Ephesians 4:2

Commentary on Ephesians 4:2

The Text

Ephesians 4:2 (NKJV):
“with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,”

Context in Ephesians 4

Paul begins chapter 4[i] with a call to live in a manner worthy of the gospel:
Ephesians 4:1 (NKJV): “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,”

This sets the tone for the chapter. The apostle moves from doctrinal exposition (chapters 1–3) to practical exhortation (chapters 4–6). The Christian life is not merely about believing rightly but living rightly, in unity and holiness.

Exegesis of Ephesians 4:2

“with all lowliness”

• The Greek word tapeinophrosynē refers to humility of mind.
• In Christian theology, humility is the recognition of our dependence on God’s grace. Pride divides, but humility unites.
• Christ Himself is the model:
  Philippians 2:5–8 (NKJV): “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

“and gentleness”

• The Greek word prautēs conveys meekness, not weakness.
• Gentleness is strength under control, reflecting Christ’s own character:
  Matthew 11:29 (NKJV): “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
• In Christian teaching, gentleness flows from the Spirit’s work:
  Galatians 5:22–23 (NKJV): “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

“with longsuffering”

• The Greek word makrothymia means patience, endurance, or steadfastness.
• It is the ability to bear with others without retaliation.
• God Himself is longsuffering:
  2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV): “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

“bearing with one another in love”

• This phrase calls believers to endure one another’s weaknesses and failings, motivated by love.
• Love is the bond of perfection:
  Colossians 3:14 (NKJV): “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”
• The love here is agapē—self-giving, sacrificial love, rooted in God’s covenantal love for His people.

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Theological Insights

1. Unity in the Body of Christ
   • Ephesians 4 emphasises the unity of the Spirit:
     Ephesians 4:3 (NKJV): “endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
   • Humility, gentleness, patience, and love are the essential virtues that preserve unity.
   • Christian theology stresses that unity is grounded in Christ’s finished work, not human effort.
2. Sanctification and the Spirit’s Work
   • These virtues are not natural; they are the fruit of the Spirit.
   • The believer is called to “walk worthy” because God has already made him alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:4–5).
   • Sanctification is both positional (in Christ) and progressive (worked out in daily living).
3. Christ as the Model
   • Christ embodies humility, gentleness, patience, and love.
   • The believer imitates Christ, empowered by the Spirit, for the sake of the church’s witness.

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Meditation Guide

1. Reflect on Humility
   • Ask: Where am I tempted to pride? How can I remember my dependence on God’s grace?
   • Pray: “Lord, give me the mind of Christ, who humbled Himself for my salvation.”
2. Practice Gentleness
   • Consider: How do I respond when wronged? Do I show strength under control?
   • Pray: “Spirit of God, produce gentleness in me, that I may reflect Christ’s heart.”
3. Cultivate Patience
   • Think: Who tests my patience? How can I bear with them in love?
   • Pray: “Father, as You are longsuffering with me, help me to be patient with others.”
4. Bear with One Another in Love
   • Meditate: Love is not sentimental but sacrificial.
   • Pray: “Lord, help me to love others as You have loved me, even when it costs.”

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Application to Modern Christian Living

• In Australian society, marked by individualism and self-assertion, humility and gentleness are countercultural.
• In workplaces, families, and churches, patience and love are essential for healthy relationships.
• The church’s witness depends on believers living out these virtues. Unity is not uniformity but Spirit-enabled harmony.
• Christians are called to embody Christlike character in everyday life, showing the gospel’s power in action.

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[i] Ephesians 4

New King James Version

Walk in Unity

4 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were 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.

Spiritual Gifts

7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says:

“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”

9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

The New Man

17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Do Not Grieve the Spirit

25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.