Notes on Ephesians, From the Writings of Dr. Henry Grube

Chapters 4,5,6

Chapter 4- Our Responsibilities To Others

In the preceding chapters we have seen THE CALLING of the Christian ( chpt. 1)

then the DOCTRINE for the Christian ( chpt. 2 )

then the REVELATION to the Christian ( chpt 3).

Now in chapter 4, we are shown our RESPONSIBILITIES as Christians. The Christian who understands God's message of GRACE is expected to show more Grace to others.

The believer who has learned the lessons of Scripture is expected to live the Life. Or, as one has well said, we should Walk our Talk…Behave as we believe and prqactice what we preach.

Verses 1-6

The tie that binds Christians is not UNANIMITY It is not necessary that Christians agree on every minor detail of Scripture. This will not come until the Lord returns. ( 4:13 )

The tie that binds the Christians together is not UNIFICATION. Organization does not necessarily produce unity, as we can readily see by looking at any organization. Whether it be religious or secular. THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT is the tie that binds ( 4:3).This is not the same as the unity of the faith ( 4:13 ).

THE ONE BODY ( of 4:4 ) refers to the church, the Body of Christ. Every Christian is ( was ) baptized into the church ( the Body of Christ) the very moment he trusted Christ as Savior and Lord ( I Cor. 12:12-13 ). The ONE LORD of course is The Lord Jesus. The ONE FAITH of course is the Gospel ( I Cor. 15:1-4 ) and the ONE BAPTISM of course is that baptism that puts every believer into the Body of Christ. All saved people have been baptized into the church ( the Body of Christ ) but not all believers have been baptized in water. The one essential necessary baptism is that which is referred to in Rom. 6:1-4, I Cor. 12:13 and Col. 2:9-13, which refers to Holy Spirit baptism and not water. The Scofield notes on page 1253 of the ( old ) Scofield reference Edition of the Bible are so complete and clear regarding Eph. 4:7-16. It is suggested that be read and studied carefully at this time.

In verses 17-29 we are commanded to live in such a way that others will see The Lord Jesus in us. These read something like the moral principles of the Sermon on the Mount. They read something like "let your light shine that others may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" ( Matt. 5) Some of the ten commandments are repeated here… reminding us that God never set aside the basic moral principles of the moral law. Verse 30 would remind us that if we do not obey the commands in verses 17-29, we will grieve the Holy Spirit …but verse 30 also tells us, that although we may fail Him, He will never forsake us.. then once again there comes the heart plea to 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you'.( verses 31-32) and a reminder that God forgave us.. when we didn't deserve it..so, we should be tender-hearted and forgiving to others.. and do for Christ sake.There are many things we should do, "just for Christ's sake".

Chapter 5-A Worthy Walk Is A Walk in Love

This chapter was not written for a social service program but it concerns the answer to social service problems. It shows the need of changing men instead of trying to change environment. Real genuine sacrificial service unto Christ produces the best kind of social service to a community ( compare Romans 12)

Chapter 5 instructs the Christian to 'walk in love' ( v.2). In Light ( v.8 )…to walk not in darkness etc. It all goes back to the call to WALK WORTHY ( chpt. 4:1 ) The many commandments in this chapter reminds us again that God has given the same basic moral commands to the Christian under Grace that He gave the Jew under Law. Here is seen a principle. Dispensational truth makes clear the Laws and rules of the Old Testament that apply to the Christian in this day of Grace. It is simply this: NONE OF THE RITES, RITUALS, RULES OR REGULATIONS of the Old Testament dispensation are binding on the Christian in this dispensation unless they are repeated TO the Christian in the Pauline Epistles.

By this principle, observance of keeping Saturday as the Sabbath is ruled out for this age because it is not commanded in the Church Epistles. Likewise the ritual of water Baptism and the offering of animal sacrifices, etc. However, these moral commands are identical to those listed under the 'ten commandments'. Verse 18 reminds us that although every Christian possesses the Holy Spirit.. there is the ever present need to be yielded to HIM.

Verses 21-23 were not written to teach the doctrine relative to the Body of Christ which is the church. These verses use TRUTH of Christ and His church to teach the sacredness of the relationship between a man and his wife. It is not an argument to show how THE CHURCH is the Bride of Christ., but the reference is made to show how much a man should care for his wife. It is no mystery that a man would desire to leave his father and mother and be alone with his wife. It would be a mystery if he thought otherwise. The mystery ( the Secret) is that Christ left the glory of heaven in order to make it possible for the Church to be formed. Verse 26 means that the Word of God has a cleansing power on the life of a believer.

It is significant that following verse 18, where the reference is made to being filled with the the Spirit, there is the note of praise, singing, melody and giving of thanks. It seems obvious that if one does not have this joy and peace and spirit of thanksgiving and praise, that he may be a child of God.. but not a happy child unless he is yielded to him. Another word for "Filled with the Spirit" would be "Surrendered to Him" or be yielded to him.

Some people call this surrender, some refer to it as: consecration ot dedication. The title isn't important. It is better to have the right thing by the wrong name than have the wrong thing by the right name.

Chapter 6-The Christian's Warfare

Chapter 6 is one of the most practical chapters in the word of God. There is the instruction to CHILDREN. ( 1-3) and advice to the FATHERS (v.4), rules for the SERVANTS (v.5-8) and commands for the MASTERS ( v. 9) If these instructions were faithfully followed, most of our domestic and industrial problems would be solved.

This chapter also shows the warfare of the Christian. The ARENA of the conflict is this life, this world. It is the ever present 'Now". This is daily walk of every believer.

OUR ADVERSARY is named He is the Devil. God would not let us be in doubt as to who our enemy is. Neither should we be ashamed to name and expose the enemies of the Gospel of the Grace of God. The ARMIES of the enemy are spiritual beings…rulers of darkness. OUR ARMOUR is provided for us by the Lord Himself. We are to be strong in Christ ( v. 10 ) have the armour of God ( v.13 ) to pray in THE SPIRIT. (v.18) Thus we see to depend on the TRINITY for victory. Three times we are told to STAND ( vv. 11, 13, 14 ) OUR ADVOCATE of course is ever ready to listen and heed our call for help. (v.18) And during this conflict we are to be AMBASSADORS.. representatives of the Lord Jesus. This chapter teaches among many things, that the Christian is not to be passive but aggressive. At the same time we must not confuse stubbornness with boldness. The boldness and courage of the Christian is seen by example in Acts 4:13 and Acts 13:45-46, Rom. 15:15-16 and Ephesians 6:18-20.

Paul lived and died to make a message known. He reveled in the riches of it ( Col. 1:26-27). He prayed for open doors where he could go in and proclaim it ( Col. 4:3, Eph. 6:19-20). His message… was TO MAKE KNOWN THE SACRED SECRET ( Eph. 3).. To let all men know that Christ is the answer to our every need. ( II Cor. 5:18-20).. to show that all who come to God in and through the Lord Jesus, will be accepted of God, become members of the Church, will at the same instant be baptized into the Body of Christ… united with Him forever. His desire was to make all men to see the hope, the riches, the power of the Gospel of the Grace of God ( Eph. 1:18-19).

Let us review again the main message of this Epistle. Read it over carefully and note… where God shows how every Christian should Behave as he Believes…that we should match our preaching with daily practice… that we should walk our talk… that our conduct should measure up to our creed.

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