Anderson Hills

In this section of his letter, Paul addresses the idea of submission and exhorts everyone to submit to one another out of reverence to Christ, with examples from everyday life—specifically marriage, the family, and the workplace. Paul teaches a sense of mutual submission in biblical relationships as we lay aside our rights and humbly serve one another in love. Our fallen human nature is not inclined toward submission. Even as believers, we have a strong propensity to resist authority. So first and foremost, we must bow before Jesus as our Lord. When we fear Him, we can more easily submit to the various spheres of human authority that He has ordained for our good.

In this section of his letter, Paul addresses the idea of submission and exhorts everyone to submit to one another out of reverence to Christ, with examples from everyday life—specifically marriage, the family, and the workplace. Paul teaches a sense of mutual submission in biblical relationships as we lay aside our rights and humbly serve one another in love. Our fallen human nature is not inclined toward submission. Even as believers, we have a strong propensity to resist authority. So first and foremost, we must bow before Jesus as our Lord. When we fear Him, we can more easily submit to the various spheres of human authority that He has ordained for our good.

In light of who we are in Christ, Paul says we are called to imitate God. As a child often mimics the characteristics and behavior of a parent, so we as God’s children are to copy our heavenly Father. Our lives to some extent are a reflection of His influence to others. To imitate God, we need to walk in God’s love, walk in God’s light, and walk in God's wisdom. Paul’s words also encourage us to make the best use of our time because the days are evil. He reminds us that life goes by fast and we are to make the most of every opportunity by prioritizing things of eternal significance. Paul emphasizes the need to seek God’s will in how we spend our time. He cautions not to be fooled into doing good things that by default keep us from doing what is truly important.

In light of who we are in Christ, Paul says we are called to imitate God. As a child often mimics the characteristics and behavior of a parent, so we as God’s children are to copy our heavenly Father. Our lives to some extent are a reflection of His influence to others. To imitate God, we need to walk in God’s love, walk in God’s light, and walk in God's wisdom. Paul’s words also encourage us to make the best use of our time because the days are evil. He reminds us that life goes by fast and we are to make the most of every opportunity by prioritizing things of eternal significance. Paul emphasizes the need to seek God’s will in how we spend our time. He cautions not to be fooled into doing good things that by default keep us from doing what is truly important.

Paul's vision of a unified church ends with the church serving and maturing together as the unified body of Christ. Then in Ephesians 4:17-32, Paul lays out what maturity should look like in the body of Christ. Paul’s main point is that Christians are not to walk or live the way they used to live because they are not the people they used to be. Understanding your new life affects the way you live in the new unified community of the church, Christ’s body. Paul challenges the Ephesians to put away the thinking and behavior of their old lives and to break free from old patterns and sinful behaviors. Christ renews their minds and they are to put on the new self created in the image of God.

Paul's vision of a unified church ends with the church serving and maturing together as the unified body of Christ. Then in Ephesians 4:17-32, Paul lays out what maturity should look like in the body of Christ. Paul’s main point is that Christians are not to walk or live the way they used to live because they are not the people they used to be. Understanding your new life affects the way you live in the new unified community of the church, Christ’s body. Paul challenges the Ephesians to put away the thinking and behavior of their old lives and to break free from old patterns and sinful behaviors. Christ renews their minds and they are to put on the new self created in the image of God.

Paul begins this chapter by urging his readers “to walk in a manner worthy” of the new life they have received. Two key characteristics of this new life is a desire to “preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” and to be ready “for works of service.” To equip the church for unity and service, God graciously gives every believer a spiritual gift—a supernatural ability to serve God’s people for the expansion of His kingdom. Unity is not about uniformity (we look, act, and serve alike), but rather about diversity directed toward one purpose—serving one another so that the church grows in unity and maturity, and consequently the kingdom of God advances its mission.

Paul begins this chapter by urging his readers “to walk in a manner worthy” of the new life they have received. Two key characteristics of this new life is a desire to “preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” and to be ready “for works of service.” To equip the church for unity and service, God graciously gives every believer a spiritual gift—a supernatural ability to serve God’s people for the expansion of His kingdom. Unity is not about uniformity (we look, act, and serve alike), but rather about diversity directed toward one purpose—serving one another so that the church grows in unity and maturity, and consequently the kingdom of God advances its mission.

Paul now begins to explain the application of what he has previously discussed, the unifying of Jews and Gentiles into one new body called the church, which he refers to as a mystery now revealed. He is overwhelmed by this new entity called the family of God, made up of people from every background and every race. Before discussing how rich they are, Paul wants to make sure the Ephesians know who they are. Until you know who you are you will not appreciate, nor be able to avail yourself of how rich you are. The church is to demonstrate what God’s kingdom looks like to the spiritual world above and the physical world below. It is a historical demonstration to the world of how heavenly values operate and models the unsurpassable love of Christ.

Paul now begins to explain the application of what he has previously discussed, the unifying of Jews and Gentiles into one new body called the church, which he refers to as a mystery now revealed. He is overwhelmed by this new entity called the family of God, made up of people from every background and every race. Before discussing how rich they are, Paul wants to make sure the Ephesians know who they are. Until you know who you are you will not appreciate, nor be able to avail yourself of how rich you are. The church is to demonstrate what God’s kingdom looks like to the spiritual world above and the physical world below. It is a historical demonstration to the world of how heavenly values operate and models the unsurpassable love of Christ.