The end of the previous chapter marks the end of the first part of this epistle, in which the Apostle has given his teaching. Beginning at chapter four he ap­plies the things he has taught. This is Paul's usual mode of procedure.

He who is writing is a prisoner in the Lord and because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let these Ephesians and the whole church of Christ of later times realize that he has given everything for the church and for the gospel. He does not bring up his present situation in order to elicit sympathy, but that the people may realize that he is not speaking for his own advantage but that he is driven by his relationship to his Savior. He calls them to walk ac­cording to the calling which they have received. They are called to be believers — it is then not too much to ask that they behave themselves as believ­ers. It is only logical to do so. This is really the heart of the application of the gospel! Do what the gospel requires! Who sins unknowingly today? People know the way — it is only a question whether or not they will walk the way they profess.

Call to Christian Unity⤒🔗

The way in which the members of the church of Christ must walk has been spoken of in virtually every New Testament book. Here the Apostle sums up some of the things which are necessary for any believer. There must be a spirit of lowliness and meekness. There must be longsuffering, forbearing one another in love. They must do everything to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Many will then go into an explanation of each of these terms. This is permissible, but there are many other terms which he uses in the other epistles. One can go into these various terms and then forget what they are used for! These are the things which must be observed to gain the unity and peace of the church. One has to remember that in the church at Ephesus, Jew and gentile were brought together. Now all the haughtiness which characterized the Jew in relation to others must be abolished! Other­wise there will be no peace, and surely, no unity! Besides, the church, by itself, is made up of all kinds of people. Here rich and poor meet — the wise and simple sit at the same table. Everyone, at all times, must observe the various virtues he has mentioned to further the cause of peace and to promote unity.

What Unites?←⤒🔗

The one, holy, catholic church is an article of faith. There is a unity and the members must seek the unity of the church. So the Apostle speaks of this matter in this chapter. There is one body — the church. There are not many churches (nor two), there is only one. Christ, of course, has only one body. This is difficult to understand especially in our day when the number of denominations in our country exceeds 250! Many are loath to speak of the true church but would rather work with a different concept of the church. One of the churches in the Netherlands (by no means a splinter group) speaks boldly of the ad­dress of the church! Many find this far too exclusive. If the church has no address it will be difficult to speak of the true and false church. Then it doesn't make much difference where you go to church. Then the sacraments have no address either. Then the Lord's Supper can be celebrated at a retreat! If the church has no address, no one will be able to say much about the church. This is some of the confusion of today.

There is, therefore, only one body. There is also but one Spirit. Of course. The call of the gospel has come to these Ephesians and the Spirit of God ap­plied that call, or gave the inner call. But, this was one call. Therein is their hope made complete be­cause that call was the earnest of their inheritance. They have thereby been set on the road that leads to glory. There is only one Lord; there is only one faith; there is only one baptism. Anyone who would dare to claim that there is more than one Lord would be guilty of idolatry. There is but one way to be bound to that Lord — by faith. There is only that faith which has been wrought in the heart by the Spirit through the word. There is only one baptism. He mentions baptism because that is the sacrament whereby the people are brought into the fellowship of the church. It is that sacrament which symbolizes the washing away of sin through the blood of Christ and which symbolizes the union with Him and His body. There is also only one God, one Father. He is the one of Whom and through Whom and unto Whom are all things. Seeing there are only one Lord, only one God and Father, only one Spirit, one hope, one faith, and one call — how can there be more than one church? No, the unity of the church; though an arti­cle of faith, is a fact. Everything must be done to re­veal and keep that unity. Not by means of a false ecumenicity, but by the true ecumenicity shown us in the Scriptures. God's people should do all in their power to bring together those who belong together, and should clearly brand as false church those who do not believe the teachings of Scripture. Our Con­fessions show us the way to do this.

An Individual Gift←⤒🔗

In the unity of the church lies its strength. That unity must be displayed before men. However, the individual members of the church are by no means all alike. Each one has received different gifts from his Lord to be used for the benefit of the church. Out of this diversity of gifts the unity of the church comes to expression. This is the theme Paul stresses in Corinthians when he speaks of all the members of the human body having different functions (gifts) and all of them together forming one body. So it is in the church.

