Meaning of Ephesians 4:2

This verse from Ephesians 4:2 is a cornerstone of Christian ethical instruction, urging believers to cultivate specific virtues essential for maintaining unity and fostering healthy relationships within the community of faith and with the world. The apostle Paul, writing to the church in Ephesus, emphasizes that these qualities are not mere optional additions to a Christian life but are foundational to living a life worthy of the calling they have received. The call to be "completely humble and gentle" and to "be patient, bearing with one another in love" speaks to an inward disposition and outward behavior that counteracts the pride, harshness, and impatience that often fracture relationships. This is not a passive resignation but an active, Christ-like engagement with others, motivated by the transformative love of God that has been poured out upon them.

Context and Background

Ephesians 4, where this verse is found, is a pivotal chapter in Paul's letter. Following the theological exposition of God's grace and the church's identity in the first three chapters, Paul transitions to practical exhortations for Christian living. He begins by urging believers to "live a life worthy of the calling you have received" (Ephesians 4:1), and the subsequent verses, including 4:2, detail what this worthy life looks like. The immediate context is the preservation of the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3), which Paul identifies as the goal of these virtues. The church in Ephesus, like many early Christian communities, likely faced internal divisions and external pressures, making Paul's emphasis on humility, gentleness, and patience particularly relevant for fostering a cohesive and resilient body of Christ.

Key Themes and Messages

The verse highlights several interconnected themes:

• Humility (Tapeinophrosyne): This is not self-abasement but a humble estimation of oneself in relation to God and others. It means recognizing one's dependence on God and acknowledging the worth and dignity of others, refusing to exalt oneself.
• Gentleness (Prautes): This refers to a mild, meek, and considerate disposition, often translated as "meekness." It's a strength under control, not weakness, characterized by kindness and a lack of aggression, particularly in how one treats others, especially those who are weaker or have wronged them.
• Patience (Makrothymia): This is long-suffering or forbearance, the ability to endure provocation, insult, or hardship without retaliating or becoming embittered. It involves a willingness to wait and to endure difficulties with grace.
• Bearing with One Another (Aneiachoresisi): This signifies a mutual tolerance and putting up with each other's faults and weaknesses. It implies a willingness to overlook minor offenses and to actively support one another through shared struggles.
• Love (Agape): This is the overarching principle that undergirds all these virtues. Christian love is not merely an emotion but a volitional act of selfless concern and commitment to the well-being of others, mirroring God's love for humanity.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The spiritual significance of Ephesians 4:2 lies in its call to embody the character of Christ within the Christian community. These virtues are not natural human tendencies; they are supernatural qualities empowered by the Holy Spirit. Cultivating them allows believers to reflect God's own nature, who is described as loving, patient, and merciful.

• For Unity: These virtues are the bedrock of Christian unity. Pride, harshness, and impatience are divisive forces. By practicing humility, gentleness, and patience, believers create an environment where forgiveness, understanding, and mutual support can flourish, preserving the unity of the Spirit.
• For Witness: A community that lives out these virtues is a powerful testament to the transformative power of the Gospel. When believers treat each other with such grace, it attracts outsiders and demonstrates the reality of God's love.
• For Personal Growth: Embracing these qualities leads to spiritual maturity. It requires a constant reliance on God and a willingness to be shaped by His Word and Spirit, transforming the inner person.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The virtues in Ephesians 4:2 are not unique to this verse but are a recurring theme throughout Scripture, tracing back to the Old Testament and culminating in the life of Jesus Christ.

• Old Testament: Wisdom literature, such as Proverbs, frequently extols patience and gentle speech. Prophets often spoke of God's long-suffering with His people.
• Jesus Christ: Jesus is the ultimate exemplar of these virtues. He demonstrated perfect humility (Philippians 2:5-8), gentleness (Matthew 11:29), and infinite patience with His disciples and detractors. His sacrifice on the cross is the supreme act of love and forbearance.
• New Testament: The apostles consistently call believers to these same attitudes and actions. The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) includes love, patience, and gentleness.

Analogies

• Humility: Imagine a well that draws water from a deep, pure source. It doesn't boast about its depth but quietly offers its refreshment. Similarly, true humility recognizes its source of strength and life in God.
• Gentleness: Think of a skilled gardener tending to delicate plants. They use careful, precise movements, not brute force, to nurture growth. Gentleness in human interaction is like that – a careful, considerate approach that fosters well-being.
• Patience: Consider a craftsman working on an intricate piece of art. It requires time, focus, and the ability to endure challenges and setbacks without abandoning the project. Patience allows us to persevere through difficulties and to see the eventual beauty of God's work in ourselves and others.
• Bearing with One Another: Picture a mosaic, where each tile is unique and imperfect, yet when pieced together with grout (love), they form a beautiful and cohesive whole. We are like those imperfect tiles, needing to tolerate each other's edges and flaws, bound by love.

Relation to Other Verses

Ephesians 4:2 is deeply interwoven with other biblical passages:

• Philippians 2:3-4: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each to the interests of the others." This verse directly echoes the call to humility and looking to the interests of others, which is the practical outworking of bearing with one another.
• Colossians 3:12-14: "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." This passage from a parallel letter by Paul is almost a direct exposition of Ephesians 4:2, emphasizing the same virtues and their connection to love and unity.
• 1 Peter 3:8: "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble." This verse from Peter also emphasizes the interconnectedness of these relational virtues.
• Galatians 5:22-23: The "fruit of the Spirit" lists love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Humility and patience are explicitly mentioned, and gentleness is a component of the others, all empowered by the Spirit.