Eph 4:2
Eph 4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, Eph 4:2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love,
In our study on Ephesians 4:1, we took a closer look at what it means to be called a prisoner of the Lord. As someone under the control of Christ, the apostle Paul records words for us that beg a characteristic of children of God – that we walk in such a way to honor God. We are to represent the One we have bowed to. The privilege we have in being able to call God our heavenly Father is not without responsibility. Now, we move to the second verse of this chapter. I’m excited to dive in with you!
The word ‘with’ in the NAS begins the 2nd verse of Ephesians 4:2. ‘With’ denotes that there is something to accompany the thought beforehand. Therefore, Ephesians 4:2 answers a question for us, what does it look like to walk in a manner worthy of being God’s child?
With all humility. When I see this word, I immediately am reminded of who I am and who God is. We have every reason to be filled with a heart of humility. There is nothing to support a feeling of personal pride in the Gospel. Just consider the gospel message. God creates man – man sins against God – God provides the only solution in His Son Jesus Christ who is crucified for all men’s sin (and don’t forget, man was at the center of this most heinous act) – Jesus arose from the dead in victory over man’s sin – God’s relationship with man is restored. It’s all about God saving His children, redeeming us from our sin. We are nothing without God, we have nothing without God, there is no future without Him, there is no joy, no hope, no strength for the weary, and no light in the darkness. We are the ones in need!
Consider. What are you able to take credit for in your own life right now? Are you intelligent? Praise God! Are you a parent? Praise God! Have you been successful in your job? Praise God! Are you physically strong? Praise God! And even if you may be thinking that many of these things have come your way because of your hard work, consider who gave you the ability to work hard. Who put things into place so that you would be able to study and become intelligent? Who made it possible to conceive a child? Who designed your body to be capable?
I am blessed to know several people who are incredibly talented. I’m not just talking about an ability that is above most of us, but truly, above the top talented. One individual I know was destined for great fame, the timing was right, she even met someone who could launch her career into the world of voices such as Barbara Streisand and the like. Everything was in place, except … it was not God’s plan. She sometimes thinks of what might have been, yet totally accepts the blessings of God’s divine and perfect direction for her life. This takes a humble heart, and an absolute trust in God.
Having a heart of humility is not thinking poorly of ourselves, in fact, it glorifies God to recognize our special abilities and talent, rather it’s understanding who gifted us with our strengths. Humility is understanding our sin, our inability to rectify the stain of sin on our soul, and the need for our Savior. Humility is thinking rightly of ourselves and highly of Jesus; it's recognizing who we are in light of who God is and what He has done. It’s lowliness of mind. It’s knowing that anything you could or do accomplish anything it is only because God has specifically blessed you to do so. It’s having a modest and right view of who we are, a humble opinion of ourselves. Our only boast is in God. We are to esteem ourselves SMALL in light of our GREAT GOD.
Ps 34:2 My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear it and rejoice.
Ps 44:6-8 For I will not trust in my bow, nor will my sword save me. 7 But Thou hast saved us from our adversaries, And Thou hast put to shame those who hate us. 8 In God we have boasted all day long, and we will give thanks to Thy name forever. Selah.
Jer 9:23 Thus says the LORD, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; Jer 9:24 but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things, "declares the LORD.
Humility of mind allows us to serve with a heart fully desiring to honor God and help others. Humility of mind has no expectation for self-gain or recognition. It doesn’t keep track of what others say. It doesn’t concentrate on telling others where they have erred. There is no need to point a finger at someone else when we are busy fighting sin in our own life. Consider. When you feel the need to share with someone else about a difficult conversation you’ve had, or how hard you’re working to make things right with others, who are you elevating? Humility of mind esteems others more than self. It doesn’t look for recognition. Humility of mind puts God on the throne. It accepts God’s plan, and His dealing with us, without dispute. Humbleness befits our calling as God’s children. Have you received forgiveness for your sin? Doddridge says, “let the remembrance of it engage you to behave with all humility and lowliness of heart, under a sense of your former guilt and misery, and your unworthiness of that mercy which God hath magnified towards you; and thus to carry it with meekness towards those who may have troubled you by their forwardness, tenderly passing over their infirmities and indiscretions, as sensible what great offences have been forgive to yourselves.”
