The Challenge to Walk in Unity

Study of Ephesians

Week 13

Ephesians 4:1-6

Have you ever seen a young mother gently guide her children by saying, “Walk this way.” She purposefully leads with the intent of safety and direction.

That, my friends, is exactly what Paul was communicating in Ephesians 4:1-6.

In the very first three chapters of Ephesians, Paul laid a foundation for the Gentiles’ new identity in Christ. He methodically taught them who they were as Christians.

Now, beginning with Ephesians 4:1, Paul shifts his teaching from who they are in Christ to how they should walk, how they should conduct their lives, how to walk in unity.

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called…”

I find it interesting that Paul refers to himself as a “prisoner of the Lord.” That word, prisoner, doesn’t sound too appealing, does it? However, when we look at it in the Greek in this context, it refers to someone who is “bound.” In Paul’s case, he at times was literally bound or chained to a Roman soldier, but here Paul is speaking not in the physical terms, but that of being spiritually bound to his Savior. Ironic, isn’t it?

While Paul publicly submits his life to Christ, he also begins his theological teaching on how to walk in Christ. In other words, how these Gentiles should conduct their life.

Let’s look at Ephesians 4:2-6 for certain attributes.

First, Paul calls them to walk with “all humility.” Humility is simply this, to think more highly of others than yourself. The Gentiles were used to a culture much like ours today. It was one that says the louder you are, the more things you possess or the greater your name is known, the more power you have, the more important you are. Paul uses this letter to reframe their thinking, walk “with humility.”

Second, Paul teaches them to walk “with gentleness,” with gentle force.  Gentleness derives its meaning from the word, “meekness”.  “For the believer, meekness begins with the Lord’s inspiration and finishes by His direction and empowerment…a virtue that can only operate through faith.”(1)  Gentleness does not mean to just roll over, give in, or walk away from doing what’s right. Interesting that “gentleness” requires a yielding to the Lord for His power to manifest. Here it is again, 1 Timothy 6:11, “pursue… gentleness.”

Third, Paul called them to walk in “patience.” This means long suffering, or forbearance, especially when wronged.  Patience cannot be created by a disciplined life. No, Paul lists patience as one of the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22. Real patience is birthed out of a walk with Christ. Peter shared this, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) Both Paul and Peter had one central mindset, walking in unity in Christ and displaying patience will bring others to Him, “to come to repentance.”

Fourth, Paul challenges them to show “forbearance to one another in love.”

Forbearance means  “bearing up even after going through the needed course of action; to forbear.”(2)  Walking through a difficult season can challenge any of us, but Paul gives us a way to “forbear”. He tells us to do it in love. This love is not a feeling or emotion. This love, agape, is a fruit of abiding in Him. In the power of the Holy Spirit, we not only have the ability to persevere, forbear, we can do it in love. Believe me when I say that this truth can have eternal consequences not just for you, but possibly for others.

Paul calls for them, and us, to walk in “unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Ephesians 4:3   Peace, we learned earlier means, “wholeness.” That wholeness is only found in union with Christ.  The challenge? Walk in unity of the Sprit in the bond of wholeness, “according to the power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20

Next Paul shares the framework for unity for all Christians.  

“There is one body, and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 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.

“One body” is a physical reference to a spiritual truth. We are all a part of the body of Christ, which is the church. Not a denomination, but the whole church, those who profess their faith in Christ.

“One Spirit”, one “pneuma”, the Holy Spirit, God. You can imagine this might be an interesting situation given the fact that the Gentiles spiritual history had been one of mysticism. They looked to and worshiped “mystics” and “spirits” in their culture. Now, they had the Holy Spirit leading them, guiding them, directing them, and teaching them.

“One hope”, an expectation of good, but in Christ, our hope is certain and sure.

Titus 2:13 describes Jesus Christ as our blessed hope. Hope in Him solidifies our unity.

“One Lord,” Jesus Christ.

“One faith,” secure confidence, faith in Christ unites all believers. When we surrender our lives daily to Him, He directs our hearts, giving us His direction. It is His fruit in our lives. Galatians 5:22-23

“One baptism”, this baptism signifies Christianity. “According to the view of the apostles, is a rite of sacred immersion, commanded by Christ, by which men confess their sins and profess their faith in Christ…born again by the Holy Spirit unto a new life”(3)  

“One God and Father of all who is over all and through all.” Ephesians 4:6

Paul, in six verses, addressed what walking in Christ looked like. He also shared a powerfully cohesive message not only for the body of Christ, but for anyone wishing to follow Jesus.

Footnotes:

(1) Ephesians 4:2, Bublehub.com. Gentleness, Lexicon. Accessed March 2022, https://biblehub.com/greek/4240.htm

(2) Ephesians 4:2, Biblehub.com, Forbearance, Lexicon, Accessed March, 2022, https://biblehub.com/greek/430.htm

(3) Ephesians 4:5, Biblehub.com, Baptism, Lexicon, Accessed March 2022, https://biblehub.com/greek/908.htm