EPHESIANS 4:1-16 We now start chapters 4-6 of Ephesians which have to do with how we live the Christian life, God’s work through us. 14 Then we will no longer be infants,(AF) tossed back and forth by the waves,(AG) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Unity depends on grace and gifts. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Grace- This is a buzz word in Christianity today, Look at the 11 different times it’s mentioned in Ephesians and try and find out. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended(S) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe. 4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. It’s the first book of the Bible that I ever studied by myself and it totally changed me. Love- As a Christian, you’re a part of God’s family now. It’s used nine times. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. We are studying Ephesians at our Wednesday night Bible study. Ephesians 4 New English Translation (NET Bible) Live in Unity. Upgrade to Bible Gateway Plus, and take your Bible knowledge to a new level this year! Ephesians explains it all and gives hope for unity within the Church. Love. As Ephesians 4:13 intimates, we won’t reach full Christian unity until we attain “to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” So we probably won’t fully realize Christian unity in this world. Type in your name and email below to keep up with all that's going on here on T.E.A.! 1 I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called, 2 with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, Colossians 3:14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Ephesians lays out God’s plan for true, lasting change. Want to keep up with what's going on here at T.E.A.? Another major theme in Ephesians is the keeping of Christ's body (that is, the Church) pure and holy. In the bond of peace; i.e. 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. My hope and prayer is that God will use this book to transform your life the same way that He has mine! Ephesians 4:2-3 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. All freebies are for personal use only. Unity- Even Christians struggle to get along. In fact, a huge chunk of the first chapter is all about the amazing benefits that are in someone’s life once they are a part of the family of God. To learn more about the blog Click here! 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. God the Father planned throughout history for Jesus to create a multi-ethnic community of followers. Our calling is our responsibility to respond to what we have become in Christ. (AO) 18 They are darkened in their understanding(AP) and separated from the life of God(AQ) because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. One Spirit. (BB), 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully(BC) to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. Unity does not mean uniformity. Another word to look for in Ephesians is “in” that’s where I am going to start my word study. "The unity of the Spirit" is equivalent to the unity of which the Spirit is the Author. Ephesians 4:4-6 - Essentials of Unity (Foundational truths of unity) Ephesians 2:11 : What is a command Paul gave in the first 3 chapters that should serve as a strong motivator of a worthy walk? Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, What is Theology and Why Does It Matter? Look for this word as you read through the book to find out. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and … They are important, they are foundational, but those things have to be made practical in a person's life. Unity glorifies God and attracts unbelievers. Your email address will not be published. Identity- Ephesians contrasts who you were before you were saved (ch 2) with the believer’s new identity once she has become a Christian. Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. 7. As you read through the book, there are quite a few words that you want to look out for to help you understand the main points (to keep track of them all, I recommend you use this Bible study method). (AH) 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love,(AI) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,(AJ) that is, Christ. New International Version (NIV). Little did the world know that the question has already been answered in the book of Ephesians. 17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer(AN) live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. I would love for you to share my content, but please be aware that all text and images on this site are the property of The Everyday Aesthetic. The unity of the Spirit; either unity of mind, or spiritual unity, as being wrought by the Spirit, and then he means that unity he spoke of, Ephesians 2:14-16, and Ephesians 3:6, whereby is intended the mystical body of Christ. 4. Ephesians 4:3(NASB) Verse Thoughts. Paul knew that unity in the body of Christ can be threatened from without and destroyed from within. in peace as the bond which keeps the members or parts of the church together, which by dissensions are dissipated and scattered. You may walk away with a few questions, but they wouldn’t be anything that a trustworthy commentary or a quick chat with your pastor or a Christian mentor couldn’t answer. New International Version. In Ephesians 2, Paul explains how unity comes as a result of salvation. How to Change- We all know that we have growing to do, but how exactly are we supposed to gain victory over out biggest sin struggles? How can we or anyone derive their name from God? The \"secret call\" of the preacher or pastor does not make him or her more called than the carpenter . Text: Ephesians 4, 1-6. Ephesians has you covered. 2. 4 I, therefore, the prisoner [] of the Lord, [] beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. And as of a l, The very best Thanksgivings are spent wandering th, Happy National Dog day from my furry bundles of ch, In case you were wondering, this is what a perfect, Full cart Full heart Does anyone else feel like life never goes the way, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at, This lady. . 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Peace- Where exactly does peace come from and how do we get it? Feel free to use images as long as you link them back to my original post, but do not edit, crop, or remove any watermarks from them unless you have obtained written permission from me. What is the main point of 14-21? 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