Unity in the Body
(Psalms 133:1–3; 1 Corinthians 1:10–17)
then: Ephesians divides into two sections: The first...
then: Ephesians divides into two sections:
The first explains the good news about Jesus (the gospel).
The second describes how Christians should live.
This division reflects Paul's belief about the Christian life. He believed that how Christians live should be a response of gratitude for what God has already done for them through Christ.
The first explains the good news about Jesus (the gospel).
The second describes how Christians should live.
God's saving grace for both Jews and non-Jews...
God's saving grace for both Jews and non-Jews (gentiles) should guide how they interact in the church. They should welcome each other warmly, just as God has welcomed them.
1As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
These three verses might come from an early...
These three verses might come from an early Christian creed (a formal statement of beliefs). These verses emphasize the unity that all believers share.
Despite their ethnic differences, Jewish and non-Jewish Christians have one Lord and one faith. Because of this, they should live together in unity.
one God and Father of all: (see 1 Corinthians 8:6; 15:28).
who is over all and through all and in all: God is especially present in the lives of believers (see 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27; compare John 14:16–17, 23; 15:4–5).
These three verses might come from an early Christian creed (a formal statement of beliefs). These verses emphasize the unity that all believers share.
Despite their ethnic differences, Jewish and non-Jewish Christians have one Lord and one faith. Because of this, they should live together in unity.
one God and Father of all: (see 1 Corinthians 8:6; 15:28).
who is over all and through all and in all: God is especially present in the lives of believers (see 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27; compare John 14:16–17, 23; 15:4–5).
4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Though believers share a common faith, God has...
Though believers share a common faith, God has given different special abilities to each individual believer for building up the church community.
7Now to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8This is why it says:†
“When He ascended on high,He led captives away,and gave gifts to men.”†
to the lower parts of the earth: This...
to the lower parts of the earth: This phrase has been understood in several different ways by Bible scholars. Some people have thought this phrase refers to Jesus' tomb after his crucifixion. Others have suggested it means the world of the dead, the place where spirits go after death (compare Matthew 12:40; 1 Peter 3:18–20). Still others have connected it to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. However, the phrase most likely refers to the incarnation. The incarnation is when Jesus Christ, who is God the Son, descended from heaven and became a human being (see John 1:14; 3:13; Philippians 2:7–8).
9What does “He ascended” mean, except that He also descended† to the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things.
11And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.
14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head. 16From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.
New Life in Christ
Paul gives believers specific guidelines for living a...
Paul gives believers specific guidelines for living a new life in Christ.
17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. 19Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more.
What you learned about Christ is the truth...
What you learned about Christ is the truth that comes from him. He gives true understanding (compare John 14:6). He calls his people to a completely new way of life (compare Romans 6:3–14; 13:12–14; Colossians 3:8–10).
20But this is not the way you came to know Christ. 21Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him—in keeping with the truth that is in Jesus— 22to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another.
" Be angry, yet do not sin ":...
"Be angry, yet do not sin": This verse quotes Psalm 4:4. The literal form of the quotation does not justify anger. Anger gives the devil an way to influence us (see James 1:20). God's people should be gentle and gracious, not harsh or angry (see Ephesians 4:31–32).
Do not let the sun set upon your anger: This means we should resolve our anger quickly. We should not allow our anger continue or grow stronger.
"Be angry, yet do not sin": This verse quotes Psalm 4:4. The literal form of the quotation does not justify anger. Anger gives the devil an way to influence us (see James 1:20). God's people should be gentle and gracious, not harsh or angry (see Ephesians 4:31–32).
Do not let the sun set upon your anger: This means we should resolve our anger quickly. We should not allow our anger continue or grow stronger.
26“Be angry, yet do not sin.”† Do not let the sun set upon your anger, 27and do not give the devil a foothold.
28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.
29Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.
30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.