Ephesians 4

King James Version

Full text for Ephesians Chapter 4

1¶ I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

2¶ With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

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

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

5One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all.

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

8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

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

10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

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

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

13Till 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:

14That 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;

15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ:

16From 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.

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,

18Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

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

20But ye have not so learned Christ;

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

22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

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

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

27Neither give place to the devil.

28Let 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.

29Let 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.

30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

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

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

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Paul exhorts believers to walk worthy of their calling, maintaining unity in the Spirit through lowliness, meekness, and love, recognizing the singular nature of God, Lord, faith, and body. He explains that Christ gave diverse spiritual gifts for the church's edification and maturity, preventing them from being swayed by false doctrines. Believers are urged to abandon their former Gentile ways, putting off the "old man" and putting on the "new man" characterized by truth, righteousness, and mutual forgiveness. This transformation is to be evident in their ethical conduct and communication.

Medium Summary

The apostle Paul, as a prisoner of the Lord, beseeches believers to live in a manner befitting their divine calling, characterized by humility, meekness, longsuffering, and love. He emphasizes the critical importance of preserving the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, highlighting the foundational "one" aspects of their faith: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father. Christ, having ascended after descending, bestowed various gifts upon men, appointing apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. These ministries are purposed for the perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry, and the edifying of the body of Christ, aiming for spiritual maturity and steadfastness against deceptive doctrines. Furthermore, Paul admonishes them to cease living as the unconverted Gentiles, whose minds are darkened and hearts blinded, leading to a life of vanity and uncleanness. Instead, they are to put off the corrupt "old man" and embrace the "new man," created in God's image with righteousness and true holiness, manifesting this transformation through truthful speech, controlled anger, honest labor, edifying communication, and a spirit of kindness and forgiveness towards one another.

Long Summary

Paul, identifying himself as a prisoner for the Lord, earnestly appeals to the Ephesians to conduct their lives in a manner consistent with the high calling they have received. He stresses the virtues of lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, and mutual forbearance in love, urging them to diligently maintain the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. This unity is grounded in the singular realities of their faith: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father who is sovereign over all. Paul explains that Christ, upon His ascension after His descent, distributed grace and diverse gifts to men, appointing some as apostles, others as prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. The purpose of these divinely ordained ministries is the equipping and perfecting of the saints for the work of service, leading to the edification of the entire body of Christ. The ultimate goal is for all believers to attain unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God, reaching spiritual maturity and the full measure of Christ's stature. This maturity is essential to prevent them from being spiritual children, easily swayed and deceived by every shifting wind of false doctrine and the cunning craftiness of men. Instead, they are to speak the truth in love, growing in all aspects into Christ, who is the head, from whom the whole body is harmoniously joined and built up in love. Paul then issues a strong warning against reverting to the former manner of life characteristic of the unconverted Gentiles, marked by the vanity of their minds, darkened understanding, and alienation from God due to ignorance and a hardened heart, which leads to unrestrained sensuality and greed. He reminds them that they have not learned Christ in this manner, but rather have been taught the truth as it is in Jesus. Therefore, they are commanded to divest themselves of the "old man," which is corrupted by deceitful lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of their minds. They are to put on the "new man," which is created according to God in righteousness and true holiness. This transformation is to be demonstrated through practical ethical conduct: speaking truth to one another as fellow members, managing anger without sin, not allowing wrath to persist, and refraining from giving opportunity to the devil. Furthermore, stealing is to cease, replaced by honest labor to enable giving to those in need, and corrupt communication is to be replaced by edifying speech that imparts grace. Finally, they are exhorted not to grieve the Holy Spirit, by whom they are sealed for redemption, and to put away all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, and evil speaking, along with all malice, instead being kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving one another, just as God in Christ has forgiven them.

Core Concepts

  • Unity of the SpiritBelievers are exhorted to diligently preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, grounded in the shared realities of one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father. This unity is to be expressed through lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, and love.
  • Spiritual Gifts and MinistriesChrist, upon His ascension, bestowed various gifts upon men, appointing some as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. These ministries are given for the perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry, and the edifying of the body of Christ.
  • Growth and Maturity in ChristThe purpose of the spiritual gifts and ministries is to bring believers to the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God, reaching spiritual maturity. This growth prevents them from being like children, susceptible to false doctrines and cunning deception.
  • Putting Off the Old ManBelievers are commanded to abandon their former Gentile way of life, characterized by darkened understanding, vanity, and moral corruption. This involves putting off the "old man," which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts.
  • Putting On the New ManIn contrast to the old life, believers are to be renewed in the spirit of their minds and put on the "new man." This new identity is created after God in righteousness and true holiness, reflecting Christ's character.
  • Ethical ConductThe chapter provides specific instructions for the new life, including speaking truth, managing anger righteously, working honestly, using edifying speech, and refraining from grieving the Holy Spirit. It also emphasizes putting away bitterness and malice, and practicing kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness.
  • Christ as the HeadChrist is identified as the Head of the body, the church, from whom the entire body is fitly joined and compacted. Through His effectual working, every part contributes to the body's increase and edification in love.