Chapter 4
Verses 1-3
I) I therefore the prisoner of the Lord.
Refer back to chapter 3, verse 1 where Paul says he was so for the Gentiles sake.
II) Beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.
A) Beseech- This is not a command, but a pleading by the one who had proven his love for them.
B) Walk- Speaking of a well-trodden path. Our manner of life. How should our walk be?
1) Worthy of the vocation/ calling.
a) In keeping with the position of children and saints of God.
b) In keeping with being ambassadors 2 Corinthians 5: 20
2) With all lowliness and meekness. See John 13: 3-15.
a) Lowliness takes the position as a servant
b) Meekness suggests tameness or strength under control. Thus while taking the lowest position of a servant we do not count ourselves of no worth as we are servants of the Most High God.
c) Our worth rests in our belonging to and serving others in the place of our Lord.
3) With longsuffering- This suggests we will be taken advantage of and mistreated and will have to bear up under a long time of suffering.
I Peter 1: 5-7 and 4: 12-14
4) Forbearing one another -Ceasing; pausing; withholding from action; exercising patience and indulgence. See 1 Corinthians 6: 1-7 and 8: 1-13. These passages deal with going to court against other believers and the weaker brother.
a) In love- It should not be as a duty, done begrudgingly, but in love as concerned about the best for others.
5) Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace-
a) Endeavoring- an effort or attempt; an exertion of physical strength. It will not always be an easy task.
b) To keep- idea of to guard by exercising watchful care. Speaks of guarding something valuable.
c) The Spirit- unity is a product of the Holy Spirt. It is only as ach of yield to him in obedience to the Word of God that we will have unity.
d) In the bond of peace- peace is the binding factor that will preserve unity.
Verses 4-6
There is one: singular, as one way; “I am the way, the truth and the light”.
I) One body- the Church, Colossians 1: 18, see also Ephesians 5: 23
A) While there are many local assemblies (churches) collectively they make up the body of Christ.
II) One Spirit- referring to the Holy Spirit of which he spake in verse 3. This being true the Spirit will lead all churches to practice the same doctrine. John 16: 13
III) Ye are called in one hope of your calling.
A) Hope is a well-grounded expectation. That expectation is to be delivered from this evil world and delivered to an inheritance. Ephesians 1: 13-14; 1 Peter 1: 3-4
B) Called/ calling- a summons, this not just a friendly call, but a legal obligation. We are summons by the judge of all the earth, to refuse to respond carries the sentence of death.
C) In one hope-Colossians 1: 27 “Christ in you” the hope of glory. Christ is our hope, all depends upon Him.
IV) One Lord- Ruler, Master, sovereign
V) One faith- As a body of doctrine. Jude 3-4. The reason for so many different doctrines today is because of certain men slipping in.
VI) One baptism-Romans 6: 3-4, of which immersion is a picture. Note example of John the Baptist, Jesus and disciples. All baptized repentant ones by immersion to picture the death, burial and resurrection.
VII) One God and Father- He is father of all by creation, thus Adam is said to be the son of God (Luke 3: 38), the angels are said to be the sons of God (Job 38: 7).
The redeemed are the sons of God by the new birth. John 1: 12
A) This God is above all- Isaiah 40: 21-28
B) Through all- Eternal Psalm 90: 1-4
C) And in you all- To whom was the apostle writing? Ephesians 1: 1, John 14: 20 and 17: 23