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Ephesians 4

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

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

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

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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:

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;

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

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.

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

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:

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

But ye have not so learned Christ;

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

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

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

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

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

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

Neither give place to the devil.

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.

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.

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

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

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

What does Ephesians 4:21 mean?

Explanation

Ephesians 4:21 speaks directly to the followers of Christ, presuming that the audience has heard of Jesus's teachings and has embraced them as the embodiment of truth.

The apostle Paul, assumed to be the author, is addressing the Ephesian Christians, stressing the importance of not just hearing about Christ but also learning from him.

The use of "if so be" implies that what follows is conditional, that the transformation and understanding that he speaks of is contingent upon both hearing and being taught by Jesus.

The deeper meaning reflects the transition from merely knowing about Jesus to experiencing a transformation, undergoing a change in behavior and thought that aligns with the truth that Jesus embodies.

Top Rated Ephesians Books

Historical Context

Ephesians is generally believed to have been written by the Apostle Paul while he was in prison, around 60-62 AD.

The letter is believed to have been intended for the church in Ephesus, a major city of trade and commerce on the west coast of Asia Minor.

Ephesus was a cultural melting pot, with various religious and philosophical beliefs intersecting.

At this time, new Christian communities were learning to live out their faith in diverse and often challenging socio-cultural environments.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, there are a few key insights within this verse:

Christ as Teacher: The apostle Paul's language emphasizes Jesus not just as a savior but also as a teacher, whose teachings embody truth.
Truth in Jesus: This phrase conveys the Christian belief that truth is found in the person and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Transformation through Learning: The verse underscores belief in the transformative power of Christian learning, as one is taught by Jesus, one's life is supposed to reflect that truth in action.
Conditional Discipleship: The "if so be" introduction suggests that following Jesus is not automatic upon hearing about him but requires active and continued learning and discipleship.

Practical Applications

This verse provides practical applications to everyday Christian life, such as:

Authentic Learning: Christians are encouraged to go beyond superficial knowledge to truly understand and apply Jesus's teachings.
Behavioral Change: Believers are called to reflect their learning in their behavior, suggesting that knowledge of Christ should lead to living a life that is congruent with Christian values.
Discernment: The verse could be used to encourage discernment among believers, to seek the truth that is in Jesus and distinguish it from false doctrine.

Cross-References

John 8:31-32: "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Colossians 2:6: "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him."
John 14:6: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, key words analyze the following:

Heard (ἀκούσαντες akousantes): This is the aorist active participle of "to hear," indicating an action that has taken place.
Taught (ἐδιδάχθητε edidachthete): This is the aorist passive verb of "to teach," implying that the readers have been on the receiving end of teaching.
Truth (ἀλήθεια aletheia): This term stands for the ultimate truth, reality as opposed to falsehood, which in Christian doctrine is embodied in Jesus.

These linguistic details emphasize a completed action, the audience has already heard and has been taught, and the expected ongoing effect of that teaching.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Ephesians 4:21 can be compared to other cultural and religious teachings that emphasize the importance of a teacher or a revelatory figure as an embodiment of truth:

In Buddhism, the figure of the Buddha is seen as an enlightened teacher whose Dharma (teachings) illuminate truth.
In Hinduism, Krishna is portrayed in the Bhagavad Gita as imparting wisdom and truth to Arjuna.

The concept of living according to the teachings of a central religious figure is common across various religious traditions.

Scientific Perspectives

While this verse is theological in nature and does not directly intersect with scientific fields, the process of learning and transformation that it highlights can be examined through the lens of psychology.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, for example, is based on the idea that learning new ways of thinking can lead to changes in behavior, a process that has parallels in the spiritual transformation described by Paul.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Ephesians 4:21 provide various expert interpretations:

John Stott: Stott emphasizes that the truth in Jesus means not just doctrinal truth but truth embodied, lived out in Jesus' own life, a pattern for Christians to follow.
Matthew Henry: Henry's commentary underscores the need for the Ephesians to put off their previous conduct and to renew themselves in the spirit of their minds, which is grounded in the truths taught by Jesus.
F.F. Bruce: Bruce interprets the text as an appeal to the Ephesians' better nature, given the assumption that they have been taught the truth as it is in Jesus, which ought to lead to moral and spiritual renewal.

Ephesians 4

Ephesians 4

What does Ephesians 4:21 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Ephesians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Ephesians 4:21 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Ephesians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?