KINGSWOOD UNIVERSITY

OUT WITH THE OLD; IN WITH THE NEW AN EXEGETICAL PAPER ON EPHESIANS 4:25-32

BY:

A GOOD STUDENT SPO# 000 INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY PROFESSOR ANANIAS DAMASCUS NOVEMBER 8, 2013

Ephesians 4:25-32:

Paul is commanding Christians to leave their old ways and practices and replace them with ways that bring honor to God and strengthen their relationships with others.

I.

Remember we are all part of one body (v. 25-28) a. Speak the truth instead of lying (v. 25). b. If you have anger it must be righteous instead of destructive (v. 26-27). c. Work hard and give to those in need instead of stealing (v. 28).

II.

Remember we are to build each other up (v. 29-32) a. Build up others with the way you talk instead of using rotten speech (v. 29). b. Do not sadden the Holy Spirit by the way you act (v. 30). c. In relationships, be kind instead of malicious (v. 31-32).

The letter to the Ephesians was likely written to the church in Ephesus by the apostle Paul, as indicated in the opening verses of letter. While some doubt the authorship of Paul because of similarities with the letter to Colosse, and because some ancient manuscripts do not explicitly mention Ephesus in 1:1, many understand this epistle to be a circular letter intended for several churches in the area of Asia Minor (Liefeld 1985, 1789, 1791). According to Acts 19:1-10, Paul spent more than two years in Ephesus and from that city his message spread into the whole province. Unlike many of Pauls other letters, this one does not address any specific problem in the church (Liefeld 1985, 1700). According to Stott, The central theme is Gods new societywhat it is, how it came into being through Christ, how its origins and nature were revealed to Paul, how it grows through proclamation, how we are to live lives worthy of it, and how one day it will be consummated when Christ presents his bride the church to himself in splendor (Stott 1979, 25-26). Ephesians is written to new believers and covers the basics of this new society and lifestyle that they are now a part of. The first part of the letter tells the Ephesians about the new life that they have received in Jesus (1:3 2:10). Once Paul has described the new life in Christ, he moves on to cover the new society to which those who follow Christ now belong (2:11 3:21). He then tells them how they should live in response to the gift of this new life (4:1 5:21). Finally, Paul speaks about how Christians should relate to one another in this new society (5:21 6:24) (Stott 1979, 25). In the fourth chapter of Ephesians, starting in verse 17, Paul begins to lay out for his readers a new way of living. He tells them to walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind (Eph. 4:17 NASB). Those who do not follow Christ have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness (Eph. 4:19 NASB). Paul wants Christians to live in a completely different way than those who do not 2

know Jesus. He wants them to lay aside the old self and put on the new self (Eph. 4:22-24 NASB). What will be discussed in this paper are some specific ways in which Christians should put on the new self. In the next seven verses (4:25-32), Paul relates some simple commands to those who follow Christ that cover several areas of Christian life in two paragraphs. In each paragraph, he gives both positive and negative commands, and also lists benefits or motivations for following that command. The first paragraph (4:25-28) highlights the unity of the body by beginning with the reminder that we are part of body and ending with the implication that we should share with those in need. The second paragraph (4:29-32) reminds that our speech and actions should build others up. All of these commands involve abandoning an old way of life and actively living in a way that brings honor to God. Following these verses, the paragraph ends with commands to Be imitators of God, as beloved children and to walk in love (Eph. 5:1,2 NASB). According to Snodgrass, Living in love sums up 4:25-5:1 (Snodgrass 1996, 253). The following paragraph gives similar commands that anyone claiming new life in Christ is to follow. These statements state even more clearly that immorality and impurity have no place in the life of believers. Speak the truth instead of lying (v.25). Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. This first sentence of the paragraph ends with the rationale for the instructions. The first active command in this verse is for the Christian to speak truth. A Christian is to be seen as trustworthy and honest. The negative command comes in the form of a participle. It is also important to note that the literal meaning of falsehood is the lie which is singular (Snodgrass 1996, 249). According to Stott, Paul may be referring to the great lie of idolatry in Romans 3

