Ephesians 4:1-16

Ephesians 4:1-16

[1] therefore,  the prisoner  of  the Lord,  beseech  that ye walk  worthy  of the vocation  wherewith  ye are called,  [2] With  all  lowliness  and  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  hope  calling;  [5] One  Lord,  one  faith,  baptism,  [6] One  God  and  Father  of all,  who  is above  all,  and  through  all,  and  in  all.  [7] But  unto every  one  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  that  also  descended  into  the lower  parts  of the earth?  [10] He  that descended  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  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  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. 

What does Ephesians 4:1-16 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The apostle began by stressing the importance of walking (or living) in unity. This is one of two classic New Testament passages on unity, the other being John 17. God will not enforce unity in answer to prayer. Believers have a responsibility to obey Him as well.
"Instruction, intercession and exhortation constitute a formidable trio of weapons in any Christian teacher"s armoury." [1]
Charity, unity, diversity, and maturity are the key concepts in this section.