This commentary is a work in progress and may be revised as study continues. If you have a question, spot an error, or want to discuss a passage, please reach out.
1I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
When the Bible uses the word “call” it can mean different things depending on the context. Called is not always speaking of salvation. We can see here the “called” is vocational. After someone is saved God has a job for them to do, good works are prepared for the believer (Ephesians 2:10).
2With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
The “one body” here is spiritual, we are obviously not in one physical but rather the body of Christ upon salvation 1 Corinthians 12:3 “ For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit”. Paul speaks of this spiritual body in:
1 Corinthians 12:27 “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”
Romans 12:5 “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another”
Ephesians 4:12 “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
5One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
There are two types of baptisms in the Bible, physical (water) and spiritual (Holy Spirit). The writer of Hebrews in 6:2 confirms there are multiple baptisms, “doctrine of baptisms”, the plural use there. But there is only one that is vital, the spiritual one.
Keeping the context with verse 4 above, we see the “body” is spiritual. Likewise, the “baptism”here is also spiritual. It is not referring to a physical water baptism but rather what the Holy Spirit does spiritually to a believer upon belief in the gospel. Paul tells us this in 1 Corinthians 12:3 and we can see both the body and baptism are spiritual, just like here in verse 4 and 5: “ For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit”. Once baptized into the body of Christ spiritually, we then physically exemplify this spiritual reality to witnesses and get physically baptized with water. But this water baptism is post salvation, it does not save us but happens after we are saved. It occurs after our spiritual baptism which happens instantly upon belief.
In Luke 3:16 we also read of this spiritual baptism “John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:”
A clear distinction is made from water and spiritual baptism showing they are not one in the same but seperate in Acts 1:5 “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”. This spiritual baptism or filling of the Holy Ghost happens in Acts 2:1-4. This happens again in Acts 10:44-46 with the household of Cornelius and once that happened we see they are then physically baptized Acts 10:47-48.
How does one get the Spirit to baptism them into the body of Christ? Jesus says by simple belief: John 7:37-39 “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.”
6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Not only is the Holy Spirit within us, but here Paul also states that the Father is "in you all" too.
7But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Just like the word called can mean different things, so can grace. The “grace” here is speaking of the gifts, the job He has for us to do now that we believe. We see in context gifts are given to us and verse 11 some specifics of these gifts. He gives us grace to serve.
8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13Till 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:
14That 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;
15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16From 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.
17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20But ye have not so learned Christ;
21If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27Neither give place to the devil.
28Let 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.
29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
4
Ephesians 4 — Forever Word commentary
King James VersionThis commentary is a work in progress and may be revised as study continues. If you have a question, spot an error, or want to discuss a passage, please reach out.
1I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
When the Bible uses the word “call” it can mean different things depending on the context. Called is not always speaking of salvation. We can see here the “called” is vocational. After someone is saved God has a job for them to do, good works are prepared for the believer (Ephesians 2:10).
2With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
The “one body” here is spiritual, we are obviously not in one physical but rather the body of Christ upon salvation 1 Corinthians 12:3 “ For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit”. Paul speaks of this spiritual body in:
1 Corinthians 12:27 “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”
Romans 12:5 “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another”
Ephesians 4:12 “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
5One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
There are two types of baptisms in the Bible, physical (water) and spiritual (Holy Spirit). The writer of Hebrews in 6:2 confirms there are multiple baptisms, “doctrine of baptisms”, the plural use there. But there is only one that is vital, the spiritual one.
Keeping the context with verse 4 above, we see the “body” is spiritual. Likewise, the “baptism” here is also spiritual. It is not referring to a physical water baptism but rather what the Holy Spirit does spiritually to a believer upon belief in the gospel. Paul tells us this in 1 Corinthians 12:3 and we can see both the body and baptism are spiritual, just like here in verse 4 and 5: “ For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit”. Once baptized into the body of Christ spiritually, we then physically exemplify this spiritual reality to witnesses and get physically baptized with water. But this water baptism is post salvation, it does not save us but happens after we are saved. It occurs after our spiritual baptism which happens instantly upon belief.
In Luke 3:16 we also read of this spiritual baptism “John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:”
A clear distinction is made from water and spiritual baptism showing they are not one in the same but seperate in Acts 1:5 “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”. This spiritual baptism or filling of the Holy Ghost happens in Acts 2:1-4. This happens again in Acts 10:44-46 with the household of Cornelius and once that happened we see they are then physically baptized Acts 10:47-48.
How does one get the Spirit to baptism them into the body of Christ? Jesus says by simple belief: John 7:37-39 “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.”
6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Not only is the Holy Spirit within us, but here Paul also states that the Father is "in you all" too.
7But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Just like the word called can mean different things, so can grace. The “grace” here is speaking of the gifts, the job He has for us to do now that we believe. We see in context gifts are given to us and verse 11 some specifics of these gifts. He gives us grace to serve.
8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13Till 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:
14That 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;
15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16From 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.
17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20But ye have not so learned Christ;
21If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27Neither give place to the devil.
28Let 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.
29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.