December 29, 2024

In most cases, I can summarize a Bible chapter in a couple of paragraphs or at least hit the main teaching point. However, Ephesians 4 covers a lot of territory! I haven’t read as many do’s and don’t since the commandments in Exodus. Paul also mentions five ministry gifts: apostles, prophets, evangelists, preachers, and teachers. These are given for the building up of the body of Christ. 

The do’s and don’ts:

We are not to behave like Gentiles who are alienated from the life of God and haven’t learned Christ and thus act full of deceitful lusts.

Put on the new life of righteousness and true holiness.

Don’t lie. Speak the truth because we are members of one another.

Put away anger that leads to sin so you don’t give place to the devil.

Do not steal; use your hands for good.

Carefully communicate. Use edifying words that minister grace to hearers.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit.

The rest are summarized in these last two verses:

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32