Ephesians 4

Ephesians 4:1-32

Teacher’ s Notes for Chapter FOUR Understanding What We Read Such words as “ AND” , “ BUT” , and “ ” are words which instruct the reader to consider what is about to be said in light of what has just been said. Remember how in Ephesians 2:1 the word “ AND” ties our being “ made alive” to Christ being made “ head over all things to the church” (Ephesians 1:22). Galatians 6:1-3 speaks of restoring an erring Christian and bearing one another’s burdens being careful not to deceive one’s self by thinking to highly of self. Then in verse four the word “ BUT” is used to cause the reader to compare his/her own life to what was said in the first three verses. A self-examination is asked for.

Sometimes in order to understand a thought one must learn to read by dropping some of the words within a sentence or paragraph. Going back to the previous chapter we saw Paul in Ephesians 3:1 saying “ For this reason I, Paul” did something; but to find what he had done one must drop to verses 7 and 8 where he tells of becoming a minister to preach among the Gentiles.

In our text the word “ ” is used to bring about this self-examination: “ I therefore…beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Ephesians 4:1).

1. What is this “ calling” in which Christians are to walk worthily? Christians, as the church of Christ, are called to “ make known the manifold wisdom of God” (3:10), and it is to continue until “ we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God” (chapter 4 verse 12). a. Will everyone with whom you speak understand perfectly the teachings of Jesus Christ? NO! 2. How are we to react to those who are slow to understand? (Verse 2) “ With all lowliness (humbleness of mind) and gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love.” a. Sometimes we are tempted to be a little harsh with one whom we feel “ should know bet-ter.” Perhaps “ tell them off.” Sometime I would like to just grab someone and give them a good shaking and say, “ Wake up and look at that, it’s so plain a little baby could understand!” But that would just cause bad feeling, and probably cause some to stop studying all together. I realize that all people do not learn at the same pace. Even well educated, intelligent people are sometimes slower than others in learning! i. At graduations we pick a valedictorian and salutatorian. These students are usually quicker to grasp the studies and make higher grades than other. However, is there a difference in the diploma they receive? No! So one can’t say that he has a better education than the other. When the slower student finally does catch onto the lesson he or she is just as educated as the faster student. ii. In the end it’s better to just do what the inspired apostle said to do and “ bear with one another in love” praying that they will come to understand God’s will. THAT’S OUR MISSION! b. In our actions towards others what is to be our number one goal? (Verse 3) “ Keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” 3. List the seven “ ones” in verses 4-6. (1). One body, (2). One Spirit, (3). One hope of your calling, (4). One Lord, (5). One faith, (6). One baptism, (7). One God. a. How many bodies are there? One. From Ephesians 1:22-23 what is the body? It is the church. Is that one church (body) the one established in Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2; Acts 2:1-47 :) or is it one or all of those established during the Reformation movement? _____________ I’ ll let you answer that. b. How many baptisms are there? One. i. I once attended a wedding in a denominational church building where they had a sign up front which said, “ We believe in baptism for the remission of sins and the baptism of the Holy Ghost.” How many baptisms were mentioned on that sign? Two! How many baptisms did God’ s word say there is? One! Which should we believe to be the correct number? _________ I’ ll let you answer that one too. ii. I have as much Scriptural authority to preach two or more Lords, or Gods as to preach two or more of anything else God’ s Word limits to one.
