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excerpts from:
FEATURE
A DAILY BIBLE STUDY GUIDE
Selected © FEATURE Devotionals From Past Issues
Ephesians Chapter 4
Pastor Dennis Costella
Ephesians 4:1-6
KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT
VERSE ONE sets the tone for
Ephesians' practical section, chapters 4-6. In the first three chapters, discussed in
previous studies, we noticed a theme of doctrine and position. Now, the apostle Paul
through inspiration of the Holy Spirit places emphasis upon duty and practice. Our high
and holy calling commensurate with our position "in Christ" (Chapter 1) should
also be reflected in our Christian walk (v.1). A clearer understanding of our present
standing in Christ and the glorious future awaiting the redeemed will not result in a
spirit of arrogance, but rather one of humble recognition that all we have is only by
God's grace. The least we can do is to praise our God and selflessly strive to edify
others in His Body (v. 2). Differences and divisions often arise among the latter, but our
desire should be to do whatever we can (that necessarily includes longsuffering and
forbearance) to nurture the spiritual unity we share in Christ. Sound doctrine must not be
compromised in order to maintain this unity, but we should be willing to set our personal
desires or preferences aside if that would engender peace. We are to "keep the
unity," not create it. This unity is not the ecumenical style which attempts to
gather everyone who calls themselves "Christian" into one organization. No, this
is that spiritual unity of the Spirit which already exists between believers who have
these six blessings in common (w. 4-6). This spiritual union cannot be dissolved, but its
peace certainly can be disrupted when puffed-up egos take the floor. DWC
Ephesians 4:7-10
HE GAVE GIFTS
UNTO MEN
T O "EVERY one of
us" is given a special gift of ministry (v.7). The emphasis of these spiritual gifts
is upon ministry, not revelation. The latter was given to some; the former to all.
Revelatory gifts passed from the scene when the canon of Scripture was completed (when
that which was "perfect" had come). When the church had the Bible, no further
revelation was necessary (1 Cor. 13:8-13). However, "Charity never faileth," and
it is that virtue which embodies the key characteristic of each of these continuing gifts
given to each believer in the Church Age for the edification of others in the body of
Christ. How the believer can serve with power and purpose is what this practical portion
of Ephesians is all about.
Compare verse seven with Romans 12:1-16. Notice how
the believer's service (vv. 3-16) is a divinely ordained result of his sacrifice to God
(vv. 1, 2). A measure of grace is given to every yielded believer to minister to the needs
of others, whether it be proclaiming the Word, teaching, giving, showing an extraordinary
compassion or administering the affairs of the local church. The dispensing of this
enabling grace is an important matter, for it required the death, burial, resurrection and
ascension of our Saviour and was even foretold by the prophets of old (Eph. 4:8-10 cf.
Psa. 68:18,19). Notice also that the gifts equipping pastors and teachers were divinely
granted after Christ's ascension, not before. We must give careful attention to
God's order. Each has a place and function in the body of Christ. DWC
Ephesians 4:11 and 12
FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE BODY
WHEN THIS
epistle was written over 1900 years ago, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers were
being used by God to bring believers to maturity in Christ (v.11); for even in the early
church, believers had some spiritual growing up to do. The Lord has made provision for
bringing that growth process to pass even in this day. We must give attention to what God
has instituted through His Word.
"For the perfecting of the saints, for the work
of the ministry, for the edifying of the body..." (v. 12)-that is why God has called
some men to a special place of ministry. These men are called and equipped to encourage,
instruct and minister to the saints. It is sad when a believer claims he does not need the
fellowship of the local church. "I have the Bible. I have Christ. I do not need
anything or anyone else," he says. That spirit is wrong and displeasing to the Lord.
God gave men to pastor churches so that those who sit under their ministry can grow and
mature in the faith in a way ordained of God. Something is terribly wrong when a believer
gives the impression that he does not really believe he needs what God says he needs.
If there is a fundamental, true-to-the-Word church
you can attend, be there! Faithfully serve and support the work with a fervent heart. If
no such church is available, meet in your home and work and pray that God will establish a
faithful testimony in your area. God has established the church for the believer's
edification and spiritual well-being. It is a place where he can worship and serve his
Lord. DWC
Ephesians 4:13-16
GROW UP INTO HIM
W E ARE not
"perfect" yet, but we shall be when we see our Lord face to face (v. 13).
However, a measure of that maturity in Christ certainly can be attained in this life, and
this is the challenge put to the saints in verses 13-16. The apostle Paul testified that
he pressed "toward the mark" (Phil. 3:10-14). How? He strove to become more like
the Lord and gained victory through the Spirit over whatever Satan cast in his way. It is
this desire to grow and mature in the faith which wards off the deceptions of the devil
and the different winds of doctrine that bring so many believers down to defeat (Eph.
4:14). The Christian must know sound doctrine and be established in it. He must also
"speak the truth in love" (v.15) and be willing to stand against error. Why must
such a negative stand be taken? Why is it necessary to withstand error? Love for the truth
requires this position (Psa. 119:127,128).
The desired unity of the body spoken of here in the
sixteenth verse is a unity of which God is the author, not man. No person can join this
assembly of the saints by claiming to be something he is not. A spiritual unity according
to Truth is referred to here, not an organizational unity where unbelievers can slip in.
Often the ecumenists claim it is God's will for all supposed Christians from all Christian
churches to come together if they are to obey such texts. Not so! Christ is the head of
this body (v.15), and this necessarily excludes all who are Christian in
name only. God is working to perfect only those who have been washed in His blood. DWC
Ephesians 4:17-22
PUT OFF THE OLD MAN
THE SAINTS are exhorted in
this text to be careful not to conduct themselves in a way similar to those who are not
saved. The assumption is clear that it is possible to do just that. We must be extremely
careful not to follow the flesh. Those without Christ walk "in the vanity of their
minds" (v.17). They follow their own will rather than desiring to know God's will.
