Ephesians 4
Lutheran reading notes
In Ephesians chapter 4, the message of the gospel develops the theme of unity of the Church as the body of Christ. Lutheran interpretation frequently emphasizes the proclamation of Christ, the distinction between law and gospel, and the promise of justification through faith.
1
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, {of the Lord: or, in the Lord}
Ephesians 4:1 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Ephesians 4:2 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4
{There is} one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Ephesians 4:4 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Ephesians 4:5 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
One God and Father of all, who {is} above all, and through all, and in you all.
Ephesians 4:6 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Ephesians 4:7 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. {captivity...: or, a multitude of captives}
Ephesians 4:8 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
Ephesians 4:9 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) {fill: or, fulfil}
Ephesians 4:10 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Ephesians 4:11 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Ephesians 4:12 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: {in: or, into} {stature: or, age}
Ephesians 4:13 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
That we {henceforth} be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, {and} cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Ephesians 4:14 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, {even} Christ: {speaking...: or, being sincere}
Ephesians 4:15 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Ephesians 4:16 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Ephesians 4:17 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: {blindness: or, hardness}
Ephesians 4:18 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19
Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Ephesians 4:19 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20
But ye have not so learned Christ;
Ephesians 4:20 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
21
If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
Ephesians 4:21 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
22
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Ephesians 4:22 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
23
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Ephesians 4:23 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
24
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. {true...: or, holiness of truth}
Ephesians 4:24 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
25
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Ephesians 4:25 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
26
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Ephesians 4:26 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
27
Neither give place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:27 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
28
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with {his} hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. {to give: or, to distribute}
Ephesians 4:28 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
29
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. {to...: or, to edify profitably}
Ephesians 4:29 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:30 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
31
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Ephesians 4:31 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.