Following Christ

An Expository Commentary Based upon Paul's Letter to the Ephesians

Callahan

• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Year: 2012
• eBook ISBN: 9781630870706
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Religion

The latter half of Chapter 4 of Paul's letter to the Ephesians is the watershed of this magnificent document that is often referred to as the holy of holies. Paul was never hesitant to declare God's truth as he proclaimed it to those professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, after praising The Triune God for the love, wisdom, and blessings bestowed upon us during the first three and one-half chapters Paul does an about face and enjoins the believers with these strong words saying, This I... testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity (futility) of their mind. He is telling the hearers that once they are Christ's they are to walk to a different drummer, the Master Himself.Paul completes the watershed transition by reminding professing Christians, But ye have not so learned Christ. It is with these simple, single syllable words that he opens new horizons for the members of Christ's body and paves the way for enunciating the duties and responsibilities they are to learn and to do when Following Christ. This learning and practicing is not easy, but it us joyful, rewarding, and worthwhile.That is why Paul, before embarking on Christ's learning pathway, tells the followers in the way to, put off... the old man; be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And... put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. May we heed God's truth as revealed to Paul by the Holy Spirit. These blessings are comforting, strengthening, and manifold when committing ourselves to Walking With Jesus.

1

Walk Not as Other Gentiles

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity (futility) of their mind,

Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through (because of) the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness (hardening) of their heart:

Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness (licentiousness), to work all uncleanness with greediness [Eph. 4:17–19].

The first sixteen verses of Chapter 4 in Ephesians stress the unity, which is found only in Christ, and the church which is the body of Christ. As members of the body of Christ we are to study and practice His teachings. We are to grow and develop. We are to walk with our Master seven days a week. We are to be rooted in Christ. We are not to be tossed about by every wind of doctrine, the sleight of men, or their cunning craftiness.

In the last chapter, we considered five essential points while concluding our examination of Chapter 4, verses 1–16. They are:

believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, the center of our faith, who is to be preached and taught as the only begotten (unique) Son of God;

having a right relationship with our Lord and being in union with Him;

having the life of the Spirit within which comes from Christ;

examining ourselves in the light of the Gospel, praying for renewal and the strength to obey His commands; and

responding to His call by increasing in faith and knowledge, and submitting ourselves to the will of God.

The Apostle devotes the remaining two and one-half chapters to applying doctrine and to practicing Christ’s teachings. He devotes the following passages to what we are to be and what we are not to be. Some time ago, I had the pleasure of listening to tapes by Chuck Swindoll. One of the sermons contained a statement that is applicable to our study. He said, “I am not as interested in getting through Jude as I am interested in Jude getting through us.” Thank goodness our concern is for Ephesians to get through to us and not getting through Paul’s letter.

Paul begins the last half of Chapter 4 with the thought, This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity (futility) of their mind. The first characteristic of our walk with Christ is unity. It was examined in verses 1–16 of this chapter. Now it is time to consider the second characteristic, holiness. This is the essence of verses 17–30.

Paul introduces these truths with firmness and a tone of urgency. His introductory statement could be interpreted, “I solemnly adjure you as in God’s presence.” Paul transmits the burden upon his heart as he writes to them about the importance and necessity of changing their mode of living. He knew he was going to speak frankly and faithfully to them. Therefore, he wanted them to know that he was not merely stating his personal convictions concerning their life in Christ, but that it is the living Lord who is speaking through him.

Once again, we cannot overlook the word therefore. It is the dividing line between the heavenly calling in chapters 1–3 and the practical application in chapters 4–6. Paul was noting the fact that the Ephesians had moved from their old position in sin to their new position in Christ. What did this mean? The new position required a clean break with everything pertaining to their old ways. The new position in Christ calls for new practices. Paul calls them to an altogether different walk from those who are outside Christ. He says to them at this juncture, This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity (futility) of their mind.