2. Who does Paul refer to as “ us” in verse 7? The key thought to this questions is in “ Christ’ s gift” . This, I am convinced, would be the ability to perform miracles, and the answer to question number 4 is actually in verse 11. When the church was first established (Acts 2:1-47; Acts 3:1-26; Acts 4:1-37; Acts 5:1-42; Acts 6:1-15; Acts 7:1-60; Acts 8:1-40), Christ delegated His Divine authority to certain men in the congregations: “ And He Himself gave some to be apostles some prophets, some evangelist, and some pas-tors and teachers.” a. The apostles were given a measure of Christ’s gift above all others in that they were given power to not only perform “many wonders and signs.” (Acts 2:43), but to pass this power on to others by the laying on of their hands (Acts 6:6; Acts 8:4-18). In this way many of the prophets, evangelists, pastors (elders) and teachers of the early church (Ephesians 4:11) were given power to confirm God’s work before it was written down and compiled into one volume. i. Phillip, Stephen, and Timothy were evangelists and had received this power through the laying on of the apostles hands (Acts 6:5-7; 2 Timothy 1:6). ii. James eludes to the elders (pastors) having such power to heal when he says, “ Is any among you sick? Let him call the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” (James 5:14). These had the power to heal sicknesses, etc. but could not pass it on to others as could the apostles. iii. Had these other had such power the apostles would not have had to come to Samara for that purpose (Acts 8:14-18). Philip would have passed it on instead. iv. So Paul in Ephesians 4:7 speaks of those of that time who had been given “ the measure of Christ’s gift,” then names the “ us” in verse 11.
3. When Christ ascended on high what did He do? Verse 8. “ He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” a. There is that word “ therefore” again. The context shows, as we just mentioned under question 4 to be those special gifts to enable the apostles prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers of the early church to confirm the word of God (Cf. Hebrews 2:3-4).
4. Before He ascended what did Jesus do? Verse 9 He first descended into the lower parts of the earth. 7. From verse 10 tell why Jesus ascended. To fill all things. a. The completeness of His great work of redemption consisted of a number of things being accomplished: i. Beginning with His incarnation vie the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:1-25; Matthew 18:1-35 f; Luke 1:1-80; Luke 2:1-52). ii. His development into manhood (Luke 2:42-52). iii. His baptism to fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:13-15). iv. The confrontation with the tempter (Matthew 4:1-11). v. His ministry with constant temptations (Hebrews 4:15). vi. His instituting the memorial which faithful disciples partake of on the first day of every week to this day (Matthew 26:26-29; Luke 14:1-35; Luke 15:1-32; Luke 16:1-31; Luke 17:1-37; Luke 18:1-43; Luke 19:1-48; Luke 20:1-47; Luke 21:1-38; Luke 22:1-71; Acts 20:7). vii. It was immediately following His institution of the Lord’ s Supper that He turned His face to heaven and said, “ Father, the hour has com. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You. … I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You gave Me to do” (John 17:1 b, 4). viii. His agony in the garden and betrayal by Judas (Matthew 26:36-56; Mark 14:32-49; Luke 22:39-53; John 18:1-12). ix. The trials before the High priests and Pilate (Matthew 26:57-75; Matthew 27:1-31; Mark 14:53-72; Mark 15:1-20; Luke 22:66-25; John 18:12-40; John 19:1-16). x. The crucifixion and burial in a borrowed tomb (Isaiah 53:1-12; Matthew 27:32-56; John 17-42). His resurrection and being seen alive again (Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:9-14; Luke 24:1-35;John 20:1-29; 1 Corinthians 15:1-6). xi. His commission to His disciples to continue His work on earth (i.e. The Great Commission) (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:47; Acts 1:4-8).

