Ephesians 4:2
with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
To understand this verse in context, we need to look at the surrounding verses and the overall theme of St.Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Ephesians is one of the letters written by the apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus and other surrounding churches. The book is often referred to as one of St.Paul's "prison epistles" because he wrote it while he was imprisoned.
The central theme of Ephesians is the unity of believers in Christ and the establishment of the church as the body of Christ. St.Paul emphasizes the importance of living a life worthy of the calling we have received in Christ Jesus. He encourages believers to walk in unity, love, and holiness, and to grow in spiritual maturity.
Now, let's look at the immediate context of Ephesians 4:2. I'll quote verses 1 to 3 for a clearer picture:
"Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV):
1 I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
In these verses, St.Paul urges the believers to walk in a manner worthy of their calling in Christ. This involves specific attributes and behaviors:
Humility and gentleness (lowliness): St.Paul encourages believers to have a humble and gentle attitude towards one another and to avoid pride and arrogance. This humility recognizes that we are all dependent on God's grace and love.
Patience: St.Paul advises believers to have patience with one another. This means enduring and bearing with the weaknesses, faults, and differences of others, just as God shows patience towards us.
Bearing with one another in love: St.Paul emphasizes the importance of love in relationships within the Christian community. We are to bear with one another's flaws and struggles in a spirit of love and understanding, seeking to support and encourage one another.
The context of these verses is promoting unity and harmony within the church. St.Paul highlights the virtues of humility, gentleness, patience, and love as crucial qualities that promote and maintain the bond of peace and unity among believers. This is important because unity among believers is a powerful testimony to the world of the transforming power of the gospel and the love of Christ.
Ephesians 4:2 reminds us to display humility, patience, and love in our relationships with fellow believers as we seek to maintain unity in the body of Christ. These qualities are essential for promoting a healthy and Christ-like community within the church.
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