Ephesians 4

Ephesians 4:3

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Endeavouring to preserve that holy and Christian unity, which the Spirit of God hath wrought in you, by a peaceable disposition and carriage one to another.

Ephesians 4:9

(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

Now, in that David says, that Christ ascended, what doth it imply, but that he had before descended, both from heaven to the earth, which is the lowest part of the world, and from the surface of the earth, into the bowels thereof, the grave?

Ephesians 4:10

He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

He, that thus descended, &c. that he might fulfil all that was fore-said of him; and all that is or should be requisite for the full glorification of his Church.

Ephesians 4:11

And some, pastors and teachers, &c.

And some he gave to be pastors and teachers of his Church, to lead forth his people, and to feed them with wholesome doctrine and holy government.

Ephesians 4:12

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

All which he hath given and ordained, for the perfecting of the grace of his Saints; and for the full and exact discharge of the great work of the ministry, which could not be sufficiently managed by any one rank of gifts or men; and, in general, for the full edification of the Church, which is the mystical body of Christ:

Ephesians 4:13

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the

knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Till all those, yet unbelievers, which belong to God’s election, be brought to one and the same saving Faith, and to the true knowledge and acknowledgement of the Son of God, together with us; and so the whole Church, as if it were one body, grow up to be a perfect and divine grown man, even to that full stature of grace, and full knowledge, which it is ordained unto, in and by Christ; yea, until that Christ, who accounts the Church to be no other than his body, and holds himself not perfect without it, have in us attained to that full growth, as that no degree of perfection shall be wanting to this mystical body of his:

Ephesians 4:14

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, &c.

That, henceforth, we be no more children, unstayed and unconstant in our good courses and purposes; tossed to and fro with every wind of false doctrine, in the tottering cock-boat of our weak irresolution; and cheated, through the sleight and cunning craftiness of insinuating false teachers.

Ephesians 4:16

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body, unto the edifying of itself in love.

That, as in the natural body, we see that it is knit together by joints and sinews, to make up one complete living frame, which receiveth virtue and power of motion from the head, which is diffused into all the several parts according to the use and occasion of the divers members thereof; so as the whole body, by this means grows up together in strength and stature: so it is spiritually in the mystical body of Christ, the Church; it receiving virtue and grace from Christ, the Head, which is distributed to every faithful soul, as a limb and member of this body, grows up to the full state of perfection in Christ: and is in the whole bulk and frame thereof edified by the mutual love of each believer unto other.

Ephesians 4:18

Being alienated from the life of God.

Being estranged from that course of life, which God hath prescribed unto us.

Ephesians 4:20

But ye have not so learned Christ;

But ye have not so learned Christianity, as to give yourselves over, under that pretence, to riot and disorder;

Ephesians 4:21

If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

If, at least, ye have given ear to the doctrine of Christ, and have been taught in his school, so, as ye ought, according to the truth of this heavenly discipline: which is this,

Ephesians 4:22

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

That ye put off your old, sinful, depraved nature, which is corrupt according to those deceitful lusts and desires that are inbred in your bosoms, and now change your former affections and conversation;

Ephesians 4:23

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.

And be renewed, not only in the baser and lower faculties of the soul, which are your affections and appetite, but even in the more noble and higher powers thereof, which are your understanding and will.

Ephesians 4:26

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath;

If, according to the weakness of human nature, ye be carried into the passion of anger, yet take heed of being transported, by the vehemence thereof, into sin; neither let that unquiet passion, howsoever it may seize upon you, lodge and sleep with you:

Ephesians 4:27

Neither give place to the devil.

Neither do, by this harbouring of an uncharitable passion, let in Satan into your souls.

Ephesians 4:30

And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Do not cause the Spirit of God to withdraw his graces from you, as in a detestation of your lewd courses; neither do, by your sins, give just distaste to that Good Spirit, whereto ye have been so infinitely beholden for your confirmation, and sealing up to the full possession of your future glory.