Introduction

In Ephesians 4:1–16, Paul transitions from explaining the blessings believers have in Christ to exhorting them to live in a way that reflects the Gospel. He calls for unity in the body of Christ, rooted in humility, love, and peace. Paul emphasizes the diversity of gifts God has graciously given to His people, which are meant to build up the Church and lead to spiritual maturity.

Key Points

• Main Point: God gives us grace and equips us to grow the one Church in unity.
• Purpose: Walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel by pointing others Christward as one Church with many parts.

Ephesians 4:1

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.

Paul transitions from proclaiming the blessings we have in Christ (1:1–14), how Jesus saved us from sin (2:1–10), and brought us into His family (2:11–3:6), to exhorting believers to live lives that align with the Gospel they have received. Saved by God’s grace, not by works, we are called to live as God’s unified masterpiece in Christ, reflecting the beauty of His grace through good works (2:7–10).

Ephesians 4:2–3

…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Paul exhorts Christians to maintain the unity of God’s Spirit through the peace they share with one another. This unity is fostered by patience and a commitment to love one another, even when relationships are challenging. Fellow Christians, even those who test our patience, are made in God’s image, marred by sin, but redeemed by His grace. By being patient and loving toward all believers, including those who are difficult, we strengthen the unity of God’s family.

Ephesians 4:4–6

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Being Christians means sharing in the core doctrine of God’s unity—that He is one and has graciously brought us into one conviction of the one King, Jesus Christ, joining us to His one body. As members of Christ’s unified body, we are reminded that Christ is not divided. This challenges any notion that we can pursue our relationship with God apart from the fellowship and support of fellow members in His body.

Ephesians 4:7–8

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.

The term “captives” in this verse can be interpreted in two ways: if it refers to godly people, it signifies Christ leading faithful believers to enjoy God’s presence. Alternatively, if it refers to ungodly people or spirits, it represents Christ leading rebels to face God’s judgment. Regardless of the interpretation, the central message remains clear: we have been saved into God’s family through Christ by one grace. Each of us has been given varied gifts, intended to build up the one body of Christ (4:15–16; Rm 12:3–8).

Ephesians 4:8

Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”

This quotation is drawn from Psalm 68:18, where God is depicted as ascending on high to His throne. Paul applies this imagery to Jesus, affirming Him as the reigning God. While in Psalm 68:18 God is portrayed as receiving gifts, Paul highlights that Jesus, as King, gives gifts. The God who rightfully receives all blessings—King Jesus—joyfully and freely shares His manifold and varied blessings with His family (1:1–13), including each of us.

Ephesians 4:9–10

(In saying, He ascended, what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

The term “ascended” inherently implies an upward motion. This indicates that Jesus—God the Son—descended from heaven to earth, walked among humanity, and then returned to heaven to reign over all creation. This Jesus, who gives us gifts, is neither a distant, indifferent deity nor merely a man without divinity. He is the God-man—God the Son—who graciously provides gifts to His people for the building up of His Church.

Ephesians 4:11–12

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.

The apostles were individuals directly sent by Jesus, who physically witnessed His resurrection and were entrusted to accurately proclaim His invitation to God’s kingdom. Prophets, under the Spirit’s guidance, contextualized this message for their listeners. King Jesus graciously gave these varied gifts to build His Church, appointing apostles and calling prophets to lay its foundation (2:20) and establish the core essentials of walking with Christ. Through their ministry, we have received the correct knowledge of God’s will, calling sinful rebels back to Him through the sacrifice of His Son, King Jesus.

Ephesians 4:11–12

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.

Evangelists are individuals, like the Apostle Paul, who take the Gospel invitation to non-Christians, sharing the good news of salvation. Pastor-teachers are those who clearly and accurately preach and apply this message, strengthening the faith and connection of churchgoers with God. King Jesus graciously gave these varied gifts to build His Church. He called evangelists to expand His house by engaging and evangelizing the world. Through evangelists from every nation and tongue, we became Christians—cherished members of God’s family—who are now called to share the Gospel further and make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:18; Acts 1:8), welcoming others into the family of God the Son, King Jesus.

Ephesians 4:11–12

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.

Pastor-teachers are individuals called to clearly and accurately preach and apply the Gospel, strengthening churchgoers’ connection with God. Aspiring to this role is a noble task, requiring godly character, strong convictions, and proven competence developed over time and through trials (1 Tim 3:1–7). King Jesus, in His grace, appointed pastor-teachers as one of many gifts to build His Church. These leaders equip believers with His life-changing Gospel, helping them develop convictions that translate into everyday living. Through their sacrificial love, modeled after Christ, pastor-teachers unite and rally the Church around the one and only King Jesus.

Ephesians 4:11–12

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.

King Jesus did not rely on a single vocation to establish His Church. Among its leaders, there were diverse roles—apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers—each serving a unique function. Despite their differences, these vocations work together to equip Christians to build up Christ’s body, the Church. King Jesus has graciously given each believer the ultimate gift of knowing Him, along with various other “graces”—different vocations or abilities—through which we contribute to the growth and unity of the one body of the one and only King Jesus.

Ephesians 4:12b–13

…for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Leaders are called to equip all Christians in their local church to build up Christ’s body (4:11–12). The ultimate goal of this building is complete unity in knowing and loving King Jesus in every dimension—heart, soul, and strength (Dt 6:4–5). Paul defines this unity as spiritual maturity, where believers love one another despite their differences and set aside those differences to experience and enjoy the fullness of Christ together.

Ephesians 4:14

…so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

Paul contrasts spiritual maturity with spiritual childishness. Without sound doctrine—the teaching of God our Savior applied to all dimensions of life (2:10)—Christians remain spiritually immature and are easily misled, focusing on their worries rather than God’s Word. To grow in maturity, Christians must use their diverse gifts and roles to collaborate in building up the body of Christ. By developing deep convictions, both individually and collectively, in the doctrine of God our Savior, believers outgrow childishness and help shield one another from the devil’s deceitful lies.

Ephesians 4:15–16

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

As one body under one Christ (4:4–6), Jesus calls Christians to live out their unity (4:1–3). He provides a wide variety of gifts (4:7–11) to help believers unite in spiritual maturity by growing in their knowledge and love of Him (4:12–14) and in their love for one another (4:2–3). Our task is to intentionally and actively use these gifts to speak Gospel truths into one another’s lives. By doing so, we contribute to a healthy Church, building one another up and continually pointing each other to Jesus.

Conclusion

Ephesians 4:1–16 highlights the unity of the Church as the body of Christ, rooted in humility, love, and peace. God has given believers grace and various gifts to equip the Church for ministry, fostering spiritual maturity and unity. By working together as one body with many parts, believers can live out the Gospel and point others to Christ.

Summary

• Walk in a manner worthy of your calling, reflecting the Gospel in your life (4:1).
• Maintain unity in the Spirit through humility, love, and peace (4:2–3).
• The Church is one body under one God, united by one faith, baptism, and hope (4:4–6).
• God has given each believer grace and gifts for building up the Church (4:7–8).
• Jesus, who descended to earth and ascended to heaven, equips the Church with these gifts (4:9–10).
• Christ appoints leaders to equip the saints for ministry and build up the body of Christ (4:11–12).
• The goal is unity of faith, knowledge of Christ, and spiritual maturity, which protects believers from being deceived by false doctrine (4:12b–14).
• The Church grows in love and unity when every member uses their gifts to build each other up in Christ (4:15–16).