Ephesians 4:1-5:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1-3

Walking worthy of our vocation. "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord," etc. The verses, looked at homiletically, suggest the following truths:— I. THAT MAN 'S EXTERNAL CONDITION IN THIS WORLD IS NO TRUE TEST OF HIS REAL WORTH . A greater man than Paul, greater in true thought, lofty aims, disinterested sympathies, self-sacrificing love, Christ-like devotion, and philanthropy, never lived. He was great in himself, great in his spiritual influence, great... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1-3

Walking worthily. It is touching to see how the great apostle, who had a right to issue commands to the Churches in the name of Christ, prefers to beseech his readers with gentle entreaty as "the prisoner in the Lord." This method is as much a mark of his wisdom as of his humility and kindness of heart. For we are all more easily moved by persuasion and sympathy than by patronage and authority. I. CHRISTIANS ARE CALLED TO A HIGH VOCATION . 1. There is a Divine call . ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1-16

CHURCH PRINCIPLE OF GROWTH AND PROGRESS ; THE CHURCH A BODY . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1-16

The unity of the Church. The doxology has just died away with its ascription of glory to God in the Church throughout all ages, and now the apostle turns from his intercession to admonish the Ephesian Christians about the necessity of cultivating lowliness of mind and mutual consideration, that in the Church there may be preserved "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." It is plain from the verses that follow that Paul's conviction was that the Divine glory could only be manifested... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1-16

Exhortation. I. TRANSITION FROM THE DOCTRINAL TO THE PRACTICAL . "I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you." There is a similar transition at Romans 12:1 , "I beseech you therefore." In both cases the " therefore " is the link of connection between doctrine and duty . In both cases the apostle follows up his exposition of doctrine by an affectionate enforcement of duty. In the other case his affectionate tone is caught from a consideration of the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 4:1

I, therefore - In view of the great and glorious truths which God has revealed, and of the grace which he has manifested toward you who are Gentiles. See the previous chapters. The sense of the word “therefore” - οὖν oun - in this place, is, “Such being your exalted privileges; since God has done so much for you; since he has revealed for you such a glorious system; since he has bestowed on you the honor of calling you into his kingdom, and making you partakers of his mercy, I entreat you to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ephesians 4:1

Ephesians 4:1. I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord Imprisoned for his sake and for yours; for the sake of the gospel which he had preached to them and other Gentiles: see note on Ephesians 3:1: this was therefore a powerful motive to them to comfort him under his sufferings by their obedience; beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation, &c. That is, in a manner suitable to the privileges which you enjoy, and to the state of grace and favour with God into which you have been... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ephesians 4:1-16

4:1-6:24 THE DAILY LIFE OF THE CHURCH MEMBERSUnity in the church (4:1-16)God’s great purposes for his church should produce a new quality in the lives of the church members. The blessings that God gives should not lead the believers to pride. On the contrary, when they see that these blessings are an indication of the standard God expects, they will develop a new humility. When people or circumstances annoy them and try their patience, they will show love by being patient and helpful... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ephesians 4:1

I therefore . Resuming his teaching after the parenthesis of Ephesians 3:1-21 . prisoner . See Ephesians 3:1 . Lord . App-98 . beseech . Greek. parakaleo. App-134 . Compare 1 Thessalonians 4:1 . 1 Timothy 2:1 ; &c. vocation = calling, as Ephesians 1:18 . are = were. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ephesians 4:1

EPH. 4Paul's writings defy any strict organization, due to the nature of their composition as dictated epistles. Nevertheless, there is certainly a broad outline in evidence here, the first three chapters dealing with Christian doctrine, and the last three with Christian morality and behavior. Of course, there is some mingling of the two.It should be noted that Paul placed doctrine first. All human morality derives from the authority of God; and, apart from mortal responsibility to the Creator,... read more

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