1:25. In this case, since the believer has left this great deceit, he is now to get rid of smaller falsehoods and be given totally to the truth (Stott 1979, 184-185). The command to speak truth is a quotation from the Old Testament in Zechariah 8:16. Each command in this passage deals with mans relationships. Therefore, the command to speak truth to ones neighbor is given to bring about unity in the body of Christ. When telling the truth is a high priority in a Christians life, trust builds between members of the body. Paul wants followers of Christ to make every effort to be of one mind and one heart. This includes building bonds of trust. For fellowship is built on trust, and trust is built on truth. So falsehood undermines fellowship, while truth strengthens it (Stott 1979, 185). Paul wants the Christians in Ephesus to reject their old way of living by actively telling the truth to each other. Paul makes a command that is very practical and applicable to everyday life. Following this command, as with all the others in this passage, will glorify God and build better relationships on earth. If you have anger, it must be righteous instead of destructive (v. 26-27). Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger and do not give the devil an opportunity. In these verses, the positive command is outgunned by three negative commands. The first part of verse 26 is a quotation from Psalms 4:4. Since Paul is trying to get the point across that he wants Christs church to be unified, he lays down specific guidelines for Christians to follow when they are angry. In this passage, Paul clearly sets forth the idea of righteous anger, but his main focus is that unity is preserved through differences among the members of the body of Christ. He wants Christians to control their anger by not sinning. To be truly Christ-like, Christians must get angry at what makes God angry yet must love as Christ loves. In order to be angry without sinning, a Christians anger must be free of any selfish motives (Stott 1979, 187). Christians should not water-down the truth of God, by being overly tolerant and accepting of 4

things that God does not accept. However, as Bruce says, there is a subtle temptation to regard my anger as righteous indignation and other peoples anger as sheer bad temper (Bruce 1984, 361). There is no shortage of anger in the church today, but there is a shortage of righteous anger that hates sin with an undying passion. Anger in the Christian life should only be motivated by the Spirit, and not driven by a hidden agenda. There is also a second negative command, do not let the sun go down on your anger. There is a figure of speech used in this part of the verse that should not be taken literally. The main point that Paul makes is that Christians should resolve their differences quickly. If a Christian possesses anger, then it should be dealt with swiftly. Anger should not be given a chance to take control. Just as we get angry at sin by Gods example, we should also follow His example in being quick to seek resolution and quick to forgive. One theme that reoccurs throughout this passage is the intersection between human relationships and spiritual relationships. The third negative command concerning anger is to not give the devil an opportunity. The word opportunity can be literally translated place (Snodgrass 1996, 250). When there is disharmony between members of the faith, Satan is given a place. Paul implies by this command that selfish anger is a tool used by the devil to confuse the church in petty arguments and feuds against one another rather than focusing its energy on obedience and love. When the church has righteous anger it can be unified against the enemy, but when destructive anger comes in, this tool can backfire and create disunity, giving Satan a place. The call in verse 26 to Be angry must be followed in the context that Paul is calling the church to be unified and have strong, trusting relationships with one another. A righteous anger is one that contains no sin, has a desire to be resolved quickly, and builds up the body of Christ by not giving the devil a place amongst believers.

Work hard and give to those in need instead of stealing (v. 28). He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. This command is the most amazing in this passage. Once again the apostle Paul is calling on Christians to abandon the ways of the old life and embrace the new life in Christ. This commandment is simply radical! Before Christ, an individual could fulfill his selfish desires by stealing. However, in the new life, selfish actions are transformed into a lifestyle of hard work and service to others. Verse 28 follows the theme of these commands from Paul. The believer is to stop acting in a way that fulfills self and become concerned with others. As Snodgrass quotes, The thief is to become a philanthropist (Snodgrass 1996, 250). The words need and good connect verses 28 and 29. In verse 28 the good work of the believers hand is what fulfills the physical need of other believers (Snodgrass 1996, 250). Paul again accentuates the relationship between our spiritual walk and its positive benefits on other believers. When we follow the command of God and do well to others, everyone benefits. This concluding statement highlights the unity that is only possible when all contribute. Build up others with the way you talk instead of using rotten speech (v. 29). Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. The second paragraph also begins with a sentence that provides the rationale for the instructions. The Greek word translated unwholesome is sapros (Stott 1979, 188). It occurs eight times in the New Testament and its primary meaning is rotten, putrid (Mounce 2006, 1267). This word is used of spoiled fish or rotten fruit, but it is also used to describe stones that crumble. The metaphorical meaning connotes foul or bad (Snodgrass 1996, 251). The negative command given to Christians in this verse is that they do away with their rotten speech. The Bible is not

