1. Maintain Unity (Ephesians 4:1-6) 

2. Minister to the Body (Ephesians 4:7-12) 

3. Mature in Christ Together (Ephesians 4:13-16) 

Central Truth: Believers should minister to one another and experience spiritual growth together. 

Focus: Discover how we are to function in the body of Christ and seek to help others mature in Him. 

Evangelism Emphasis: A unified church will attract unbelievers to Christ. 

Text: “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine . . . but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:14-15). 

INTRODUCTION 

“Walk the talk” and “Be real” are common expressions that people understand as a call to authenticity. This is basically what Paul does in this section of his letter to the Ephesians. He emphasizes the importance of the believers living up to their new status as the people of God. Paul previously described the Ephesians as “aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise” (2:12). However, that has changed. He has now finished his discussion of the incorporation of Gentiles into the people of God. 

The Ephesian believers’ change in loyalty demands a change in lifestyle. Citizenship carries with it both privileges and obligations, and Christians are called to live according to the values, norms, and priorities of their heavenly commonwealth, not those of the dominant culture, wherever that may be. In short, Paul co-opts political language that was meaningful to his readers in order to reconstruct their identity and conduct. The tone for the rest of the letter is set in 4:1 as Paul challenges the Ephesians to “walk worthy” of their calling in Christ. The word walk figures prominently in chapters 4 and 5 as Paul gives practical guidelines to the Ephesians regarding Christian living. The outworking of the “worthy walk” is to be seen in various areas of the lives of the individuals and believing community. 

Letter to Diognetus, which dates to the second century AD, describes early Christians: 

They follow local customs in clothing, food, and the other aspects of life. But at the same time, they demonstrate to us the unusual form of their own citizenship. They live in their own native lands, but as aliens. . . . Every foreign country is to them as their native country, and every native land as a foreign country. 

They marry and have children just like everyone else, but they do not kill unwanted babies. They offer a shared table, but not a shared bed. They are passing their days on earth, but are citizens of heaven. They obey the appointed laws and go beyond the law in their own lives. 

1. MAINTAIN UNITY 

A. Divine Calling (Ephesians 4:1-3) 

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

“Beseech” (v. 1), or literally “appeal,” is a gentle exhortation by the apostle to the Ephesians. Such an appeal, rather than a command, is appropriate, as Paul summarizes the Christian life by describing it as a “vocation.” The Ephesians are to live worthy of their vocation. The word vocation, in its simplest sense, means “call.” Although there are different calls to ministry—such as pastor, teacher, and missionary—the primary and fundamental call Paul has in mind here is the initial call to salvation and the ensuing Christian life. The believer must make every effort to walk worthy of that call. 

The apostle specified four virtues that the Ephesians should maintain in their daily lives: lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, and love (v. 2). The first two, lowliness and meekness, may be regarded as two ways of expressing the same quality. Jesus used the two terms together in Matthew 11:29 when He said, “I am meek and lowly in heart.” Being “completely humble and gentle” (Eph. 4:2 NIV) are attitudes we as Christians show toward God, in which we recognize that before Him we are nothing, but through Him we become persons of worth. When we are lowly in heart and meek, we have a thankful sense of dependence on God; we are not proud or conceited; our emphasis is not on ourselves but on God. 

To be longsuffering and forbearing is to reflect a proper attitude toward others. It is necessary to be patient, enduring the shortcomings of others because of love we have for them. When we manifest these graces we will not be short-tempered, impatient, and unfeeling toward people. These virtues must emanate from the Spirit within us and not from any virtue that is natural to us (see Gal. 5:22-23). 

As Christians, we have a responsibility to seek and keep unity among ourselves. The word endeavouring (Eph. 4:3) means to “spare no effort toward keeping unity.” Inner unity is the basis for interpersonal unity; the Spirit within us is the basis of individual unity; inner harmony makes unity with others a possibility. It is therefore necessary that we receive the Holy Spirit and cultivate His presence within us, because His fruit is peace, and peace creates unity. 

The Sign of Grace 

Christians in community must again show the world . . . the bond of the love of Christ. Increasingly the ordered fellowship of the church becomes the sign of grace for the warring factions of a disordered world.—Edmund Clowney 

B. Divine Oneness (Ephesians 4:4-6) 

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 

Paul introduces a series of seven things that are one. These emphasize the fact that Christ cannot be divided, that His work in us constitutes a unity, and that He is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Heb. 13:8). 

