In Chapter 3, it is revealed that the mystery that was hidden in former generations is now made known in Messiah Yeshua through the Ruach– namely, that the nations are not secondary participants, but are brought fully into the covenant reality as co-heirs, a joint body, and co-partakers of the one promise. In Chapter 4, Paul turns from revelation to application. Having established who God’s people are in Messiah, he now urges believers to walk in a way which is worthy of the calling they have received. The unity created by God is not merely a theological concept; it is meant to be lived out through humility, patience and love.
1 Therefore I exhort you, I the prisoner in Adonay, worthily to walk of the calling to which you were called
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience and bearing one another in love
3 being diligent to keep the unity of the Ruach in the bond of shalom
4 one body and one Ruach just as you were called into one hopeful expectation of your calling
5 one Adonay, one faith, one immersion
6 One God and Father of all, who over all and through all and in all.
7 One now to each of us has grace been given, according to the measure of the gift of Messiah
8 On which account it says:
“Having ascended on high, He led captive captivitiy and gave gifts to men.”
(Psalm 68:18)
Psalm 68 is a victory psalm celebrating YHVH as the divine King who defeats His enemies and ascends Mount Zion after victory. The imagery is that of a conquering king returning from battle, leading captives in a triumphal procession and distributing the spoils of victory.
The psalm recounts:
- YHVH’s deliverance of Yisrael
- His victory over hostile nations
- His dwelling among His people on Zion
- His reign as King
Paul applies this imagery to Messiah Yeshua: Just as a victorious king ascends after conquering his enemies, Messiah ascended after His victory over sin, death and the powers opposed to God.
Importantly- Psalm 68 says: “You received gifts among men…”
Paul writes: “He gave gifts to men.”
In ancient victory processions, a king would receive tribute from the conquered enemy, and then distribute gifts from the spoils to his people.
Paul changes the words to emphasize the result of Messiah’s victory: the gift God now bestows upon the body of Messiah.
Some Jewish interpretations of Psalm 68 before Paul’s day also connected God’s receiving gifts with His giving blessings to Yisrael, so Paul’s application would not have been entirely foreign to a Jewish audience.
9 And “He ascended”- what is [that] if not that also He descended into the lower regions of the earth?
10 The [one] having descended the same is also the [one] having ascended above all the heavens so that He might fulfill all things.
The immediate point Paul is making is that the One who ascended is the same One who first humbled Himself by descending- and because of His victorious ascension He now gives gifts to His people.
Paul’s use of Psalm 68’s victory-procession imagery to explain Messiah’s triumph, ascension, and His distribution of gifts to the body of believers.
11 And He gave some indeed [to be] Emissaries, some now prophets, some now evangelists, some now shepherds and teachers
12 unto the perfecting of the holy ones, for work of ministry, for building up of the body of Messiah.
13 Until we may attain all the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a man full grown- to [the] measure of [the] stature of the fullness of Messiah.
14 In order that no longer we might be infants, being tossed by waves and being carried about by every wind of teaching, by the trickery of men in the cunning advancing [of] the scheming of deceit.
The word translated as “knowledge” is epignōsis- meaning a full, experiential, and accurate knowledge. This is far more than merely knowing facts about Yeshua. It is coming to know Him through faithful obedience and walking in His ways.
Likewise, the “fullness of Messiah” is not about personal feelings or simply performing random good deeds. It is becoming conformed to His character, His conduct, and His example.
Messiah perfectly reflected the Father’s will, walked in holiness, kept God’s Torah, and lived in complete obedience.
Paul’s goal is therefore maturity- the “full grown man”.
Believers are not called merely to profess faith, but to grow into the likeness of Messiah Himself. This growth is rooted in truth, grounded in Scripture, and evidenced by a transformed life. As we mature, our lives increasingly align with God’s standards of righteousness.
15 Speaking the truth however in love, we should grow up into Him, in all things things (He) who is the head- Messiah.
16 Out from whom all the body is being joined together and being held together by every ligament of [its] supply, according to [the] working in measure of each individual part, the increase of the body makes for itself, to building up itself in love
- Truth and love must remain joined together
- Growth is measured by conformity to Messiah, not personal opinions or feelings
- “In all things” leaves no area of life untouched
- Messiah is the head; believers are called to submit to His authority and example
“Out from whom all the body is being joined together and held together…”
- The body receives its life and direction from Messiah
- Every member has a purpose and function
- Growth occurs when each part does its share
- The goal is the building up of the entire body in love
Paul’s focus is not on isolated personal faith, but on a body growing together under Messiah’s leadership. Maturity is demonstrated through faithful participation, unity, truth, and love.