They serve the god of this world due to their innate blindness, ignorance and alienation
from "the life of God" (v.18). Wicked works and unbridled passion are the
natural outworking of those without Christ, those who possess only the fallen nature. They
cannot help but wallow in the mire.
The Christian, on the other hand, has a new master.
That old nature which rules how the "Gentiles walk" still remains within the
believer, but unlike the unsaved, the believer does not have to be dominated by it. The
"old man" was defeated by Christ's finished work on the cross (Gal. 5:24; Rom.
6:6). Now, we are to live in a way that reflects that spiritual reality.
"Henceforth" (v.17), because we have new life in Christ, we should no longer
live like those who have no idea what it means to be born again or what it means to have
the Holy Spirit of God dwelling within. Are we guilty of living like the unbeliever? Then
"put off' those corrupt deeds which find their beginnings in the "old man,"
the old nature (v.22). Confess and forsake that carnal way (Rom. 6:11, 12). God has
something far better in mind for the one who is willing to repent of his carnal walk and
follow after his Lord. DWC
Ephesians 4:23-24
PUT ON THE NEW MAN
IT IS ESSENTIAL that we renew
our spiritual inner-man on a daily basis, for God's Word says that we are to "be
renewed in the spirit of [our] mind" (v.23). What does this mean? How can our minds
be spiritually renovated? Colossians 3:10 says, "Put on the new man, which is renewed
in knowledge after the image of him that created him." In other words, we need to
learn more of Christ and immerse ourselves in the Written Word as well as walk in close
fellowship with the Living Word. As we do this, a marvelous, supernatural transformation
takes place. The indwelling Spirit takes the things in the Word which speak of the life of
Christ and makes them a reality in us (1 Thes. 2:13). As we yield our wills to the Holy
Spirit's work within, a change takes place that can be witnessed by all (Rom. 6:11-16).
This process is detailed in 2 Peter 1:1-4. We become "partakers of the divine
nature" when we, by faith, make Christ's "great and precious promises" our
own. This takes study, prayer and devotion. We must not neglect the renewing work of the
Spirit within. Each new day holds new opportunities for the Spirit to cause us to grow
more in grace and in knowledge of our Lord. We stifle this vital ministry of the Spirit
when we harbor sin, settle into willfulness or ignore the Lord and His Word.
This is what it means to "put on the new man,
which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (v.24). It is God's
work that brings this change from carnality to true godliness-it is nothing that we can do
on our own! DWC
Ephesians 4:25-32
NEITHER GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL
PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION
concerning the use of our mouth is provided in the latter part of this chapter. God is
concerned about how we deal with others in His body. If we allow the devil to have his
way, terrible trouble ensues (v.27).
We should put off corrupt communication:
"Bitterness"-exasperated or irritated speech that foster feelings of resentment
or scorn. "Wrath"-sudden and sometimes violent outbursts of rage that continue
for a time. Wrath is primarily an attitude of the heart and can be vented by
"clamming up" as well as by "blowing up." 'Anger"-the feeling of
hatred or rage; a deep offense in which revenge is the immediate desire.
"Clamour"-strife or controversy similar to the above; a vehement expression of
dissatisfaction that one seeks to make known. "Evil speaking"-to malign or to
speak disparagingly of; to put down in an effort to ridicule. "Malice"-ill-will
toward another; desiring a person's hurt rather than his edification; an unforgiving
spirit. All of the above grieve the indwelling Holy Spirit (v.30). No, the Spirit can
never be "grieved away" as some falsely teach, for we are, by the Holy Spirit,
"sealed unto the day of redemption." That is eternal security! But we cannot use
our tongues in a carnal way and then expect to praise the Lord and be in fellowship with
Him at the same time (Jas. 1:26; 1 Pet. 3:7-12). We cannot speak with God unless we speak
in a biblical way with others. If we need help in this area, we must do something about
it. God desires our repentance of all such. DWC
Ephesians 4:25-32
THAT WHICH IS GOOD
WE ARE commanded to speak in away that edifies, not
in a way that tears down. We are to speak "that which is good" (v.29). Speak the
truth (v.25). No interpersonal problem can be solved until truth is spoken and
self-deception is dispelled. When anger toward another turns into wrath, then sin results
(v.26).
Be quick to forgive, regardless of the reactions of
another (v.32). Satan's strategy has always been to disrupt fellowship by pedaling one of
his most effective devices-an unforgiving spirit (v.27 cf. 2 Cor. 2:10,11). Harbored
resentment is a sure way to rob the believer of peace with God and usefulness in service
for Him. Be "kind one to another" in word and in deed (v.32). A gentle, gracious
disposition is required by God and can only be acquired by the unhindered work of the
Spirit. To be "tenderhearted" means to be compassionate with respect to the
concerns and needs of others. A hard heart is a result of harbored sin or a willful spirit
(Heb. 3:13) which is first expressed toward God and finally witnessed in relationships
with others. Sooner or later, what is in the heart will proceed forth from the mouth.
We are exhorted to "speak the truth in
love" at home, in the church and in our ministry and witness to those without Christ.
This Spirit-controlled speech is the definitive mark of the mature believer (Eph. 4:15,
16). Never fall for the line, "Sure, I have a temper; I'm rough in the way I
witness-that's the way God made me!" No, that is the old nature speaking. Our God
tells us to "put away" such carnality. DWC
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