Ephesians 4

Unity in the Body of Christ

1 I, therefore, the prisoner 1 of the Lord, 2 beseech you to a walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit b in the bond of peace. 4 c There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 d one Lord, e one faith, f one baptism; 6 g one God and Father of all, who is above all, and h through all, and in 3 you all. 7 But i to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.

8 Therefore He says:
j "When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men." 4

9 k (Now this, "He ascended" - what does it mean but that He also 5 first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One l who ascended far above all the heavens, m that He might fill all things.) 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, n for the 6 edifying of o the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith p and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to q a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be r children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of s deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the t head - Christ - 16 u from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

The New Life

17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should v no longer walk as 7 the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the w blindness of their heart; 19 x who, being past feeling, y have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you z put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and a be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you b put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore, putting away lying, c "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," 8 for d we are members of one another. 26 e "Be angry, and do not sin": 9 do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 f nor give 10 place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather g let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something h to give him who has need. 29 i Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but j what is good for necessary 11 edification, k that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And l do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 m Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, 12 clamor, and n evil speaking be put away from you, o with all malice. 32 And p be kind to one another, tenderhearted, q forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

  1. Cross References
    Ephesians 2:10
    For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
    Colossians 1:10
    That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
    Colossians 2:6
    As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.
    1 Thessalonians 2:12
    That you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
  2. Cross References
    Colossians 3:14
    But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
  3. Cross References
    Romans 12:5
    So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
  4. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:13
    Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
  5. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:1 - 8
    Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand.
  6. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 12:12
    For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
    1 Corinthians 12:13
    For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free - and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
    Hebrews 6:6
    If they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
  7. Cross References
    Malachi 2:10
    Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously with one another By profaning the covenant of the fathers?
    1 Corinthians 8:6
    Yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
    1 Corinthians 12:6
    And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
  8. Cross References
    Romans 11:36
    For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
  9. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 12:7
    But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
    1 Corinthians 12:11
    But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
  10. Cross References
    Psalms 68:18
    You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, Even from the rebellious, That the LORD God might dwell there.
    Colossians 2:15
    Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
  11. Cross References
    Luke 23:43
    And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.
    John 3:13
    No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
    John 20:17
    Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.'
    1 Peter 3:19
    By whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison.
    1 Peter 3:20
    Who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.
  12. Cross References
    Acts 1:9
    Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
  13. Cross References
    Acts 2:33
    Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
    Ephesians 1:23
    Which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
  14. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 14:26
    How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
  15. Cross References
    Colossians 1:24
    I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church.
  16. Cross References
    Colossians 2:2
    That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ.
  17. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 14:20
    Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.
    Colossians 1:28
    Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
    Hebrews 5:14
    But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
  18. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 14:20
    Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.
  19. Cross References
    Romans 16:18
    For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.
  20. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:22
    And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church.
  21. Cross References
    Romans 12:4
    For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function.
    Colossians 2:19
    And not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.
  22. Cross References
    Ephesians 2:2
    In which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.
    Ephesians 4:22
    That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.
  23. Cross References
    Romans 1:21
    Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
  24. Cross References
    1 Timothy 4:2
    Speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.
  25. Cross References
    1 Peter 4:3
    For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles - when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.
  26. Cross References
    Colossians 3:8
    But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
  27. Cross References
    Romans 12:2
    And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
    Colossians 3:10
    And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.
  28. Cross References
    Romans 6:4
    Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
    Romans 7:6
    But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.
    Romans 12:2
    And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
    2 Corinthians 5:17
    Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
    Colossians 3:10
    And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.
  29. Cross References
    Zechariah 8:16
    These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace.
    Ephesians 4:15
    But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ -
    Colossians 3:9
    Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds.
  30. Cross References
    Romans 12:5
    So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
  31. Cross References
    Psalms 4:4
    Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah
    Psalms 37:8
    Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret - it only causes harm.
  32. Cross References
    Romans 12:19
    Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
    James 4:7
    Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
    1 Peter 5:9
    Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
  33. Cross References
    Acts 20:35
    "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
    1 Corinthians 4:12
    And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure.
    Galatians 6:10
    Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
  34. Cross References
    Luke 3:11
    He answered and said to them, "He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.
    1 Thessalonians 4:12
    That you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
  35. Cross References
    Matthew 12:34
    Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
    Ephesians 5:4
    Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
    Colossians 3:8
    But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
  36. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 5:11
    Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
  37. Cross References
    Colossians 3:16
    Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
  38. Cross References
    Isaiah 7:13
    Then he said, "Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also?
  39. Cross References
    Romans 3:14
    "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."
    Colossians 3:8
    But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
    Colossians 3:19
    Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
  40. Cross References
    James 4:11
    Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
  41. Cross References
    Titus 3:3
    For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
  42. Cross References
    Matthew 6:14
    For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
    2 Corinthians 6:10
    As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
  43. Cross References
    Mark 11:25
    And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.
    Luke 6:37
    Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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