Ephesians 4:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ephesians 4:1

This is a general exhortation to walk as becomes our Christian profession. Paul was now a prisoner at Rome; and he was the prisoner of the Lord, or in the Lord, which signifies as much as for the Lord. See of this, Eph. 3:1. He mentions this once and again, to show that he was not ashamed of his bonds, well knowing that he suffered not as an evil doer: and likewise to recommend what he wrote to them with the greater tenderness and with some special advantage. It was a doctrine he thought worth... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Ephesians 4:1-10

4:1-10 So then, I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to behave yourselves in a way that is worthy of the calling with which you are called. I urge you to behave with all humility, and gentleness, and patience. I urge you to bear with one another in love. I urge you eagerly to preserve that unity which the Holy Spirit can bring by binding things together in peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called with one hope of your calling. There is one Lord, one faith, one... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Ephesians 4:1-32

With this chapter the second part of the letter begins. In Ephesians 1:1-23 ; Ephesians 2:1-22 ; Ephesians 3:1-21 Paul has dealt with the great and eternal truths of the Christian faith, and with the function of the Church in the plan of God. Now he begins to sketch what each member of the Church must be if the Church is to carry out her part in that plan. Before we begin this chapter, let us again remind ourselves that the central thought of the letter is that Jesus has brought to a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 4:1

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you ,.... Or "in the Lord"; that is, for the Lord's sake; See Gill on Ephesians 3:1 . Some connect this phrase, "in the Lord", with the following word, "beseech": as if the sense was, that the apostle entreated the believing Ephesians, in the name of the Lord, and for his sake, to take heed to their walk and conversation, that it be as became the calling by grace, and to glory, with which they were called: and this exhortation he enforces from... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:1

I therefore - Therefore, because God has provided for you such an abundant salvation, and ye have his testimonies among you, and have full liberty to use all the means of grace; The prisoner of the Lord - Who am deprived of my liberty for the Lord's sake. Beseech you that ye walk - Ye have your liberty, and may walk; I am deprived of mine, and cannot. This is a fine stroke, and wrought up into a strong argument. You who are at large can show forth the virtues of him who called you... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:1

Verse 1 The three remaining chapters consist entirely of practical exhortations. Mutual agreement is the first subject, in the course of which a discussion is introduced respecting the government of the church, as having been framed by our Lord for the purpose of maintaining unity among Christians. 1.I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord. His imprisonment, which might have been supposed more likely to render him despised, is appealed to, as we have already seen, for a confirmation of his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1

I therefore . Inference not only from last chapter, but the whole Epistle. Paul's interest in the Ephesians led him to a double application of the great subject which he had expounded: read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1

The Christian walk. "Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called." We now come to the practical part of the Epistle, and the first exhortation is a striking one. Paul attached great importance to the element of walk or character. He skillfully puts two things in connection with each other—vocation on the one hand, and walk on the other. The preceding chapters had shown the wonderful glory of the Christian vocation. The succeeding chapters are directed to secure a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1

Ethics after Theology. The doctrinal part of the Epistle is now finished and the practical part begins. This is the true and natural order. I. IT IS IN THE SPHERE OF THE DOCTRINAL THAT WE FIND THE POWER THAT CARRIES US THROUGH ALL PRACTICAL DUTIES . In all the Epistles the duties enforced are grounded in the doctrines declared or explained. The doctrines are the reservoir which sends its stream of power down over the human life. The engineer... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1

The obligations of the Christian calling. "Walk worthy of the calling wherewith ye are called." I. THE NATURE OF THIS CALLING . It is the Christian vocation. We are called out of darkness into God's marvelous light ( 1 Peter 2:9 ), into the grace of Christ ( Galatians 1:6 ), into the fellowship of Christ ( 1 Corinthians 1:9 ); unto holiness ( 1 Thessalonians 2:7 ); unto glory and virtue ( 2 Peter 1:3 ); unto peace ( 1 Corinthians 7:15 ), not only with God, but... read more

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