Ephesians 4 |
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
Verse 1 ToDo Items
T Remember, as Paul did, that you belong to the Lord.
T Live in a manner worthy of God’s calling in response to all that God has done for you. [See Colossians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:12]
I Know that we are each called to our own vocation.
I Know that our daily living before God should correspond to our high status as a child of God. [See 1 Peter 2:9]
F Know that it is impossible to live the Christian life without understanding biblical doctrine or principles from the Word of God.
F Know that right doctrine is foundational to right living.
F know that the Church is to live in a way that is worthy of Christ and that glorifies Him.
Verse 1 ToDo Items
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Verse 2 ToDo Items
T Walk with all lowliness and meekness, just as Jesus did. [v1-2] [See Colossians 3:12-15]
C Know that lowliness and meekness are of great price in the sight of God. [See 1 Peter 3:4]
T Walk free from pride in all humbleness of mind. [See Philippians 2:3]
F Know that humility is the opposite of pride.
T Remain calm and in submission to the divine will, not easily provoked and without retaliation or murmuring at injury or provocation.
F Know that long suffering, gentleness and meekness are fruits of the Spirit. [See Galatians 5:22-23]
T Exercise great patience and restraint with one another in godly love.
F Know that bearing with one another in love involves receiving mistreatment from others without retaliation.
F Know that love is the catalyst for our forbearing with others rather than resenting or hurting them.
Verse 2 ToDo Items
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Verse 3 ToDo Items
T Do all that you can to guard and uphold the unity of the Holy Spirit with fellow believers by remaining at peace with them. [See 1 Corinthians 1:10, 2 Corinthians 13:11]
C Know that unity comes from the Holy Spirit.
F Know that the role of the Church is to preserve unity and not to create it.
F Know that humility promotes unity amongst believers.
F Know that comparison of self with others creates problems that hinder unity. [See 2 Corinthians 10:12]
F Know that attempting to create unity through uniformity and political correctness at the expense of truth is not biblical.
Verse 3 ToDo Items
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Verse 4 ToDo Items
F Know that there is only one body, the body of Christ: the Church.
F Know that there is only one Holy Spirit.
F Know that the power of the church does not come from anything other than the Holy Spirit.
F Know that all believers share in the same joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation to which they are called.
Verse 4 ToDo Items
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Verse 5 ToDo Items
F Know that there is only one Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ.
F Know that there is only one true faith, faith in Jesus Christ.
F Know that there is only one baptism, baptism into Christ.
Verse 5 ToDo Items
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Verse 6 ToDo Items
F Know that there is only one true God.
F Know that God is the Father of all.
C Know that God is over all, works through all and is in all believers.
Verse 6 ToDo Items
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Verse 7 ToDo Items
F Know that every believer is freely given a particular gift of grace by Jesus Christ. [See Romans 12:6-8]
F Know that there is diversity within the body of Christ because of the different gifts given to each believer seperately by Jesus.
C Know that God equips believers for service to King Jesus.
F Know that there is room for every believer in the service of King Jesus to play their unique and necessary part in God’s plan.
Verse 7 ToDo Items
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Verse 8 ToDo Items
F Know that Jesus ascended up to heaven. [See John 3:13]
F Know that when the risen Jesus ascended up on high He led captivity captive and gave gifts to men (the Church).
T Take note how Paul refers to the divinity and works of the risen Jesus by referencing the scriptures (Psalms 68:18). [See Psalms 68:18]
Verse 8 ToDo Items
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
Verse 9 ToDo Items
F Know that the Son of God descended into the lower parts of the Earth (Sheol) after His death for three days and three nights before His triumphant ascension. [See Matthew 12:40]
Verse 9 ToDo Items
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Verse 10 ToDo Items
F Know that Jesus came down from heaven. [See John 6:38]
F Know that the risen Jesus ascended back up to heaven so that He might fulfil all things (covenants and prophecies). [See Colossians 1:18]
Verse 10 ToDo Items
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Verse 11 ToDo Items
F Know that Jesus gave gifted individuals to the Church for some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists and some pastors and teachers. [See 1 Corinthians 12:28]
F Know that evangelists are important catalysts for spreading the gospel.
F Know that evangelists help people understand how to present the gospel.
I Know that all of us have the responsibility for evangelism even though that may not be our gift.
F Know that pastor-teachers are for the edification of the Church.
