Useful Bible Studies > Ephesians Commentary > chapter 4
Christians are very different from each other. They come from different nations and they have different opinions about many things. However, God, by the power of his Holy Spirit, brings them together into a close and loving relationship (1 John 4:7). That is why Paul describes them all, together, as one body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27) or as one new man (2:14-16).
We ask what can bring Christians, with different opinions and traditions, together in love for each other. Paul’s answer is that peace joins them together. He does not mean peace between nations; he means a right relationship between people and God (2:16-18). When people have peace (a right relationship) with God, Christ teaches them to have genuine love for each other (1 Corinthians chapter 13; 1 John 3:11). However, they themselves must choose to behave in the way that Christ taught.
So, the disciples, Christ’s special students, were eager to prove which of them was most important. Christ taught them, instead, humbly to serve each other (Mark 9:33-37 and 10:35-45; John 13:1-17 and 13:34-35). In other words, they should help each other as God gives them the opportunity.
To do that, Christians need kind, gentle and patient attitudes. Such attitudes come from the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives (Galatians 5:22-23). With those attitudes, Christians will not desire to argue fiercely against each other. Instead, they will choose to care for each other, with an attitude of love.
Next part: One body, one Spirit, one hope (Ephesians 4:4)
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© 2019, Keith Simons.