Ephesians 4:1-2 NIV

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:2

SOME POINTS OF A WORTHY WALK . With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love. He begins his enumeration with passive graces—eminently those of Christ. Lowliness or humility may well be gendered by our remembering what we were when God's grace took hold of us ( Ephesians 2:1-3 ). Meekness is the natural expression of a lowly state of mind, opposed to boisterous self-assertion and rude striving with others; it genders a subdued manner and a... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:1-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 4:2

Group of Brands