The practical part of the Epistle now begins. From verse 1-17 we have our corporate responsibility as members of the body of Christ set before us to walk together in love; and secondly, the gifts of ministry given us from the ascended Head for our perfecting and edification. Verse 17 and onwards, takes up the individual responsibility of each.
The prisoner of the Lord beseeches us to walk worthy of the vocation or calling wherewith we are called. Let us recall for one moment what this vocation or calling is. It has fully been set before us in the fist two chapters of our Epistle. First, we are called into the relationship with the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:33Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Ephesians 1:3)), as His sons and heirs of His inheritance (vss. 4-15). Secondly, into relationship with Christ, Head over all things to His Church which is His body; as His members (Eph. 1:22, 23; 2:1-1822And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:22‑23)
1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 11Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. (Ephesians 2:1‑18)); thirdly, into relationship with the Spirit, as His habitation—His dwelling in the Assembly of God (Eph. 2:19-2219Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19‑22)). What a holy unity we are brought into! The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ is the Source of it; Christ, the Head of His body the Assembly, is the Head and Center of it; and the Holy Ghost, the power on earth that gathers all into it, and then takes up His abode in the habitation He has formed. Such is the holy calling wherewith we are called; the Father’s ultimate purpose being to gather all thins in heaven and earth round His Son, His Church being His Bride. (see Eph. 1:9,10; 5:31-329Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (Ephesians 1:9‑10)
31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:31‑32)). This is the only corporate position Christians have as set forth in the New Testament. Oh, my dear reader, if you consider your relationship to hte God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and what that Being is who is the Head of the family who has called you to be His childe, made you an heir of His inheritance in His Beloved Son, and in the meantime sealed you by His Spirit, will not your whole being, will interests, good pleasure, which is set on the glory of His Son, and your blessing in Him? (see Eph. 1:1-141Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:1‑14).) If you also think that as a member of Christ you are His who is Head over all things to the Church which is His body, will you not seek to walk simply as a member of His body, owning Him as Head, just with it may be, two or three others? (Eph. 1:19-23; 2:1-1819And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:19‑23)
1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 11Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. (Ephesians 2:1‑18)). And if you think that by God’s grace you are a part of God’s building in which the Holy Ghost dwells, will you not flee from any Assembly where God’s rule is not owned, or God’s character held in honor? (chap 2:19-22)
We are called to walk worthy of this high and holy calling, in lowliness and meekness, forbearing one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
But how can we be walking worthy of it if we acknowledge every worldly system and sect that has sprung up in Christendom? What the apostle prays for the Colossians, is that they may come to the full assurance of understanding of the acknowledgment of the mystery of Christ (Col. 2:1-21For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; (Colossians 2:1‑2)). If I acknowledge a worldly church, is this the acknowledgment of the mystery of Christ? If I acknowledge sectarianism, is this confessing the truth of the unity the Holy Ghost has formed? We are told to do it, true, in lowliness and meekness, forbearing one another in love; but how can this be done, unless the basis of unity is acknowledged, as it is written, “There is one body and one Spirit, even as we are called in one hope of our calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all, and in us all”? The principle of sect denies the spirit of lowliness and meekness which is pressed here. Instead, there is heart-burning and strife. And that spirit of looseness that smooths it all over, and, under the plea of being unsectarian, makes everything right, is, if possible worse: it is positive unfaithfulness to Christ. Does Christ think little of worldly associations? The angels who visited Lot, fresh from the holy association of heaven, could hardly be persuaded to lodge in His house for one night. Why? Because of his association with the world. He pitched his tent toward Sodom. There he sat in the gate, when the angels met him. Oh, worldly Christian, beware! The Lord can have no association or fellowship with thee in Sodom! Come out and be separate and I will be a Father unto you, is the word (2 Cor. 6.). The Church, the body of Christ exists by virtue of its union with Christ in heaven by the Holy Ghost, outside a world on which is written, Judgment! Then we are called to express together by breaking the one loaf at the Lord’s table (1 Cor. 10:16,1716The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. (1 Corinthians 10:16‑17)). The death of Christ separating us from all other fellowship (1 Cor. 10:18-2018Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. (1 Corinthians 10:18‑20)). Dear believer, do you know that that same death of Christ which has saved thy soul and has put away thy sins, separated thy Savior forever from the world? After the cross the world saw Him no more, and will not till He return to judge it. So in regard to us, we are crucified to the world, and the world is crucified unto us. The cross is for us not only the putting away of our sins, but our death to sin, death to the law, death to the world, and Christ having gone up on high, and the Holy Ghost come down, we are united to Him in a new nature, made members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. There is one body and one Spirit. We are called to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. To make a sect, is to make a unity. God’s unity exists in the world since Pentecost, and the Spirit of God gives it its character. We are called to come to the acknowledgement of this, and to walk in the spirit that appertains to it, and that in lowliness and meekness, forbearing one another in love; in the blessed hope of the Head’s speedy return to present us to Himself, as a glorious Church, in one hope of our calling.
