Same, Yet Different (Ephesians 4:1-8)

SCRIPTURE

Ephesians 4:1-8

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says,

“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”

COMMENT

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord

Literally a prisoner and figuratively as well. A prisoner by force, and a prisoner by choice.

urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called

Paul's calling is not your calling. But whatever you have been called to do, do it in a worthy manner, fitting for a prisoner of God.

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace

Bearing with one another. Understanding that there are different callings, different manifestations of the Spirit, different understandings of God and His plans.

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all

But with all of the differences we have, God is one. His plans call for different gifts, different callings, different personalities, etc., but one God so one purpose. One faith, faith in Christ. One baptism, immersion into His Son, one Father, God Himself.

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says,

“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”

The grace by which you stand did not come through your effort, but the work of Christ. It is finished. The measure of that grace comes from the riches of God's grace. Gifts vary according to God's purposes. As does calling.