Verse 11 ToDo Items
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Verse 12 ToDo Items
F Know that the gifts of Jesus are for the equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry and for the building up and teaching of the Church. [v11-12]
F Know that each saint gets the gift of grace and has a part to play towards the building up of the Church which is the great objective of Christ’s gifts. [v11-12]
F Know that the equipping of the saints prepares the Church to serve the Lord.
F Know that individual members cannot reach full spiritual maturity unless they function within the body as a whole.
Verse 12 ToDo Items
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Verse 13 ToDo Items
F Know that the gifted individuals given by Jesus Himself to the Church are to enable all in the body of Christ to unite in the faith and in knowing Jesus to thereby attain spiritual maturity and become fully like Christ. [v11-13]
F Know that Christ’s gifts are the means by which each saint is made capable of performing their part in order that the Church may be built up to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. [v11-13]
F Know that spiritual maturity requires a personal relationship with Jesus. [See Philippians 3:10]
F Know that spiritual maturity is to attain the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
F Know that Jesus is our role model. (He is the best illustration of how to live a Christian life.)
F Know that it is God’s unrelenting purpose that every child of God and every church become like the Son of God in maturity. [See Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18]
F Know that the standard of maturity for the Church is conformity to Christ.
F Know that the fullness of Christ is the abundance of the excellence which Christ bestows.
Verse 13 ToDo Items
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;
Verse 14 ToDo Items
T Don’t allow yourself to remain spiritually immature.
T Don’t be unstable and carried about with every wind of doctrine. [See Hebrews 13:9]
F Know that the spiritually immature are tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine.
W Beware those who, by the skillful trickery of false doctrine, lie in wait to deceive you.
F Know that immature Christians who are not established in the truth leave themselves wide open to doctrinal error.
F Know that false doctrine can unsettle an immature church.
Verse 14 ToDo Items
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Verse 15 ToDo Items
T Act and speak sincerely in love so that the Church may grow into the likeness of Christ.
T Seek to grow spiritually to become spiritually mature and like Jesus in every way. [v14-15]
F Know that as Head of the Church, Jesus leads by example.
Verse 15 ToDo Items
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.
Verse 16 ToDo Items
F Know that it is God’s intention that the Church is tightly knit together and united through the divine supply of every Christ-connected individual working effectively together causing the Church to grow in number and to be built up further in love. [v15-16]
F Know that love powers spiritual growth in the Church. [v15-16]
F Know that the Christian faith is not to be lived in isolation from the body of Christ.
F Know that everyone in the body of Christ has a unique gifting from Christ and important part to play in the Church.
F Know that every part of the body is needed and intended to work together.
F Know that the Church grows as individuals grow and contribute to the cause of Christ.
P Know that God’s plan for your life will benefit others in the body of Christ.
Verse 16 ToDo Items
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,
Verse 17 ToDo Items
T No longer live or behave like those who belong to the world who live only for their own futile pursuits and perverse thoughts. [See 1 Peter 4:3]
T Embrace the Christian way of life and do not be influenced by the cultures and values of the world.
F Know that becoming a Christian radically changes pursuits and attitudes about life.
F Know that worldly living and thinking is futile.
Verse 17 ToDo Items
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:
Verse 18 ToDo Items
F Know that worldly people live in spiritual darkness without understanding of God’s purposes.
F Know that worldly people are spiritually dead and do not live for God or have any relationship with Him. [See Ephesians 2:12]
F Know that worldly people are ignorant because of the hardness of their hearts.
Verse 18 ToDo Items
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Verse 19 ToDo Items
F Know that worldly people are insensitive to spiritual matters and prefer to indulge their sensual appetites pleasing their flesh and natural desires in all kinds of impurity. [See Galatians 5:19]
F Know that worldly people do not care what others think about their character, nor do they consider what God thinks about them. [See Romans 1:28]
F Know that worldly people are never satisfied but continually lust after ways that are even more ungodly.
Verse 19 ToDo Items
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
Verse 20 ToDo Items
I Know that Jesus did not teach you to live or behave like those who belong to the world. [v17-20]
Verse 20 ToDo Items
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
Verse 21 ToDo Items
I Know that those in Christ hear His voice. [See John 10:27]
I Know that we have heard directly from Jesus and been instructed personally in fellowship with Him. [See Hebrews 1:2, 12:25]
Verse 21 ToDo Items
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Verse 22 ToDo Items
I Know that after we heard and were taught the truth by Jesus, we cast off our former way of life. [v21-22] [See Romans 6:6, Colossians 3:8-9]
F Know that our old nature is to be continually corrupted by deceitful desires. [See Romans 7:11]
F Know that the "old man" and his sin nature, is fuelled and directed by deceitful desires. [See Galatians 5:17, 6:8]
Verse 22 ToDo Items
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Verse 23 ToDo Items
T Be renewed in the spirit of your mind. [See Romans 12:2]
F Know that renewal of the mind leads to transformation.
