Ephesians 4:1 Commentary and Bible Study

The doctrinal portion, the first half of this great epistle, ends with the wonderful ascription of praise to God in the closing verses of chapter 3, and then we come in chapter 4 to the practical portion of the epistle. Today, there is a tendency in Reformed circles to stress doctrine and perhaps not so much practice or behaviour, but the apostle lays out the doctrines and then comes to the actions and behaviour of believers.‘I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord,’ and he introduces himself again but this time as Christ’s prisoner. He does not speak as some great one in the church, as someone in a hierarchy high above people, though as an apostle he might have done so. So yes, he had the special authority, but as an example to all subsequent preachers and pastors he presents himself as the prisoner of the Lord – the example of a serving believer, a servant of Christ no matter what. Notice that the apostle beseeches, and again, this is by way of example to all preachers. He does not command, he does not boss, it is not a show of authority. He is at pains to use scriptural reasoning, spiritual reasoning.The Christian walk is something which is constant and even. This is not about spurts of running or short-lived bursts of devotion and activity, but about the Christian’s steady, day in, day out, ongoing walk. You are to walk in a way that is consistent with your divine calling, and suitable for your divine calling, with self-examination and concern, self-watch. In simple terms, it is a response to the calling wherewith ye are called – vocation means calling. We talk about two kinds of call: the general call of the gospel that invites all mankind to come to Christ. We appeal to as many people as we can and we do it with sincerity and earnestness and with as much zeal as possible, pleading for the help of God to make that call to all. But then there is the effectual call. Who will respond to the general call? Only those who in addition receive the effectual call. That comes right into the very heart of the hearer, and the Spirit works so that the heart is melted and the will is inclined. It is the effectual call which the apostle Paul is speaking about in this passage.The very word ‘call’ implies that you are being called from being away from God to being close to God. It is a call to a new life, with new understanding, new tastes, a new nature, a new character even, new aims, new alliances. It is a call to pardon; it is a call to life; it is a call to transformation. It is an authoritative call. You cannot say no, as it comes with the power of the Spirit. It brings with it a great sense of debt. ‘I owe my whole being to the Lord. He has called me to himself, he has made me his own, he has suffered and died for me.’ I am overwhelmed at times with joy that leads to commitment. Other New Testament passages tell us other aspects of this call. It is a call into the fellowship of his Son (1 Corinthians 1:9). We are called unto liberty from condemnation, liberty from the dominion of sin (Galatians 5:13). We are also called to holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:7). It is our calling to live to please the Lord, to live holy lives by the help of God. We are called out of darkness into his marvellous light. It is a calling to understand the things of God. That is why every Christian should love being a Bible student, a reader of doctrine and books that deepen us. We are called to service: ‘You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you that ye should go and bring forth fruit’ – fruits of righteousness, but fruits of witness too. It is a calling to be on the road to heaven (Hebrews 3:1), to think of glory, to think of the coming day, and getting a proper perspective on life.