Digging Deeper: Helpful - We Have Response Abilities

In the second half of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he addresses the unity of the Church practically.

He begins in chapter 4 by discussing the concept of maintaining unity through diversity.

He says, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”

Paul was apparently under house arrest during this time.

He then says to “be completely humble and gentle”

And he adds, “Be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

Ancient Greek culture often viewed humility, meekness, gentleness, and self-sacrifice in negative terms, as weaknesses. But Paul taught that the love experienced in Christ is to be extended to others.

He then goes on to say, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

He says that there is…

One body

One Spirit

One Hope (just as when you were first called)

One Lord

One faith

One baptism

One God and Father of all ...who is over all and through all and in all.

Paul then goes on to talk about the diversity of spiritual gifts in contributing toward unity.

He says that Christ apportioned grace to each of us.

And he quotes from the Scriptures, Psalm 68, which says:

“When he ascended on high,

he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.”

And Paul points out that if he ascended… then he also descended to the earth

And he proclaims that he who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.

Paul then says that in order to equip his people for works of service, Christ gave…

The apostles

The prophets

The evangelists

The pastors (shepherds)

The teachers

Paul says that they were given so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God and become mature

He says that when we attain to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ, then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.

Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow to become the mature body of Christ, who is the head

And he adds that with the head leading, the rest of the body is joined and grows up in love and works together, each part in its place