Ephesians chapter 4 lies within the practical section of Ephesians, and fits with the wilderness journey of Israel under the discipline of Moses; their apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher. Challenged to leave the old world and Pharoah behind, Israel, as too the church has a tendency to look back! We have to put off the old and put on the new, walking with Christ, in the power of His Holy Spirit to live in righteousness and true holiness.
Dr J Stewart Gillespie
Bible teaching from Ephesians chapter 4 verses 17 to 32 - wlak not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind. In the Christian life or walk God teaches His people many valuable lessons. Like the nation of Israel in the Old Testament we are taught lessons of faith, of faithfulness to God, of dependence and of meaning. The Christian knows where he is going, why he is going and what he is doing. For the Christian, life is infused with meaning, purpose and destiny. By God's Grace we are transformed intellectually, spiritually and morally to reflect the glory of Jesus Christ.
Part of our bible teaching series in Ephesians
Dr J Stewart Gillespie
Ephesians follows the pattern of the Exodus, taking us on a journey from redemption (Ephesians chapter 1), through sanctification (Ephesians chapter 2), the construction of a temple or tabernacle (Ephesians chapter 3) through the journey of seperation and the story of Moses (Ephesians 4), the walk in the wilderness (Ephesians 5) and the final battle (Ephesians 6). Here in the church pictured as the body we are enlightened as to the gifts given to perfect and preserve the church. Paralleling the life of Moses we follow the role of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers each contributing to the integrity of the church, the perfecting of God's people and demonstrating the interest of God in bringing His people through.
Dr J Stewart Gillespie
The letter to the Ephesians contains 3 great pictures of the church:
1 - The Church as a Building (Ephesians chapter 2)
2 - The Church as the Body (Ephesians chapter 4)
3 - The Church as the Bride (Ephesians chapter 5)
Each of these 3 pictures contains the secret of the strength of the church:
1 - The churches foundation in the apostles, prophets and Christ
2 - The church in Her unity of love, a strength in those personal connections 3 - The church in Her relationship with Christ
Each of these 3 pictures also indicates the means by which the church glorifies Christ!
1 - As the place of worship and praise - the temple
2 - In the character of Christ - in the body
3 - In the completion of God's work in sanctification
Here in the church God uses many to perfect the few in His work of Grace by gifts. Self sacrifice and the use of our gifts can at times feel like loss, but as we bless others in self sacrifical love, God so often prepares us to be blessed. The widow of Zarephath gave her very last handful of meal to Elijah only to receive back a blessing multiplied in the riasing of her son from death to life! In the picture of the church as the body of Christ, God demonstrates the uniqueness of His character as displayed in His people to the whole world, as He did in the Old Testament with Israel, a people separated from the world, distinct and holy, a testimony of Gods character to a fallen world.
Dr J Stewart Gillespie
Ephesians presents 3 pictures of the church; the church the Building, a Temple, the church as a Body and the church as a Bride. In each of these 3 pictures of the church, her strength is pictured against the onslaught of persecution, hatred and martyrdom. Our strength goes down deep in Ephesians chapter 2 in the picture of the building or temple into the foundations of God's Word, His truth as revealed by the apostles and prophets, all pointing us to the Lord Jesus. In the picture of the body in Ephesians chapter 4 the strength goes out, in the unity of the body and in Ephesians chapter 5 with the picture of the Bride our strength looks up, it is our relationship with Christ. If ever our relationship with the foundations, or with one another or with Christ is weakened, this spells disaster for the church. We consider questions such as; is the church essential? Do I need to go to church? Why does God do church? The church is an inevitable extension of the character of God; of His unity and triumph over sin, Satan and the world.
Dr J Stewart Gillespie
Paul, the anointed apostle to the gentiles, called as a prisoner, but he walked worthy of it!
Whatever God gives you to do – walk worthy of it!
In walking worthy as the servant of Potiphar in his household that was part of the path to greater service over Egypt
In walking worthy as the servant of Moses that was the path to leading the nation onto victory in the promised land
In walking worthy as the servant of Elijah that was Elisha’s path to becoming the man of God for the nation.
In walking worthy as a captive in Babylon that was the path for Daniel to become a prince and a prophet.
The Lord does not entrust as with much if we do not prove faithful in that which is least.
For service in His church 4 key attributes:
Lowliness – Don’t get puffed up
How Paul served at Ephesus:
“Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews” (Acts 20:19)
It was the solution to the divisions at Philippi:
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Philippians 2:3)
Lowliness - Don't get puffed up
Meekness – Don’t blow up
Longsuffering – don’t give up
Forbearing – Put up
All 4 of these attitudes to other are the expression of one attribute which is “love” (4:2)
This is a love which has as it’s source the Lord Himself (3:16ff)
A love which comes in back in Ephesians 3:17
Lenski points out that the love in Ephesians 3:17 is our love towards Christ / God, just as the thought continues that it is our understanding or comprehension of God in verse 18 that flows from this love of verse 17 and so it must be our love for God.
Something happens in these verses 16 to 17 that brings out this response of love towards Christ. The only significant event is the answer to that prayer for strength (Ephesians 3:16). In that answer by the Lord to our need we are assured of His love to us, His care, His commitment, and we are able to get over that stumbling block of Adam in Genesis 3 where we harbour the grudge, that just maybe we have a God who holds back on us and who cannot be trusted, who does not always want the very best for us!
Vs 3 – We do not produce the unity, that is already given by the Spirit, rather we keep the unity.
Vs 4 to 6 – 7 fold unity
Verse 7 to 8 – the Grace Christ gives are manifest in His gifts
Gifts given for use amongst His people.
Verse 8 helps me understand the strange phrasing of Ephesians 2:2; the interesting title for Satan in Ephesians 2:2 “the Prince of the Power of the air”
Why not Satan?
Why not the Devil?
What is the significance of the “Prince of the Power of the air”?
Herein is the domain of Satan; above the kings of this earth, below the throne of the God of heaven!
As believers we have been removed from and taken from that domain! Our status is not that of REFUGEE! Our status is that of REDEEMED! We are no like those souls we here of who escape from North Korea, from the concentration camps or the oppression of China or Iran where they escape but the regime stands as powerful as ever! We escaped but it stands as strong as ever! This is not the case with Satan!
The bestowal of spiritual gifts by Christ (4:8) is linked to the ascension of Christ. This is distinct from Hebrews chapter 2 where it is the resurrection of Christ breaking through death and the grave, the gifts here are given subsequent to the ascension of Christ as He ascends (4:8) and leads captivity captive. This is not the grave nor death, the ascension is after the resurrection this is the leading of captivity captive after His death and resurrection as He ascends, through the domain of “the Prince of the power of the air”!
Let me draw an illustration from Israel heading from the Exodus to the promised land! A story through which we can read the whole of the Ephesian epistle! The narrative of Exodus to Joshua is onwards and upwards, pressing forward through the red sea and the wilderness. Yet do something for me! Just for a moment, as you drive inexorably forwards, just for a moment, glance into the rearview mirror! What do you see? Israel are not refugees! Israel are the redeemed of God! Refugees leave their country as it was, intact. Israel has ransacked Egypt and left behind them a scene of total devastation! The grave yards are full of the firstborn of Egypt, the cattle slaughtered, the stink of rotten frogs and polluted rivers and the Red Sea floating with corpses. Egypt has been subdued.
In gifting to His people His gifts of Grace for the up building of His people and the spread of the gospel Christ has removed the enemy and forces that would hinder that work! That means there is nothing left to hinder us as His people!
Dr J Stewart Gillespie
