Ephesians 4
Ephesians 4 is part of “Walk Worthy—Unity in the Body” (4:1–16) in the outline of Ephesians.
Ephesians 4 summary
We have gone through the former part of this epistle, which consists of several important doctrinal truths, contained in the three preceding chapters. We enter now on the latter part of it, in which we have the most weighty and serious exhortations that can be given. We may observe that in this, as in most others of Paul's epistles, the former part is doctrinal, and fitted to inform the minds of men in the great truths and doctrines of the gospel, the latter is practical, and designed for the direction of their lives and manners, all Christians being bound to endeavour after soundness in the faith, and regularity in life and practice. In…
Read the full introduction
We have gone through the former part of this epistle, which consists of several important doctrinal truths, contained in the three preceding chapters. We enter now on the latter part of it, in which we have the most weighty and serious exhortations that can be given. We may observe that in this, as in most others of Paul's epistles, the former part is doctrinal, and fitted to inform the minds of men in the great truths and doctrines of the gospel, the latter is practical, and designed for the direction of their lives and manners, all Christians being bound to endeavour after soundness in the faith, and regularity in life and practice. In what has gone before we have heard of Christian privileges, which are the matter of our comfort. In what follows we shall hear of Christian duties, and what the Lord our God requires of us in consideration of such privileges vouchsafed to us. The best way to understand the mysteries and partake of the privileges of which we have read before is conscientiously to practise the duties prescribed to us in what follows: as, on the other hand, a serious consideration and belief of the doctrines that have been taught us in the foregoing chapters will be a good foundation on which to build the practice of the duties prescribed in those which are yet before us. Christian faith and Christian practice mutually befriend each other. In this chapter we have divers exhortations to important duties. I. One that is more general (Eph 4:1). II. An exhortation to mutual love, unity, and concord, with the proper means and motives to promote them (Eph 4:2-16). III. An exhortation to Christian purity and holiness of life; and that both more general (Eph 4:17-24) and in several particular instances (Eph 4:25 to the end).
Source: 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).
Key verses in Ephesians 4
Ephesians 4 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
Unity in the Body of Christ
1I therefore, being prisoner in the Lord, praie you that yee walke worthie of the vocation whereunto yee are called, 2With all humblenesse of minde, and meekenesse, with long suffering, supporting one an other through loue, 3Endeuouring to keepe the vnitie of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body, and one Spirit, euen as yee are called in one hope of your vocation. 5There is one Lord, one Faith, one Baptisme, 6One God and Father of all, which is aboue all, and through all, and in you all.
Spiritual Gifts for the Church
7But vnto euery one of vs is giuen grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8Wherfore he saith, Whe he asceded vp on hie, he led captiuity captiue, and gaue gifts vnto men. 9(Nowe, in that hee ascended, what is it but that he had also descended first into the lowest partes of the earth? 10Hee that descended, is euen the same that ascended, farre aboue all heauens, that hee might fill all things) 11Hee therefore gaue some to be Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Euangelists, and some Pastours, and Teachers, 12For the repairing of the Saintes, for the woorke of the ministerie, and for the edification of the bodie of Christ, 13Till we all meete together (in the vnitie of faith and that acknowledging of the Sonne of God) vnto a perfite man, and vnto the measure of the age of the fulnesse of Christ, 14That we henceforth be no more children, wauering and caried about with euery winde of doctrine, by the deceit of men, and with craftines, whereby they lay in wait to deceiue. 15But let vs folowe the truth in loue, and in all things, grow vp into him, which is the head, that is, Christ. 16By whome al the body being coupled and knit together by euery ioynt, for ye furniture therof (according to the effectual power, which is in the measure of euery part) receiueth increase of the body, vnto the edifying of itselfe in loue.
The New Life in Christ
17This I say therefore and testifie in the Lord, that yee hencefoorth walke not as other Gentiles walke, in vanitie of their minde, 18Hauing their vnderstanding darkened, and being strangers from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardnesse of their heart: 19Which being past feeling, haue giuen themselues vnto wantonnesse, to woorke all vncleannesse, euen with griedinesse. 20But yee haue not so learned Christ, 21If so be yee haue heard him, and haue bene taught by him, as the trueth is in Iesus, 22That is, that yee cast off, concerning the conuersation in time past, that olde man, which is corrupt through the deceiueable lustes, 23And be renued in the spirit of your minde, 24And put on ye new man, which after God is created vnto righteousnes, and true holines. 25Wherefore cast off lying, and speake euery man truth vnto his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26Bee angrie, but sinne not: let not the sunne goe downe vpon your wrath, 27Neither giue place to the deuill. 28Let him that stole, steale no more: but let him rather labour, and worke with his handes the thing which is good, that hee may haue to giue vnto him that needeth. 29Let no corrupt comunication proceed out of your mouths: but that which is good, to ye vse of edifying, that it may minister grace vnto the hearers. 30And grieue not the holy Spirit of God, by whom ye are sealed vnto ye day of redemption. 31Let all bitternesse, and anger, and wrath, crying, and euill speaking be put away from you, with all maliciousnesse. 32Be ye courteous one to another, and tender hearted, freely forgiuing one another, euen as God for Christes sake, freely forgaue you.