Introduction

Chapter four begins a new section of the book of Ephesians. This change of thought is indicated by the word “then” in verse one. Paul moves from a doctrinal theme to a section dealing with the application of Christian doctrine in every-day life. That is, Paul moves from discussing the indicatives of the Christian faith (what God has done for us) to the imperatives of the Christian faith (what we do in response to the grace of God). This structure is typical of Paul’s style as a comparison with Romans 12:1 and Colossians 3:5 will evidence.

The main theme of this chapter is set forth in the first verse with the command to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” In other words, Paul makes the point that the grace of God produces fundamental changes in our lives, changes that reflect the truth and saving power of the gospel. Thus, when God saves a person, that person begins to change and grow and commences a journey to maturity in Christ that involves both the work of the Holy Spirit and the cooperation of the believer. Note the way he expresses this thought in verse thirteen where he speaks of becoming a “mature” believer and in verse fifteen where he declares that we are to “grow up into Him.”

As we carefully examine the contents of this section of Ephesians we will find marks or indicators of Christian maturity. These represent the specific changes God initiates in our lives as we grow in Christ. These indicators become, then, our aiming points or areas of focus to which we must give diligent attention.

Indicator One: Mature Christians are Characterized by Their Pursuit of Unity (4:2-6)

Verse three introduces the theme of unity where Paul speaks of “the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” This experience of Christian unity is founded upon the general posture that a believer is to assume before God and his fellow-believers. Note Paul’s initial exhortation in verse 2—“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” The four central components of this sentence—humility, gentleness, patience, and love—are each essential to unity among brothers and sisters in Christ. It is important to remember that unity and uniformity are not the same in meaning. Unity is oneness based upon a common commitment to a common faith. This becomes clear when we examine Paul’s words in verses four through six.

Verse Four: “One body” indicates that there is one true church which consists of all those whom God has saved by grace through faith in Christ. “One Spirit” refers to the Spirit of God who empowers the preaching of the Word and draws the sinner to Christ for salvation. “One hope” speaks of the confidence that all Christians share concerning the future.

Verse Five: “One Lord” indicates that there is one Head and Savior of the church, the Lord Jesus Christ. “One faith” is a direct reference to the doctrine of the Apostles upon which the church stands; particularly that salvation is through Christ alone. “One baptism” points to the sign or symbol of our salvation, and the mark of identification for all Christians. In this context “baptism” likely implies both water baptism and Spirit baptism (see Bruce, 336-37).

Verse Six: The phrase “one God and Father” declares the sovereignty of God over all things and serves to apply special emphasis upon His work as Creator of the universe.

It is clear from this passage that true Christian unity relates to the apprehension of and commitment to the major doctrines of the faith. Thus, authentic unity is based upon a common set of beliefs about the essentials of Christianity. Paul’s hope and prayer, then, is that God’s people will come to continually experience the “unity in the faith” as they go about living for their Lord (see 4:13).

At this point it is important to note that unity is not to be built upon any other foundation. Many contemporary Christians have sought to create unity based upon ethics, political positions, “family values,” emotionalism, or experience. Yet, as we have discovered, none of these can provide an adequate basis for Christian unity.

In the light of these verses we can confidently declare that Christian maturity is characterized by a desire for unity among brothers and sisters in Christ. Additionally, it is obvious that such unity pleases the Lord and brings glory to His name.

Indicator Two: Mature Believers are Characterized by a Desire to Serve (4:7-13)

Verse seven sets forth the fact that Christ Himself has “graced” all believers with both the privilege and equipment for service to His Church. Note that “each one” within the covenant community has received a special dispensation of “grace” directly from the wellspring of Christ’s incomprehensible love (3:18-19). The gifts of the Spirit are in view here and it is no small thing that they are attributed to the will of Christ—“as Christ apportioned it.” This passage should be carefully compared to 1 Corinthians 12:11 where Paul makes a similar claim for the Holy Spirit’s intention in distributing the various gifts. We can see, then, that every member of Christ’s body has been endowed with the necessary gifts for ministry, service, and witness. There are no passive spectators in the Lord’s church!

Verses eight through ten reveal Christ’s sovereign authority and power to grant gifts to His bride. Quoting from Psalm 68:18, Paul maintains that the One who took on human flesh—“descended to the lower, earthly regions”—is the very One who “ascended on high” to the right hand of the Father having provided deliverance and salvation to His people—“he led captives in his train.”

In verse eleven Paul focuses upon the gifts of the Holy Spirit that are given to believers in order to serve the body of Christ. In this verse five representative gifts/offices are listed as examples of how Christ has equipped His people for service:

“apostles”—This represents the office of apostle—one sent forth directly from Christ to be His representative. While this office was not “perpetuated beyond the apostolic age,” the various functions that the apostles engaged in “did not lapse with their departure, but continued to be performed by others—notably by the evangelists and the pastors and teachers listed here” (Bruce, 347).

