Ephesians 4 explained: Living Together as One Body

Called to unity (vv. 1-6)

Writing from prison, Paul asks his readers to live in a way that fits who they have been called to be, starting with humility, gentleness and patience toward each other. He then piles up 'one' statements, such as one body, one Spirit, one Lord and one God, to show that their unity already exists and is theirs to protect.

Gifts from the risen Christ (vv. 7-10)

Each person is given some gift, and Paul supports this with Psalm 68, a song of God going up in victory, changing its 'received gifts' to 'gave gifts' like a conqueror sharing the spoils. He reads the going up as Jesus rising to heaven, but scholars are unsure whether the 'going down' first means coming to earth, going into death, or something else.

Growing up together (vv. 11-16)

The gifts are people: apostles (sent founders), prophets, evangelists (those who spread the message), and pastors and teachers, whose task is to equip everyone else to serve. The goal is a mature community that is not swept along by every new idea and grows like a body with Christ as its head, as each part does its share.

The old way of life (vv. 17-19)

Here 'Gentiles' means the surrounding non-Christian culture that the readers, mostly non-Jews themselves, came from. Paul gives a blunt, sweeping picture of that life as empty thinking, hardened hearts, and unchecked appetite and greed.

Taking off and putting on (vv. 20-24)

Paul uses the picture of changing clothes: take off the old self, shaped by desires that deceive, and put on a new self made to be like God. Between the two comes a renewed way of thinking, which he describes as something done in them, not only something they do.

What new life looks like (vv. 25-32)

The specifics are everyday ones: tell the truth, settle anger before nightfall so the devil gets no opening, work rather than steal so you have something to give, and speak in ways that build others up. Paul adds not to sadden the Holy Spirit, who marks them as God's own like a seal until their final rescue, and to forgive each other as God forgave them in Christ.

Key verse: Ephesians 4:3

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on whether the unity Paul describes is mainly a spiritual bond that already joins believers across separate churches, or something that must also be made visible in one shared church structure.

Something to think about

When people who disagree deeply still manage to stay together, what do you think makes that possible?