Ephesians 4
Unity in the Body of Christ
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, References Lord: Ephesians 4:17, Genesis 17:1, Colossians 1:10. Parallel theme: Romans 12:1, 1 Corinthians 4:16, Philippians 1:27, 1 Thessalonians 2:12, 2 Thessalonians 1:11, 2 Timothy 1:9, 2 Peter 1:3 +5
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Love: Ephesians 1:4, 1 Timothy 6:11. Parallel theme: Numbers 12:3, Psalms 138:6, Proverbs 3:34, Matthew 11:29, Romans 15:1, 1 Corinthians 13:7, Galatians 6:2, 1 Peter 3:15 +5
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Peace: 2 Corinthians 13:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:13, Hebrews 12:14. Spirit: Ephesians 4:4. Parallel theme: John 13:34, 1 Corinthians 1:10
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; Spirit: Ephesians 2:18. Hope: Ephesians 1:18, Colossians 1:5, 1 Peter 1:21. Parallel theme: Ephesians 4:1, 5:30, 1 Corinthians 12:20 +2
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, References Lord: Zechariah 14:9, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 12:5. Faith: Ephesians 4:13, Romans 3:30, Jude 1:3. Baptism: 1 Corinthians 1:13, 12:13, 1 Peter 3:21. Parallel theme: Matthew 28:19 +5
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. References God: Genesis 14:19, Malachi 2:10, John 20:17, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 12:6, 2 Corinthians 6:16. Parallel theme: Matthew 6:9, John 14:23, Romans 11:36, 1 John 3:24 +5
Spiritual Gifts for the Church
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Grace: Ephesians 3:2, 3:8, Romans 12:3, 2 Corinthians 6:1, 1 Peter 4:10. Parallel theme: Matthew 25:15, John 3:34 +2
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Parallel theme: Psalms 68:18, Colossians 2:15
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? Parallel theme: Genesis 11:5, Psalms 8:5, 63:9, Proverbs 30:4, Matthew 12:40, John 3:13, 6:33, 20:17, Hebrews 2:9 +4
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) Parallel theme: Ephesians 3:19, Matthew 24:34, Acts 1:9, Colossians 1:19, 2:9, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:14, 7:26 +3
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; Prophecy: Ephesians 2:20, 3:5. Parallel theme: Ephesians 4:8, 2 Chronicles 15:3, Jeremiah 3:15, Matthew 28:20, Acts 20:28, Romans 12:7, 2 Timothy 4:5, Hebrews 5:12 +5
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faithFaith: πίστις (Pistis). The Greek pistis (πίστις) denotes faith, belief, or trust—confidence in God's character and promises. It's both intellectual assent and relational trust, central to justification (Romans 5:1)., 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; Parallel theme: Ephesians 6:11, Matthew 24:24, 1 Corinthians 14:20, 2 Corinthians 2:17, 2 Timothy 4:3, Hebrews 13:9, James 1:6, 1 John 4:1, Jude 1:12, Revelation 19:20 +5
15 But speaking the truth in loveLove: ἀγάπη (Agape). The Greek agape (ἀγάπη) denotes self-sacrificial, unconditional love—the highest form of love, characterizing God's nature (1 John 4:8) and the love Christians are called to demonstrate., may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
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 New Life in Christ
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the LordLord: Κύριος (Kurios). The Greek Kurios (Κύριος) means 'lord' or 'master,' used both for human masters and divinely for God the Father and Jesus Christ. Its application to Jesus affirms His deity, as it translates YHWH in the Septuagint., that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally. through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: References God: Ephesians 2:12, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Galatians 4:8, 1 Thessalonians 4:5, James 4:4. Darkness: 1 John 2:11. Parallel theme: Matthew 13:15, John 12:40, Romans 11:25, Colossians 1:21 +5
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. Parallel theme: Colossians 3:5, 1 Timothy 4:2, Jude 1:11, Revelation 18:3
20 But ye have not so learned Christ; Parallel theme: Matthew 11:29, Luke 24:47, John 6:45, 1 John 2:27
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: Truth: Ephesians 1:13, John 1:17, 14:6, 14:17, 2 Corinthians 11:10, 1 John 5:20. Parallel theme: Matthew 17:5, John 10:27, 2 Corinthians 1:20, Colossians 2:7 +5
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; Parallel theme: Ephesians 4:17, 4:25, Romans 6:6, Titus 3:3, Hebrews 3:13, 12:1, James 1:21, 1 Peter 1:18, 4:3, 2 Peter 2:13 +5
23 And be renewed in the spiritSpirit: πνεῦμα (Pneuma). The Greek pneuma (πνεῦμα) means spirit, wind, or breath—the immaterial aspect of persons. The Holy Spirit (Pneuma Hagion) is the third person of the Trinity, dwelling in believers. of your mind; Spirit: Psalms 51:10, Ezekiel 11:19, 18:31, 36:26, Romans 8:6, Titus 3:5. Parallel theme: Ephesians 2:10, Romans 12:2, Colossians 3:10, 1 Peter 1:13 +5
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. References God: Ephesians 6:11. Creation: Ephesians 2:10. Truth: John 17:17. Parallel theme: Romans 6:4, 13:12, 13:14, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 4:16, 5:17, 1 Peter 2:2 +5
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Truth: Ephesians 4:15, Proverbs 8:7, 12:17, 12:19, Zechariah 8:16. Parallel theme: Proverbs 12:22, Romans 12:5, Colossians 3:9, 1 Timothy 4:2, Revelation 21:8 +5
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Judgment: Psalms 37:8, Proverbs 14:29, Matthew 5:22, James 1:19. Sin: Psalms 4:4, Proverbs 19:11. Parallel theme: Numbers 20:24, Proverbs 25:23, Ecclesiastes 7:9, Mark 3:5 +5
27 Neither give place to the devil.
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister graceGrace: χάρις (Charis). The Greek charis (χάρις) denotes unmerited divine favor—God's kindness toward the undeserving. Salvation is 'by grace through faith' (Ephesians 2:8), not human merit. unto the hearers. Grace: Ecclesiastes 10:12, Colossians 4:6. Good: Proverbs 15:23, Matthew 5:16. Parallel theme: Psalms 52:2, Proverbs 12:13, 15:7, 16:21, Isaiah 50:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:11 +5
30 And grieve not the holy SpiritSpirit: πνεῦμα (Pneuma). The Greek pneuma (πνεῦμα) means spirit, wind, or breath—the immaterial aspect of persons. The Holy Spirit (Pneuma Hagion) is the third person of the Trinity, dwelling in believers. of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Spirit: Genesis 6:3, Romans 8:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:19. Holy: Isaiah 63:10, Acts 7:51. Redemption: Romans 8:23. Parallel theme: Genesis 6:6, Psalms 78:40, Isaiah 43:24, Mark 3:5 +5
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: Judgment: Ephesians 4:26, Colossians 3:8, James 1:19, 4:11. Kingdom: 1 Peter 2:1. Evil: 1 John 3:12. Parallel theme: Psalms 101:5, Proverbs 26:20, Ecclesiastes 7:9, Colossians 3:19 +5
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. References Christ: 2 Corinthians 2:10. References God: Ephesians 5:1. Parallel theme: Psalms 145:9, Matthew 6:12, Mark 11:25, Luke 6:35, 6:37, 17:4, 1 Corinthians 13:4, 1 John 2:12 +5