Ephesians 4:1

B. Ephesians 4:1 to Ephesians 6:20. THE FRUITS OF SONSHIP TO BE LOOKED FOR FROM THE NATIONS

The foundation for the exhortations that follow is now securely laid in the vision of truth unfolded both by direct exposition and by prayer, the prayer being no digression but an integral part of the exposition. So at this point we pass to the second main division of the Epistle.

Ephesians 4:1-16. EXHORTATIONS TO UNITY

Ephesians 4:1. Παρακαλῶ οὖν ὑμᾶς. Cf. the transition in Romans 12:1.

ἐγὼ ὁ δέσμιος. Cf. on Ephesians 3:1.

ἐν κυρίῳ. Probably qualifying ὁ δέσμιος, cf. Philippians 1:13, though it may be taken with παρακαλῶ, cf. Ephesians 4:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:12. παρακαλῶ however is often used without qualification in St Paul, and the connexion with ὁ δέσμιος is favoured by the order.

ἀξίως περιπατῆσαι τῆς κλήσεως. Cf. Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; Philippians 1:27. On περιπατῆσαι cf. Ephesians 2:2; τῆς κλήσεως Ephesians 4:4; see on Ephesians 1:18. Cf. Philippians 3:14.