The first three unities are one body, one Spirit, and one hope. “One body” refers to the Church, the body of Christ, which is referred to in Ephesians 1:22-23: “And [God] gave him [Christ] to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” In Paul’s day the emphasis was that the Church consisted of both Jew and Gentile, united as the spiritual body of Christ. Today the body of Christ has many members and many emphases, but it remains one spiritual body. The Church is one in the same way the apostles were one (John 17:21-23). 

The Holy Spirit is one. It is the Holy Spirit in the Church who gives it unity and makes it truly Christ’s church. Furthermore, we come into the body of Christ by the drawing of the “one Spirit.” His regenerating and indwelling provide us the spiritual power to perform as Christ’s body. 

Believers in Christ are drawn together by “one hope”—life in Jesus Christ. Hope in Christ is not wishful thinking; it is the active anticipation and pursuit of those promises that have been given by Him. 

Three further unities in the Christian life are one Lord, one faith, one baptism. The “one Lord” is Christ. It is essential that we not only accept Christ as Savior from our sins but also as Lord of our lives, yielding to Him control, possession, and dominion over us. It is only when we receive Christ as Lord in this sense of ownership that we become fully integrated in Him (see Rom. 10:9; Acts 9:5-6). 

Proceeding from “one Lord” is the virtue of “one faith.” The reference is to faith in the lordship of Christ, which is the unifying foundation of the body of Christ. Those who do not accept the fundamental faith that He is Lord cannot be a part of His body. The “one faith” no doubt extends further to include “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). 

The “one baptism” (Eph. 4:5) has reference to the new birth by which we are brought into the body of Christ and that is symbolized by the act of water baptism. 

The ultimate unity is “one God and Father of all.” It is interesting that “one Spirit” is mentioned in verse 4, “one Lord” in verse 5, and “one God and Father” in verse 6. This is seen as an unmistakable reference to the Trinity, moving forward from the third person, to the second person, to the first person—God the Father. That He is “above all” means He is absolute sovereign over all things. That He is “through all” means His presence penetrates and empowers the Church. That He is “in you all” means He abides in and with His people. 

• Can we be part of the body of Christ if any of the seven “ones” are missing from our congregation? Why or why not? 

2. MINISTER TO THE BODY 

A. The Grace of God (Ephesians 4:7-8) 

7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 

All we have from God stems from His grace. In fact, His saving grace forms the foundation for all other divine gifts. Without this grace, it is not possible to possess any other gift. It is grace that opens the door to all the other treasures of God in Christ. 

In verse 8, Paul quotes from Psalm 68:18. This psalm deals with a conquering king’s return. He brings a band of prisoners with him and marches in triumph through the streets. He then demands the ransom that the conquered people must give him. Christ did just the opposite for the host of captives He led. William Barclay wrote, “In the Old Testament the conquering king demanded and received gifts from men: in the New Testament the conqueror Christ offers and gives gifts to men.” 

Paul said Christ not only led the captives out, but He “gave gifts to his people” (Eph. 4:8 NIV). Paul is thinking of the part all believers are to play in the life of the Church when he speaks of Christ’s gifts to us. Each of us should seek to determine the special endowment God, through His Spirit, has for us. Ministry and leadership gifts are available to those who are open to the Spirit’s work. Paul wrote: “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. . . . Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy . . . ministry . . . teaching . . . exhortation . . . giving . . . ruling . . . shewing mercy” (Rom. 12:3, 6-8). 

The Receivers 

God is the giver, and we are the receivers. And His richest gifts are bestowed not upon those who do the greatest things, but upon those who accept His abundance and His grace.—Hannah Whitall Smith 

B. The Exalted One (Ephesians 4:9-10) 

9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 

Jesus Christ “descended” from heaven to earth in the Incarnation (v. 9). The same One who walked this earth is the One who returned to heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. Since He is the same One, He still “loves all men; still He seeks the sinner; still He heals the sufferer; still He comforts the sorrowing; still He is the friend of outcast men and women” (Barclay). 

In verse 10, the “descent” which follows the ascent of Christ is the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Christ came in the person of the Holy Spirit without restriction of physical place or space. With the gift of the Spirit, all the gifts of Christ to the Church are included. For this reason, nothing needful is lacking for the fulfillment of the Church’s life and witness. 

• What do the terms “ascended” and “descended” suggest to us about Heaven? 

C. Gifts to the Church (Ephesians 4:11-12) 

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. 

The apostle lists five ministry gifts Christ has placed in the Church. These gifts are to individual Christians who are to serve the spiritual needs of the Church. The nine spiritual gifts named in 1 Corinthians 12 operate through individual believers. Thus Christ’s ministers, as here described, are His gifts to the Church. They retain a dependence on Him and recognize that their sufficiency stems from His marvelous grace. 

