An Exegetical Paper on Ephesians 4:1-6
Main Idea and Outline
Ephesians 4: 1-6 Paul urges the church in Ephesus to live according to what God has called them to and to keep the unity of the Spirit. I. Paul reminds the church that they should live in unity according to God’s calling (4:1-3) A. Live a life worthy of the calling you have received (v.1) B. Be humble, gentle, patient, and love everyone (v.2) C. Keep the unity of the Spirit through peace (v. 3) II. Paul explains that unity comes from spiritual oneness (4:4-6) A. There is only one body and one spirit (v.4) B. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism (v.5) C. There is one God and Father of everything (v.6)
Introduction
Today as Americans we have an extremely hard time maintaining unity. Churches are constantly spitting up and husbands and wives are getting divorces as if there is not anything wrong with it. We as Christians should be an example of unity to unbelievers. We shouldn’t let small decisions in our church, such as carpet color, or the times for services affect our unity. Just as Christian husbands and wives should follow the teachings in God’s Word on how marriage should be. We should only divorce under the few circumstances it gives, not just because we are tired of each other. Just as there is only one body and one God, we are to be one in our church and family. God has called us as believers to be in unity with one another and he teaches us in his Word how to maintain unity as a church and as a family.
Context
The apostle Paul wrote the letter Ephesians to the church in Ephesus. Paul was in prison in Rome when he was writing this letter at about 60 A.D. Some people question as to who wrote Ephesians, but I believe and trust that it was Paul the apostle because there is such a great amount of evidence that he wrote it. The style and format of the letter to the Ephesians was