Having accomplished all of this, and so much more, Jesus fulfilled the law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17). xii. There was left only one thing: His ascension back to the Father’ s right hand (Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:9-11).

1. It was necessary that He ascend to the father’ s side in order that the third member of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit be sent as the special helper from heaven who would lead the disciples in establishing the church and offering His salvation to all mankind (John 14:26; John 16:7; Acts 2:1-47).
2. Having ascended back to heaven where He has regained the glory which He had before the world began (John 17:5), He waits for the Father’ s command to return and pass His righteous judgment upon the world. Then it can truly be said that He has filled all things.
3. What was led captive? Captivity. 9. What is this “ captivity” that he led captive? Death. a. Of this David Lipscomb wrote the following: “ Captivity refers to death, as death had held dominion over every living thing on earth.

Jesus Christ went down into death’ s inner prison, and struggled with the powers of death and hell; bursting asunder the bars of death, and rose a triumphant victor over the power of death and hell. In this triumph he secured man’ s resurrection, and his victory over death, his angelic convoy, as it approached the city of God, cried, “ Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors: and the King of glory will come in,” (Psalms 24:7-10). In this glorious ascension, convoyed by an angelic host, he led death captive, a conquered captive, in his train. Since that day, death reigns not as an unconquered and independent sovereign, but by the permission and subject to the will of its conqueror and captor-Christ the Lord.” (Gospel Advocate Commentary on Ephesians by David Lipscomb, pg. 74, 75). 10. What does it mean to descend into the lower parts of the earth? Of course the basic answer to question 10 is to be buried. a. In Acts 2:25-27 Peter quoted David from the Psalms: “ For David says concerning Him: I foresaw the Lord always before my face for He is at my right hand that I may not be shaken…. Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.” (Psalms 16:8-11). He went on to explain that this Psalm spoke of Jesus, not David. i. Then in Acts 2:32 Peter said, “ This Jesus God raised up, of which we are all wit-nesses.” ii. Like David of old, Paul’s tongue was glad to speak also. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 he speaks of the fact that Christ died, was buried and rose the third day according to the Scriptures. iii. And we know that 40 days after His burial, he ascended as our text in Ephesians 4:9 says. So we can easily see from Scripture that when Jesus was buried He descended into the lower parts of the earth. We need not try to read more into it than that. b. Now, to answer question 10 we must look at the victory Christ won over Satan when he rose from the dead and ascended back to the Father. i. I know of no better passage for this topic than 1 Corinthians 15:1-58, especially verses 50-58. The King James Version reads, “ Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doeth corruption inherit incorruption. … Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, … In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. … For this corruption must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. … For when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death shall be swallowed up in victory. … O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? … The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. … But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. … Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” ii. Death and its sting were completely overpowered by the resurrection and ascension of Christ. It is that which Paul speaks of in quoting Psalms 68:18. Everybody buried, burned or otherwise returned to the dust from where it came (Ecclesiastes 12:7), is held captive by death until the great resurrection. 11. From verse 10 tell why Jesus ascended. That He might fill all things. 12. In your own words compare, and tell how this relates to Ephesians 1:22-23. Since “ the church, which is His body (is) the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (1:22-23) it stands to reason that 4:10 has something to do with the establishment of that church. a. Yes, Jesus did fulfill (or filled all things) regarding salvation of mankind, but until He returns where are the saved placed? In the church (Acts 2:47). i. In John 14:26 Jesus promised the apostles another comforter (helper NKJV) in the person of the Holy Spirit. In John 16:7 He told them that the Holy Spirit could not come if He did not go away. He then said that if He departs He would send the Holy Spirit. ii. When He went away, where was He going? “Far above all the heavens” (Ephesians 4:10). iii. How does this all tie into the establishment of the church? The church Jesus promised to build (Matthew 16:18), could not come until He paid the purchase price, which was His own blood (Acts 20:28. Acts chapters one and two tell of His ascension (1:9-11), and of His sending the Holy Spirit as promised (2:1-4). This was when the Spirit began to bring to their remembrance the things Jesus had said and promised in John 14:26, they began to “ speak as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4). iv. At that time the church came into existence; and from that day “ the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). On that day all things pertaining to the salvation of mankind was complete. Thus Christ “ ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things” (Ephesians 4:10). That is, establish His church His body here on earth over which He has been made head (Ephesians 1:22-23), which is “ the fullness of Him that fill all in all” (1:22-23). 13. Who did Christ choose to be the spiritual leaders of His church? The apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastor, teachers (verse 11). 