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Ephesians 4

World English Bible

WEB

1I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, 2with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling, 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in us all. 7But to each one of us, the grace was given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8Therefore he says, “When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to people.” 9Now this, “He ascended”, what is it but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. 11He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; 12for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ, 13until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; 15but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ, 16from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love. 17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts. 19They, having become callous, gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20But you didn’t learn Christ that way, 21if indeed you heard him and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: 22that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit, 23and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth. 25Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26“Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, 27and don’t give place to the devil. 28Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need. 29Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander be put away from you, with all malice. 32And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Ephesians Chapter 4 emphasizes the importance of unity and maturity within the body of Christ, the Church. The Apostle Paul urges believers to live a life worthy of their calling, characterized by humility, gentleness, patience, and love. He calls for unity among the believers, reminding them that there is one body and one Spirit, just as they were called to one hope. Paul highlights the seven 'ones'—one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all—underscoring the foundational truths that bind Christians together as a community (#unity, #bodyofChrist).

The chapter also discusses the gifts given to the Church by Christ, including apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. These roles are intended to equip the saints for the work of ministry and to build up the body of Christ until all reach unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God. Paul emphasizes that this growth leads to spiritual maturity, where believers are no longer tossed back and forth by false teachings but are anchored in the truth of the Gospel. The chapter concludes with a call to live in a manner that reflects this new identity in Christ, encouraging believers to put off their old selves and embrace their new life, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

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Referenced by

  1. Genesis 45:24v31In Genesis 45:24, Joseph advises his brothers not to quarrel on the way back to their father. Ephesians 4:31-32 encourages believers to put away bitterness and anger, promoting kindness and forgiveness, reflecting Joseph's desire for reconciliation.
  2. Exodus 20:15v28Exodus 20:15 prohibits stealing, which Paul addresses in Ephesians 4:28 by encouraging honest work and generosity.
  3. Exodus 35:34v11Exodus 35:34 mentions the teaching ability given to Bezalel and Oholiab, which is similar to the roles of teachers in the church as described in Ephesians 4:11-12 for equipping the saints.
  4. Psalms 4:4v26Psalm 4:4 advises to be angry and not sin, a principle reiterated in Ephesians 4:26, emphasizing self-control and righteousness in emotional responses.
  5. Psalms 68:18v8Psalm 68:18 speaks of God ascending on high and receiving gifts from men, which Paul references in Ephesians 4:8 to describe Christ's ascension and His giving of gifts to the church.
  6. Proverbs 12:22v25Proverbs 12:22 states that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, while Ephesians 4:25 encourages believers to put away falsehood and speak truthfully, underscoring the importance of truthfulness.
  7. Isaiah 63:10v30Isaiah 63:10 speaks of grieving the Holy Spirit, which is mirrored in Ephesians 4:30 where believers are warned not to grieve the Holy Spirit by whom they are sealed.
  8. Zechariah 8:16v25Zechariah 8:16 instructs to speak truth to one another and execute true justice, which is echoed in Ephesians 4:25 where believers are urged to put away falsehood and speak truthfully to their neighbors.
  9. Malachi 2:10v6Malachi 2:10 speaks of one God who created us, emphasizing unity and faithfulness. Ephesians 4:6 reiterates the oneness of God and the unity of believers under one Father.
  10. Matthew 18:35v32Matthew 18:35 concludes the parable of the unforgiving servant, emphasizing forgiveness from the heart, which aligns with Ephesians 4:32 where believers are called to forgive as God forgave them in Christ.
  11. Mark 3:5v26In Mark 3:5, Jesus looks around at the Pharisees with anger, grieved by their hardness of heart. Ephesians 4:26 advises believers to be angry but not sin, illustrating that righteous anger is permissible when it aligns with God's will.
  12. John 17:21v3John 17:21 emphasizes the unity of believers, praying that they may all be one. Ephesians 4:3-6 calls for maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, highlighting one body and one Spirit.
  13. Romans 1:24v19Romans 1:24 describes God giving people over to impurity due to their sinful desires, similar to Ephesians 4:19 where people are given over to sensuality and impurity.
  14. Romans 12:2v23Romans 12:2 speaks of being transformed by the renewal of the mind, which is echoed in Ephesians 4:23-24 where believers are encouraged to be renewed in the spirit of their minds and to put on the new self.
  15. 1 Corinthians 12:4v41 Corinthians 12:4 speaks of different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit, while Ephesians 4:4-6 emphasizes the unity of the Spirit, one body, and one faith, highlighting the diversity of gifts within the unity of the Church.
  16. 1 Corinthians 13:11v131 Corinthians 13:11 discusses maturing in understanding, similar to Ephesians 4:13-15, which encourages believers to grow into maturity in Christ.
  17. Philippians 1:27v1Philippians 1:27 urges believers to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel, similar to Ephesians 4:1, which calls believers to live a life worthy of their calling.
  18. Colossians 3:12v32Colossians 3:12 encourages believers to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, which is echoed in Ephesians 4:32, urging believers to be kind and compassionate to one another.
  19. Colossians 4:6v29Colossians 4:6 instructs believers to let their speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, which is similar to Ephesians 4:29's exhortation to speak only what is helpful for building others up.

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