Php 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself;
And gentleness. This is translated from a different Hebrew word than humility but seems closely associated. The word meekness and also the phrase ‘quiet behavior’ are presented in several bible translations. As humility or lowliness of mind is directed at how we are to think of ourselves, gentleness or meekness refers more to our attitude towards others. When we have a right view of self, the temperament we have towards others is affected. We cannot be gentle or meek without first being humble. When a humble heart is present, then gentleness can be sown. We are then not so easily offended or angered. Have you been around someone who is irritable? This is the opposite of gentleness. Consider. The tone of your voice, your attitude, your demeanor and body language towards others. Are you exhibiting a spirit of gentleness? Do you accept injuries without the need to seek revenge? Do you accept the weaknesses of others or must you point out what they have done wrong?
Ga 6:1 Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; [each one] looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Many, many years ago, I was faced with an unfaithful husband. He was the one who left our marriage, he was the one who practiced infidelity, yet because of God’s grace in my life, I was able to forgive quickly. Why? Because I knew it was only because of God’s grace that I was not the one making unwise decisions. I could just as easily been the one who was caught in sin’s grasp. When we realize and accept our own sin problem, we become increasingly aware of our need for a Savior. Remembering the gentleness and forgiveness He has bestowed upon us, helps us to reciprocate a gentle spirit towards others.
Tit 3:1-2 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2 to malign no one, to be uncontentious, gentle, showing every consideration (humility, meekness, gentleness) for all men.
With patience. Patience or long-suffering is also bred from humility. What does it mean to have patience? This is a word most of us can work on in several areas of our life. It means to have fortitude, in this case to keep on keeping on in spite of difficult circumstances, to endure without complaining. The need for developing patience begins early on. The object of our patience changes as we move through life. We may need to learn patience as God clearly shows us the path we are to take in education. Patience may need to be practiced as we wait upon His direction for our future with a spouse or career or move. Of course, anyone with children has been educated in their own need to grow in patience as they guide their kids. There are many more examples that could be listed, but the importance of developing patience is something each of us has experienced and this will probably continue till we are called to our heavenly home. I love the way one commentary explains long-suffering, “Long-mindedness – never permitting a trial or provocation to get to the end of your patience”. Albert Barnes NT Commentary describes longsuffering this way: “Bearing patiently with the foibles, faults, and infirmities of others.” He goes on to suggest that patience should be seen in our manner of receiving the provocations which we meet with from others. How do you respond to the mistakes or short-comings of others? It may well be helpful to remember that God has made each of us to be different, unique. We may react differently to situations. For example, while some may become quiet, others may be more boisterous. Each of us has a different disposition and way of doing things, neither is right or wrong in most situations, just different. Our way of speaking, thinking, and reacting differ. Things that are of no importance to us and have little affect may be incredibly important to another and affect greatly. That’s okay!
Col 3:12 And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
Showing forbearance to one another. Take the idea of patience or long-suffering and add forbearance! We are to sustain one another, support each other even through the difficulties of life. We are to endure. This means, not once do we show humility, gentleness and patience but we continue to literally “hold oneself up against or put up with” weaknesses of others – just as Christ does with us. Included in the definition of forbearance is the word suffer. Consider. When you think of the real suffering Jesus endured for us on the cross, is it too much to ask that we ‘put up’ with others; can this even be categorized as true suffering?
Ro 15:1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not [just] please ourselves.
Ga 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.
Our practice of patience and long-suffering towards others directly affects how we are to relate to one another in unity, as we will explore further in Ephesians 4:4. “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling”.
1Co 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind, [and] is not jealous; love does not brag [and] is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong [suffered,] 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
In love. Agape: affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast: -- (feast of) charity (-ably), dear, love. Agapao, to love in a social or moral sense.
1Co 13:1-7 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have [the gift of] prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give all my possessions to feed [the poor,] and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind, [and] is not jealous; love does not brag [and] is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong [suffered,] 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Gentleness, patience and forbearance are born in humility. Then a humble heart is demonstrated by our love for one another. Without love for one another, it is impossible to be unified in our pursuit of holiness and honoring God.
“With the greatest humility, and meekness, and with long-suffering, support one another under the miseries of life, by doing every good office in your power to each other, from a principle of unfeigned love”. Macknight on the Epistles
“The word signifies a diligent, industrious, and united endeavor, to preserve and keep, to support and maintain, to unity of the Spirit; that is, a union of heart and spirit, a unity of faith and doctrine, and unity of judgment and affection, amongst all the professors of Christianity”. William Burkitt New Testament
Walk worthy with humility and gentleness, patiently enduring each other because of love.