“prophets”—This refers to those who were gifted to literally speak for God. They had the divine authority to declare “Thus says the Lord.” The same thing may be said for this office as for apostles. While there are no “prophets” in the technical sense today, there are those who are gifted to proclaim what God has revealed in the pages of Holy Scripture.

“evangelists”—This seems to refer to a gift that is practiced outside the church community among those who have never heard of Christ. John Stott suggests that this gift enables one to effectively preach the gospel to unbelievers so that they will “take the plunge of commitment to Christ” (163). Bruce notes that Christ distributes this gift “so that the church might grow in succeeding generations by the adhesion of new believers” (347).

“pastors”—This refers to the gift given to those who are responsible for the shepherding and spiritual welfare of the body. The term translated “pastor” appears to be synonymous with other New Testament words for this office, namely “elders” and “bishops.”

“teachers”—The gift of teaching is closely connected to the office of pastor, especially in light of the requirements for pastors and elders spelled out in the New Testament (1 Tim. 3:2). Through this gift, Christ imparts the truth of Scripture to members of His body in order that they might attain maturity through its application and practice.

The purpose for the gifts of the Spirit is presented in verse twelve where Paul declares that the leaders of the church are to “prepare God’s people for works of service.”

The word “prepare” was originally a medical term employed by doctors to describe the setting of a broken bone. Here it means to put in order, to restore, or to make complete. Thus, pastors and other church leaders are to see that the members of Christ’s body are thoroughly supplied with all they need in order to carry out the work of the Lord.

“Works of service” refers to all types of ministry patterned after the example of our Lord. Note the fact that all “God’s people” are to be involved in ministry and “service” (diakonia).

The result of the saints’ service and the faithful employment of their gifts is that the “the body of Christ” will be thoroughly “built up” (v.12) That is, Christ’s church is brought to a greater degree of spiritual growth, health, and maturity as Christians use their gifts in His service. The standard of measurement for each believer’s maturity is nothing less than the “whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (v.13). Thus, “the glorified Christ provides the standard at which his people are to aim” as they are, on a day-by-day basis, conformed to His image (Bruce, 350).

Indicator Three: Mature Christians are Characterized by Doctrinal Stability (4:14)

In verse fourteen Paul describes the mature believer as one who is not “tossed back and forth by waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching.” In other words, they have their feet firmly on the ground in regard to the teachings of Christ and the essentials of the Christian faith. Such a posture is in direct contrast to “infants” who are quickly and easily led astray to false and destructive heresies.

Verse fourteen also provides a graphic description of the spiritually immature believer who has no roots and is easily blown around by anything new and exciting. Note the following:

They are “tossed back and forth.” That is, they are out of control and are under the influence of external forces, namely, the “waves” of false doctrine and heresy that are often slickly packaged and intellectually seductive.

They are “blown here and there” by the shifting winds of faddish and false beliefs much like a sick man is carried on a stretcher.

They are vulnerable to “cunning,” “craftiness,” and “deceitful scheming” since they do not have a baseline or foundation of truth by which to adjudicate between competing truth-claims.

Rather than being blown around by each new wind, the wise believer will anchor himself to the Word of God. For further study on this point note the following passages which speak of the importance of sound doctrine: 1 Tim. 1:10; 4:1,6,13; 2 Tim. 4:3,13; Titus 1:9; 2:10.

Indicator Four: Mature Believers Speak Truthfully in the Atmosphere of Christian Love (4:15)

One of Paul’s more famous statements is found in verse fifteen where he says that Christians are to be “speaking the truth in love” as they conduct their lives to the glory of God.

There are at least two aspects or dimensions of this exhortation. First, Christians are to declare the truth of God in the spirit of self-giving love. Secondly, believers are to consistently speak truthfully as motivated by Christ-like love.

The first aspect of this command relates to the way in which we make known the truths of the Christian faith. Paul is saying here that we should hold them in a spirit of humility, patience, and love. In declaring and defending the doctrines of the church, love is essential. Without love our doctrines become cold and lifeless, and we loose the right to be heard. When we resort to unloving attitudes or behaviors we damage the witness of the church and harden the hearts of others to the Gospel.

The second aspect of this command relates to the way we speak in everyday life. There are two conditions set forth here for all Christian speech. First, it must be true. Secondly, it must be communicated in the spirit or atmosphere of Christ-like “love.” If both conditions are not present, the words spoken are not pleasing to God.

It is in this specific way, the use of the tongue, that the believer demonstrates the Lordship of Christ. For further study note James 3:1-12.

Questions for Discussion and Application

One: What are some ways Christians can aid their growth in maturity? Can you list any Scripture passages that support these?

Two: In the light of Ephesians 4:11-13 what would you say is the main task of pastoral leaders in the church?

Three: If unity is based upon doctrine, what then are the essential doctrines of the faith that we are to stand upon?

Four: What is the biblical term for Christian growth? Can you list passages where this word is used in either its verb or noun form?