What does Ephesians 4:2 mean?

Explanation

Ephesians 4:2 calls Christians to exhibit particular character traits that reflect the nature of Christ Himself.

"Lowliness" reflects humility, the opposite of pride, and is an essential quality for maintaining unity within the church.

"Meekness," often understood as gentleness, is the attitude of being submissive to God's will and considerate towards others, not easily provoked or aggressive.

"Longsuffering" implies patience, especially during difficult situations or with difficult people.

Finally, "forbearing one another in love" means to tolerate the imperfections of others, showing restraint and compassion instead of quick judgment, fueled by the love that comes from God.

Historical Context

This verse is part of a letter Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus while he was imprisoned around AD 62.

The Ephesian church was composed of both Jewish and Gentile converts, two groups with very different cultural and religious backgrounds.

This diversity could potentially lead to disunity, and so Paul emphasized traits that would promote harmony and maintain unity within the Body of Christ.

Theological Insights

The verse reflects a belief in the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, who enables believers to embody these virtues. In theological discussions, scholars point towards the concept of "sanctification," the process by which Christians become more like Christ through the Holy Spirit's work.

This verse showcases the interpersonal aspects of sanctification.

From the Calvinist perspective, this reflects the "perseverance of the saints," as those truly saved will exhibit these characteristics.

An Arminian viewpoint, however, would emphasize the believer's responsibility in cooperating with the Holy Spirit to manifest these traits.

Practical Applications

The practical application of Ephesians 4:2 lies in encouraging Christians to strive towards unity through personal conduct that considers the welfare of others.

This includes practicing humility, setting aside personal pride, being patient and gentle with those around us, and actively choosing love over criticism.

These principles can be applied in personal relationships, workplaces, and within the church community.

Cross-References

• Colossians 3:12-13: "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."
• 1 Peter 3:8: "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:"
• 1 Corinthians 13:4-5: "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;"

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek text include:

• "Lowliness" (ταπεινοφροσύνῃ/tapeinophrosynē): Humility or modesty, a lowliness of mind.
• "Meekness" (πραΰτης/prautēs): Gentleness, a spirit of mildness and non-confrontation.
• "Longsuffering" (μακροθυμία/makrothymia): Patience or endurance over a long period.
• "Forbearing" (ἀνεχόμενοι/anechomenoi): To hold oneself back, bear with, or endure.
• "Love" (ἀγάπῃ/agapē): This term for "love" refers to selfless, sacrificial love that seeks the best for others.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The virtues mentioned in Ephesians 4:2 can be found across various religions and philosophies.

For example, in Buddhism, there is an emphasis on cultivating patience and compassion towards others.

Stoicism, a philosophy that predates Christianity, speaks about virtues like self-control and humility.

Although these traditions explain and approach these virtues differently, they resonate with the universal human aspiration to live harmoniously with others.

Scientific Perspectives

From a psychological perspective, the traits highlighted in Ephesians 4:2 correlate with modern concepts like emotional intelligence and resilience.

For instance, humility has been associated with better leadership outcomes, and patience is often linked to improved mental health and social relationships.

These findings can be seen as complimenting the scriptural encouragement to practice such virtues, suggesting that they are beneficial not only spiritually but also for overall well-being.

Commentaries

Various Bible commentaries offer different insights into Ephesians 4:2:

• Matthew Henry's commentary highlights that these virtues are the "nerves of the mystical body of Christ," essential for the well-being of the church.
• The Pulpit Commentary points out that these graces should not merely be outer actions but come from within, born out of love for Christ and for one another.
• John Calvin's commentary emphasizes that the call to these virtues requires suppressing our own feelings for the sake of maintaining unity in the church.
• The Expositor's Bible Commentary discusses these Christian virtues in light of their opposite vices, encouraging readers to practice them as antidotes against the sins of pride, wrath, and impatience.