Ephesians 4: Unity and Maturity in Christ – A Gospel Proclamation

Cultural Exegesis and Gospel Proclamation

Preparing for Gospel Presentation – New Testament

Introduction

Ephesians 4 presents a powerful vision for the Christian life, emphasizing unity, spiritual maturity, and transformation through Christ. Written by Paul while in prison, this chapter serves as a practical application of the theological foundation laid in Ephesians 1-3. Paul urges believers to live worthy of their calling by fostering unity, growing in maturity, and embracing their new identity in Christ

Exegetical Analysis of Ephesians 4

1. The Call to Unity (Ephesians 4:1-6)

Paul begins by urging believers to “walk worthy of the calling” (4:1). He lists essential qualities for unity: humility, gentleness, patience, and love (4:2). These traits create a foundation for unity among believers.

“I… urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:1-2)

Theological Significance

• One body (the Church)
• One Spirit (Holy Spirit)
• One hope (eternal life)
• One Lord (Jesus Christ)
• One faith (the gospel)
• One baptism
• One God and Father (4:4-6)

“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6)

Gospel Implication

Just as salvation is the work of the triune God, the Church’s unity reflects the character of God Himself.

2. Christ’s Gift to the Church (Ephesians 4:7-16)

Paul explains that Christ has given spiritual gifts to believers to equip the Church (4:7-12). He references Psalm 68:18, interpreting Christ’s ascension as His victory over sin and death, after which He distributes gifts to His people.

“But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (Ephesians 4:7)

Key Offices in the Church

• Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (4:11)
• Their role is to equip the saints for ministry and build up the body of Christ (4:12)

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12)

Spiritual Growth

• The goal is maturity, moving from spiritual infancy to the full stature of Christ (4:13-14).
• The Church grows by “speaking the truth in love” (4:15).

“…we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15)

Gospel Connection

Christ is the head of the Church, holding all things together (4:16). Believers grow in Him, becoming more like Christ, who unifies and strengthens His body.

“…from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:16) (Ephesians 4:7-16)

Paul explains that Christ has given spiritual gifts to believers to equip the Church (4:7-12). He references Psalm 68:18, interpreting Christ’s ascension as His victory over sin and death, after which He distributes gifts to His people.

“But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (Ephesians 4:7)

Key Offices in the Church

• Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (4:11)
• Their role is to equip the saints for ministry and build up the body of Christ (4:12)

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12)

Spiritual Growth

• The goal is maturity, moving from spiritual infancy to the full stature of Christ (4:13-14).
• The Church grows by “speaking the truth in love” (4:15).

“…we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15)

Gospel Connection

Christ is the head of the Church, holding all things together (4:16). Believers grow in Him, becoming more like Christ, who unifies and strengthens His body.

“…from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:16)

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3. The New Life in Christ (Ephesians 4:17-32)

Paul contrasts the old way of life with the new identity in Christ.

The Old Self (4:17-19)

• Darkened in understanding, alienated from God, hardened in heart.
• Given to impurity and greed.

“Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.” (Ephesians 4:17-18)

The New Self (4:20-24)

• Created in righteousness and holiness.
• Renewed in the spirit of the mind.

“…to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

Practical Transformation

• Speak truth, not falsehood (4:25).
• Resolve anger righteously (4:26-27).
• Work honestly and give generously (4:28).
• Speak words that build up (4:29).
• Avoid bitterness, malice, and slander (4:31).
• Be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving, just as Christ forgave (4:32).

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29)

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Gospel Connection

The transformation of believers reflects the work of the Holy Spirit. Forgiveness and renewal come through Christ’s redemptive work.

Conclusion

Ephesians 4 calls believers to live out the gospel by maintaining unity, growing in Christ, and embodying a new life of righteousness. This passage serves as a foundation for discipleship, encouraging the Church to reflect Christ’s love and truth in every aspect of life.

Scholarly Sources for Ephesians 4

1. Hoehner, Harold W. Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary. Baker Academic, 2002.
2. O’Brien, Peter T. The Letter to the Ephesians. Eerdmans, 1999.
3. Lincoln, Andrew T. Ephesians (Word Biblical Commentary). Zondervan, 1990.
4. Thielman, Frank. Ephesians (Baker Exegetical Commentary). Baker Academic, 2010.
5. Stott, John R.W. The Message of Ephesians. IVP Academic, 1979.