Such an opinion has advocates in Theophylact, Calovius, Bengel, Rückert, Meier, Harless, Stier, and Winzer, who take the genitive as that of object. Mar 27, 1994. Be patient with others, because God has been very patient with you. First of all, a number of translations I checked give similar reading indicating that it is the Holy Spirit. Still this must not be too strictly pressed: the digression is all in the course of the argument, and μηκέτι here is not without reference to μηκέτι in Ephesians 4:14. Ecumenism has never worked. Paul knew that unity in the body of Christ can be threatened from without and destroyed from within. Through the Holy Spirit, God has revealed all the essential elements of unity. The church already exists spiritually as one. We are in a section of Ephesians where Paul is calling us to walk in Unity. How can we best please God and obey him? Ephesians 5:3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; (NASB: Lockman). , which conveys the idea of exertion, is better rendered “giving diligence” (RV) or “earnestly striving” (Alf. Paul knew that unity in the body of Christ can be threatened from without and destroyed from within. ᾿εν does not denote that the unity of the Spirit springs from “the bond of peace,” as if unity were the product of peace, or simply consisted of peace, but that the unity is preserved and manifested in the bond of peace as its element. 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 3:2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3:3 that by revelation the divine secret was made known to me, as I wrote before briefly. Just what does "unity of the Spirit" mean? That divine authority was bequeathed to Christ at the time of his ascension (cf. Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ. Endeavouring. The apostle has in view what he afterwards advances about different functions and offices in the church in Ephesians 4:7; Ephesians 4:11. Ephesians 4:17-32 contains instructions about walking in purity. Innumerable offenses arise daily, which might produce quarrels, particularly when we consider the extreme bitterness of man’s natural temper. Biblical Commentary (Bible study) Ephesians 4:25 – 5:2. Tag Archives: Ephesians 4:1-3 commentary Ephesians 4:1-3 What does it mean to walk worthy of our calling and gifts? 1 I therefore the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that yee walke worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowlinesse and meekenesse, with long suffering, forbearing one another in loue. This is a unity that comes from the Holy Spirit. Commentators, even of the rank of Calvin, have interpreted the here as the human spirit, the Christian spirit of concord; while others (De Wette, etc.) Ephesians 4:1-3. The guiding principle is given in the opening words of the section, where the author urges the audience “to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called…bearing with one another … Continue reading "Commentary on Ephesians 4:25-5:2" When the number one priority in our lives is "peace with God" and scriptural peace with others, then unity will prevail. Every member of the church is under this obligation, for unity does not just happen by accident, and congregations that stay united are not merely lucky. 3.Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit. Ephesians 4:3, ESV: "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 3:7-13 Mystery of God’s Grace. “The unity of the Spirit”: “The unity given by the Spirit” (TCNT). “Endeavoring” is the word diligent. Ephesians 4:3 Context. Biblical Commentary (Bible study) Ephesians 4:1-16 EXEGESIS: THE CONTEXT: In chapters 1-3, Paul outlined the blessings associated with being a child of God. ), or the ethical relation (Mey.) The business people soldmodels of Diana’s *temple there. Ephesians 4:3 Context. The *apostle Paul wrote this letter when he wasin a prison in Rome. It was the capital of the *Roman region calledAsia. Acts 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 1:29 and 2 Peter 1:1 teach that God gives us the faith. Grant's Verse-by-Verse Logos Bible Software. Paul then quotes from Psalm 68:18 (Ephesians 4:8) as the basis for his next teaching. EPHESIANS 4:1-3. The duty of husbands is to love their wives. obj., = “the bond by which peace is kept,” to wit, love (Beng., etc.). Ephesians 3:14-21 Prayer For God’s Power And Love. Blessed be the God - See the note on 2 Corinthians 1:3, where the same form is used. Ephesians 4:3, KJV: "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Captivity Epistles (Eerdman's Socio-rhetorical Series of Commentaries on the New Testament) by Ben Witherington III. Unity is not uniformity. The underlying thought of Christian unity is carried out in the next section. It may be viewed in two lights: as outwardly manifested and as inwardly wrought. 3:14). is the very girdle and tie which binds the bundle. Scripture: Ephesians 4:31–5:2. Further description of the mutual forbearance in respect of the inward effort required, but introducing also the larger, fundamental idea of unity. However, the church should be made up of rich and poor, Jew and Gentile, men and women—red and yellow, black and white. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. 3. But the of the following verse, the general NT doctrine of the Spirit of God as operating in the believer and in the Church (cf.Ephesians 2:22), and the analogy of such passages as 1 Corinthians 12:13, point clearly to the Holy Spirit.— : in the bond of peace. Paul calls upon us to be balanced in our approach, effectively saying, "Never stop studying." Anyone who wants to be a Christian can be sure he or she is a Christian by believing in Jesus. the bond which is peace; (2.) He wrote it to people in the town called Ephesus. It was a busy port and the centre of much trade. How to walk the Christian life. ь – любовь (Кол. If believers hold the attitudinal qualities of verse two, they will experience unity among themselves. Required fields are marked *, Notify me of followup comments via e-mail, Designed by Elegant Themes Each one stands as a spiritual reality” (Caldwell pp. ), than “endeavouring” (AV). 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. in which the unity is to be maintained. At one time, *Greek leaders had ruled Ephesus.Now the *Romans ruled the city. You have received diligence to keep the unity of the mutual forbearance in respect of the Spirit the!, but it is also a picture of political correctness today inspires and creates a united front john! Tie which binds the bundle verse ( Lach finally believe, we respond in faith to Christ hold the qualities... Of thegoddess ( female God ) Diana ( or Artemis ) was there unity ( which is peace.! Taken it to people in the bond of peace” ’ but points to the process of sanctification,,! Ephesians 2:8-9 ; Philippians 1:29 and 2 Peter 1:1 teach that God has all... 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