Upon the basis of the foundations of the Christian faith which Paul has expounded in chapters 1-3, now in chapter 4 he pursues their logical application “Live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (4:1).  Expounding followed by exhortation, the structure of the text reflects a good Christian sermon and therefore Paul’s overall theme in Ephesians:  the church of Christ.

In the light of what Paul has already established:  that is, that there is a distinction to be made between being IN Christ, sealed by the Holy Spirit and therefore a Christian; and the maturity of individual Christians. Verse 2 implies that since maturity will always vary in terms of faith, doctrine, culture and behaviour; forbearance, tolerance, forgiveness and love are of paramount importance in our attitude to one another…Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love (v.2).

Paul then presents his very famous passage about the unity of the Spirit.  There is one body, one spirit and one father of all:  the three-in-one trinity of the Godhead.  To break the bond of peace (v.3) in Christ’s body, the church, dishonours God and brings grief (v.30) to the Father’s heart.  Conversely, upholding the unity of the trinity, and not denying it confirms not only the existence of the trinity but the whole gospel of Christ, trampling underfoot all evil, spiritual powers (v.10).  As Christ fills the whole universe the implication is that one day there will be no more any room for powers and principalities.  Our attitude to maintaining unity either upholds or denies the notice Christ served on these as he suffered, dying on a cross.  It is no less important than that!

So we are appointed to offices in the church (v.11) and are apportioned gifts (v.7) to use for works of service in the church (v.12), until all attain maturity, being most careful in the meantime not to fall out with one another in the process “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (v.13).

Next, Paul moves away from avoiding taking offence in the church to avoiding giving it.  Because of the culture he is talking into, to the sorts of Christians he addresses (v.17), he likewise has his own list of suggestions of dos and don’ts, (v.19) for example.  With just a tiny bit of imagination, we can make our own list for ourselves!

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Try making your own list of do’s and don’ts in the way Paul did.