Chapter 4

Unity in the Body of Christ

4 I therefore, …

Again, what’s it “there for”? In light of God’s fatherhood and grace…

…a prisoner for the Lord, …

Again, Paul indicates he’s in prison.

…beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, …

God has given this gift of salvation. Therefore, live a life which befits such an honour.

… ² with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, ³ eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

All of these virtues foster unity.

⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call,⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all.

Paul speaks of the unity of the faith, using the word “one” seven times. The seven-folder usage might not be incidental, but may point to the covenantal nature of God’s relationship with man through Christ.

⁷ But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Grace comes through Christ and is a gift.

⁸ Therefore it is said,

⁹ (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

Paul applies the passage to Jesus’ incarnation, death, resurrection and ascension.

¹¹ And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipment of the saints, for the work of ministry, …

Christ has gifted His Church with gifts of ministry.

…for building up the body of Christ, ¹³ until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; …

The purpose of these gifts is not self-aggrandizement, but for service to others.

¹⁴ so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles.

The ministers are to serve the Church so that each member is fully development and not easily swayed from the truth.

¹⁵ Rather, speaking the truth in love, …

This is the essence of Christian brotherly care, always speaking the truth, but doing so in love.

…we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love.

The purpose of this life is to grow to maturity in Christ and one in the Church.

The Old Life and the New

¹⁷ Now this I affirm and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; ¹⁸ they are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart; ¹⁹ they have become callous and have given themselves up to licentiousness, greedy to practice every kind of uncleanness.

Although Paul is actually speaking to Gentiles, he regards them as now something very different now that they have put on Christ. What he is doing here is describing their life before.

²⁰ You did not so learn Christ!— ²¹ assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus.

Another indication that Paul has not met many of the recipients.

²² Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, ²³ and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, ²⁴ and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

There is a transformation.

Rules for the New Life

²⁵ Therefore, …

Again, what’s it “there for”? Well, since they have a new life in Christ…

…putting away falsehood, let every one speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

…cast off all evil. Live in a way that fosters unity.

²⁶ Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷ and give no opportunity to the devil.

Anger is a gateway for disunity

²⁸ Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need.

The purpose of honest work? So that you can give to others!

²⁹ Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.

Very important in any congregation.

³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Another reference to “seal[ing]” which we saw earlier.

³¹ Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, ³² and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Paul exhorts his readers to Christian living.

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