by Gary L. Evans
(revised 7/30/23)
Ephesians — Part 6
Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
The word “vocation” is from the Greek “klay’-sis” which means “an invitation (figuratively).”
The word “called” is from “kal-eh’-o” which means “to ‘call’ (properly aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise).”
Our Father has Called us and given us an Invitation. So we should show ourselves worthy of His Love for us.
Eph 4:2-3 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
The word “unity” is from “hen-ot’-ace” which means “oneness, that is, (figuratively) unanimity.” The word “unanimity” means “agreement of a number of persons in opinion or determination; as, there was perfect unanimity among the members of the council.”
Eph 4:4-5 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
There must not be any division among us. And how can there be? We all study the same Bible, which is The Word of God, and there are no contradictions in God’s Word. We all receive the same Holy Spirit of Christ. And Christ does not contradict Himself.
Deu 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
We have only one Lord and God of us all.
Eph 4:7-8 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Paul quotes from the Psalms.
Psa 68:18-19 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
Christ ascended into Heaven to sit at the right hand of God, and has given gifts to His Called-Out Ones.
Eph 4: 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
Paul refers to the teaching of Christ Jesus.
Joh 6:32-33 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
Our Father sent Manna from Heaven each morning to feed the Children of Israel in the wilderness. But God’s Word, even Christ, is The True Bread that came down from Heaven.
Joh 6:38-39 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
All who have been predestined by The Father to come to Christ will be preserved and raised into Eternal Life at The Millennium.
Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Our Lord fulfilled all prophesy concerning The Messiah, and has fulfilled all of God’s Promises to those who love Him.
Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
All who believe in The Name of The Only Begotten Son of God are given the Divine Knowledge that they are The Sons of God. We who were created creatures of God have now become His Children and promised an inheritance with His Only Begotten.
Joh 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Although we each were born into flesh bodies in this world, we have been given new Hearts and Minds in Christ Jesus, so that we are become New Creatures in the likeness of The Son.
Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
The Word of God, by Whom all things in creation were made, came into this world through the womb of Mary, a virgin, and when He grew to mature age began preaching and teaching of The New Covenant that God The Father freely offered to believers.
Joh 1:15-16 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
The word “fulness” is from “play’-ro-mah” which means “repletion or completion, that is, (subjectively) what fills (as contents, supplement, copiousness, multitude), or (objectively) what is filled (as container, performance, period).”
Our Lord, The Living Word of God, has filled us with Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Discretion, and related talents according to The Unmerited Favor of God The Father toward us.
Eph 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
The word “perfecting” is from “kat-ar-tis-mos’” which means “complete furnishing (objectively).”
Along with The Holy Spirit Who dwells in us, our Lord has also given us skilled preachers and teachers, because they are helpful in our study of God’s Word, so that we will be completely furnished with everything we can possibly need in order to overcome the deception of Satan, and so that we being members of The Body of Christ in this world are able to continue His ministry.
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
The word “perfect” is from “tel’-i-os” which means “complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.).” To become complete in our growth of mental and moral character means to become mature as grown men and women.
The word “stature” is from “hay-lik-ee’-ah” which means “maturity (in years or size).”
Therefore our Lord has given us these gifts or talents in order that we would grow and mature into the completeness of Christ Jesus when He walked this earth.
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Men will deceive us, especially the antichrists who only play church in order to deceive people and make money pretending to know the way to Eternal Life. But true Christians should be wiser and more knowledgeable than other men are, especially to discern those fake Christians so that they cannot deceive us. In order to have this ability not to be deceived, we must grow up in Christ.
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
We are of The Lord’s Body in this world, but He is The Head.
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
It is the Love of Christ for us which fills our hearts for God and for one another and which strengthens us so that we contribute each in our own way according to our God-Given talents to build up the assembly, which is The Lord’s Body.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Ephesians — Part 7
Eph 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
The word “vanity” is from the Greek “mat-ah-yot’-ace” which means “inutility; figuratively transientness; morally depravity.” And “inutility” means “uselessness; the quality of being unprofitable; unprofitableness; as the inutility of vain speculations and visionary projects.”
Psa 94:8-11 Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know? The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
We must not live our lives as do most other people in this world based on the useless and morally depraved ideas and philosophies of men’s minds.
Eph 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
The ungodly of this world lack understanding, and do not know The Love and Wisdom of God.
Psa 74:18-20 Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name. O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever. Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.
Those who despise and abuse others hide what they do in secrecy.
1Jn 2:10-11 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
God’s Law is The Law of Love. Those who are disobedient are unjustly hateful to other people by their very deeds, and their hatefulness blinds them so that they cannot know God.
Eph 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
The phrase “being past feeling” is from “ap-alg-eh’-o” which means “to grieve out, that is, become apathetic.”
The word “lasciviousness” is from “as-elg’-i-a” which means “licentiousness (sometimes including other vices).” The word “licentiousness” means “excessive indulgence of liberty; contempt of the just restraints of law, morality and decorum.”
The word “uncleanness” is from “ak-ath-ar-see’-ah” which means “impurity (the quality), physically or morally.”
Eph 4:20-21 But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
How have we learned and heard and been taught by Christ Jesus? He was on this earth two thousand years ago.
Luk 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
Jesus instructed His disciples that when people listened to them, they were actually listening to Christ, but when anyone rejected them, they were actually rejecting The Son and also The Father. How is it that rejecting Christ or His disciples is the same as rejecting The Father?
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Only through Jesus The Messiah can we approach The Father. And our Lord declared that He is The Way and The Truth and The Life.
What was Jesus talking about?
Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
The disciples standing with Jesus, though they remained ignorant until He explained how, were actually looking at The Father.
Joh 14:8-9 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
Jesus asked Philip why he was asking to see The Father, because to see The Son is to see The Father also. Remember, God is a Spirit, and all who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
Joh 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
The Holy Spirit dwelt in Jesus, and The Holy Spirit is The Father. The very Words that came out of our Lord’s mouth were of The Father in Heaven. Remember our Lord’s teaching, only The Father knows The Son, and only The Son knows The Father and those to whom He reveals Him.
So when The Holy Spirit dwells in us, then The Son and The Father dwell in us also. There is no difference. And this is also how we have learned and heard and been taught by Christ Jesus today. He dwells in our Hearts and Minds, and in other Christians also, and guides us into all Truth this very day.
Eph 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Our former selves are dead in sin, and we are become new creatures, new men and women in the image of Christ Jesus, having been given the Heart and Mind of Christ.
Eph 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
We must love one another as God loves us, therefore we must speak the truth with one another. All of us are members of one Body, The Body of Christ in this world.
Eph 4:26-27 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.
It may be impossible not to become angry at times, because we still dwell in flesh bodies which are weak and get tired and sick. Sometimes it is difficult for us to maintain our emotional balance, but when we do falter, we must quickly regain control and not cause any more trouble than what we already have to deal with. We are Christians, Sons of God, who do everything in The Name of Jesus, therefore let us not bring any shame to His Name.
Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Our Lord commanded us, Do not steal. So we must not do it. We must work and earn an honest living.
Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
We must watch over our mouths to prevent ourselves saying things which might cause trouble. For example, joking around might seem humorous to some people but offensive to others.
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
The word “grieve” is from “loo-peh’-o” which means “to distress; reflexively or passively to be sad.”
Eph 4:31-32 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
We must take all of God’s Teaching in His Word to heart, and become mature in Christ. It is good for us to keep reminding ourselves of the foundational principles of God’s Law: Love God and Love One Another.
Eph 5:1-2 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Ephesians — Part 8
Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
The word “fornication” is from the Greek “por-ni’-ah” which means “harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively idolatry.”
The word “uncleanness” is from “ak-ath-ar-see’-ah” which means “impurity (the quality), physically or morally.”
We must not engage in sexual relations with anyone else except our married spouse, thus only in the marriage bed. And it is lawful for individuals to enjoy their sexuality alone in the privacy of their own bedroom. And I use the words “bed” and “bedroom” loosely to mean that our sexuality is restricted to complete privacy. God’s Law only requires that we wash ourselves afterward, thus keeping ourselves clean is what is important.
Our Father provides for our sexual gratification whether we choose to remain single or to get married. So none of us have any excuse and must avoid covetousness, which is an unlawful longing, in this context for sexual relations with anyone who is married, which is the same as adultery. And of course, perversion is abomination.
We are The Lord’s Set-Aside Ones, The Lord’s People who He has sanctified from all other people in this world, and should behave ourselves as God’s Chosen People.
Eph 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
The word “filthiness” is from “ahee-skhrot’-ace” which means “shamefulness, that is, obscenity.”
We must avoid speaking foolishly, such as using obscene language or being silly or joking around excessively, because there is no profit in such behavior. Use wisdom regarding such things, my friends.
We should instead be thankful for all that The Lord has given to us, and we can speak in a thankful manner to others about how The Lord has given us an abundance in so many ways. Because expressing our thankfulness is very profitable, not only for others, but also for ourselves. Thankfulness, an attitude, is the way to true Happiness, an emotional experience, and Peace of Mind, a permanent mental state.
Mat 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Our Lord spoke concerning the understanding of The Mysteries contained within God’s Word. But this precept also applies in general to everything about us. So we can learn from this precept about the power of prayer and thanksgiving. Consider an example.
Consider a child who is given a toy, who is thankful and delighted to receive it, and who takes good care of it. Will that child not be given more when appropriate? Then consider another child who when given a toy begins to complain that it is the wrong color or not exactly what he was hoping for and throws it down breaking it. When will it be appropriate to give more to that child? Probably not for a long time in order to teach him a lesson.
So if we thank our Father for what we have, regardless of how the people of this world might compare or evaluate it, then our Father will give us more. In other words, instead of complaining to our Father about a seeming insufficiency regarding anything, be thankful for what you do have and make wise use of it, and our Father will be pleased with us, and also we will begin to realize how much we actually do have that we just never thought about before. But if we complain as though He has not loved us and taken good care of us, then even what we have He will take away. Sadly, we may not appreciate what we already have until after we lose it. Now consider an application of this precept.
Act 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Paul and Silas had been beaten and put in prison. They had lost their freedom. What did they do? They prayed and gave thanks to God. Suffering persecution and tribulation for their work to teach others about The Gospel was nothing of any consequence to them. They had Eternal Life.
Act 16:26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
No doubt our Father was well-pleased with Paul and Silas, and loosed their chains and opened all the doors of the prison so that they were free to just walk out and go home. This is an example of the power of prayer and thanksgiving, and also an example of how to obtain true happiness and peace of mind.
Eph 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
No one who commits sexual sins or has a filthy mind or who covets what other people have can enter The Kingdom of God.
Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Habitual sinners are continually under God’s Wrath.
Eph 5:7-8 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
We all once were like other people in this world, and trapped by the bad attitudes and behaviors we imitated of others that caused no end of trouble in our lives. But we have repented of such things, and now we know The Truth of God’s Word, so now we should behave appropriately.
Eph 5:9-10 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.