Ephesians 4:1-6 - The Call to a Worthy Life - Advent I

Ephesians 4:1) I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2) with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3) making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  4) There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the hope of your calling, 5) one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6) one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

The location:  Ephesus was the capital of the Roman Province of Asia.  It was situated on the West coast of Asia Minor near the modern city of Izmir, Turkey on the Aegean Sea.  It had a fine natural harbor and was a center for trade.  It, like Corinth, was large, prosperous and diverse.  There was a large arena capable of seating 50,000 and a stadium for fights, races and athletic contests.  It was the location of the Temple of Artemis, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. 

The situation:  Paul visited Ephesus twice, once for a brief visit and later for a stay of more than two years.  His ministry was both fruitful and controversial.  He was thrown out of the synagogue after only 3 months.  He probably worked as a tentmaker in the mornings and lectured in the afternoons.  Many reported healings and exorcisms.  Pagan converts burned their magic books and eventually a riot broke out over Paul and his work.  A wealthy silversmith named Demetrius, organized a city wide protest claiming that Paul threatened the economic viability of the city which was dependent on the many artisans who earned their living from the worshippers of Artemis.  Paul was essentially run out of town and never returned.  However, the church was firmly established.  Tradition has it that Ephesus was where John the Apostle spent his last days as the much beloved Bishop of an often troubled church.

The author: Scholars disagree as to whether this letter was actually written by Paul or by a disciple in Paul’s name.

The presenting problem: The true nature of the church and the problem of factions, most notably between Gentile Christians and Jewish converts to the faith.  For the author, a central part of the church’s purpose was to ensure the peace and unity of society.  The problem for the church was internal squabbles that confused and diverted believers from their central task of preaching and witnessing to salvation in Jesus Christ.  The author never really takes sides in the arguments.  The issue for him is that arguments within the body are irrelevant, belong to the past and make a laughing stock of the Gospel.

Word Study

            With chapter 4, the author begins the second half of the letter by calling the church to a worthy life.  In so doing he shifts focus from doctrine to duty or exhortation on how to live.  The first characteristic of worthy life is unity in the community of faith.

Vs. 1 – I beg – or urge or plead.  This is an imperative, not a request.  It must be done.

            To lead – literally, to walk around, to deport oneself, to be occupied with

            A life worthy – literally, Godly.  The call is to life that will make God look good.

Vs. 2 – humility – modesty.  This is not a word of self-deprecation.  Humility and modesty in the New Testament refer to an attitude of life in which one is clear about one’s identity in God; that is, as a beloved creature but not as creator or judge.

            Gentleness – refers to a way of being in which there is no need to exalt self because of confidence that comes from relationship with God.

            Patience – also translated as fortitude, long-suffering that leads to strength.

            Bearing with one another – literally, put up with each other

            Love – Greek – agape.  Ethical, unconditional love that chooses the good for another regardless of cost or personal feelings.

Vs. 3 – make every effort – Greek word is for “to use speed”.  It is sometimes translated as “be prompt, diligent, to make an effort.

            Unity – oneness, being of a whole piece

            Peace – the word implies more than the absence of war or conflict.  It is considered to be the heart of prosperity and means quietness, rest and being put at one again.  It is what happens when God’s rules rule life.

Questions for Personal Reflection

1.  What do you think are the most important characteristics for a ‘worthy’ life?  How would you evaluate where you are in your life right now?  What qualities do you need to develop?

2.  When you think about the image of the church as one whole piece, how do you make sense of the arguments and conflicts that so often arise in church life? 

3.  How do you feel when people you love or respect don’t share your point of view?  What are the areas in which you can most easily tolerate differences?  What areas are hardest?  How can you behave in the presence of conflict in such a way that you ‘make God look good?’

4. When you think about kindness, what do you see as the major characteristics?

5. How do you see the reforming of our character as a proper Advent discipline?