Verses 1-3 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.
Again, the reader is reminded that the Apostle Paul is writing from prison. He has requests of the Christian believers in Ephesus. The Greek word translated as “beseech” is “parakaleo” and it means to admonish, to exhort, to beg or entreat, to encourage or to strengthen. The Greek word translated as “vocation” is “klesis” and it means a calling, a calling to, or an invitation. So his request is that the believers walk or go through life in a fashion worthy of the divine invitation that they received from God to be His spiritual children and to inherit eternal life. He encourages them to do so by being humble which is demonstrated by their meekness or gentleness, their longsuffering or patience, and their putting up with others with a true attitude of Christian love. With this Christ-like attitude they would give diligence or exert one’s self to be in agreement or unity with the Holy Ghost/Spirit and that would bind these believers together in peace.
Application: It is an unfortunate fact that in churches today there can be found disunity and strife. Satan and his fallen angels infiltrate churches and use people within the churches to create disharmony, distraction, and division. A church may experience a “split” in which part of the congregation leaves and follows whoever is speaking the loudest. This should not happen, ever. Why does it happen at all? Because the believers have not learned to walk humbly with their God. They have not heeded the words of the Apostle Paul. “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8 Having a church that is in strife is not glorifying to the LORD and there is no bond of peace.
Verses 4-6 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.
The Apostle Paul likens the Church to the human body. This analogy is discussed more fully in the books of Romans and 1 Corinthians. In the natural world, each living man or woman or living animal has only one body. If any part of that body is injured or removed, the body cannot function as it should. Spiritually, the church, being made up of many people, is a single body of believers. There should be harmony. There is also only one Spirit or Holy Ghost that fills all believers and binds them together in one body. Again, there should be harmony. There is only one Lord Jesus, only one Gospel and the Christian faith, and only one baptism into which all believers are baptized.
Application: The Christian faith is all about “one”. Pagan religions including Catholicism have multiple gods and goddesses and multiple doctrines. Christianity has one God who manifests as Spirit or Father, as the son of man/God or Jesus, and as the Holy Ghost. There is not three gods in one, but one and only one God showing himself in different ways to His people. God invented mathematics. Three does not become one or vice versa.
Verses 7-8 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.
The Greek word translated as “measure” is “metron” and it means an instrument for measuring, a vessel for receiving and determining the quantity of things, a measuring rod, the rule or standard of judgment, determined extent, or the portion measured off. So unto every Christian believer good will, loving-kindness and favor is given in a determined extent or a measured portion as a result of Christ giving willingly and without requiring a payment of some kind from His people. Verse 8 above is from Psalms 68:18 which states, “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.” As a result of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, no longer was a priest needed to intercede between God and man. Living men and women were/are free to access the very throne room of God because of the gift of the Holy Ghost/Spirit or the Comforter. The LORD Jesus Christ is the mediator between God and man.
Verses 9-10 (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.)
Application: There is a pervasive false doctrine or teaching in the churches today that claims Jesus descended into Hell while His body was laying in the tomb. This is blasphemy, plain and simple. Scripture teaches that Hell is for the wicked and for devils. Jesus as the Son of Man was sinless. Jesus was/is God manifested in the flesh. There is no reason for Him to visit Hell. What He did do was go to Paradise and take the saints with Him to Heaven. Remember that when on the cross with His body dying, “. . . Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 It could not be clearer.
Verses 11-13 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:
Verse 11 above is often referred to as the five-fold ministry, meaning that these are the functions or positions that Jesus put in His Church, and they are the way God organizes His Church. An apostle is a messenger or one sent forth by the LORD to teach and preach the Gospel. A prophet is not a fortune teller but one who interprets and brings forth the Word of God. An evangelist is a bringer of good tidings and today is often considered to be a traveling preacher or missionary who does not pastor a specific geographical body of believers. A pastor is a shepherd and has a specific congregation in a specific geographical location. A teacher teaches the Word of God. These Church functions/positions can be filled by multiple individuals or they can be combined. A pastor is also a teacher, and because he brings forth the Word of God he can also be considered a prophet. This writer, in explaining the Scripture, is functioning as a prophet and a teacher. This writer is not the shepherd of a local church and is not traveling to various geographical locations to share the Gospel message, so does not have the position or function of a pastor or an evangelist. The purpose of these functions is to build up the body of Christ, the Christian believers, so that there will be unity in the Church and a maturing of believers’ faith and walk with and in the Spirit.
Verses 14-16 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.
Natural children are gullible and easily misled and manipulated. Christian believers, especially when young in their faith and spiritual walk, can be gullible and misdirected by false doctrine clothed with the appearance of respectability and authority via televangelists and on-line religious sites, books and religious publications claiming to be Christian. By each church preaching the truth of the Gospel through the five-fold ministry, believers can be assisted to grow in their faith and in their understanding of the Word of God. Then they will recognize the fake or the counterfeit when they know the real thing and they cannot be led astray. They will be part of the body of Christ.
Verses 17-18 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:
This writer has known people who claimed to know the LORD Jesus Christ and to be converted Christians, but who were dogmatic in their beliefs which were quite contrary to the teachings of the Bible. Even after showing them the Bible verses that completely crushed their false beliefs, they refused to accept what the Scripture verses said and tried to manipulate them to comply with their false doctrines. They were blinded by their vanity and by their intelligence. They were right, every one else was wrong, and the Scripture verses didn’t mean what they said. A well run church with a pastor that is grounded in the Word of God and with others filling the positions God has mandated, should be able to raise up Christian believers who are all of one mind, accurately interpreting the Word of God and not building up false doctrines which will create division in the body.
