Ephesians Chapter 4 Breakdown

1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Paul is begging believers to walk worthy of the calling. He says believers should be lowly and gentile, forgiving, and tolerance toward each other, striving to keep one with the Spirit. Remember, the Spirit causes a man to keep the Law of YHWH, and to keep one with it, a man would have to work toward learning that law and knowing it.  The Jews grew up being taught the Law of YHWH, the gentiles did not. Therefore, the Jews may be a little harsher toward the gentiles when it comes to the Law. The Jews will need to be patient and forgiving toward the gentiles, and the gentiles will need to be patient and forgiving toward the harshness of the Jews.

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

There is only one, one body which includes both Jews and Gentiles, who are the lost sheep. It all boils down to there being only one.

7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Grace was granted to both Jews and gentiles.

8 Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”

Psalm 68:18

You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, Even from the rebellious, That the Lord God might dwell there.

Paul quotes from the Old Testament and a prophecy about Yeshua. Even the rebellious men have received gifts. The rebellious is in reference to those who had been divorced due to their rebellion.

9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?

Paul is now describing the verse in which he quoted. Yeshua ascended, meaning He must first had to descend.

10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

Yeshua will fulfill all things.

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

There are many different positions within the body. They all must work together to ensure the teaching of YHWH’s truth. If we do this, it will help in keeping us from being mixed up in every doctrine that comes our way. Men set out to trick and deceive YHWH’s people into falling for the lies of men. If each position is doing its part within the body, it can cause growth of the body.

17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Paul says believers should no longer walk as the rest of the gentiles walk. This simply means stop doing the things the rest of the gentiles are doing. Start doing the things YHWH wants you to do because it will set you apart from the rest of the gentiles. You will no longer be living like a gentile and you will be setting an example for all to follow. Gentiles without YHWH walk in the desires of the flesh, giving in to the uselessness of their minds. They have no real understanding, and are alienated from YHWH. Their works and deeds are unclean and done out of greed. This just goes to show, there is still uncleanness in our world today.

20 But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

You have not learned Christ in this way, which is according to the deceitful men. You cast off your old gentile ways of corrupt living and are renewed with the Spirit within your mind. You are part of the new man which was created according to YHWH.

25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.

Zechariah 8:16

These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace;

Paul quoting from the prophets, we are all part of the same body, so therefore, be honest and do not lie to one another.

26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.

Psalm 4:4

Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah

Paul quoting from the Old Testament writings. If an argument arises between members of the body, resolve it before you go to sleep. If you allow the dispute to fester, it will grow worse and cause division among the body. This seems to be the culprit behind the 44 thousand denominations within the church body.

28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

Do not steal, instead do work. If you are working you will have something to give another person who may be in need.

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Do not lie or say anything immoral or unethical. Only say things that will bring positive outcomes, bringing grace to those who hear your words.

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Do not be upset about the Holy Spirit of YHWH whom you have been sealed. The Holy Spirit causes you to keep YHWH’s Laws, do not be upset by this.

31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

Rid yourself of all evil.

32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Be loving and kind toward each other and always have forgiveness toward those who may have wronged you.