Lesson 9
Ephesians 4: 1-6
V 1, I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,
Therefore, is the connecting bridge to Ephesians 1-3. After saying those things in Ephesians 1-3, he had these things to say. Paul said he was a prisoner of the Lord and not a prisoner of Nero Caesar. He was put imprisoned by the will of Jesus Christ, his master. Greek for beseech is “parakaleo”, which means to encourage. Greek for worthy is “axios”, which means, befitting. Greek for walk is “peripateo”, which means to conduct one’s self. In response to all that God had done for them, Paul encouraged his audience to conduct themselves in a manner befitting of their calling.
V 2, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
Greek for lowliness is “tapeinos”, which means humility, poor in spirit, dependence on the Lord, and not on self. Greek for gentleness is “praus”, which means meekness. Meekness is power under control. Jesus had omnipotent power at His disposal and yet He was very gentle. Long-suffering in Greek is “makrothumos”, which means patience or perseverance. Greek for love is “agape’’, which means unconditional or sacrificial love.
Paul encouraged his audience to conduct themselves in a manner befitting themselves of their calling, by showing humility, meekness, patience, and sacrificial love for one another.
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”.
Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.
Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth”.
VV 3-6, 3, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were 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.
Greek for endeavoring is “spoudazo”, which means to act fervently. Paul encouraged his audience to act fervently, peacefully, and be united in the Holy Spirit. There is only one body, the Church, the body of Christ, the one new man in Christ. There is only one Spirit, the Holy Spirit. There is only one Hope, heaven. There is only one Lord, Jesus Christ. The is only one Faith, Christianity. The is only one baptism, Christian baptism. There is only one God, the Holy Trinitarian God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is the Father above all Christians, through all Christians, and in all Christians.
