Ephesians 4:3

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; LOWLINESS, [in classic Greek, tapeinophrosunee (G5012) is meanness of spirit: the Gospel elevated the word to express a Christian grace] - namely, esteeming ourselves small, as we are so; the thinking truly, and therefore lowlily, of ourselves (Trench). MEEKNESS, [ prautees (G4240)] - that spirit in which we accept God's dealings without disputing; also the injuries done by men, patiently, out of the thought that they are permitted by God for the purifying of His people (2 Samuel 16:11: cf. Galatians 6:1...

3._Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit. _With good reason does he recommend forbearance, as tending to promote the unity of the Spirit. Innumerable offenses arise daily, which might produce quarrels, particularly when we consider the extreme bitterness of man’s natural temper. Some consider _the unity of the Spirit _to mean that spiritual unity which is produced in us by the Spirit of God. There can be no doubt that He alone makes us “of one accord, of one mind,” (Philippians 2:2,) and thus makes us one; but I think it more natural to understand the words as denoting harmony of views. This unity, he tells us, is maintained by _the bond of peace; _for disputes frequently give rise to hatred and resentment. We must live at peace, if we would wish that brotherly kindness should be permanent amongst us....

1-6 Nothing is pressed more earnestly in the Scriptures, than to walk as becomes those called to Christ's kingdom and glory. By lowliness, understand humility, which is opposed to pride. By meekness, that excellent disposition of soul, which makes men unwilling to provoke, and not easily to be provoked or offended. We find much in ourselves for which we can hardly forgive ourselves; therefore we must not be surprised if we find in others that which we think it hard to forgive. There is one Christ in whom all believers hope, and one heaven they are all hoping for; therefore they should be of one heart. They had all one faith, as to its object, Author, nature, and power. They all believed the same as to the great truths of religion; they had all been admitted into the church by one baptism, with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, as the sign of regene...

Verse Ephesians 4:3. _ENDEAVOURING TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE_ _BOND OF PEACE._] There can be no doubt that the Church at Ephesus was composed partly of converted _Jews_, as well as _Gentiles_. Now, from the different manner in which they had been brought up, there might be frequent causes of _altercation_. Indeed, the Jews, though converted, might be envious that the Gentiles were admitted to the same glorious privileges with themselves, without being initiated into them by bearing the _yoke_ and _burden_ of the Mosaic law. The apostle guards them against this, and shows them that they should _intensely labour_ (for so the word σπουδαζειν implies) to promote and preserve _peace_ and _unity_. By the _unity of the Spirit_ we are to understand, not only a _spiritual_ unity, but also a unity of sentiments,...

THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT - A united spirit, or oneness of spirit. This does not refer to the fact that there is one Holy Spirit; but it refers to unity of affection, of confidence, of love. It means that Christians should be united in temper and affection, and not be split up into factions and parties. It may be implied here, as is undoubtedly true, that such a unity would be produced only by the Holy Spirit; and that, as there was but one Spirit which had acted on their hearts to renew them, they ought to evince the same feelings and views. There was occasion among the Ephesians for this exhortation; for they were composed of Jews and Gentiles, and there might be danger of divisions and strifes, as there had been in other churches. There is “always” occasion for such an exhortation; for: (1) “unity” of feeling is eminently desirable to honor the gospel (see the notes on...

EXPOSITION PRACTICAL PORTION OF THE EPISTLE. EPHESIANS 4:1 CHURCH PRINCIPLE OF GROWTH AND PROGRESS; THE CHURCH A BODY. EPHESIANS 4:1 I THEREFORE. Inference not only from last chapter, but the whole Epistle. Paul's interest in the Ephesians led him to a double application of the great subject which he had expounded: (1) to ask God on their behalf that he would bestow on them the full measure of the blessing to which of his grace they were entitled ...

ENDEAVOURING TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT,.... That is, a spiritual union: there is an union between God and his people, and between Christ and his members, and between saints and saints, and the bond of each union is love; and that it is which knits and cements them together; and it is the last of these which is here intended: the saints are united under one head, and are members of one and the same body, and should be of the same mind and judgment, and of one accord, heart, and affection: and this may be called "the unity of the Spirit"; because it is an union of spirits, of the spirits or souls of men; and that in spiritual affairs, in the spiritual exercises of religion; and it is effected by the Spirit of God, by whom they are baptized into one body. Now to endeavour or study to keep and preserve this, supposes that this union does already exist; that it is very valuable, as maki...

Ephesians 4:1. _I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;_ It is a loving call. Walk lovingly. It is the condescension of God that called you. Be, therefore, lowly. It is God in tenderness who has loved you. Be, therefore, meek, «forbearing one another in love.» Ephesians 4:3. _Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all._ Therefore, strive for unity. Woe unto those who divide believers that rob

II. THE PRACTICAL MANIFESTATION IN THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER (4-6) 1. Walking worthy of the Calling CHAPTER 4:1-6 _ 1. The walk in lowliness and meekness (Ephesians 4:1)_ 2. Keeping the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3) “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the calling wherewith ye are called.” This marks the beginning of the second part of the epistle. it is obvious then, to walk worthy as a Christian, one has to know the calling wherewith God has called us. This calling, as we have seen, is revealed in the first three Chapter s. The first exhortation is to walk “with all lowliness and meekness.” He does not speak of doing some great work, or to seek special gifts and special power. Lowliness and meekness are to be manifested by t

GOD'S CALLING INVOLVES A UNITY OF LIFE. The writer, appealing to his imprisonment, beseeches his readers to walk in a fashion worthy of their calling, _i.e._ in humility, gentleness, and forbearance, putting up with one another in love. They must be careful to observe steadfastly the oneness of the Spirit (who is at work in them, and who holds them together) in a common bond of peace. The Spirit is one even as the Body is one, even as their calling involves one common hope, even as there is one Lord, one loyalty, one baptism, and one God, the supreme and ever-present Father. EPHESIANS 4:3. Literally to watch, to keep your eyes on, the oneness of the Spirit. Ephesians 4:4. The writer does not here, as in...