just referring to the use of specific crude words, but any speech that tears down the esteem of a believer or the relationship between believers. It is not enough to do away with unwholesome talk. The positive command is to speak in a way that builds others up. Just as in verse 28, the words need and good appear. In this case, Christians are to speak good words that fit the need of the moment (Snodgrass 1996, 250). This parallel shows the importance of words and our speech in everyday life. The supplying of an edifying word can be just as healthy as much needed food. On the other hand, a destructive word can be just as rotten as theft. A good word will give grace to those who hear. The New Testament is filled with references to the power of words. They reveal what is within the heart, and they will be judged (Stott 1979, 188). Therefore a good word can fulfill an important need in the life of a believer if those words give grace. Do not sadden the Holy Spirit by the way you act (v. 30). Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. This command is given in contrast to verse 27 (Snodgrass 1996, 251). The devil is to be given no room, but the Holy Spirit is to be allowed to work without being saddened by disobedience The word used for grieve is lypeo and means to cause distress or pain (Stott 1979, 189). This type of language tells the readers of Ephesians that the Holy Spirit should not be treated as some mystical force or it. He is a Holy Being, a Counselor. He is saddened by our disobedience and our disunity with other believers. This verse, along with verse 27 also lets us know that we are not simply following a set of moral rules so that we can get along with one another. There are spiritual forces at work that influence the actions of believers, and when one believer chooses to act in disunity towards another believer, he not only hurts that relationship and saddens that

individual, but he also saddens Gods Spirit and gives the evil forces of Satan an opportunity to gain control. It is in the second part of the verse that eschatology is brought to bear on ethics, and once again the double focus on present (now) and future (not yet) is expressed (Snodgrass 1996, 251). The sealing by the Holy Spirit is a reference to the beginning of a Christians belief in Christ and their earthly relationship with Him. The reference to the day of redemption speaks of the day when a believers body will be redeemed and Jesus will fill all in all (Stott 1979, 189). It is the Holy Spirit that is present and active throughout the duration of a Christians relationship. He is God, and Christians have a relationship with him. Therefore, Christians should be concerned very much with not bringing sadness to the Spirit. In following the Spirit, purity and unity will come naturally because anything incompatible with the purity or unity of the church is incompatible with his own nature and therefore hurts him (Stott 1979, 189). In relationships be kind instead of malicious (v. 31-32). Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Here there is another negative command. Wrapped up in the single command put away there are six attitudes that should not be expressed among believers. Bitterness refers to sour spirit and sour speech. Wrath speaks of an emotional frenzy of anger, while anger gives reference to a sullen hostility. Clamor occurs when believers get into shouting matches, and slander is saying harmful things about someone. Malice implies wishing and probably plotting evil against people (Stott 1979, 190). All of these things are examples of disunity in the church. The command in verse 31 goes along with the theme of the entire passage. Unity must be preserved in the church. God wants the relationships among his people to be healthy.

As part of this new life in Christ, believers must give up their rights to hold a grudge and must not take out their frustrations on one another. The positive command is given in verse 32. Believers are to replace all the things that caused disunity with kindness and forgiveness. The word for forgiveness literally means to act in grace (Stott 1979, 191). In this new way of living, Christians are to pattern their attitudes after God (as commanded in 5:1). Once again, Paul points out that loving relationships with others should be a mirror image of an even greater love that has been shown to believers by God. In the New Testament, believers are constantly encouraged to pass on the kind of grace they have received by being kind to others. As in all of the commandments, Christians are to treat their fellow man in the same manner as God has treated them. Christ is the ultimate example for the Christian to follow. A believers relationships with others in this new life are to resemble the love and grace presented to all men on the cross. Application Today in North American churches, there is a tremendous amount of disunity and impurity. In many cases the body of Christ looks nothing like Christ at all. Instead of finding a place of encouragement and love, many outsiders see only narrow-mindedness and bickering. All of the commands given in Ephesians 4:25-32 go against North American culture. The culture today tells Christians to get what you can while you can no matter who you have to step on. For those claiming Christ, this is not an option. Christians are to drain themselves of all selfishness and seek unity and love in their relationships with one another. Christ told his disciples, By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.(John 13:35) Therefore, unity and love for one another should be a top priority for believers.

Practical application of this passage requires a change in attitude followed by a change in actions. Christians are to program their hearts to tell the truth, do away with destructive anger, build one another up with their speech, put away all arguments, and show kindness and forgiveness to one another. These commands are very practical in nature. Unity is built day-byday, person-by-person, and relationship-by-relationship. As Christians, the greatest witness to outsiders, and the greatest encouragement to fellow believers is a giving attitude of grace and forgiveness.

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Bibliography Bruce, F.F. 1984. The Epistle to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984. Liefeld, Walter L. 1985. Ephesians. In The NIV Study Bible, ed. Kenneth Barker, 17891800. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. OBrien, Peter. 1999. The Letter to the Ephesians. Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. Mounce, William D. 2006. Mounces Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. Snodgrass, Klyne. 1996. Ephesians. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. Stott, John R. W. 1979. The Message of Ephesians. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove: InterVarsity

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