Ephesians 4:1-6 In the first half of Ephesians the apostle has unfolded for his readers the eternal plan of God with its goal of summing up all things in Christ.

Having reminded his readers of the high destiny to which God has called them, Paul now shows the hope of this calling requires them to live in keeping with it.

V. 2. On the basis of God’s mighty salvation in Christ, the readers are now admonished to lead lives that are in keeping with their high destiny and calling.

They have already been called into the blessings of salvation (1:3–14) with its wonderful hope (1:18). They have been united with Christ in his resurrection and exaltation so that they now share in his rule over the new creation (1:20–22; 2:6)

The general admonition is amplified in what follows by means of three modifiers that include four graces • Humility – Considers others better than yourself, concerned about others • Gentleness – Considerate, not demanding your own way • Patience – Makes allowance for others’ shortcomings, endures wrong • Loving forbearance – Loving patience even in tensions and conflicts

V. 3. The Spirit has created unity, you must maintain it. Jesus has wrought reconciliation and unity of sinners into a new humanity.

If you live with no consideration for others, If you demand your own way; “my way or the highway” If you cannot stand others’ shortcomings, That is saying that Christ’s sacrificial death is of no real consequence to you.

V. 4. Sevenfold oneness of the church. There is oneness in Christ’s church because there is oneness in the Father, the Son and the Spirit. The church is one body bought by the blood of Jesus, unified by his Spirit indwelling us under God, the Father, who is over, through, and in all.

He is supremely transcendent over all and pervasively imminent through and in all Jer 23:24 - Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD. Ephesians 4:7-10 V. 7. Grace was given to each of us as a gift, not for our own benefit, but to benefit each other. Everyone has a gift from God to be used to grow the church. “There is diversity in our unity for greater maturity.”

V. 8. Christ’s giving of gifts is supported by a quotation from Psalm 68:18.

When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts from men.

The psalm is a call for God to come rescue his people. Yahweh descended to deliver his people and triumph over his enemies and then ascended to his dwelling place. Paul uses the quote to say that he saw in Jesus’ exaltation a further fulfillment of this triumph of God.

Numbers 18:6 – And behold, I have taken your brothers the Levites from among the people of Israel. They are a gift to you, given to the LORD, to do the service of the tent of meeting.

V. 9. The “descent” of Christ has been thought to be Jesus entering hades, but the text just says here that he descended into the lower regions of the earth, probably meaning that he descended from heaven at his incarnation and maybe further descended in death.

V. 10. Focus is on Christ’s ascent when he was seated in power in heaven.

Ephesians 4:11-14 What gifts did Christ give the church? Spiritual gifts for each to serve others. Specifically, Paul says Christ gave the church leaders: apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers. For what purpose? That they would build up the church to maturity. So that the church may cause Christ to “fill all things.” Walk worthy of your high calling into Jesus’ salvation • Be considerate and patient with each other – how you treat others reflects what you believe about Jesus’ sacrifice. • Leaders are given to build and mature the body – for saints to minister.