Chap 4:

Outline:

Chapter 4 is full of instructions for the believer. Paul takes time to teach believers about how they should act towards themselves, family, neighbors, and community. Going over how to communicate and about how emotions strongly affect them and the community. He urges charity and to abstain from idleness. God’s gifts to teachers of the Gospel are explained in order that their authority in these matters may be respected by all believers.

Eph 4: 1 – 6

1. Paul urges believers to live a life worthy of their calling
   • Be completely humble
   • Gentle
   • Patient
   • Bearing with one another in love
   • Make effort to keep unity of the Spirit in peace
2. Do these things as believers are called to do
3. Believers are united through
   • One Lord
   • One faith
   • One baptism
   • One God
   • One Father of all

Eph 4: 7 – 16

1. Grace has been given to each believer
   • “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people”
2. Verse 9, “He ascended” so He also descended to the lower, earthly regions.
3. Christ gave: to equip them for works of service
4. So that the body of Christ — the church — may be built up
5. Until we all reach unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God
6. And we as believers are mature & attain the whole measure and fullness of Christ
7. These are the people God gives gifts to equip other believers so Christ may be built up in the Church
   • The apostles
   • The prophets
   • The evangelists
   • The pastors
   • The teachers
8. In order that believers will no longer be babies in their faith, in order that they not be led astray by false teachings
9. By speaking truth in love the body of Christ will mature
10. Christ is the Head of the Church
11. In Christ all is joined together

Eph 4: 17 – 32

1. Be unlike the Gentiles who are unbelievers for they have blinders over their eyes and their heart is hardened because they are separated from God.
2. Because of the hardness and blindness they have lost sensitivity and give themselves up to sensuality in order to indulge in impurity and are full of greed.
3. Believers learn a new way of life & are taught about Christ & truth.
   • Put away your old self
   • Be made new in attitude and mind
   • Put on your new self, you were created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness
   • Put off your falsehood & speak truthfully
     • To your neighbor
4. Do not:
   • “In your anger do not sin”
   • Don’t let the sun set on your anger (This is very important for people in close relationships because we do not know the hour of our death, do not leave your business unfinished for regret.)
   • Do not steal, instead work
   • Doing something useful with your hands so you may have something to share with those in need.
   • Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths (Do talk about that which is helpful and may build others up)
   • Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God
5. Do:
   • Work
   • Be charitable
   • Teach and talk with respect to build others up
   • Get rid of, (there is righteous anger and a time for the proper use of anger)
     • bitterness
     • rage
     • anger
     • brawling
     • slander
     • and all forms of malice
   • Be kind & compassionate
   • Forgive each other just as Christ forgave you

1. NIV Study Bible (Red Letter Edition), (Eph 4: 1 – 32)