August 23, 20266
Ephesians 4:1-16
“Becoming a Church United in Love”
Overview: Biblical unity is not uniformity. God has uniquely gifted every believer while joining them together into one body. As the church grows in humility, truth, love, and mutual service, it reflects the character of Christ to the world. Healthy unity becomes one of the strongest testimonies to the transforming power of the gospel.
Memory Verse for the Week:
Ephesians 4:3 “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Background & Miscellaneous Insights:
- The word “worthy” (axios) means “equal weight”; one’s calling and conduct should be in balance. “The calling” refers not only to believers’ salvation (cf. Rom. 1:5-6; 1 Cor. 1:9) but also to their union in one body. Therefore, a Christian’s conduct concerns both his personal life and his responsibility to other believers in the church. (Harold W. Hoehner, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, 632)
- (vv. 1-2) Although gentleness was a recognized virtue, most Greek writers viewed “meekness” in the sense of “humility” negatively, unless it was the socially appropriate self-abasement of a social inferior to a superior. (Craig S. Keener, IVP Bible Background Commentary, 283)
- In verses 9-10, which function like a parenthesis, Paul speaks of Christ’s descent and ascent. Paul sees the incarnation (descent) and ascension of Christ as evidence that Christ is Savior and King. Therefore, Christ is our ascended Lord. He came all the way down (Phil 2:5-8) and has now gone all the way up (Phil 2:9-11). Christ is above all. Christ fills all. Christ gives gifts to all. (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians, 101)
- Paul is simply borrowing the imagery of Psalm 68 and applying it to Christ’s incarnation and ascension. The fact that he “ascended” implies that he “descended” in the incarnation to the “lower regions,” which is another way of indicating the humiliation of coming to earth (cf. John 3:13). (R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word: Ephesians, 155)
- (v. 11) “Apostles” were literally commissioned messengers carrying out their sender’s mission; as such, they were backed by the sender’s authority to the extent that they accurately represented that commission; in the New Testament, the term applies to commissioned agents of Christ authorized in a special way (more authoritatively than others) to declare and propagate his will. (Keener, 284)
Big Idea:
A healthy church is a united church, where members use the diversity of their gifts to advance the one kingdom to which they belong.
(John 17:20–23; 1 Cor. 12:4–7; 12:12–27; Eph. 2:19–22; Phil. 1:27; 1 Pet. 4:10–11)
What does God’s Word teach about unity in the church?
- Unity requires a certain kind of people.
(vv. 1-3 cf. Matt. 5:9; John 13:34–35; Rom. 12:10, 16; Phil. 2:1–5; Col. 3:12–15)
Like humility, gentleness is a vital step toward unity because it softens our sharp edges and keeps us from scraping, cutting, and bruising those who get close to us. (Charles R. Swindoll, Swindoll’s Living Insights: Galatians & Ephesians, 277)
Our Lord has many weak children in his family, many dull pupils in his school, many raw soldiers in his army, many lame sheep in his flock. Yet he bears with them all, and casts none away. (J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on John, 203)
- Unity rests on what God has already made true.
(vv. 4-6 cf. John 17:20–23; Rom. 6:3–5; 1 Cor. 12:12–13; Gal. 3:26–28; Eph. 2:13–18)
Believers are never told to become one; we already are one and are expected to act like it. (Joni Eareckson Tada, “Spontaneous Compassion,” Tabletalk, November 2008, 68)
The unity of the church is as indestructible as the unity of God himself. (John R. W. Stott, God’s New Society, 151)
- Unity makes room for diversity.
(vv. 7-12 cf. Rom. 12:4–8; 1 Cor. 7:7; 1 Cor. 12:12–20; 1 Pet. 4:10–11)
Harmony is not monotony. Instead, the perfect picture of the church is diversity in unity—each person working in his or her unique capacity toward a common goal. (Charles R. Swindoll, Swindoll’s Living Insights: Galatians & Ephesians, 284)
Unity is not uniformity. Unity comes from within and is a spiritual grace, while uniformity is the result of pressure from without. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Rich: Ephesians, 89)
- Unity grows as the body grows toward maturity.
(vv. 13-16 cf. Prov. 27:17; John 15:4–5; Rom. 15:1–7; 1 Cor. 14:26; Phil. 1:9–11)
Spiritual maturity is not reached by the passing of the years, but by obedience to the will of God. (Oswald Chambers, Bringing Sons into Glory and Making All Things New, 56)
Truth becomes hard if it is not softened by love; love becomes soft if it is not strengthened by truth. (John Stott, God’s New Society: The Message of Ephesians, 172)
What must we do to become a church united in love?
- Guard the unity Christ has given us.
(John 17:20–23; Rom. 14:19; Rom. 15:5–7; 1 Cor. 1:10; Phil. 2:1–4; Col. 3:13–15)
Christians are not to make unity but to keep or guard what God made. (Harold W. Hoehner, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: NT, 633)
Unity can come only through the Spirit; it will remain only if we are diligent to maintain it. Unity is like a fire—it tends to die out if unattended. (Bruce Barton, Life Application Bible Commentary: Ephesians)
Unity is active, not passive… Notice we do not work to create unity but to keep unity! ( Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians, 99)
- Find our place and do our part.
(Rom. 12:4–8; 1 Cor. 12:7, 14–27; Eph. 2:10; Col. 3:23–24; 1 Pet. 4:10–11; Heb. 6:10)
We have to stop viewing church leaders as people who minister to us… It was not to coddle you but to equip you. Think personal trainer, not massage therapist. (Francis Chan, Letters to the Church, 90)
- Make Christ’s mission our common priority.
(Matt. 6:33; 28:18–20; Luke 9:23–24; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 9:19–23; 2 Cor. 5:14–20; Phil. 1:27)
Christianity is not ‘every man for himself;’ it’s every man together for Christ. (Wayne Mack, To Be or Not To Be a Church Member, 58)
The greater [a person] appears to be; the more humble he ought to be, and the more ready to seek the common good in preference to his own. (Clement, Clement’s First Letter, 48:6–49:1)
Gospel Connection:
The gospel doesn’t simply reconcile us to God; it joins us together as one body under the lordship of Christ.
(Isa. 53:5–6; John 10:14–16; John 11:51–52; Rom. 5:8–11; 2 Cor. 5:17–21; Gal. 3:26–28)
There is no true fellowship without Christ’s Spirit in us and between us. (Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Acts, 75)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions during your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with your friends, family, or Life Group.
- When you hear the word “unity,” what do you think a united church actually looks like?
- Read Ephesians 4:1–3. Why do you think Paul begins his discussion of unity with humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another? Which of these is most challenging for you?
- Read Ephesians 4:4–6. What are some things Christians can disagree about while still remaining deeply united? What are the things that must remain central to our unity?
- What is the difference between unity and uniformity? Why might a church actually be healthier when it contains people who are different from one another?
- Read Ephesians 4:7–12. What do these verses teach us about the role of pastors and other church leaders? What do they teach us about the role of everyone else?
- What gifts, abilities, experiences, or passions has God given you that could be used to build up others? Are there any that you may currently be underusing?
- Read Ephesians 4:14–15. Why do you think both truth and love are necessary for Christian maturity? What happens when we emphasize one without the other?
- What are some things that can distract a local church from making Christ’s mission its common priority? How can we keep smaller concerns from becoming bigger than our shared mission?