Ephesians Chapter 4

Eph 4

Walk in onenes/unity

1 I, a prisoner, therefore exhort you to walk appropriately in the calling in which you are called of the Lord;

2 put-up with one-another in Selfless-Love; with humble-mind and gentleness to all, with long-forbearance,

3 be prompt to keep the Oneness (unity) of the SPIRIT in the joint-bond of Peace (being set at one)

4 (to be) One body even by one SPIRIT; just as, you are called with a calling to one pleasurable hope -

GOD is one and the Lord is one

5 - by Faith unto One (and) baptism by One, (even) by One Lord;

6 through One FATHER and God of all, WHO is upon all, and is all in all.

Spiritual men of gifts are given for the purpose of the maturity of 'everybody' in the church

7 Moreover, every one of us is given gift, according to the measure of the Grace of Christ.

8 this is the reason, it is said, having captured the prisoners of war (to be freed), He ascended unto the heights (elevated place) and men are given (as) gifts (Ps 68:18) 

9 however, why will He be ascending, if not that, He had also descended into the lower (inferior) section of the earth?

10 the same Who descended, is the One Who ascended far above everything, to heaven, at least to fulfill all things.

11 And He has indeed given the Apostles, also the Prophets (inspired speakers), also the Evangelists (preacher of gospel), also the Shepherd (pastor), and Teachers,

12 towards complete-furnishing of holy saints; unto the work of service/ministry, unto full-structure of the body (church) of Christ,

13 until we all arrive, unto oneness as children/sons, unto a measure of Faith of a man of full-age maturity, and unto full-discernment of God at the completion of things by Christ;

14 at least, everybody will no longer be infants (nepios), tossed by waves and carried about by winds of teachings, in men of cunning craftiness who scheme things towards deception;

All hands must be on deck for maximum growth

15 Moreover, the truth must be told: all should grow up in SELFLESS-LOVE unto the same (church); whose Head is Christ;

16 out of Whom, everybody will be fitly-joined together (assembled) and be harmonized/held together to one body, through sponsorship (contribution) and sense of touch, according to the measure of operation/working of each person to the growth of everybody in the SECTION (local assembly) of the body, making/building themselves unto full-structure in SELFLESS-LOVE.

The qualities of a new-age man enhanced by the SPIRIT

17 therefore, I say this things to testify to you, to walk in the Lord; and no longer as the heathen people who were walking in vain-things of their mind, 

18 whose their deep-imaginations is full of darkness because of being estranged from God; they are in ignorance of Zoe-Life, through hardness/porosity of their heart,

19 some of who are apathetic/of no feeling, having given up themselves to lewdness, to the intent of practising uncleanness, all in greediness.

20 but, you did not learn, in that way from Chist. 

21 if indeed, you have heard Him and you have been taught in Him, just as the Truth, that is in Jesus;

22 you (should) in reverse, have put away the lust, according to the former old-man, who was depraved, with respect to fraud/deceitfulness;

23 you (should) also, have been renewed (avaneono) in your mind by the SPIRIT;

24 and should have been clothed/wrap up according to the Truth of Justification, and all divinely right qualities (mercy, holiness, love) of a new-age man, originally created in God;

25 through which, you put away lying, and every person will be preaching the Truth amidst his neighbours, for we are (as) part of the body (limbs) of one another (Zach 8:16) 

26 Provocation is not to commit sin; and never should Sun fully set upon you, being provoked, (don't start another day with it);

27 so, you do not give a devil a place (opportunity). (ref: Paul vs Barnabas in Act 15:39)

28 those who steal should no longer steal, but rather work-hard. It is good to work with their own hands, at least to have things to share with those who have need.

29 Never should any corrupt-words proceed out of your mouth, but, if it is good, it will give grace to someone who will hear; at least towards the need for edification.

30 And by the SPIRIT of God, the holy saints who are sealed unto redemption will not be sad in the day (of judgment). (Rev. 7).

31 remove - all bitterness (acridity) and fierceness, and wrath, and clamouring, and blasphemy, together with all malicious things - away from you.

32 but become kind unto one another, be compassionate, grant forgiveness by grace to yourselves, even as God has granted forgiveness by grace to you in Christ.