Coachlight Bible Study - Ephesians Chapters 4-6

Coachlight Bible Study - Ephesians Chapters 4-6

Walking Worthy of the Calling – Opposite of Self Esteem

The Book of Ephesians concerns a “New Economy” God has given His people to fulfill God’s will. Beginning with chapter four and throughout the rest of the Book of Ephesians, Paul exhorts the Ephesians to have a lifestyle in a manner worthy of the vocation in which they were called. Chapter four continues the thought from chapter one concerning God’s will from the “foundations of the world.” God’s will is explained by the Father’s three-fold plan:

(1) God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings (New Economy),

(2) He has “chosen” us from the beginning that we should be holy before Him,

(3) He has “predestinated” us to be adopted by Jesus Christ.

Paul described in chapter three how Jesus broke down the wall of hatred between Jew and Gentile through His death on the cross. With God’s mighty power, Christ has risen from the dead, and the Gentile along with the Jew, has a rich inheritance. Now, in chapter four, Paul pleads with the Ephesians to conduct their lives with the three-fold walk:

(1) In Humbleness – With all lowliness and meekness

(2) In Love – With longsuffering nad forbearing one another in love

(3) In Peace - Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit that binds together

Paul reminds them of the gracious gifts Christ gave His church following His ascension to heaven, by beginning with a quote from Psalm 68.

Psalm 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. {for men: Heb. in the man}

And then continues on with an expansion of his thought in the letter to the Colossians:

Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Colossians 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. {in it: or, in himself}

Instead of religion, God’s gifts are given now for the three-fold purpose

(1) Perfecting of the saints

(2) Work of the ministry

(3) Edifying of the body of Christ

These gifts are given in this present dispensation until we come to:

(1) The unity of the faith

(2) The knowledge of the Son of God

(3) The measure of the stature of Christ

These gifts are given so that:

(1) They are no more children carried about by every wind of doctrine, But

(2) Speak the Truth in love

(3) Maturing in Christ

Walking worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called includes thee actions

(1) Putting off the lifestyle of the old nature

(2) Put on the garments of the new man by renewing the mind

(3) Grieve not the Holy Spirit by reverting to the old lifestyle

I. Exhortation To Walk Worthy

Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, {of the Lord: or, in the Lord}

Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness<5012> and meekness<4236>, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Ephesians 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Ephesians 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

A. To what are we called? – From Chapter One

1 God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings (or gifts), (1:3)

2 He has “chosen” us from the beginning that we should be holy before Him, (1:4)

3 He has “predestinated” us to be adopted by Jesus Christ. (1:5)

B. What is the lifestyle of one walking worthy of the calling?

1. In Humility

a. Lowliness – Humility of mind – Opposite of self esteem

5012 tapeinofrosunh tapeinophrosune tap-i-nof-ros-oo’-nay ; n f

humility 3, humbleness of mind 1, humility of mind 1, lowliness 1,

lowliness of mind 1; 7

1) the having a humble opinion of one’s self

2) a deep sense of one’s (moral) littleness

3) modesty, humility, lowliness of mind

b. Meekness - Gentleness

4236 praothv praotes prah-ot’-ace see from 4235; ; n f

AV-meekness 9; 9 - 1) gentleness, mildness, meekness

2. In Love – Forbearing one another in love (Lifting one another up)

3. In Peace – Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit – (Binds together)

B. What is the banner of this new lifestyle?

1. One body	2. One Spirit
3. One hope of your calling	4. One Lord
5. One Faith	6. One Baptism
7. One God and Father of all – Above all – Through all – In you all

II. Grace Given According To The Measure Of The Gift Of Christ

Ephesians 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. {captivity…: or, a multitude of captives}

Ephesians 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

Ephesians 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) {fill: or, fulfil}

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

A. Who is given the gifts? – All of us

B. Paul quotes David on the same issue:

Psalm 68:10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.

Psalm 68:11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. {company: Heb. army}

Psalm 68:12 Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil. {did…: Heb. did flee, did flee}

Psalm 68:13 Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.

Psalm 68:14 When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon. {in it…: or, for her, she}

Psalm 68:15 The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan.

Psalm 68:16 Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.

Psalm 68:17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. {even…: or, even many thousands}

C. What is The message of Paul quoting Psalm 68?

1. God delivering Israel out of bondage to Egypt was a type of Christ dying on the cross to deliver the Gentile as well as the Jew from the bondage of the old lifestyle.

