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The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians - Chapter 4
Revised 2013
- Implications of this great plan of God: directives for living a life worthy of this calling. Standards in Christian belief are inseparable from standards of Christian behaviour. Temptation is always to start up the computer or car and try driving it. But we need to go back to the manual and learn how it should work properly. So with faith: start with the basics of faith (chaps 1-3), then make sure got right standards for living (chaps 4-6). Three basics: meaning of call to follow Christ; grace each given to play part in serving him; unity which have but which must be guarded. The first, our calling, is easiest to forget. Christian unity is more than a common faith, it is shown in Christ’s gifts to individuals to serve in making the community more Christ-like.
- 1 Initiated into new life by baptism. Our calling is the gospel which calls us to believe in Jesus as the risen Lord & King, and to give him our allegiance throughout our lives. Because Jesus has conquered death, we can be confident (hope) we can share in this victory also.
- 3 “Unity of the Spirit” unique to Eph. Towering theme: believers baptised into one body, hence union should be displayed in oneness of faith, of life, & of worship. Hierarchical leadership is equipped to preserve this unity.
- 4 Seven “unities” - manifestations of oneness in Christian life. “One” formulas may have been exclamations in liturgy. Early churches were very diverse, with differing formulae for baptism, etc. Here promotes single unified statements of belief. Mt (Mt 28:19) became fixed, but not same as Paul (Gal 3:28; 1 Cor 12:13; Col 3:11; Eph 4:4-6).
- 5 As institutional Christianity emerges in post-apostolic period, faith becomes the acceptance of authoritative apostolic tradition, distinguishable from false doctrine.
- 6 This monotheistic formula may have been Jewish, taken over by Christians. Adds title of “Father of all” for God. “above, through & all in all” - a Stoic manner of speaking, taken up by Greek-speaking Christians (Cf 1 Cor 8:6).
- 7 Diversity of gifts poured out by the ascended Christ to equip Christians for building up the body of Christ.
- 8 Ps 68:19 to prove gifts given by Christ. Ps 68 celebrates triumphal procession of biblical history, when Israel was led out of Egypt behind Yahweh towards Mt Zion in Jerusalem. Spoils of war “received from Israel’s enemies” by God may be distributed to Israel. For Paul Ps 68 points to ascent of Jesus to the heavenly Jerusalem after overcoming the forces of evil by the Cross. Pentecost marks beginning of pouring out the gifts of the Spirit on the church. Ps 68 seen by Jews as Moses ascending Sinai to receive the gift of the Law. Here Christ’s ascension to receive gifts from conquered enemies and through the Spirit bestowing them - here church offices - on the church.
- 9 Arguing “ascent” requires previous “descent” seeks to show that the quote from Ps 68 refers to someone other than Moses. Usual view is that “lower parts” refers to underworld, where Jesus went after dying & before resurrection. Jesus has charted the extremities of the cosmos. “lower parts” could also refer to incarnation.
- 10 “Descent” refers to Christ’s victory over the realm of the dead (1 Pet 3:19-20). As cosmic conqueror Christ is the source of all gifts. And gives us himself by the Spirit. Each person receives the same Jesus in the different graces and gifts given, to help build up the unity of the church..
- 11 The “gifts” are “offices” - which are not given as mere names but as tasks, with the skills needed to carry them out. Church government is God-given, not appointed by men. Those chosen have been given the abilities needed by God, and are for the benefit of the church, not their own. Because Christ has given these gifts of leadership, Christ has effectively given the leaders to the church. “Evangelists” - missionary preachers rather than gospel writers (cf Acts 21:8, Tim 4:5) - and “pastors” added to earlier lists (1 Cor 12:28), roles which have taken on greater importance as Apostles died out. All these roles are essential for building up the church. Apostles & teachers required to promote unity by (1) preserving doctrinal purity; (2) warding off false teaching (4:14); (3) sanctifying people in truth (Jn 17:17-19). Bringing believers to spiritual adulthood. These 5 ministries essential apostles witnessed resurrection; Christian prophets spoke in name of the Lord before NT written; evangelists announced to world the good news that the risen Jesus was the Messiah and the world’s true Lord; pastors looked after young churches; teachers developed & trained understanding of the faith, linking Jesus to the OT. Only pastors and teachers are intended to be permanent.
