Meaning, commentary and cross references
Ephesians 4:2
“with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
NIV · New International Version
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
WEB · World English Bible
with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
What does Ephesians 4:2 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Ephesians 4:2
With all lowliness and meekness,..... In the exercise of humility, which shows itself in believers, in entertaining and expressing the meanest thoughts of themselves, and the best of others; in not envying the gifts and graces of others, but rejoicing at them, and at every increase of them; in a willingness to receive instruction from the meanest saints; in submission to the will of God in all adverse dispensations of Providence; and in ascribing all they have, and are, to the grace of God: and so to behave, is to walk agreeably to their calling of God; and what the consideration of that may engage them to, when they serve the low estate and condition out of which they are called, in which…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Ephesians 4:2–16
The means of unity: Lowliness and meekness, long-suffering, and forbearing one another in love, Eph 4:2. By lowliness we are to understand humility, entertaining mean thoughts of ourselves, which is opposed to pride. By meekness, that excellent disposition of soul which makes men unwilling to provoke others, and not easily to be provoked or offended with their infirmities; and it is opposed to angry resentments and peevishness. Long-suffering implies a patient bearing of injuries, without seeking revenge.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Ephesians 4:1–6
2. With all humility. He now descends to particulars, and first of all he mentions humility The reason is, that he was about to enter on the subject of Unity, to which humility is the first step. This again produces meekness, which disposes us to bear with our brethren, and thus to preserve that unity which would otherwise be broken a hundred times in a day.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Ephesians 4:1–5 (WEB)
1I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, 2with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling, 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Cross references
- Colossians 3:12–13
Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;
- 1 Corinthians 13:7
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4–5
Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud,
- Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.
- Romans 15:1
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
- Galatians 5:22–23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,
- 1 Timothy 6:11
But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
- Matthew 5:3–5
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.