Read or listen The Epistle to the Ephesians Chapter 4 online (ESV, YouVersion)

A Call to Unity – Eph 4:1-6

One of the major Christian issues of this century has been ecumenism, the efforts of churches to achieve unity. The biblical basis for these efforts toward unity can be found in this passage and in Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17.

"And I am no longer in the world,
but they are in the world,
and I am coming to you.
Holy Father,
keep them in your name,
which you have given me,
that they may be one,
even as we are one."
(John 17:11)

Unfortunately, ecumenism has often meant fellowship without regard for differences — fellowship without a common foundation. In contrast, the biblical Christian fellowship is based on the fact that all Christians share the same foundation, for there is only one God. God has established only one church in the world. The fact that the church has divided into many denominations is a consequence of sin and selfishness. Paul’s exhortation in verse 3 is much needed! Genuine Christian unity is not something we make, but something we receive: it is created by God’s Holy Spirit:

..."eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
(Ephesians 4:3)

Already the Jewish creed was based on the belief that there is only one God:

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one." (Deuteronomy 6:4)

We, too, should remember that all true Christians are children of the same God and are on their way to the same heaven. When we see Christians quarreling here on earth, we sometimes begin to wonder if they even fit into the same heaven.

In a world divided among many denominations, the Lutheran Church teaches that, at least within the Lutheran Church, there is saving faith. Thus, it does not deny that there are genuine Christians in other denominations, but it emphasizes what God has revealed through Lutheranism. Where salvation is denied to members of other Christian groups, the line into heresy has been crossed.

Note also that Paul emphasizes that one must first become a Christian (God’s call), and only then does the journey—the life of sanctification as a Christian—begin. It is not, therefore, our journey that makes us Christians, but God’s call. The church is God's people who are on their way home.

Christian virtues (verse 2: humility, gentleness, patience) are often seen by the world as signs of weakness, etc. Humility, in particular, was despised in ancient times. Walking as a Christian often means swimming against the mainstream!

Verse 5 is a serious warning to those who rebaptize. There is only one baptism. It cannot be done again. Note, however, the difference between adult baptism and rebaptism. The Bible teaches infant baptism, but especially in mission fields, adults must also be baptized because they were not baptized as children.

Based on Grace – Eph 4:7-12

Paul sees that church offices (ministries) are also gifts of grace (verse 11; cf. also 1 Cor 12:4-5, 28-31). This is only natural, for it is through these ministries that God builds up His church. The gifts of grace also aim for the same goal.

Unfortunately, it often happens that the gifts of grace become an end in themselves. They are no longer tools with which God builds His church, but they easily become something to boast about. The same applies, of course, to church offices as well. One of the best definitions of a leader is: “He goes at the front.”

When discussing spiritual gifts and their use, we must not overlook 1 Corinthians 12–14. Chapter 13, in particular, is worth keeping in mind. If there is no proper foundation for the use of spiritual gifts—namely, love—those gifts become a burden. No gift from God is so great that a human being cannot distort it into a curse. That is why God’s gifts must be received correctly, in the way God intended.

It can never be emphasized enough that, according to the Bible, every Christian has their own spiritual gift, whether one or more (verse 1: “each”). There are no “giftless” Christians. Therefore, there can never be a situation in the church where the ministers do everything and the rest are merely “listeners.” Every Christian has a part to play in building up the body of Christ.

The lists of spiritual gifts in the New Testament (e.g., 1 Cor. 12, Rom. 12) include more than twenty different spiritual gifts. But it is certain that no single list is complete, nor are all the lists combined; rather, they are examples.

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit"
(1 Corinthians 12:4)

Verse 9 has often been interpreted as referring to Christ’s descent into Hades. However, the correct interpretation is likely that it refers to Christ’s humbling of himself by becoming human (cf. Phil 2:5–11).

"...who, though he was in the form of God,
did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,
being born in the likeness of men.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death, even death on a cross."
(Philippians 2:6-8)

What the five different groups mentioned in verse 11 did remains somewhat unclear. There are no longer any apostles. Apparently, the term “prophets” also refers to those to whom God gave special revelations during the early church.

The term “evangelist” is mentioned only three times in the New Testament. In addition to this passage, Acts 21:8 (Deacon Philip: “...the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven") and 2 Timothy 4:5 (Timoteus: ..."endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry")

There has also been much discussion about whether “shepherds and teachers” refer to one group or two separate groups. It could be said that shepherds (=pastors) are always also teachers, but there are also teachers who are not shepherds. In other words, there are likely two distinct groups.

The Christ-centered Nature of Faith – Eph 4:13–16

As long as we are on our journey toward our destination, heaven, we are a work in progress and imperfect. Faith seems to be such that it either moves forward or backward. Staying in place does not seem to be possible. Some Christians have been on this journey longer and are stronger and more mature in their faith. Others, however, are just beginning.

