In Ephesians 4, the Apostle Paul lays out a powerful vision for how the church should function as one unified body. Despite being imprisoned, Paul used his circumstances as a platform to encourage believers to live in a way that reflects their calling in Christ.

What Does It Mean to Walk Worthy of Your Calling?

Paul begins by urging believers to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Ephesians 4:1). But what does a worthy walk actually look like? Paul provides five measurements to help us evaluate our walk:

Humility: The Foundation of Christian Character

The first characteristic Paul mentions is humility. This wasn’t even a common Greek word at the time - it was essentially created through Paul’s writings. An ancient scholar named Basil described humility as “a gem casket of all virtues” - the component that holds everything together.

True humility comes from placing your life beside Jesus. When we compare ourselves to Christ rather than to others, we gain a proper perspective on who we are.

Meekness: Power Harnessed by Love

The second characteristic is meekness, which is often misunderstood. Meekness isn’t weakness or being passive. Rather, it’s power that has been harnessed by love. It’s the ability to not take offense even when misunderstood. Romans 12:16 reminds us to “live in harmony with one another and do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.”

Patience: The Flag of Mercy

The third measurement is patience, also translated as “long-suffering” or “forbearance.” Christian patience is like an ever-waving flag of mercy that shows forgiveness. It’s our way of bringing love into play that can lead others to reconciliation.

As 1 Peter 4:8 says, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”

Love: Unconquerable Benevolence

The fourth characteristic is love. The Greek word used here is “agape,” which means an unconquerable benevolence - a love that says “I love you in spite of what you do to me.” This differs from other forms of love:

• Eros love says “I love you for what I get from you”
• Philatel love says “I love you for what you do for me”

Peace: Protecting Unity

The fifth measurement is peace - maintaining “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). This involves protecting unity carefully and earnestly, watching for it and promoting it. It requires self-sacrifice and laying down our own interests for the sake of others.

The Pyramid of Oneness: Understanding Our Unity

In verses 4-6, Paul presents what could be called a “pyramid of oneness” with seven “ones” that form the foundation of Christian unity:

• One body - The church as the body of Christ
• One Spirit - The breath of God that gives life to believers
• One hope - The expectation of Christ’s return
• One Lord - Jesus at the center of everything
• One faith - The shared doctrine and belief
• One baptism - The outward expression of our faith
• One God - The Father of all

What’s fascinating is how Paul places “one Lord” at the center of these seven elements. Additionally, the Spirit, Lord, and God together represent the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - showing how our unity is grounded in the very nature of God Himself.

What Gifts Has God Given to His Church?

In verses 7-10, Paul explains that “grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” This grace isn’t just about salvation but includes specific gifts that enable us to serve God with our lives.

These gifts originate from Christ’s victory. Paul references Psalm 68:18 and describes how Jesus, after His death, made a triumphant announcement to the spiritual realm, declaring His victory over Satan and death. Through this victory, He gained the right to rule the church and give gifts to His people.

How Do These Gifts Work in Ministry?

In verses 11-16, Paul outlines how these gifts function within the church:

Leadership Roles in the Church

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers...” (Ephesians 4:11)

While apostles and prophets helped establish the early church, evangelists, pastors, and teachers continue to lead the church today.

The Purpose of These Gifts

These gifts serve several purposes:

• To equip the saints - Like setting a broken bone or mending a net
• For works of service - How we give ourselves to one another
• To build up the body - Construction terminology for building the church
• To guide immature believers - Protecting them from strange doctrines
• To speak truth in love - Our words should reflect Christ’s love
• To point to Jesus - Who is the head of the church

The ultimate goal is that we “grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4:15)

Life Application

In a world that’s scattered and torn apart, the church acting as one gives people something stable to look to. It shows them where they can find truth, love, and a place called home.

Questions to Consider:

• How would you rate your “humble meter” today? Are you more focused on your accomplishments or on Christ?
• Which of the five characteristics of a worthy walk (humility, meekness, patience, love, peace) do you struggle with most? What practical step can you take this week to grow in that area?
• What gift has God given you to serve His church? If you’re unsure, who could help you discover and develop your gift?
• How are your words reflecting Christ’s love? Are they sweet or encouraging, or sharp and hurtful?
• In what specific way can you be Christ to someone this week through your actions and attitudes?

This week, commit to living as one with your fellow believers, setting aside differences and focusing on what unifies us in Christ. Remember, when we act as one body, we show the world what Jesus looks like.