The Apostle uses the term henceforth in this verse. It is worthwhile recalling what Paul said earlier, before proceeding.

Wherefore 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;

That 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:

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes (once) were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ [Eph. 2:11–13].

You will note several things:

. . . ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, . . .

That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens . . . and strangers . . . having no hope, and without God in the world:

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes (once) were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ [Selections from Eph. 2:11–13].

In this thirteenth verse the Greek word for sometimes is pote. The correct interpretation of this word is “once” or “at sometime or other.” Therefore, this verse should read, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who ‘once’ or ‘at sometime or other’ were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”

By understanding where the Ephesian believers had been enables us to better understand where Paul wants them to be in their relationship with Christ and how they (we) are to conduct themselves as His followers. Consequently, Paul forcefully injects the thought with the word henceforth that “once” or “at one time or another” you were not in Christ, but now you are. Once you were dead, now you are alive. Something amazing had happened. The sinner had become a saint. How? By the blood of Christ.

Henceforth, life could never be as it was before. Since it could not be, Paul beseeches them to walk in the newness of life. Therefore, in the following verses he describes what they are to be and not to be.

Paul immediately proceeds to tell them what they are not to do, saying,

that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles . . . in the vanity (futility) of their mind,

Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, through (because of) the ignorance that is in them,

because of the blindness (hardening) of their heart

[Selections from Eph. 4:17–18].

As usual Paul is direct. He does not mince words; he is forceful. He is not speaking with license, but responsibly. Paul wants us to realize that when we are in Christ we are entirely new creatures.

Before proceeding, recall the approach Paul has taken in writing this letter as enunciated by Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “In the first three chapters, the apostle lays down the Doctrine of Salvation; in Chapter 4, verses one through sixteen, he presents the Doctrine of the Church and what brings us into the church; and from Chapter Four, verse seventeen through the rest of the letter, is the outworking of doctrine in our daily lives, contacts, experiences, and conduct.” The Apostle presents detailed explanations in each section expounding upon God’s Word.

As we proceed to study the remainder of this magnificent letter, there are certain points to consider in order to better understand what follows. First, the Apostle never leaves anything to chance. To say the least, Paul is a careful teacher. He is never content to just enunciate principles. He never stops there. He invariably applies his teaching. The Word is always to be applied. We are to become knowledgeable as to how the Word is applied by Paul, Peter, John and the others through whom God spoke. We are to face up to every single detail and its application.

The Christian life is a life to be lived, and it is to be lived in particular details. It is not a philosophy. If we are not endeavoring to live this life to which we have been called in detail, then we are denying the very truth we claim to believe. This cannot be stated too strongly or too frequently. What did our Lord say?

If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them

[John 13:17].

For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath [Matt. 13:12].

For unto every one that hath (more) shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath [Matt. 25:29].

We have a great responsibility to know the truth and to apply it. We are to know the details, not just the generalities; the application includes the details.

Second, the life of the church a...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Topical Categories in Walking with Jesus
• Volume Five: Topical Categories
• Foreword
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• The Question of Authorship
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: Walk Not as Other Gentiles
• Chapter 2: The Vanity (Futility) of Their Mind
• Chapter 3: Hardness of Their Hearts
• Chapter 4: Alienated from God
• Chapter 5: Contrasts
• Chapter 6: Knowing the Truth
• Chapter 7: God’s Amazing Grace
• Chapter 8: Corrupt Through the Lusts of Deceit
• Chapter 9: The Power of God
• Chapter 10: Controlled by the Spirit of Christ
• Chapter 11: Created in Righteousness
• Chapter 12: Truth According to God
• Chapter 13: Speaking the Truth
• Chapter 14: Anger—Sinful or Righteous
• Chapter 15: Steal No More, Labor, and Give to the Needy
• Chapter 16: Communicating With Believers and Non-Believers
• Chapter 17: Grieve Not the Holy Spirit
• Chapter 18: A Walk in Love
• Outline Questions
• Bibliography