One New Humanity: Mission in Ephesiansنموونە

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:1–32

The first three chapters of Ephesians have a stronger focus on teaching and worship. These next chapters have a stronger emphasis on behavior. Paul appeals to them based on what he has just shared, showing how to “walk” in a manner worthy of the calling he has just outlined.

At first glance, this chapter doesn’t seem to have anything to say about God’s mission at all! Instead, the chapter—and indeed most of the second half of the letter—seems all about relationships within the church.

However, we can’t divorce the unity of the church from its mission to the world. Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). He also prayed, “That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21). The love and unity of Jesus’ followers is a witness to the watching world. How is this possible, and what does this mean in practice?

First, Paul says that we don’t create unity; we maintain the unity that has already been given to us. This comes from the Spirit and results in peace (v. 3). Paul spells out seven “ones” in which this unity is grounded: one Spirit, body, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, God, and Father of us all (vv. 4–6). Our goal is perfect unity (v. 13), expressed as a growth from infancy (v. 14) to the “perfect” or “mature” man or manhood (vv. 13, 16)—reminding us of the one new humanity earlier (2:15).

Second, God equips us (v. 12) to be unified, by giving gifts to all believers for the benefit of the church (vv. 7–11), exemplified in particular individuals (v. 11), as we together build up Christ’s body (v. 12).

Third, this cannot be a kind of “lowest-common-denominator” unity that sacrifices core beliefs for the sake of unity (v. 14). Rather, it is a unity centered in truth but expressed in an attitude of love (v. 15).

It won’t be like the way we used to behave (vv. 17–20). After a shower or a bath, it makes no sense to put on our grubby work clothes again. Instead, we must take off everything associated with the old person, our behaviors and attitudes (v. 22), to put on a new set of sparkling white clothes, the new person who resembles the purity of God (v. 24).

Paul grounds this in specific challenges to you and me. Don’t lie. Don’t give in to your anger and bitterness. Don’t steal. Don’t gossip. Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit (vv. 25–31). All these things open the door to the devil (v. 27). Instead, we display qualities like humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, truth-telling, honest work, encouraging speech, kindness, and forgiveness—all rooted in love (vv. 2, 25, 28–29, 32). Our unity displayed in our loving kindness toward one another shows the world that we are Jesus’ disciples and testify to a new way to live.