14. In the beginning how did He prepare these men to establish and lead His church? Verse 8 say He gave them gifts. No doubt these were those miraculous gifts of the Spirit. 15. Of those leadership positions mentioned which were permanent? Pastors, evangelists and teachers. a. As long as there are people who have not obeyed the gospel there will be a need for evangelists and teachers to speak the word. And just that long will be need for godly men to serve as pastors, also called elders, to shepherd the church. 16. Which leadership positions were temporary? Apostles and prophets. a. These two groups were used during the early days of the church to record God’s entire revealed message to man. i. Peter tell us that “ His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). Once all things had been revealed and confirmed, and the “ perfect law of liberty” (James 1:25) was complete, there was no more need for these two positions. 17. What is the primary mission of church leaders? (Verse 12). To “ equip the saints for the work of the ministry.” In other words, prepare members of the church to use their abilities in the work of the church. But, also, it is the responsibility of church leaders to edify (build up) the church. 18. How long is this structure of leadership to last? (Verse 13). “ Till all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God.” That means till every human being has heard of Jesus and obeyed his commands! I do not foresee such a time in this world, there-fore, it will be until Christ returns to judge the world in righteousness. As long as there is breath within our mortal bodies we dare not cease preaching and teaching the glorious gospel of Jesus to as many as will listen (cf. Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16). 19. How does “ the perfect man” of verse 13 relate to the “ one body” of verse 4? Recalling the teaching in chapter 2:11-16, how Jesus has reconciled both Jew and Gentile unto God by “ creating in Himself one new man from the two,” (2:15) and “ that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross” (2:16), “ the perfect man” is the “ one body.” The church of Christ is the spiritual body of Christ on earth to carry out God’s will. 20. What benefit is this “ equipping of the saints” by church leaders? (Verse 14). It matures each individual Christian in the doctrine of Christ, bringing us to the point of spiritual maturity that doctrines of men will not lead us away from the truth. (See Matthew 15:8-9; 2 John 1:9-11). 21. How is the truth to be spoken? In love (verse 15). a. Here is another one of those words: “ BUT.” Brother Franklin Camp used to speak of three “ isms” in the church. Liberal-ism, anti-ism, and ugly-ism. Verse 14 speaks of evil men who will lead away weak Christians with crafty and deceitful words. This would cover both liberal and ultra conservative preachers of to-day. i. Take time right now to read again Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:5-6; Matthew 16:19; Galatians 1:6-9, Revelation 22:18-19. ii. The liberals take away anything they do not like, and the ultra conservatives add to by binding where God does not bind. One is just as sinful as the other. iii. We must strive to be Scriptural in our teaching and practices, turning neither to the right or to the left. iv. Some today do not speak in a un-loving tone of voice. I have met preachers who had an antagonistic attitude, and seemed mad all the time. These are the ones Brother Camp referred to as “ Ugly-ism.” Brother Camp said, “ They preach the truth but with such an ugly attitude that their listeners are turned off before they have opportunity to hear and respond.” 22. Why is it so important to speak in love? Besides what was just said, verse 15 says we speak in love that people may “ grow up in Christ in all things.” We must be extremely careful not to speak in such a way that one is offended and turns away before they have opportunity to mature spiritually. a. We have all heard of abortion? There is such a thing as “ spiritual abortion.” “ The seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:11); many times the seed is planted in the heart of a person and then aborted by an unloving and unkind word from some preacher or teacher practicing “ ugly-ism. i. In verse 16 we find a medical term which has to do with healing any weakness or break that may come to the body of Christ. The phrase “ joined and knit together” is from a Greek word that means to put back in joint. Look at this in the complete con-text by reading verses 12-16 together. “ For the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. … till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; … That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting. … but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ- … from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (NKJV). ii. In this we see that church leaders are to heal any problem that may occur - joining and knitting together with the Holy Word of God. 23. Give 5 ways by which Paul peaks of those who do not believe? a. “ futility of the mind” (verse 17). b. “ understanding darkened” (verse 18). c. “ Ignorance” (verse 18) d. “ blindness of the heart” (verse 18) e. “ past feeling” (verse 19). 24. In this unbelief what has many done? “ given themselves over to lewdness, to work uncleanness with greediness” (verse 19). a. — inciting to lust. . 25. Where is truth found? In Jesus. (Cf. John 1:1; John 14:1-31; John 17:1-26). 26. What are we to “ put off?” The old man (verse 22). 27. What are we to “ put on?” The new man. 28. In putting off the old and putting on the new list those things to be done. PUT OFFPUT ON LyingTruth (verse 25) Anger (verse 26)Work with hands (verse 28)Wrath (verse 26)Edification (verse 29) StealingKindness (verse 32) Corrupt speakingTenderhearted (verse 32) Bitterness (verse 31) Clamor (verse 31) Forgiving (verse 32) 29. How does the Holy Spirit react to the sinful actions of man? He is grieved (verse 30.) 30. How are we to forgive one another? “ Even as God in Christ has forgiven you” (verse 32.) (Cf. John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:11-19; 1 Thessalonians 4:9).