Ephesians 4

Dean Sherman is dean of the College of Christian Ministries for the University of the Nations. He is a respected international Bible teacher, having ministered in 49 states and more than 40 countries. I like what he wrote about Ephesians. He quotes Watchman Nee’s commentary Sit, Walk, Stand

1-3 = Sit – reigning, finished work, relaxed position (doctrine / exposition)

4: 1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, (Ch 4 – 6 = duty, exhortation)

Stand – We’ll hear more about this in my Ephesians 6 message.

Before we continue with the chapter I want to read a couple of quotes from Sherman’s book Spiritual Warfare for Every Christian (1989) p. 95 “Daniel Chapter 10 makes mention of the ‘prince of Persia’, a principality over Persia . . . He’s probably still there, functioning in much the same way. The book of Daniel also mentions the prince of Greece.”

Think about San Francisco and homosexuality, Las Vegas and greed, Bangkok, Thailand and prostitution, Amsterdam, Holland and drugs, etc. Some good news is on page 9: due to Christians praying, etc., Nepal had only 29 Christians in 1959, now there are 100K+. He recommends

1. Avoid the influence of evil

2. Pray against it (or for Jesus)

3. Live in the opposite spirit (greed / generosity) We need to remember Daniel addressed his prayers to God, not satan / demons, etc.

2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,

3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Greeks - humility = crouching submissiveness of a slave

John Stott / Serendipity “gentleness not a synonym for weakness; On the contrary it’s the gentleness of the strong whose strength is under control. It is the quality of a strong personality who is nevertheless master of himself and the servant of others.” I could’ve gone off on someone who didn’t appreciate the military. There are good words from a prisoner to all of us in prison. We should try to be peaceful here.

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also 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 over all and through all and in all.

Notice Paul uses the word “one” seven times in these three verses – it’s important to him. Could be a song.

7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.

8 Therefore it says, "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN."

9 (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) This is a controversial passage. Ps. 68:18

Matthew Henry wrote “As Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly, so was the Son of man in the heart of the earth. He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens.”

John Wesley wrote “He triumphed over all his enemies, Satan, sin, and death, which had before enslaved all the world: alluding to the custom of ancient conquerors, who led those they had conquered in chains after them.” www.biblemaster.com

"Who, then, are the captives? From Ps 68 it is clear that they were the enemies of Israel who were defeated when Jerusalem was captured. In Ephesians some have interpreted the captives:

(1) as the enemies of Christ, namely, Satan, sin, and death; or

(2) as the people who have been the captives of Satan, sin and death, and who are now taken captive by Christ in redemption. The first interpretation seems to be more fitting. Christ had victory over Satan, sin and death and gives gifts of the Spirit to those who have been identified with him." Dallas Theological Seminary professor Harold W. Hoehner, Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2002), pp. 529-530. Serendipity: Conquering Jewish king up Mt. Zion and into Jerusalem.

The king is followed by a procession of prisoners in chains. As he marches up the hill, he is given gifts of tribute and in turn disperses gifts of booty. Paul uses this verse to describe Christ’s ascension into heaven. The captives which follow behind him are the principalities and powers which he has defeated (1:20 – 22 & Col 2:15) v. 9 He may also be referring to Christ’s death & subsequent invasion of hell (1 Peter 3: 19, 4:6) John Stott – episcopal jurisdiction, pioneer missionary work, church planting, itinerant leadership