2. In Ephesians, Paul uses the metaphor of the church as a building, with each stone holding its weight, so that the whole building is solid. (Holy Lifestyle)

3. The purpose of this building is so that The Lord God might dwell with His people

4. Our vocation is the walk holy

5 The gifts are not our vocation, but given so that the building increases and is strong

D. What are the gifts mentioned?

1. Apostles

2. Prophets

3. Evangelists

4. Pastors

5. Teachers

III. The purpose of the Gifts

Ephesians 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge<1922> of the Son of God, unto a perfect<5046> man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: {speaking…: or, being sincere}

Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

A. What is the purpose of the gifts?

1. The perfecting of the saints

2. The work of the ministry

3. Edifying of the body of Christ

B. The gifts are good for how long?

1. Till we come to the unity of the faith – Every block of the building holding its weight

2. Till we come to the knowledge (1922 - Epignosis) of the Son of God

a. Till we become a perfect (5046 – Telios) man

b. Till we meet the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ

c. Till we are no more children carried about by doctrines and religions

1. By the tricks and gimmicks of men

2. With cunning craftiness they try to deceive

3. Till we speak the Truth in love – Maturing in Christ

C. What is the metaphor of the body?

1. Christ is the head of the body

2. Christ is the sustainer of the body

3. Christ harmoniously fitted the body together – Remember Colossians:

4. Christ compacted – Adhered each member to Himself and other Christians

Colossians 2:19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

IV. Take Off The Old Garments – (Action Verb)

Ephesians 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Ephesians 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: {blindness: or, hardness}

Ephesians 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Ephesians 4:20 But ye have not so learned Christ;

Ephesians 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off<659> concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

A. What is the exhortation? – Put off the old garments

1. Don’t have a lifestyle as do other Gentiles

a. The perverseness of their mind

b. The understanding darkened through ignorance, blindness of heart

c. Given over to lasciviousness – greed (Self Pleasing)

659 apotiyhmi apotithemi ap-ot-eeth’-ay-mee - from 575 and 5087; ; v

put off 2, lay aside 2, lay down 1, cast off 1, put away 1, lay apart 1; 8

1) to put off or aside or away

2) metaphor of putting off clothing compared to habits – (Robertson’s Word Pictures)

2. Put off like an old garment the old nature

a. The old nature is corrupt

b. The old nature is driven by lust

B. Christ’s way is much different

V. Renew Your Mind – A Transformed Mind – (Action Verb)

Ephesians 4:23 And be renewed<365> in the spirit of your mind;

365 ananeow ananeoo an-an-neh-o’-o - from 303 and a derivative of 3501; v

renew 1; 1

1) to renew (in the mind)

2) to make new (young) again; though only here in N.T. (Robertson’s Word Pictures)

A. Remember in Colossians:

Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him

B. Remember Romans:

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Don’t forget the next verse – Opposite of Self Esteem- (Action Verb)

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

VI. Put On The New Garments

Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on<1746> the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. {true…: or, holiness of truth}

Ephesians 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.

Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. {to give: or, to distribute}

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

1746 enduow enduo en-doo’-o from 1722 & 1416 (the sense of sinking into a garment); v

put on 18, clothed with 2, clothed in 2, have on 2, clothe with 1, be endued 1, arrayed in 1, be clothed 1, vr put on 1; 29

1) to sink into (clothing), put on, clothe one’s self

A. New Mind is created in Righteousness and true holiness

B. Practical measures for the New Nature – Description of the transformed mind

1. Put away lying

2. Be angry and sin not

3. Give no place to the devil

4. Those that used to steal – work for food

5. No corrupt communication out of your mouth – Speak good edifying Words

C. Don’t Grieve the Holy Spirit

1. How do we Grieve the Holy Spirit?

a. When we exhibit bitterness

b. When we exhibit wrath, anger, and clamour

c. When we exhibit evil speaking

d. When we exhibit malice toward one another

2. What measures do we take to not grieve the Holy Spirit? – Act in Love

a. When we exhibit kindness toward one another

b. When we exhibit tenderheartedness toward one another

c. When we exhibit forgiveness toward one another as God has forgiven us

We are called to live a lifestyle blameless before the Lord. This is to declare and demonstrate God’s praise and glory before others. This is our vocation. God has given gifts to the body of Christ since the resurrection, to equip us to work in humbleness, love, and peace, thus making increase in the church, each member edifying one another. When we “put on the garments of a transformed mind” or live a holy lifestyle, we are walking worthy of our vocation.