ephesians-4:15

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 4:7-16

The preservation of unity 4:7-16Having described the basis of Christian unity Paul next explained the means by which Christians can preserve it, namely, with the gifts that the Spirit gives. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 4:15

Another result is that believers can maintain truth in love in both speech and conduct. Paul contrasted the deception of heresy with the integrity of the gospel."This fundamental concern for the truth is the secret of maturity in the church." [Note: Wood, p. 59.] The church that stresses both the truth and love will produce spiritually mature, Christ-like believers.Loving, effective confrontation involves speaking the truth in love. The truth may be as medicine to the person who needs it, but... 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 4:15

(15) But speaking the truth in love.—It has been doubted whether the words “in love” should not be connected with “may grow up,” &c., exactly as in Ephesians 4:16, “maketh increase of the body . . . in love.” But both order and sense seem to point to the connection given in our version. The correct rendering is, being true in love; including in this the “being true” to others, by speaking truly and acting honestly towards them (as in Galatians 4:16), but including also the “being true”... 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

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ephesians 4:13-16

Chapter 18THE GROWTH OF THE CHURCHEphesians 4:13-16We must spend a few moments in unravelling this knotty paragraph and determining the relation of its involved clauses to each other, before we can expound it. This passage is enough to prove St. Paul’s hand in the letter. No writer of equal power was ever so little of a literary craftsman. His epistles read, as M. Renan says, like "a rapid conversation stenographed." Sometimes, as in several places in Colossians 2:1-23, his ideas are shot out... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Ephesians 4:7-16

2. The Ministry and Its Purpose CHAPTER 4:7-16 1. Ministry according to the measure of the gift of Christ (Ephesians 4:7-10 ) 2. The needed and permanent gifts (Ephesians 4:11 ) 3. The purpose and the goad (Ephesians 4:12-16 ) Each member in the body of Christ has a specific place for a specific work. See Romans 12:4-5 and 1 Corinthians 12:4-5 . And the bestowal of gifts for service in the body is in His hands. He ascended upon high and triumphed over all enemies. He led captivity captive... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Ephesians 4:15

4:15 {11} But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ:(11) By earnest affection of the truth and love, we grow up into Christ: for he (being effectual by the ministry of his word, which as the vital Spirit makes alive the whole body in such a way that it nourishes all the limbs of it according to the measure and proportion of each one) quickens and cherishes his Church, which consists of various functions, as of various members, and... read more

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

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

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 4:7-16

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 4:15

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

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 4:15

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

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ephesians 4:13-16

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Ephesians 4:7-16

Geneva Study Bible - Ephesians 4:15

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