Verse 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
The Greek word translated as “lasciviousness” is “aselgeia” and it means unbridled lust, excess, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness and insolence. When people do not understand the things of God, they are in Satan’s territory and they behave like a devil behaves. All they have are the things of this world, and they may do whatever it takes to acquire these things. They are narcissistic and have little regard for others. The psychopath is the extreme example of this type of individual.
Application: A quick listen to the fake news media who showcases murders and other crimes locally and in the nation will demonstrate that many people today are past feeling in that they have no remorse for their crimes against other people and that they feel justified in their actions. Furthermore, many other people, not involved in criminal behavior, are also past feeling in that these atrocious acts of violence fail to move them emotionally. As long as bad things happen to other people, they live life like nothing is wrong in society or in the world. Politicians, sports figures, and entertainers who behave in a lascivious manner are never called out for their behavior. But take heart, reader, as the increased wickedness in every nation is a sure sign that the LORD Jesus Christ will be returning soon. Amen.
Verses 20-21 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:
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6 Apparently, based on verse 17 above, some of the Ephesian church were still behaving as the Gentiles and not as children of the LORD. The Greek word translated as “learned” is “manthano” and it means to learn, to increase one’s knowledge, to hear, to be informed, or to learn by use and practice. Having the words, “have not so” before this word indicated that the Apostle Paul was saying basically, “You haven’t learned by use and practice as you are acting like unsaved Gentiles. Since the truth is from and is in the LORD Jesus Christ, start walking like you should and not as people in the world walk.”
Verses 22-23 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.
So to live and walk as Christian believers, they were instructed to “put off” or put away their former behavior as that was part of their old life and sin nature. They were to be new people because they had been born again and filled with the Spirit of God and therefore no longer needed to let the old nature control them. This does not happen automatically and takes a little effort on behalf of the believer. The old sin nature is still there and will be until physical death as the body is born with a sin nature. But the spirit and mind of each believer can and should control that old sin nature and not allow it to have predominance.
Verse 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
God hates lying lips. “Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.” Proverbs 12:22 People who lie cannot be trusted. People who gossip and spread rumors and falsehoods create discord and division. Satan is the originator of lies which is another reason God hates lying lips. Jesus, when speaking to the Jewish leaders stated, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:44 Furthermore, liars do not go to Heaven. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 So the commandment is to speak the truth, plain and simple.
Verses 26-27 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil.
Application: It is not a sin to be angry. It is a sin to be angry without just cause and it is a sin to act upon that anger in an unChristian manner as this brings dishonor to the name of Jesus Christ. The LORD God gets angry. He was angry with the prophet Moses. “And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses. . .” Exodus 4:14 He was angry with the Hebrew people on many occasions and even discussed with Moses about destroying them and starting afresh with Moses and his family. “And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.” Numbers 11:1 Since God is Almighty and the Judge of all, when He gets angry He can carry out punishment in whatever manner He wants. But Christian believers are not judges and cannot punish or mistreat offenders at will. Forgiveness is the proper way to handle anger.
Application: To “give place” means to provide an opportunity, to provide power to, or to provide an occasion for acting. Anger that is not dealt with or not resolved will cause a Christian believer to give mental thought and time to the situation which can and will detract from other things such as worship and prayer. Anger can and will cause physical symptoms such as headache, insomnia, or an upset digestive system. But the most dangerous result of unresolved anger is that it allows devils to come into the believer’s life and influence it in a manner that is not glorifying to God. Remember that the purpose of this life on this Earth for the Christian believer is to fellowship with and to give glory to God Almighty while serving Him with the whole heart. Think about it.
Verse 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.
The Ephesian church, like all Christian churches, apparently had believers in it that were still living like they were citizens of the world and not citizens of the Kingdom of God as evidenced by the Apostle Paul revealing in the verse above that stealing or thievery was occurring. Stealing is sin and should not be found among believers. “Thou shalt not steal” was/is one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:15). Jesus stated, as recorded in Matthew 19:18 , “. . . Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,” The Apostle Paul wrote, “For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Romans 13:9 Notice that the Christian believer is to work with his/her hands, not only to provide for self, but to be able to help those less fortunate.
Verse 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.
The Greek word translated as “corrupt” is “sapros” and it means rotten, putrefied, of poor quality, bad, unfit for use, or worthless. The Greek word translated as “communication” is “logos” which means word or speech. Corrupt communication is pretty much all that is heard in media today and by people in places of gatherings such as restaurants, sports events, or public parks. The name of Jesus Christ has simply become a cuss word to many people, and profanity abounds in the workplace, in places of business, and especially in the world of comedy or comedians. On-line communication such as texting has become the place for bullying others as the language used is inappropriate and hurtful. It needs to be different in the Church. “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” 2 Corinthians 6:17
Verses 30-32 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. (Ephesians 4)
Application: The Greek word translated as “grieve” is “lupeo” and it means to make sorrowful, to affect with sadness, cause grief or offend. Unfortunately, it is very easy for Christian believers to take the goodness of God for granted and to forget that the very emotions His created people have are emotions that He has as well. Remember that Adam was created in the image of God. So believers forget that their thoughts or actions can make God sad and/or offend Him. The Holy Ghost/Spirit indwelling each believer is God, very God, and He is therefore present and very aware of any sin that the believer commits, and it causes Him to be sad. The Christian believer, to have the title of Christian, must be working towards being like Christ, the word meaning Christ-like. Think about how what you, the reader, do or say, even in jest, might make the LORD feel, and judge for yourself if improvement is needed.