Ephesians 4 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Ephesians Chapter 4 (New Testament)
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Ephesians Chapter 4 (New Testament)
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
| Greek Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ταπεινοφροσύνη — tapeinophrosynē | Verse 2 — “…with all humility…” | “Humility,” lowliness of mind. | Tapeinophrosynē (“humility”) denotes gentle self-lowering (“lowliness”). Paul anchors unity in character. The term reflects Christlike mindset. — Joseph Henry Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
| μακροθυμία — makrothymia | Verse 2 — “…with longsuffering…” | “Long-suffering,” patient endurance. | Makrothymia (“longsuffering”) describes controlled patience (“long-suffering”). It sustains communal harmony. The term reflects divine patience. — Richard Trench, Synonyms of the NT (1896) |
| σπουδάζω — spoudazō | Verse 3 — “…endeavoring to keep the unity…” | “Be diligent,” make effort. | Spoudazō (“to be diligent”) demands earnest effort (“endeavor”). Unity requires vigilance. The term emphasizes intentional pursuit. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary (1884) |
| δοῦμα — doma | Verse 8 — “…gave gifts unto men…” | “Gift,” bestowal. | Doma (“gift”) highlights divine generosity (“gift”). Christ equips His body. The term reinforces missional function. — Philip Schaff, Church History (1890) |
| καταρτισμός — katartismos | Verse 12 — “…for the perfecting of the saints…” | “Equipping,” preparing. | Katartismos (“equipping”) indicates fitting for service (“perfecting”). Ministry gifts build maturity. The term emphasizes functional unity. — Joseph Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
| κυβείᾳ — kubeia | Verse 14 — “…sleight of men…” | “Trickery,” deceit. | Kubeia (“trickery”) evokes gambling deception (“sleight/craftiness”). False teachers mislead immature believers. The term exposes doctrinal danger. — James Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (1898) |
| ἀληθεύω — alētheuō | Verse 15 — “…speaking the truth in love…” | “Speak truth,” be truthful. | Alētheuō (“to speak truth”) combines honesty with charity (“truthing”). Truth builds maturity. The term connects doctrine with love. — Richard Trench, Synonyms (1896) |
| παλαιός — palaios | Verse 22 — “…put off the old man…” | “Old,” former. | Palaios (“old”) denotes former sinful nature (“old man”). Transformation requires renunciation. The term highlights moral renewal. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary (1884) |
| κτίζω — ktizō | Verse 24 — “…created in righteousness…” | “Create,” form. | Ktizō (“to create”) marks divine re-creation (“create”). New self is God’s workmanship. The term stresses spiritual rebirth. — B. F. Westcott, Epistles of St. John (1883) |
| λυπέω — lypeō | Verse 30 — “…grieve not the Holy Spirit…” | “Grieve,” cause sorrow. | Lypeō (“to grieve”) reflects relational pain (“sadden”). Sin wounds the Spirit’s fellowship. The term underscores divine sensitivity. — Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
Ephesians Chapter 4
Verse: "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." - Ephesians 4:2
Lesson: This verse emphasizes the importance of humility, gentleness, patience, and love in our relationships with one another. As believers, we should seek to embody these qualities as we interact with those around us.
Conclusion: When we cultivate these qualities in our lives, we become more like Christ and better able to serve and minister to others. We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves and to bear with one another in love, even when it's difficult. By doing so, we demonstrate Christ's love to the world.
What's Next? Read Our Bible Verses About Life With Purpose and Encouragement
Prayer Points:
l Ask God to help us cultivate humility, gentleness, patience, and love in our hearts
l Pray for wisdom and discernment in our interactions with others
l Ask God to show us how we can serve and minister to those around us
What's Next? See our Inspirational Motivational Bible Quotes Today
Now that you're finished reading this scripture, you can visit this page for the New Testament or watch this powerful prayer for strength today.
