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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Ephesians 4
Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five modern translations. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one main subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS Eph_4:1-32
A. Chapter 4 begins the practical section of the letter (i.e., "walk," cf. Eph_4:1; Eph_4:17; Eph_5:2; Eph_5:15). Doctrine must affect lifestyle! Truth is relational! Salvation is not a product, a fire insurance policy, or a ticket to heaven, but an ongoing repentance/faith relationship with Christ which issues in Christlikeness.
B. Eph_4:1-6 focus on the theme of the entire book-unity (cf. Eph_1:10). Unity of believers is based on the unity of the Triune God. The corporate fellowship of the gospel challenges the exclusivism of the false teachers and the Jews. The spiritual qualities that lead to unity are stated in Eph_4:2-3. Unity is every believer's responsibility. Unity is the prayer of Jesus (cf. Joh_17:11; Joh_17:21-22; also note Eph_4:23).
C. Unity must be continuously and intentionally pursued because of the diverse giftedness of the people of God. Every believer has been given an effective ministry gift at salvation (1Co_12:7; 1Co_12:10). The fact that believers are gifted ministers of Jesus, not which particular gift one possesses, is the key to unity in the church. Believers are one body and must function together.
D. The modern western church desperately needs the truth of Eph_4:11-12. Church leaders are gifts to Christ's body (the church), given to help and encourage the entire body to function in ministry. Ministry is the task of all believers. There are no "clergy-laity" categories in the New Testament. If you are a Christian, you are a called, gifted, full-time minister. Not all are called vocationally, but all are called to serve!
The task of church leaders (Eph_4:11) is to train the people of God to do the work of ministry, which is to evangelize the lost and mature the saved (Eph_4:12; Mat_28:19-20).
E. Eph_4:17 to Eph_5:20 describes the sins of either paganism (cf. Eph_4:17) or the teachings of the Antinomian Gnostic false teachers. How believers live is crucial! No fruit, no root (cf. Matthew 6; Mat_7:15-23)! Eternal life has observable characteristics! The changed and changing lives of believers are evidence of their salvation (cf. James; 1 John).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. List the characteristics of "worthy lives." How does your life compare?
2. Why is unity so important?
3. What is Paul stressing in Eph_4:4-6?
4. Does every Christian have a spiritual gift? When do they receive it? Who gives it? For what purpose?
5. What is the goal of the church?
6. List the plight of the heathen (Eph_4:17-19).
7. List three things that the Christian should do (Eph_4:22-24).
8. List the four vices of Christians listed in Eph_4:25-31.