Ephesians 4

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one 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 you all.

7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

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:

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;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

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.

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,

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:

19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

20 But ye have not so learned Christ;

21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

27 Neither give place to the devil.

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.

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.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Teachings

Leave the Past Behind

God calls His people to stop living in former hurts, failures, and circumstances and to move forward in the life He has given them.

Leaving The Old Life Behind

Following Christ requires leaving behind the old ways of life that hinder faithful obedience.

Renewing The Mind

God transforms believers by renewing their minds through His Word, enabling them to see life from His perspective.

Renewing The Mind Through God's Word

God's Word renews the mind and brings transformation by exposing wrong patterns and leading believers into truth.

The Works Of The Flesh

The works of the flesh must be recognized and rejected as believers learn to walk according to the Spirit.

Walking In Forgiveness And Peace

Believers are called to forgive others, reject strife, and pursue peace as children of God.

Your Response Matters

Believers cannot always control what they encounter, but they can choose how they respond and should respond with wisdom, self-control, and obedience to God.

Grow in the Truth

Believers must continue to grow in their understanding of God's truth and allow the Holy Spirit to guide them.

Forgiveness Breaks Bondage

Scripture calls believers to forgive others as they have been forgiven by God.

Spiritual Gifts Are Given For The Good Of Others

God gives spiritual gifts to believers so that what He has given to one can benefit and strengthen others.

The Spiritual Mind

A spiritual mind is shaped by the Holy Spirit and focused on God's truth rather than the desires of the flesh.

Sacrifice and Spiritual Elevation

Throughout Scripture, sacrifice is often associated with spiritual growth, greater responsibility, and deeper fellowship with God.

Sacrifice Changes Your Dimension

Throughout Scripture, sacrifice is often connected to spiritual growth, elevation, and transformation.

Repentance Requires a Changed Life

Biblical repentance involves turning to God and producing a life that reflects that change.

Grow in Grace

Spiritual life is intended to continually mature as believers grow in the knowledge and grace of the Lord.

Grow in the Knowledge of God

Believers are called to continue growing in their knowledge of God, allowing His Word to deepen their understanding and shape their lives.

Put Off the Old and Walk in God's Ways

God removed Joshua's filthy garments, caused his iniquity to pass from him, and called him to walk in His ways and keep His charge.

The Soul And The Spirit

God's Word helps believers distinguish between the soul and the spirit so they may grow in spiritual maturity.

Do Not Mistake Survival For Growth

Becoming accustomed to struggle is not the same as building a life that shows evidence of spiritual growth.

Accepted or Elevated?

Scripture shows that believers can be accepted by God while still being called into deeper growth, maturity, and spiritual responsibility.

Cross References

Connected Scripture references will appear here.

Notes

Personal notes and future study tools will appear here.