Ephesians 4 marks a turn in the letter. Paul has spent three chapters describing our rich blessings in Christ and how He has made Jews and Gentiles one new people. Now he calls us to live it out. He writes as a prisoner of the Lord, which shows how seriously he takes this. The passage is about the church: our unity, our variety of gifts and our growth together. In a time when many people treat church as optional or like a shop to visit, Paul shows that we belong to one another.
Keep the Unity
Paul urges us to walk worthy of our calling with all lowliness, meekness and longsuffering, forbearing one another in love (Ephesians 4:1-3). We are to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Notice that we do not create unity; the Spirit already has. Our job is to keep it. Paul then lists seven ones: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all (Ephesians 4:4-6). Our differences in culture, age and personality are real, but what unites us is deeper. Paul told the Colossians to put on kindness, humility and forgiveness, and above all to put on love (Colossians 3:12-14). Unity takes effort, patience and many small acts of grace.
Is there a fellow believer with whom you have tension, and what humble step could you take this week to restore peace?
Gifts from the Risen Christ
Unity does not mean sameness. Paul says that to every one of us grace was given according to the measure of the gift of Christ (Ephesians 4:7-8). When Jesus ascended on high, He gave gifts to men. Some He gave as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11-12). Their purpose is to equip the saints for the work of ministry, so the body of Christ is built up. Ministry is not only for the pulpit. Every believer has a part. Paul told the Corinthians that the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit all (1 Corinthians 12:7). Peter adds that as each one has received a gift, we should minister it to one another as good stewards (1 Peter 4:10). Your gift matters to the body.
What gift or skill has God given you that you are not yet using in the church, and whom will you talk to this week about serving with it?
Growing Up Together
God’s goal is that we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature person, measured by the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13-14). Then we will no longer be like children, tossed about by every wind of false teaching. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we grow up into Him in all things, who is the head, even Christ (Ephesians 4:15-16). The whole body grows as every joint supplies its part. Hebrews warns that some believers still need milk when they should be ready for solid food (Hebrews 5:12-14). Peter urges us to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus (2 Peter 3:18). Growth happens best together, not alone.
What would help you grow more this season, such as joining a Bible study group or finding a mentor, and when will you take that step?
Conclusion
Ephesians 4 paints a picture of a healthy church. We keep the unity the Spirit has given, walking in humility and love. We use the different gifts the risen Christ has given each of us to serve and build one another up. And we grow together toward maturity, speaking the truth in love. Christ is the head, and we are His body. When every part does its work, the church grows strong and Jesus is honored.
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