Ephesians 4:1-16 Prep

Preparation

Pray

Lord, remind me of the importance of preaching your word. It is grossly undervalued in my day. Let this week matter. Surprise people. Fill us with humility as we approach your word. Knowing that you are the creator, sustainer, and finisher. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Just Meditate

Questions for the passage / first illumination

walk worthily

maintain unity

ONE

Host of captives? / 8

What does it mean by lower regions? / 9

He fills all through his church - christians everywhere / 10

Is verse 11 gifts or roles?

You must speak the truth in love / 15

Even if one joint is off, the whole body suffers

Mood/Emotion of the Passage

High calling, clarifying, bright

Word-studies

Equip

Cross References / Passages that illustrate

None for now

Commentary

Context / Overview

“Paul did not command a structural or organizational unity, but a spiritual unity around a common faith.” - esv study

Versus

1

“His exhortations have great power, since he himself has taken these matters seriously enough to suffer confinement in the Lord’s service.” What is your faith costing you? - esv study

2

“Humility was regarded as distasteful by the pagan world of Paul’s day.” - esv study

“Humility means putting Christ first, others second, and self last.”Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 35.

4

“Just as a human body has one spirit that animates it, so Christ’s body, the church, is enlivened by one Holy Spirit who enlivens Christians.” - esv study

8

“The “gifts” given by Christ turn out to be the church leaders described in 4:11” - esv study

“The psalm Paul quotes (Psa 68:18) describes God receiving gifts of plunder or tribute from a defeated foe.” John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Eph 4:8.

11

“The term apostles primarily refers to people sent with a divine mission or task. They also served as spokesmen for God, bringing new revelation and understanding to the church.”David S. Dockery, “Ephesians,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1876.

“The word means “one who is sent with a commission.” Jesus had many disciples, but He selected 12 Apostles (Matt. 10:1–4). A disciple is a “follower” or a “learner,” but an apostle is a “divinely appointed representative” - Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 37.

“Those first century apostles were used to provide a foundation (preserved as the New Testament)” - guzik

12

“The term translated equipping was sometimes used to refer to mending or restoring.” David S. Dockery, “Ephesians,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1876.

“The primary purpose of the Church isn’t to convert sinners to Christianity, but to perfect (complete and mature) the saints for the ministry and edification of the Body.” (Smith)

13

“The diversity of gifts serves to bring about the unity of Christ’s people. Mature manhood extends the body metaphor and contrasts with children in the next verse.” - esv study

15

“As head, Christ leads, directs, and guides the body.” - esv study

“It has well been said that truth without love is brutality, but love without truth is hypocrisy.” Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 38.

16

“We get our English word harmony from the Greek term translated fitted and knit together.” David S. Dockery, “Ephesians,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1876.

Application

Relational application (love your neighbor)

Thinking application (mind)

Feeling application (heart, soul)

Action application (strength)

Illustration

Verbal Illustrations

The example of every nation, tongue, and tribe being present in heaven. Despite perfect unity, diversity in culture remains.

Truth without love is like bones without a body, you’re lifeless. Love without truth is like a body without bones, you’re helpless.

Visual Illustrations

Equip - like mending nets / 12

Audience

pains/problems

passions/purposes

Questions/arguments they may have for the text

Pre outline

Main Ideas of the text

So what?

What would this look like lived out?

Title ideas

Potential Outlines