Ephesians 4:1-10

Chapter 4

Ephesians 4:1

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

Prisoner– desmios– bound, captive, prisoner 

Paul identifies himself as a prisoner of Jesus. Not in a negative force, but one that pledges allegiance to Jesus and surrenders all. This leads to Paul wanting those in Ephesus to also live a life that is worthy of being called by Jesus. Being called means that there is a new way to live, and Paul encourages them to live in this new way.  

Ephesians 4:2

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Paul now gives examples of how to live this life for Christ. Being humble, patient, and bearing with one another through love is they are to live. The idea behind bearing with one another is the concept of holding up or enduring with and for each other. The idea is that we think low of ourselves so that we are to live in harmony with one another. If we think highly of ourselves, we get in our own way of living a worthy life for Christ. 

Ephesians 4:3

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 

“Keep”- tēreō- to attend, guard, take care of

Paul wants them to be actively making sure they are unified on every front. The spirit brings them together and the peace the spirit gives holds them together as ligaments do in our bodies. When the peace is fractured, division starts to take over so Paul wants them to be active in making sure everyone is unified and stays unified. In the next lines, he will address the areas in which we are unified, many can be associated with doctrinal issues, perhaps many of which were being debated at that time. These areas also emphasize the oneness of God and his plan of salvation. 

Ephesians 4:4-6

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 

Paul now explains where this unity comes from and the beliefs on which it is founded upon. There is one Spirit (being the Holy Spirit), and one hope, that is the hope of the resurrection, one Lord Jesus, one faith in which we believe in the one Jesus Christ, and one baptism. This baptism has been debated over which it refers, but it seems here that it is connected with water baptism in connection with the name of Jesus. There is only one baptism accepted into the name of Jesus such as in Acts 2. There is also one God. Not many gods, as the Ephesians would have been surrounded by the idea of polytheism, but one true God who created all and lives through everyone. 

Ephesians 4:7

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

Now that Paul established our unity with each other, he then describes the individuality of Christ’s grace. Each one of us received grace according to the portion Jesus gave it. An indication might be made here that different amounts of grace could be given to each person. How are we to measure such a thing? I don’t think we can, but Paul states that each of us received the grace we needed, whether in larger or smaller amounts only God knows but each one received the right amount as Jesus set. 

Ephesians 4:8 

This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” 

Paul now quotes from Psalm 68 as evidence for his last statement about Christ giving gifts. Although Paul was referring to grace being given in light of his unity argument, he is now going to move on to the broader concept of gifts given to individuals of the church body. When Jesus ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit was given to all as evidence of his grace. Along with that, came different gifts that were given to each one as well. Paul does not quote this psalm exactly as it was written. The Psalm says, 

“When you ascended on high, you took many captives, you received gifts from people,” Psalm 68:18 

So, Paul takes this phrase about God receiving gifts on his holy mountain and now relates to the current situation of the Son of God and his people currently, that Jesus gives gifts to his people instead of us giving to Him. Jesus gave his life, and now he gives gifts to his people. A reversal but a fulfillment of the ultimate meaning of this psalm as Paul sees it. 

Ephesians 4:9-10 

(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 

Although embedded as an insertion by use of parentheses in some English translations, this passage is original to the letter and is used to further explain the Psalm Paul loosely quotes. Paul takes the phrase “he ascended” and applies it prophetically to when Jesus ascended into heaven and by metaphor when he was exalted on the cross. Paul claims that to have ascended into heaven means that Jesus had to descend into the depths of the earth, in other words, die. Jesus did this when he died on the cross and was buried. Three days later, he conquered death by rising from the grave. After this, he ascended into heaven, taking his place on his throne in heaven. 

fill the whole universe- pleroo ho pas– fill all things

This word “fill” has many connotations to it as it can mean to “complete”, “to render” or “to fulfill”. All of which suggest Jesus, who is now ascended, is in heaven to bring all things into their fulfillment and the plan of salvation on his part is complete. He is now on his throne, as the slain lamb who gained victory, awaiting the final days where death and destruction are defeated forever and all things will be complete.