Ephesians 4 Niv (2024)

FAQs

What is the main point of Ephesians 4? ›

The primary call is to unity. The recipients of the letter should make “every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (4:3). They are to equip the saints for ministry “until all of us come to the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God” (4:13).

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." This is a counter-culture message in a society that sometimes rewards bad behavior, fighting and divisiveness. Ephesians 4:2 notes that a mature person in Christ will live in this essential way, allowing love to guide his or her actions.

Ephesians 4:1–3 Is a call to a virtuous Christian life.

This is what it means to live a life that's consistent with the calling of God. Being humble, gentle, patient, to be patient with other people. To bear with other people and love, to believe the best about other people.

What is the main message of Ephesians? The main message of Ephesians is that believers in Christ are reconciled not only to God, but to each other. They are to maintain unity of purpose within their families and church, while resisting the temptation to fall into the sin of the world surrounding them.

Ephesians invites us to consider what God has made us to be, do, and have in Christ for a display of the gospel to the world. It is worth reviewing frequently so that we do not read the press reports of our own successes and strength, but read the revelation of the accomplishment of Christ on the cross for his bride.

Ephesians 4:11 lists 5 gifts which are Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher. These 5 are unique – they are governing ministry gifts given to people who are called to ministry leadership within the global and local church.

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Paul teaches that God will gather all things together in Christ in the dispensation of the fulness of times. Ephesians 4:17–6:24 Paul encourages the Saints to apply true doctrine in their daily lives.

What does the number 4 mean in the Bible? ›

In Christianity, the four senses are literal, allegorical, tropological and anagogical. In Kabbalah the four meanings of the biblical texts are literal, allusive, allegorical, and mystical.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Chapter 4 describes both the unity of believers and the new hope which Christians have in Jesus. The passage begins with Paul's mention of his imprisonment and his focus on Christian unity (Ephesians 4:1–16). There, he appeals to Christians to live in a way which reflects the grace we've been given by God.

There are three main themes of Ephesians: (1) Christ has reconciled all creation to himself and to God; (2) Christ has united people from all nations to himself and to one another in his church; and (3) Christians must live as new people.

Ephesians highlights the significance of prayer and spiritual disciplines in our daily lives. Paul encourages believers to be persistent in prayer, seeking God's guidance, strength, and wisdom. The letter emphasizes the need for spiritual discipline.

This "one faith" is the message that we are justified by faith alone in Christ alone. It is God's act of declaring us righteous based on Christ's righteousness imputed to us. This "one faith" has always been the only way of salvation.

That's what the word diakonia means in Ephesians 4:12. So here it is not talking about “works of [generalized] service” (NIV). Rather, it is talking about “the work of bringing” God's message to people. That's the work of ministry.

One example comes from Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God has forgiven you.” In this sentence, Paul has summarized the biblical message: that we are to be kind, compassionate and forgiving.