I Know that the renewal of our mind is the continual work of the Holy Spirit. [See Titus 3:5]
I Know that we have the mind of Christ. [See 1 Corinthians 2:16]
I Know that the Holy Spirit teaches us the things that have been freely given to us by God. [See 1 Corinthians 2:16]
Verse 23 ToDo Items
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Verse 24 ToDo Items
F Know that the "new man" has a divine nature, having escaped the corruption of deceitful desires. [v22-24] [See 2 Peter 1:4]
F Know that the "new man" and his new nature, is fuelled and directed by spiritual things through relationship with God and His Word.
F Know that the "new man" receives the things of the Spirit which are spiritually discerned. [v23-24] [See 1 Corinthians 2:12-14]
F Know that the "old man" cannot receive the things of the Spirit because they are spiritually discerned. [v23-24] [See 1 Corinthians 2:14]
I Know that after we heard and were taught the truth by Jesus, we became a new creation. [v21-24] [See Ephesians 2:15, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15]
T See yourself as God sees you in Christ and realise just how completely He loves you.
T Don’t try in your own strength to become what you already are in Christ.
Verse 24 ToDo Items
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Verse 25 ToDo Items
T Do not lie to one another. [See Colossians 3:9]
T Always speak the truth to everyone. [See Zechariah 8:16]
F Know that the "old man" is a natural born liar. [v22-25] [See Psalms 58:3]
F Know that the Spirit of truth dwells within the "new man". [v24-25] [See John 14:17]
I Speak the truth to everyone because we are all members of one another (the body of Christ). [See Romans 12:5]
T Remember that telling lies is a trait of the devil.
Verse 25 ToDo Items
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Verse 26 ToDo Items
T Be angry yet without sinning.
F Know that anger can be expressed righteously and should be when circumstances merit it.
F Know that righteous anger is not vindictive but seeks unselfish justice for others.
F Know that sinful anger originates from resentment or some self-serving purpose.
T Don’t brood upon or prolong your anger; be rid of it before the end of the day.
F Know that anger must have a time limit.
Verse 26 ToDo Items
27 Neither give place to the devil.
Verse 27 ToDo Items
T Don’t give the devil room to operate anywhere in your life.
T Forgo your anger before you succumb to the temptations of the devil. [v26-27] [See Romans 12:19]
F Know that the devil will exploit our anger if we let it get out of control. [v26-27]
Verse 27 ToDo Items
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.
Verse 28 ToDo Items
T Stop stealing and work hard instead.
T Work hard so that you may have sufficient to give to, or share with, those in need. [See Luke 3:11, Acts 20:35]
F Know that work is not just to satisfy your own needs but also those of the needy.
T Remember that stealing is a trait of the devil.
Verse 28 ToDo Items
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.
Verse 29 ToDo Items
T Let no bad or worthless words come out of your mouth. [See Ephesians 5:4, Matthew 12:34, Colossians 3:8]
T Speak kind and encouraging words that bless and build up those who hear. [See Romans 14:19, 15:2; Colossians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:11]
Verse 29 ToDo Items
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Verse 30 ToDo Items
T Do not make the Holy Spirit of God sorrowful by the way that you speak or act. [v29-30] [See Acts 7:51, 1 Thessalonians 5:19]
I Know that the Holy Spirit is God’s mark of ownership upon us that reserves us as His until the day of redemption when we will receive our resurrected bodies (when we die or at The Rapture). [See Ephesians 1:13-14, Romans 8:23]
Verse 30 ToDo Items
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Verse 31 ToDo Items
T Put all bitterness away from you so that you no longer bear grudges or hatred towards anyone. [See Hebrews 12:15, Colossians 3:19]
T Do not get into heated disputes and shout loud and angry complaints and demands.
T Stop all negative, slanderous and evil speaking.
T Put away all spiteful thoughts, revenge and unprovoked ill-will towards others. [See Titus 3:3; 1 Peter 2:1, 2:16]
Verse 31 ToDo Items
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Verse 32 ToDo Items
T Become kind to one another. [See Romans 12:10]
T Become compassionate and sympathetic to one another. [See 1 Peter 3:8]
T Forgive one another, just as God has forgiven you for Christ’s sake. [See Matthew 18:21-35, Colossians 3:13]
Verse 32 ToDo Items