Ephesians 4:1-16
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:1 Unity of the Body of Christ. Paul shows how to apply the truths he has been teaching. There are three subsections: vv. Ephesians 4:1, Ephesians 4:7, Ephesians 4:11. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var i [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:1 Unity of the Body of Christ. Paul shows how to apply the truths he has been teaching. There are three subsections: vv. Ephesians 4:1, Ephesians 4:7, Ephesians 4:11. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var i [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:2 The pagan culture of Paul’s day did not consider HUMILITY an admirable quality. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:3 PEACE is a BOND that unites believers in Christ. They do not create this UNITY, however; they merely preserve the unity already established by the Lord. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:4 SPIRIT. Just as a human body has one spirit that gives it life, so Christ’s body, the church, is given life by one Holy Spirit. ONE HOPE. Christians will live with God forever. This hope unites them. On the church as a BODY, see Romans 12:4; 1 Corinthians 12:12. ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:5 ONE LORD. Jesus Christ. ONE FAITH. The spiritual truths Christians believe. ONE BAPTISM may refer to the baptism of all believers into one body (see 1 Corinthians 12:13) or it may refer to water baptism as such. Verses Ephesians 4:4 of Ephesians 4:1 seem to make a spe... [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:6 OVER ALL... THROUGH ALL... IN ALL. God is present everywhere (see Psalms 139:7; Isaiah 66:1). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:7 GRACE... ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF CHRIST’S GIFT. Gifts given by God’s choosing to serve the church. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:8 IT SAYS. Paul cites Psalms 68:18 to show that Christ GAVE GIFTS to his people from what he had taken from his enemies. The “gifts” are the church leaders described in Ephesians 4:11. The CAPTIVES over whom Christ triumphed are most likely demons (compare Ephesians 1:1... [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:9 LOWER REGIONS, THE EARTH. In the incarnation, Christ descended from the highest heavens to the lowest regions (that is, to the earth). He then ASCENDED (Acts 1:9) 40 days after his resurrection to the highest heavens at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:33). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒... [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:11 For APOSTLES, see note on 1:1. PROPHETS. A reference to the gift of prophecy in the NT church. EVANGELISTS. People who proclaim the gospel to unbelievers (see Acts 21:8; 2 Timothy 4:5). SHEPHERDS (or “pastors” [esv footnote]) AND TEACHERS. People who teach and guide... [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:12 Church leaders are to EQUIP THE SAINTS (all Christians) to do THE WORK OF MINISTRY (1 Corinthians 12:7, 1 Corinthians 12:11; 1 Peter 4:10). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:13 The variety of gifts serves to bring about the UNITY of Christ’s people. MATURE MANHOOD contrasts with “children” in the next verse (see Hebrews 5:11). KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD. Knowing Christ personally and understanding all that he did and taught brings about “m... [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:14 DECEITFUL SCHEMES. Compare 1 John 4:1; Jude 1:4; Revelation 2:2. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:15 The TRUTH must always be presented IN LOVE. As HEAD, Christ leads, directs, and guides the body (see Ephesians 5:23; 1 Corinthians 11:3). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTa [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:16 As part of Christ’s BODY, every believer has an important role in the church’s growth. IN LOVE. See 1 Corinthians 13:1. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:17 Paul’s Testimony. Paul explains the new life in Christ that the Ephesians have experienced. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:22 PUT OFF YOUR OLD SELF. See Colossians 3:9. As the esv footnote indicates, “self” translates the generic Greek term for “man” or “human.” The “old self” refused to trust and serve Christ. CORRUPT. Human hearts are “deceitful above all things, and desperately sick” (Je... [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:23 RENEWED. The “renewal” or “transformation” of the mind (Romans 12:2) occurs as believers study and apply God’s Word and begin to think in new and right ways. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:24 PUT ON THE NEW SELF (literally, “man”; see note on v. 22). Believers are CREATED anew AFTER THE LIKENESS OF GOD. Compare Genesis 1:27; 1 Corinthians 15:49. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒... [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:25 Encouragement for a Holy Lifestyle. Paul gives practical examples of how church members strengthen Christ’s body (compare vv. Ephesians 4:13). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:26 BE ANGRY. Not all anger is SIN, but believers should not remain angry. This will only GIVE an OPPORTUNITY TO THE DEVIL to do evil. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:29 Christians are to avoid CORRUPTING TALK. They must speak in ways that are GOOD FOR BUILDING UP and giving GRACE, that is, what they say should benefit others rather than corrupting them. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=imag... [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:30 To GRIEVE the Holy Spirit means to cause him sorrow by one’s sin. SEALED. See note on 1:13. The DAY OF REDEMPTION is the day of Christ’s return (see Luke 21:28; Romans 8:23). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒... [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 4:31 ALL modifies every item in the list. BITTERNESS may be listed first because it often leads to the other sins Paul names. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]