One Lord, one faith, one baptism, is the outward unity of profession more connected with chapter 2:22. We are to acknowledge this outer circle, separate from the evil, and to cleave to the one Lord, one faith, one baptism (comp. 1 Cor. 10:1-121Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 11Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (1 Corinthians 10:1‑12)). One God and Father of all seems to be a still larger circle. It embraces every family in heaven and earth (comp. Eph. 3:1515Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, (Ephesians 3:15)). The angels, the Jews, the Gentiles, the Church; but it only appertains to the latter to have His blessed indwelling presence. Hi is in you all (vs. 6).
Now we come to the grace given to all the members, for their mutual support and growth. There are special gifts given to some (vss. 8,11), but grace to all (vs. 7). Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ, wherefore He saith, when He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Verses 9-10 are a parenthesis. And He gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come, (1) into the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, (2) unto a perfect man, (3) unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
Here we find that the gifts of ministry flow down from the ascended Head, for the perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry, the edifying of the body of Christ, till each saint has grown up toa full-grown stature; being no longer a babe (vs. 15) but a perfect man. But this will not be as fact in regard to the whole body till the Lord returns. There is no mention here of man-choosing, man-ordaining; it is Christ who gives them. The apostles and prophets were the foundations (comp. 2:20). The rest—evangelists, pastors, and teachers remain. The evangelist for carrying the glad tidings to the world; the pastor, for feeding the flock gathered out of it; and the teacher for its establishment and instruction in the truth.
There are gifts to the whole body and therefore could not be confined to a locality, or place. There is another kind of ministry in the Word -the bishops and deacons. These were local, appointed by apostles or their delegates, and confined to one place. These were specially connected with the order and government of the Church. There were several bishops and several deacons in one local assembly (comp. Phil 1:1: 1 Tim 3), but there was no mention made as to their continuance. With the gifts of ministry there is. They remain till we all come to a perfect man; and that will not be in regard to all saints till the Lord returns. And, for the comfort and establishment of the poor saints in the days of ruin and confusion, I would add that the whole truth mentioned in the Ephesians, is linked with that order of ministry which the apostle graphically describes in the Epistle to the Galatians (Eph. 1,2) as a ministry not of man, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ. And then he links all the blessed truths of justification by faith, life in Christ, adoption into the family of God, sealing of the Spirit, and a walk by faith and in the Spirit (Eph. 3, 4, 5), with the ministry in contrast to Judaising teachers who were claiming connection with and authority from the twelve apostles, for teaching the believers that they were under the law. So in this Epistle, all the truth of the Church and its calling, is connected with the same order of ministry, whilst the highest truth brought out in Timothy and Titus, where the offices of the bishops and deacons are mentioned, is the doctrine of simple grace and salvation, and then rules for the order and government of the Church. How blessed that the Spirit of God saw beforehand the assumptions of the clergy, and provided for the maintenance of His truth through gifts coming direct from Christ.