17 This then I say and testify in Adonay: No longer walk [are] you to walk as also the Gentiles are walking in [the] futility of their minds
18 being darkened in understanding, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance being in them, on account of the hardness of their hearts.
19 Who having ceased caring, have given themselves up to wantonness for [the] workking of impurity, all with greediness.
20 You, however, did not learn Messiah in this way—
“No longer walk as the nations walk…”
- Paul is writing to former Gentiles (Ephesians 2:11), yet he tells them not to continue walking as the nations walk.
- Their former identity is not to define their present conduct.
- Being brought near to the commonwealth of Israel means leaving behind the ways of the nations.
Characteristics of the nations:
- Futility of mind
- Darkened understanding
- Alienated from the life of God
- Ignorance of God’s ways
- Hardness of heart
- Moral insensitivity
- Given over to impurity
Notice: Paul does not present “I am a Gentile” as a continuing excuse for living differently from God’s people. Ephesians 2-4 is explaining that those who were once far off have now been brought near, made fellow citizens, and joined into one body.
Therefore, believers are not to walk according to the pattern of the nations, but according to the pattern of Messiah.
21 If indeed Him you have heard, and in Him have been taught, according to the manner in which [the] truth is in Yeshua
22 Are to have lain aside you concerning your former way of life, the old man which is being corrupted according to [its] desires of deceit
23 to be renewed then in the spirit of your mind
24 and to have clothed yourself in the new man- according to God having been created in righteousness and the holiness of truth
25 Therefore having lain aside lying, “let speak truth each one with his neighbor” because we are of another members
Paul does not present salvation as merely receiving forgiveness while remaining unchanged. Those who have truly learned Messiah are called to put off the old life and walk in the new one.
- Putting off the old self requires practical obedience
- Truthfulness is a characteristic of the new creation
- Believers are members of one body; deception harms the entire body
Notice Paul’s pattern: put off the old behavior and put on the righteous alternative. Faith is not merely internal belief; it produces a transformed way of living.
26 “Be provoked and yet not sin, the sun not let set upon your anger
27 neither give a seat of opportunity to the Slanderer
Paul is again echoing Psalms
“Be angry, and do not sin; meditate within your heart upon your bed, and be still.”
– Psalm 4:4
Context of Psalm 4:
- David is under pressure from adversaries and injustice.
- Instead of reacting sinfully, he calls for internal reflection and trust in God.
- The psalm contrasts righteous trust in YHVH with those who pursue deception and worthlessness.
Paul applies David’s principle into community life:
- Anger itself is not automatically sin-
- But anger not be allowed to linger or mature into sin
- Spiritual maturity includes emotional restraint and quick reconciliation
- Unchecked anger opens “space” for adversarial influence (the devil gaining a foothold)
This is not just emotional advice- it is covenant behavior. The same principle in Psalm 4 (trust God instead of reacting sinfully) is now applied to life within the body of Messiah. Unresolved anger becomes a doorway for corruption.
Paul treats emotional discipline as part of walking in righteousness, not optional spirituality
28 The one stealing, no longer let him steal. Rather however let him toil, working with his own hands what [is] good, so that he may have [something] to offer to the [one] having need.
29 Any word rotten out of your mouth not let go forth, but if any good for edification of the need so that it may give gratitude to those hearing.
30 And not grieve the Ruach holy of God- in whom you were stamped for [the] day of redemption.
31 All bitterness and rage and vengeance and clamor and slander let be removed from you, along with all wickedness.
32 Be now to one another kind, compassionate, forgiving eachother as also God by Messiah forgave you.
Paul moves from defining the unity of the body in Messiah to defining how that unity must be lived out. Believers are called to walk worthy of their calling through humility, patience, love and truth.
Spiritual maturity is not abstract or subjective. It is measured by growth into Messiah Himself- no longer being carried by deception, but being rooted in truth, sound doctrine, and obedient living.
The old life is to be put off, and the new life is to be put on: a life renewed in mind, shaped by righteousness and holiness, and expressed through truthful speech, controlled anger, forgiveness, and love within the body.
Throughout Ephesians, Paul presents salvation as a calling that produces a worthy walk. The goal is not simply to claim Messiah, but to be shaped into His image- to walk as He walked, pursuing holiness and faithful covenant relationship until we reach the maturity for which we were called.
Unity, maturity, and obedience are not separate ideas- they are the fruit of one new life in Messiah under His headship.
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