Ephesians 4:4

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 4:1-6

The basis of unity 4:1-6 read more

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 4:1-9

A. Spiritual walk 4:1-6:9Paul had explained the unity of Jewish and Gentile believers in the church and had prayed for the realization of that unity in experience (Ephesians 2:11 to Ephesians 3:21). He now told how to attain a spiritual walk, namely, a life that manifests the Holy Spirit’s control."The key word in this last half of the book is walk (Ephesians 4:1; Ephesians 4:17; Ephesians 5:2; Ephesians 5:8; Ephesians 5:15), while the key idea in the first half is wealth." [Note: Wiersbe,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 4:1-16

1. Walking in unity 4:1-16The apostle began by stressing the importance of walking (or living) in unity. This is one of two classic New Testament passages on unity, the other being John 17. God will not enforce unity in answer to prayer. Believers have a responsibility to obey Him as well."Instruction, intercession and exhortation constitute a formidable trio of weapons in any Christian teacher’s armoury." [Note: Stott, p. 146.] Charity, unity, diversity, and maturity are the key concepts in... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 4:1-20

III. THE CHRISTIAN’S CONDUCT 4:1-6:20Practical application (chs. 4-6) now follows doctrinal instruction (chs. 1-3)."Now the apostle moves on from the new society to the new standards which are expected of it. So he turns from exposition to exhortation, from what God has done (in the indicative), to what we must be and do (in the imperative), from doctrine to duty, . . . from mind-stretching theology to its down-to-earth, concrete implications in everyday living." [Note: Stott, p. 146.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 4:4

Seven elements of unity follow that unite believers in the church. Believers should remember them when tempted to break unity. Again all three members of the Trinity are in view and play a part in this process."Paul now gives the basis [for unity] by explaining in more detail how elements of the Christian faith revolve around the three persons of the Trinity. Unity is stressed by the sevenfold use of ’one’ (eis, mia, en)." [Note: Hoehner, Ephesians, p. 513.] The one body is the church, the... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Ephesians 4:4

4:4 body (d-4) It may be translated '[the] body is one,' and so on. If we could leave out 'there is' or 'is', the force would be so much the greater. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:1-32

Unity of the New Life. Rules for the New LifeThe Apostle passes, as usual, from doctrinal statements to practical exhortations; but doctrine is here and there introduced to support exhortation.1-6. ’Live in humility, in loving forbearance, and in unity, for we have one Body, one Head, and one Heavenly Father.’1. Prisoner] This looks back to Ephesians 3:1. ’He can no longer superintend them: they must walk alone. He lost his liberty in their service: they will do what he asks.’2. To a Greek,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 4:1-6

(1) Ephesians 4:1-6, although cast in a hortatory form contain the final summary of the great doctrine of the Epistle—the UNITY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH—in words which have all the glowing freedom of spiritual enthusiasm, and all the clear-cut precision of a creed.Thus (a) the ground of that unity is laid in that spiritual communion of each soul with the “one Spirit,” the “one Lord,” and the “one God and Father of all,” which underlies all outward ordinance, and which no power of man can either... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 4:4

(4) There is one body, and one Spirit.—The words “There is” are not in the original, which starts with a striking abruption, and with that terse concentration of thought and word which marks out an embryo creed.The “one body” is the Body of Christ, “from whom it is fitly framed, joined together, and compacted,” so that in every part “it grows up into Him.” But this communion with God in Christ being “the life eternal,” the Holy Ghost, by making it effectual alike to the Church and to the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ephesians 4:1-32

Ephesians 4:0 In the Memorials of Dr. McLeod Campbell (vol. I. p. 127), he observes, apropos of Edward living's dying conversations, 'I was finding no trace of the subject of the Church in anything she ( i.e. Mrs. Irving) was mentioning, until she said that in the course of that same last day he had asked her to read to him "the testament of the Lord to his Church the neglected testament"; when she read to him the fourth of Ephesians'. The Heavenly Calling Ephesians 4:1 When St. Paul bids us... read more

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