The list begins with “apostles.” Marvin Vincent wrote: “The distinguishing features of an apostle [in the New Testament sense] were, a commission directly from Christ; being a witness of the resurrection; special inspiration; supreme authority; accrediting by miracles; unlimited commission to preach, and to found churches.” 

“Prophets” are named next. “The Hebrew word for prophet means literally ‘one who is inspired of God.’ The prophets . . . all felt themselves to be spiritual leaders commissioned by God to warn their contemporaries of the perils of wickedness, to point the way to true religion, and to give guidance on moral issues” (Harper’s Bible Dictionary). A prophet’s message might take the form of prediction, doctrine, or exhortation. 

Then, Paul mentions “evangelists.” The evangelist is one who shares the wondrous story of salvation and the Cross, thereby clearly presenting saving truth. He was the traveling missionary of the early church, preaching Christ and urging people to recognize the claims Christ has on their life. 

Finally, Paul listed “pastors and teachers.” The dual role of these individuals is described in Acts 20:28: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” 

Why has God placed the leadership offices in the church? Paul said they were given to fully equip God’s people to labor in their appointed service. It is the business of those who fill these offices to get believers ready to serve as workers in the kingdom of the Lord. When a church is spiritually alive, believers will be motivated to actively engage in witnessing and working, so the purposes of Christ may be fully realized. 

Everything that is done in a church should be designed to build up the body of Christ. The church always faces the danger of individuals being overcome by “spiritual pride” and drawing attention that should go to the body. The offices and gifts given by Christ are to build up congregations. 

• Describe how a church leader has helped to equip you for ministry. 

3. MATURE IN CHRIST TOGETHER 

A. Infants No Longer (Ephesians 4:13-15) 

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. 

The proper function of a church produces unity of faith. This faith manifests itself in a unity of life in which all believers are equally and completely joined to Christ and to one another. The object of this unity is an ever-increasing knowledge of the Son of God. This means more than a knowledge of the historical Jesus, but also spiritual insight into His redemptive work and His present reign, including the principles and ends of His kingdom. This faith and knowledge brings believers to the full measure of development found in Christ. 

To become a full-grown adult in Christ is to put aside childish attitudes. Such maturity of character enables us to follow a steady course and not be tossed back and forth by every shifting current of teaching. It also gives us the wisdom to avoid the trickery of those who would lead us astray. There are individuals who will lay deliberate traps and arrange plans to lead us away from Christ. But the Lord has provided that we are not helpless before this deceit. 

As we lovingly hold to the truth and seek only the glory of God and the good of others, we shall grow up into Him who is the Head, our Christ. The more intimate we grow toward Him, the nearer our union will be with one another, and the whole Church will be made stronger. 

Tempting a Hurricane 

Instead of clinging to the only Lifeboat that can save, we have tossed overboard Biblical truths in the name of [compromise], living on the edge of life, like the man who rides the parameter of a hurricane, daring it to sweep him away.—Billy Graham 

B. United in Love (Ephesians 4:16) 

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

The Church is dependent on Christ for its growth. The whole body, closely joined and properly knit together, derives its life and its power to grow from Jesus Christ. When each part of the body does its part—when each of us fulfills our task in the life of the Church—the purposes of Christ are realized. 

There are no insignificant members in the body of Christ. Some believers feel that because they cannot preach, teach, or sing, they are not important in the church. The truth is, wherever you are, if God has placed you there, you have a ministry to perform. And if God has a task for you to do, it is important. Even if it is cleaning the church, making a phone call, or spending time in intercessory prayer, it is important. 

The principal thing in the exercise of any ministry is that it function in an atmosphere of love. If love will not build a church, it cannot be built. If love will not reach the lost, they cannot be reached. Love must saturate everything we do. 

• Why is love an absolutely necessary aspect of a Christian congregation?  

THE SINGLE REQUISITE 

The body has its individual members with their respective functions, but each member exists and functions by virtue of its relation to the head, which is Christ, and its relation to the other members of the body. Thus the one requisite of spiritual life and effective service is union with Christ the Head, and harmony and coordination with the other members of the body of Christ. Love alone makes all this possible.—Charles W. Carter (The Wesleyan Bible Commentary)  

Daily Devotions  

M.  Working Together Brings Victory (Exodus 17:8-13) 

T.  Love the Lord in Unity (Deuteronomy 6:10-19) 

W.  The Good of Unity (Psalm 133:1-3) 

T.  Live in Peace Together (Romans 14:13-19) 

F.  Warning Against Division (Romans 16:17-19) 

S.  United in Purpose (1 Corinthians 1:10-13) 

Adopted from the Evangelical Sunday School Lesson Commentary 2021-2022.

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