Church leaders must be strong in their faith because the Enemy of Souls attacks church leaders in a special way:

"He must not be a recent convert,
or he may become puffed up with conceit
and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders,
so that he may not fall into disgrace,
into a snare of the devil."
(1 Tim 3:6-7)

Some false teachers are in error without realizing it, while others consciously reject Christ. Particularly dangerous are those who think they are genuine Christians representing the apostolic faith, yet are not.

The fact that Paul uses images of the human body in his letter to the Ephesians may be due to the fact that Luke, a physician, was with him at the time he wrote his prison epistles (Col 4:14).

Mature Christianity also involves a certain degree of criticality toward new teachings. But we must keep in mind that Christ was full of grace and truth (John 1:14). A cold need to be right is not Christ’s model for the church.

"Immature Christianity" often manifests itself in the belief that the most recent preacher or the book one has just read is the best and the only true one. It’s fine to get excited, of course, but that too should be based on a solid foundation, rather than always being ready to join a new congregation.

Growth, of course, applies not only to the individual Christian but also to the congregation and the entire Church of Christ.

The Old and the New Man – Eph 4:17–24

John Newton, the well-known hymn writer, once said: “I am not what I ought to be. But I am no longer what I once was. By God’s grace, I am what I am.” Becoming a Christian brings changes to one’s life. Not everything continues as before.

Change isn’t always easy. The first Christians had to live in a pagan world. This caused problems, especially in Corinth.

A person who rejects God also rejects God’s guidance for life. A lack of knowledge of God always has its consequences. And those consequences become apparent—usually in the form of vices.

Some have criticized Paul’s description of life in antiquity and compared it to the nobler ideas of ancient philosophers. It is true that in antiquity—just as in our own time—humanity produced good and beautiful things even apart from God. But it is equally true that human nature inherently bubbles up evil from within—a life that is at odds with God’s will (cf. Rom 1:18–32). That is why Christians in every age must make a “clean break” from a life without God and put on the new garment given by God. Paul is referring here to baptism, at least according to Colossians 3:1–4.

"If then you have been raised with Christ,
seek the things that are above, where Christ is,
seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things that are above,
not on things that are on earth.
For you have died,
and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ who is your life appears,
then you also will appear with him in glory."
(Colossians 3:1-4)

But a single act of clothing is not enough; it must be a continuous process. The word "renew" in verse 23 is in the Greek verb form indicating a continuous action:

..."and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds"...
(Ephesians 4:23)

The battle between God and the Enemy of the Soul continues, which is why renewal must also continue. But renewal is not about inventing something entirely new; rather, it is about returning again and again to Christ’s work of atonement.

Sanctification is also about actions – Eph 4:25-32

Sometimes we are tempted to think that God brings about sanctification in our lives without our involvement. It is true that we cannot sanctify ourselves; rather, sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit within us – compare Luther’s explanation of the third article of faith: “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in my Lord Jesus Christ or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and preserved me in the true faith.”

But still, we are not mere bystanders. Through our own actions, we can either assist or hinder the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work. We must not cause the Holy Spirit sorrow, but rather bring Him joy.

Verses 26-27 is a warning to us that we should not learn to live with hatred in our hearts:

"Be angry and do not sin;
do not let the sun go down on your anger,
and give no opportunity to the devil."
(Ephesians 4:26-27)

It is all too easy to begin accepting our own wrong attitudes—the longer we have lived with them, the easier it becomes. A Christian may, and indeed must, be angered by sin. If sin no longer stirs any emotion in us, something is seriously wrong.

Expressing even negative emotions is better than “bottling them up.” The advice, “Don’t get angry, but pay them back the same way ” is not a Christian way of life either. If negative emotions are allowed to take hold of us for too long, they can poison our minds.

Of course, permission to express emotions does not mean we can act like a bull in a china shop. We do have a responsibility for our actions. If expressing our emotions only causes more anger and bitterness, then it is best not to bring them out into the open.

Verse 28 shows that Paul was writing to a church that was young in its faith. In many countries, theft is a particularly common and pressing problem. Verse 28 is also a reminder that it is not enough to remove evil; something good must take its place. Jesus taught the same thing in his parable about the demon that was driven out, but when nothing came to take its place, it returned with seven even worse demons (Matt 12:43-45).

Verse 32 shows that it is easier for someone who has been forgiven to forgive their neighbor. Jesus taught the same thing in the Lord’s Prayer.

"Be kind to one another,
tenderhearted,
forgiving one another,
as God in Christ forgave you."
(Ephesians 4:32)

Altogether, we see that the early Christians were no better than we are. They faced the same problems we do. Fortunately, God’s grace is the same for us too!