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Ephesians Chapter 4

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) 32 Verses

What is Ephesians 4 about?

The riches of God's grace and the mystery of the church as Christ's body, culminating in the armor of God. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called,
2with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4[There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling;
5one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.
7But unto each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, And gave gifts unto men.
9(Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?
10He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11And he gave some [to be] apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:
13till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;
15but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, [even] Christ;
16from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in [due] measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.
17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart;
19who being past feeling gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20But ye did not so learn Christ;
21if so be that ye heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus:
22that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit;
23and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.
25Wherefore, putting away falsehood, speak ye truth each one with his neighbor: 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 labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need.
29Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear.
30And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption.
31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice:
32and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you.
← Ephesians 3Ephesians 5 →

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you, &c.] Or “in the Lord”; that is, for the Lord's sake; (See Gill on “<490301>Ephesians 3:1”). Some connect this phrase, “in the Lord”, with the following word, “beseech”: as if the sense was, that the apostle entreated the believing Ephesians, in the name of the Lord, and for his sake, to take heed to their walk and conversation, that it be as became the calling by grace, and to glory, with which they were called: and this exhortation he enforces from the consideration of the state and condition in which he was, a prisoner, not for any wickedness he had been…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“EXHORTATIONS TO CHRISTIAN DUTIES RESTING ON OUR CHRISTIAN PRIVILEGES, AS UNITED IN ONE BODY, THOUGH VARYING IN THE GRACES GIVEN TO THE SEVERAL MEMBERS, THAT WE MAY COME UNTO A PERFECT MAN IN CHRIST. (Eph. 4:1-32) Translate, according to the Greek order, "I beseech you, therefore (seeing that such is your calling of grace, the first through third chapters) I the prisoner in the Lord (that is, imprisoned in the Lord's cause)." What the world counted ignominy, he counts the highest honor, and he glories in his bonds for Christ, more than a king in his diadem [THEODORET]. His bonds, too, are an argument which should…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“I, therefore - In view of the great and glorious truths which God has revealed, and of the grace which he has manifested toward you who are Gentiles. See the previous chapters. The sense of the word “therefore” - οὖν oun - in this place, is, “Such being your exalted privileges; since God has done so much for you; since he has revealed for you such a glorious system; since he has bestowed on you the honor of calling you into his kingdom, and making you partakers of his mercy, I entreat you to live in accordance with these elevated privileges, and to show your sense of his goodness by devoting your all to his…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord - Imprisoned for his sake and for your sakes; for the sake of the gospel which he had preached amongst them. This was therefore a powerful motive to them to comfort him under it by their obedience. Ephesians 4:3”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“4:1–6:20 Therefore: Ephesians divides into two sections, the first devoted to explaining the Good News, the second to drawing out the implications for Christian living. This arrangement reflects Paul’s belief that believers’ lives should be a response of gratitude for God’s grace. 4:1-6 God’s saving grace for both Jews and Gentiles should be reflected in how the two groups relate to each other in the church: They are to accept each other warmly, just as God has accepted them. 4:1 I, a prisoner for serving the Lord: See study note on 3:1. • Though salvation can never be earned, believers are to live in a manner…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“prisoner: Eph 3:1 of the Lord: or, in the Lord beseech: Jer 38:20; Rom 12:1; Co1 4:16; Co2 5:20, Co2 6:1, Co2 10:1; Gal 4:12; Plm 1:9, Plm 1:10; Pe1 2:11; Jo2 1:5 walk: Eph 4:17, Eph 5:2; Gen 5:24, Gen 17:1; Act 9:31; Phi 1:27, Phi 3:17, Phi 3:18; Col 1:10, Col 4:12; Th1 2:12, Th1 4:1, Th1 4:2; Tit 2:10; Heb 13:21 vocation: Eph 4:4; Rom 8:28-30; Phi 3:14; Th2 1:11; Ti2 1:9; Heb 3:1; Pe1 3:9, Pe1 5:10; Pe2 1:3 Ephesians 4:2”
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