The Practical Walk

In the fourth chapter, the Apostle starts, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Eph. 4:1), beginning the practical consequences—not the least of which was Paul’s very imprisonment itself—of that which has preceded (particularly Eph. 2:20-22). There is a walk suited to the position described. Though in Ephesians we have a mystery revealed, the book is not in any way mystical, but intensely practical (Eph. 4:1-6).
The Lord, having ascended up on high has given gifts to men (Eph. 4:8). Everything necessary for the edifying of the body flows down from the Head. From verse 17 through to verse 21 of chapter 5 we have practical exhortations for our walk. “Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness … and grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:24, 30).
The remaining portion of the fifth chapter and on into the sixth applies the truth borne out in the earlier chapters to a godly order in our earthly relationships.
Like Israel of old, we have a land, a heavenly land, which is ours to enjoy. However, “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:12). But we have One, as Joshua did, in whom we find our strength. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might … Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Eph. 6:10, 13).