Highlighted Text: : Ephesians 4:1-16

Background to the Letter and Passage: Paul’s letter to the Ephesians was probably intended for wider distribution and use among the various churches around Ephesus. As such, there is no particular crisis or issue being dealt with; rather, Ephesians is a general letter to the church about the church. The letter’s two-part structure reflects its double focus. Section 1/chapters 1-3 expound on what God has done in Jesus to create the church; in grammatical terms, this is “the indicative,” where the focus is on Christian doctrine. Section 2/chapters 4-6 then look at what the church by the power of the Holy Spirit is called to be and do in response to the gospel; this is “the imperative,” where the focus is on Christian living.

Ephesians 4:1-16 is the bridge passage between the two sections. “Then” (v. 1, some translations: “therefore”) clearly links to what has gone before and grounds the instructions that now follow in the earlier section. The opening call “to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (v. 1) is the general and overarching command which chapters 4-6 now unpack and flesh out.

Unity in the Church: The passage can be broken down into three parts. First, vv. 1-6 are about the unity of the church. Paul earlier expounded on what God did through Jesus Christ to create and build God’s new society—the one new humanity of Jews and Gentiles reconciled to God and to one another that is the church in whom God’s Spirit dwells (2:11-22); thus believers are now called to live out their new reality and identity by displaying the fruit of the Spirit (vv. 2-3, “humble and gentle … patient … love … peace,” cf. Galatians 5:22-23) in their relationships and interactions with one another. Unity with other Christians—both locally and universally—is further emphasized with seven “ones” in vv. 4-6: the first three “ones” in v. 4 revisit some of the major themes of the previous chapters—“one body” (cf. 2:14-17), “one Spirit” (cf. 1:13-14; 2:18-22), “one hope” (cf. 1:11-14, 18); the second three “ones” in v. 5 relate to Christians’ faith in the Lord Jesus enacted and confessed in baptism; the final “one” in v. 6 affirms God’s sovereignty over all.

Diversity in the Church: Second, vv. 7-11 are about the diversity of the church. Jesus the risen Lord has given every disciple “grace” or a gift of some sort (v. 7). In v. 8, Paul quotes Psalm 68:18 which speaks of Yahweh’s triumphant ascent of Mount Zion after rescuing his people, and having received gifts from his foes distributes those gifts to his people. In vv. 9-10, Paul applies the “ascended/descended/ascended” language and imagery to Jesus’ incarnation and exaltation (cf. Philippians 2:5-11) and the idea that the victorious Jesus who has conquered his foes through his death and resurrection now gives gifts to his people, the church. Paul then returns in v. 11 to describe the “grace” mentioned in v. 7 as various gifts: whereas elsewhere the New Testament lists spiritual gifts as particular skills and abilities (e.g. Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 1 Peter 4:10-11), here it is the people themselves in their roles or callings of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers who are Jesus’ gifts to his church.

Leaders/Functions in the Church: It should be noted that these are not formal titles or offices for in general the New Testament emphasizes roles, functions, and gifts. So while “apostles” in a limited sense applies to Jesus’ disciples who were eyewitnesses of his life, death, and resurrection, the term is also applied to others outside that circle (see e.g. Acts 14:4, 14; Romans 16:7; 1 Corinthians 15:7; Galatians 1:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2:6); in the broadest meaning of the word, “apostles” are those sent to advance and extend the gospel into new places and territories.

“Prophets” hear from God and convey his word to others. “Evangelists” share the good news and win people to the Lord. “Pastors” lead and care for those within the Christian community. And “teachers” help God’s people understand and apply God’s word to their lives. Here preachers may draw on other biblical principles related to gifts-based living, e.g. to think neither too highly or lowly of ourselves and our gifts, to recognize the different gifts and contributions different people make, etc. (again see e.g. Romans 12:3-5; 1 Corinthians 12:14-27).

Maturing the Body: This leads into the third part of the passage, vv. 12-16, which are about the maturity of the church. Jesus gives these gifts “to equip” his people (v. 12). The word (Greek katartismos) means to make something whole so it can function properly—like setting a broken bone; it can also mean being rightly prepared and equipped.

Thus Jesus gives these gifts to his people so that together they might truly be his body in the world—showing his presence and joining in his work—for he himself is the ultimate and perfect apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher. As each person contributes their gifts, the church is strengthened and built up, helping the church mature and grow in serving others (v. 12), in knowing Jesus better (vv. 13-14), and in becoming more and more like Jesus (vv. 13, 15-16).

To summarize, the three parts of the passage fit and flow together: our unity in Christ is enriched by the diversity of gifts Jesus has given each person in his church, and as we all contribute our gifts and do our part, it leads to our maturity in Christ both individually and together as his church. In this, Jesus is glorified and made known to the world.

Gabe Fung serves as lead pastor of Spectrum Church Irvine [spectrumchurchirvine.org] in Irvine, Calif.

Gabe was born in England and grew up in Hong Kong. He previously served as a missionary in Australia with Youth With A Mission, and as a pastor with churches in Westminster and Irvine, Calif. He has a BA from Seattle Pacific University, and MDiv and DMin degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary. His central focus in ministry is helping people trust and follow Jesus in all of life and equipping them to help others do the same. Gabe is married to Maribeth and they have two children, Matthew and Amy.

Call to Worship

Adapted from Psalm 133:1, 3b

Leader: “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters dwell together in unity…” “for there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.” Let us worship the Lord in one body and one voice. 

Submitted by Gabe Fung (ESV, altered for inclusivity)

Prayer of Confession

Inspired by Exodus 16:2-4; 9-5

Heavenly Father, let it not be said that we are disunified as a people. We are unified by our grumbling. We grumble against you for what you have done or left undone, according to our misplaced communal judgement. We rail against your provisions as being too little and too late. We cry out in protest when we experience a drought of that which we desire and want. It is our tendency to put the blame squarely on your shoulders. Although you lead us out of harm, protect us from the evil that would assail us, and give us all that we could ever need, we grumble that it is not enough. We are blinded to your goodness by our collective complaints. Forgive us, we pray, for not trusting you and for not thanking you as a truly unified people ought. Do not hold our unified grumbling against us. Cleanse us from breaking unity with you, we pray. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Adapted form Psalm 51:1-12

Hear the Good News of God’s Forgiveness of His Grumbling and Wayward People: He hides his face from our sins. He blots out all our iniquities. God creates in us a clean heart and a new spirit. He does not cast away from his presence or take his Holy Spirit from us. He restores to us the joy of our salvation and upholds us with a willing spirit. In Christ, who took upon himself the grumbling, griping, grabbing, and grappling sins of his people, we are forgiven. Amen.

Benediction 

Colossians 3:16-17

You are God’s people unified in the body, blood, and breath of Christ Jesus. Therefore as you go out into the world, “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs., with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Amen.