Given by the Ascended Christ←⤒🔗

That the gifts which each individual believer has have come from the Lord Himself is made clear in the following verses. Paul refers to Psalm 68:18. This text deals with the ascension of Christ. He now tells the Ephesian church that through this ascen­sion they have received so much. When He ascend­ed, He came with the spoils of His victory. He has an abundance of gifts to bestow. Now this fact, He ascended, means that He must also have descended before this. Why should that be so? It is not true that anyone who ascends must first have descended? But this is true concerning the Christ because He had been above before, which was His natural sta­tion. Through His ascension He has filled all things with the multitude of His gifts and favor.

Gifts of Church Offices←⤒🔗

Christ is the Source of all the spiritual gifts which have been bestowed on the individual believer. He also gives His gifts to the entire church. Some of these he now mentions. He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. The emphasis lies on the fact that these are gifts of Christ. The apostles were found only in the early church. The prophets too, through whom new revelations came. Evangelists will always be in the church as well as pastors and teachers. See­ing they are His gifts, the church must acknowledge them as such — he who rejects you rejects me!

Purpose of the Gifts←⤒🔗

Paul now shows that the purpose of the gifts which He has given the church is to equip the membership of the church to reach its full potential so that each one is used for the perfecting and building up of the body of Christ, the church. This is, of course, the stimulation of the office of all believers. This is, and always has been necessary in the life of the church. Just so no one concludes that the church here below is ever able to do without the special gifts of Christ — the offices of which Paul has spoken. Nor may we conclude that that is the only purpose of the special offices, i.e., to enliven the of­fices of all believers. There is more! Christ wants His church fed! He wants His church led!

A Unity of Faith and Knowing Christ←⤒🔗

Where a unity of the body is obtained there growth will also be found. On the other hand, where there is no unity, there can be no growth. If the church grate­fully accepts the gifts the ascended Christ bestows upon it and finds itself equipped to the task to which the church is called, it will attain to a unity of faith and grow in the knowledge of the Son of God and become a full-grown, a mature man in Christ. Chris­tians will not remain babes in Christ. Maturity must come. The writer to the Hebrews (Ch. 5, 6) urges his people to strive for the same goal. So only will they be strong in the faith. Then they will not always and forever have to go back to the elementary things, but will be able to press on to perfection. The author even speaks of attaining unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. No, we will not reach that goal here, but we should strive for it.

This growth in the faith is necessary for the unity of the church. There are examples enough in the New Testament of those who knew the way, and then were led astray like unstable children. Even one of the apostles, Peter, does not escape this evil. How often it is seen today that a congregation is in­structed in the right way for several years, and another minister comes, and in a few years every­thing is turned upside down. How can people be so fickle? The antidote? Speak the truth! Let your yea be yea and your nay nay! How little of this is found today. But, let truth also be spoken in love. The truth separated from love is of no value. Only when we follow our Lord in His manner of living will we in all things grow up into Him. So we become like Him. So we begin to measure up to the stature of the ful­ness of Christ. You could depend on Him! He spoke the truth and did so in love.

A Growing Body←⤒🔗

Coming to the conclusion of this section, the Apos­tle emphasizes the intimate relationship between Christ and the church. As so often in this epistle, he refers to Christ as the Head of the body. Here he means it in a strictly organic sense. That body is so beautifully "put together," it is a marvel. That is due to the fact that the head supplies all the things nec­essary for the proper functioning of every part of the body. Then each part of the body, doing that which is required of it, will help the whole body grow and answer to its purpose. To separate the body from its Head would be fatal and to separate any part of the body from the rest brings illness. On­ly as a harmonious whole can the body prosper and receive His blessing upon it.

Questions for Discussion:←⤒🔗

1. How must we seek the unity of the church? What is ecumenism? Is it proper?
    
2. What should be our first concern in seeking closer relations with other churches?
    
3. Is there only one baptism? Is there no difference between the baptism of Baptists and of Reformed?
    
4. How many offices are there in the church? May there be more or less?
    
5. What is meant by the office of all believers? This matter was not stressed prior to the Reformation and the great Reformation restored its recogni­tion. Is there a danger today that we make too much of it?
    
6. How can you recognize the true church?