- 12 Primary ministers are not to work alone: they are to equip ALL the saints for the work of ministry. Hierarchy is for this purpose, not for its own sake. Believers are not to be treated and left as children, but urged to grow to maturity in the faith. Not blind obedience, but practical love based on knowledge and understanding of Christ. [But this knowledge should be based on teaching by church leaders, who should pay attention both to the scriptures recognised by the church and to other traditions or records of Christian beliefs through the ages. In all periods Christian teaching has had to be re-stated in terms applicable to that time, just as Paul had to do.]
- 13 In 1 Cor 12 these gifts divided Christians; now, as Paul does not need to correct the Ephesians, he proclaims they help the saints attain unity of faith, and reach for the fullness of Christ, and so grow up as a new, perfect man, into Christ, the head of the body. Only use of title “Son of God” in this letter. It takes time to grow up, but we must do so, not remain as children all our lives.
- 14 Unless we grow up, we remain vulnerable to being attracted off the right path. We need to be able to recognise tricks and seductions for what they are. The Messiah has shown what true humanity is really like - that’s our right direction, the standard we must aim for.
- 15 Goal is unity of all in truth and formation of perfect, mature persons, completely grown in the fullness of Christ. The body’s growth is only through Christ, the head. By bracing ourselves with the truth we can resist false teachings that unsettle faith of immature believers. Believers should grow in knowledge of Christ, else remain child-like and vulnerable to novelties contrary to the gospel. Love is surest way to build up the church.
- 16 Unity comes from all the members working together to build unity in Christ. Body only works properly when all its parts perform adequately the tasks assigned to them. A very dynamic picture of the church as Christ’s body, without patriarchal overtones of “head”. “joined” & “knit together” same words used to build temple and the body - close link for Paul between temple & body. Jesus’ body was temple of his divinity (Jn 2:19-21), so church is mystical extension of the Incarnation. Church not only grows into Christ, it also grows from Christ.
- 17 “In the Lord” invokes apostolic role. Gentiles & Jews are now one, so Christian Gentiles are no longer in ignorance and cannot live in the uncleanness & lusts of their former life. To be mature adults must not act like children. Take no notice of false teachings they might hear. Need to heed church leaders only.
- 18 Poor opinion of pagan’s morals! Moral behaviour has to start with the mind. Get our understanding right. Changing behaviour has to start with changing mind & heart. Genuine Christianity opens the mind to grasp truth at its deeper levels. Not paper learning but “learning Christ”.
- 20 Living in surrounding culture, but must distinguish themselves from it, by baptism and by way of living.
- 21 Here we have a rare eg of original teaching. Paul knew enough about Jesus to have taught what later is seen in the gospels, ie that Jesus lived and taught that heart & mind must be changed to stop evil behaviour. The new person must take up justice & truth, which come from Christ, who is truth.
- 22 The “old self” or “old man” contrasted with the “new self” or “ new man”.
- 23 “New self” becomes visible in the church’s growing to its fullness in the unity of those who believe in Christ.
- 24 Catechumens put on white robes immediately after baptism. Challenges us to put our baptismal commitments into practice by stripping off sinful habits, replacing them with Christ’s garments - ie virtues. General admonitions, no suggestion of specific problems.
- 25 The rules for the new life reflect the 10 Commandments, showing how not to treat others. Christians are members of one another in Christ’s body. Therefore rules for proper functioning of community essential. No lying, sinful anger, stealing, evil talk. Words should be spoken only to build up others, not to put them down or harm them. Careless, slanderous vulgar or untruthful speech threatens the unity of the church.
- 26 Anger is not necessarily sinful. But we should seek reconciliation before day’s end.
- 28 Thieves should not only work to support themselves, but seek to help others as reparation.
- 30 Spirit must be a person, if (s)he can be grieved. Cf Is 63:10. “Day of redemption” is general resurrection when our bodies are redeemed (Rom 8:23).
- 31 Remove yourselves from these vices. Vices are those particularly disruptive of communal life.
- 32 To be replaced by this list of virtues. Especially forgiveness since God has forgiven you in Christ. And kindness, the essence of the Christian life and one of the purest ways of imitating Christ.
