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COMMENTARY
EPHESIANS 4:1-6
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beseech you to walk worthily of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, 3 being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, even as you were called in one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
EPHESIANS 4:7-11
B. The Diversity of Christ’s Gifts.
7 But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he says, “When he ascended on high he led captivity captive, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, in order that he might fill all things). 11 And his gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,
EPHESIANS 4:12-16
12 for the equipment of the saints, unto the work of the ministry, unto the building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all arrive at the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, at mature manhood, at the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by cleverness for erroneous schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him
who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being joined and knit together through every joint with which it is supplied, according to the proper working of each individual part, makes the growth of the body for the upbuilding itself in love.
EPHESIANS 4:17-19
17 This I say therefore and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their minds, 18 being darkened in their understanding, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 who having become insensitive gave themselves up to licentiousness, to work every kind of uncleanness with covetousness.
EPHESIANS 4:20-24
20 But you did not so learn Christ! — 21 if indeed that you have heard him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus 22 Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man, which is being corrupted according to the desires of deceit, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and put on the new man, created after God in righteousness and holiness of truth.
EPHESIANS 4:25-32
25 Therefore, putting away falsehood, let every one speak the truth with his neighbor, because we are members one of another. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your provocation, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil, 28 Let him who stole no more steal, but rather let him labor, working with his hands that which is good, so that he may have to share with those who have need. 29 Let no corrupt word come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edification, according to the need, in order that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and anger and wrath and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all evil, 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ also forgave you.