Secondly, these gifts were given that we might be no more children, tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of man, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effective working in the measure of every part, making increase in the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Thus, every member of the body has its work to do, besides the special gifts given by the Head. The joints have their work to do every bit as much as the hands and feet. They convey the nourishment to every part. To every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ (ver 7.) Thus, we see Christ, the ascended Head of the Church, as the Giver of gifts of ministry for the benefit of His body. The saints are perfected by them, the body is built up. they are for the furtherance of practical unity, and knowledge of the growth of the new man. The saints are by them to be preserved from error; so as to be no more children, but to grow up in Christ. And let me ask the beloved reader whether these marks have not been increasingly seen in the Church, wherever these gifts of Christ have been received. Whilst the man-ordaining ministry of Christendom keeps the people of God apart, Christ’s ministry conduces to unity, separation from evil, growth in grace and the knowledge of the Son of God.
From verses 4:17 to 5:21, we have the individual walk of the Christian set forth, flowing out from his position. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind; having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their hearts, who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. The walk is founded on two great principles: first, the truth as it is in Jesus, namely, that the old man has been put off and the new man put on (vss. 21-24); secondly, the presence of the Holy Ghost in the man (vs. 30), whereby he is sealed to the day of redemption, and in consequence called to be an imitator of God in His double character of love and light (Eph. 5:1, 2, 81Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor. (Ephesians 5:1‑2)
8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (Ephesians 5:8)).
We never can walk till our position by grace is settled, and the life of God (vs. 18) is communicated to us. What a life! But that life was manifested in a Man, and that Man was Jesus.
When we have received the truth as it is in Jesus, this life is in us, which has its spring in God, and now flows down through Jesus by the Spirit into our hearts. Having this life breathed into us by the risen Head of the new creation, we are no longer in the flesh; we have put it off. It is here called the old man. We have likewise put on the new man, which is created in righteousness and holiness of truth. The first man was created upright but without the knowledge of good and evil. The Second Man was righteous and holy in Himself. He knew evil from what was outside Himself, who was the perfection of goodness, and kept separate from evil. Now our connection is neither with Adam upright, nor with Adam fallen.
We were in connection with Adam fallen, partaking of his nature; but now by grace, and through the death and resurrection of Christ, we are brought into connection with the Second Man, risen as Head of hte new creation, partaking of a new nature, which after God is created in righteousness and holiness of truth. The first man, Adam and his nature is put off; the Second man, Christ, and His nature is put on—the Holy Ghost indwelling and renewing the mind daily. This is the true foundation for the Christian’s walk by faith. The practice flows out from our position, and the good and evil are measured no longer by the law, but by what appertains to the fist man and the Second Man -the old man and the new man.
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor; for we are members one of another. Lying belongs to the old man, truth to the new. Be ye angry and sin not (comp. Mark 3:55And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. (Mark 3:5)); let not the sun go down upon your wrath; neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good for the use of edifying, that it might minister grace to the hearers. It might seem superfluous to warn the Christian not to steal, but the flesh -the old man is there, and it is a thief. No longer (true for faith) a part of ourselves, for it is put off by the death of Christ and by the power of the new life, but actually there still; hence the warning.
The Holy Ghost’s presence in the soul is the next reason given for not grieving Him. He is a Friend who has sealed you till the day of redemption, and is dwelling in you. Now do not grieve Him. Let all bitterness, anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice (they appertain to the old man); and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Thus, we are to go forth and show the character of God to one another, forgiving as He forgave us for Christ’s sake. Oh, where do we see these precious fruits of grace in Christians? Alas for the fallen Christianity of the day! It is still, alas, often an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, instead of forgiving as God forgives, and from the sense that He has forgiven us. Grace has set us in connection with the life of God. We are made possessors of eternal life in the Son, and God dwells in us, who is the very Source of that life. We are called to go forth and show that life to others, which has saved our souls. It was failure in this that the Lord could not forgive (Matt. 18:23-3523Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. (Matthew 18:23‑35)). He had already forgiven the servant that owed him one thousand talents, expecting him to show the same spirit of grace to his fellow servants. Instead of which he caught one of them by the throat, who owed him one hundred pence, and saying, pay me that thou owest, and because he could not pay, he went out and cast him into prison. This the Lord could not forgive, and this is but a picture of the Father’s governmental dealings, with those who do not show His spirit of grace to others. It is the failure to walk in grace that is now the hateful thing, and which brings under the Father’s government. But that is not the subject of this Epistle, which is entirely grace. We are given this blessed life of God by grace. We are called to go and show it forth to others, forgiving one another, as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven us.