• [Root Word]: Tells Lies
Colossians 3:8 NASB95
8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
Hebrews 12:1 NASB95
1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
James 1:21 NASB95
21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.
1 Peter 2:1 NASB95
1 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,
eph4.25 “25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.”
The 🌟word is Speak Truth
truth (statement)
• a true statement; with the implication that the statement is dependable.
This statement that Paul is speaking of is a quote from the OT
Zechariah 8:16 NASB95
16 ‘These are the things which you should do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peace in your gates.
Colossians 3:9 NASB95
9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,
Paul is making the Bold statement that the Words that should come out of our mouth is Truth.
This statement goes beyond speaking truth from a biblical perspective.
👉Speaking Gods Word is a Must !!
With that said we must also speak truth in all things .
Because we have already laid aside are old way’s which includes lying Aka the work of the flesh
eph4.25 “25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.”
🔑 Paul states that we are a part of the same Body
VS26
Ephesians 4:26 NASB95
26 Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
There are 3 🔑 words in this text
• Angry
• Sin
• Go
The🌟word is Angry.
Paul lets us know that being Angry or Holding on to that Anger is a portal aka open door for SIN to enter in.
He is not saying not to be angry but to Deal with that anger [emotion]
Some Key Emotion that can lead to Anger
• Jealousy
• Pride
• Truth
• Plus, more !!!
Paul point is how one responds to their anger
Some results can lead to:
• strife
• God’s Judgment
• Sin
Psalm 4:4 NLT
4 Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude
Psalm 37:8 BE:NT
8 Let go of anger, abandon wrath; don’t get into a rage, only to do something bad.
James 1:19–20 BE:NT
19 So, my dear brothers and sisters, get this straight. Every person should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.
20 Human anger, you see, doesn’t produce God’s justice!
VS 27
Ephesians 4:27 NASB95
27 and do not give the devil an opportunity.
Got to close the Door on the Devil ...
opportunity
• occasion ⇔ place n. — an opportunity understood as if having the room or space to function or perform.
🔴🔴Point #1 || Avoidance of sin
Synopsis
God calls his people to avoid sin, and through Jesus Christ gives them the inner power to be victorious over it.
God’s people are to resist sin
1 Peter 2:11 NASB95
11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.
James 1:21 NASB95
21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.
The Christian life is a constant struggle against sin
Hebrews 3:13 NASB95
13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
🟡God helps his people to resist sin
The avoidance of sin through new life in Jesus Christ
1 John 3:9 NASB95
9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
Believers are to put to death what is sinful in them
Colossians 3:5 NASB95
5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
The role of others in avoiding sin
Bad company is to be avoided
1 Corinthians 15:33 NASB95
33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
🟡🟡Point #2 || Believers’ responses to evil
Synopsis
• Scripture outlines several ways in which believers should respond to evil.
Evil is to be avoided
Psalm 1:1 NASB95
1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
Proverbs 4:14 NASB95
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked And do not proceed in the way of evil men.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 NASB95
22 abstain from every form of evil.
Evil likened to yeast:
1 Corinthians 5:6–7 NASB95
6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?
7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.
Galatians 5:9 NASB95
9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.
Evil is to be hated
Proverbs 8:13 NASB95
13 “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate.
Evil is to be rebuked
Matthew 16:23 NASB95
23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”
2 Timothy 4:2 NASB95
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
Evil is to be resisted
Proverbs 1:10 NASB95
10 My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.
Ephesians 6:11 NASB95
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
VS 28
Ephesians 4:28 NASB95
28 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.
eph4.28 “ 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.”
What Paul is been speaking of putting away the Old way includes everything.
What is Key is that Paul is stating to Change your Behavior.
We should no longer being doing the work of the flesh Aka : Walking in the Flesh
Galatians 5:19–21 NASB95
19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Paul also says that we must do the opposite if we were doing wrong .
Hence the example if our stealing for a living … Get a Job
eph4.28 “28 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.”
The end result is help those that are in Need .
This thought goes back to the inception of the church
Acts 2:40–47 NASB95
40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!”
41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;
45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
VS 29
Ephesians 4:29 NASB95
29 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.
eph4.29 “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.”
Key Word unwholesome
unwholesome
• rotten; worthless; bad
We’ve got to watch what we say and use abuses words
Matthew 12:34 NASB95
34 “You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.
Colossians 3:8 NASB95
8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
eph4.29 “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.”
New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 4
but only such a word as is good for edification 2according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
The 🔑🔑 is to speak good words for edification (building up). The result is that our words will impart grace to the hearers .
VS 30
Ephesians 4:30 NASB95
30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
🔑 Word is Grieve
Grieve
• to sadden v. — to cause to feel sorrow or unhappiness.
What is the Lord saying to us 🔑 vs ⬇ explains it All.
Isaiah 63:7–10 BE:NT
7 I shall recount Yahweh’s acts of commitment, Yahweh’s praises, In accordance with all that Yahweh dealt to us, the great goodness to Yisra’el’s household, That which he dealt to them in accordance with his compassion and the greatness of his acts of commitment.
8 He said, ‘Yes, they’re my people, children who won’t be false.’ He became their deliverer;
9 in all their trouble it became troublesome to him. His personal envoy— he delivered them, in his love and pity. He was the one who restored them, lifted them up, carried them all the days of old.
10 But they—they rebelled and hurt his sacred spirit. So, he turned into their enemy; he himself battled against them.
📢 After all the Lord did for us We should not rebel against God . It’s a big mistake to do this. If you don’t repent … when it’s all said and done it can really be the END for you.
vs 31
Ephesians 4:31 NASB95
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
In the closing of this chap. there are two Key words.
1st. put
This word reminds us of Vs 22
Ephesians 4:22 NASB95
22 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,
VS 32
Ephesians 4:32 NASB95
32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
2nd word is the Be
• Literally we are to be Christ-like.
• Being Kind ,loving , and forgiving each other ...etc.
What is clear is that Paul expounds on forgiving.
By reminding that Jesus forgave you . So, you should not have any problems forgiving others
Matthew 6:14–15 NASB95
14 “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
Believers should pray in response to evil
Matthew 6:13 NASB95
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’
Acts 4:29 NASB95
29 “And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence,
Hebrews 4:16 NASB95
16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
