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Ephesians 4

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

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:

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;

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

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.

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

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:

Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

But ye have not so learned Christ;

If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Neither give place to the devil.

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.

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.

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

What does Ephesians 4:30 mean?

Explanation

'Ephesians 4:30' admonishes believers not to sadden the Holy Spirit of God.

In Christian theology, the Holy Spirit is considered the third person of the Trinity and is associated with the presence, the guidance, and the seal of God in the believer's life.

To "grieve" the Holy Spirit implies that believers, through their actions and choices, can cause sorrow or disappointment to this divine presence.

The concept of being "sealed" refers to the assurance of salvation and divine protection until the "day of redemption," which indicates the final day when believers are fully saved, either through their death or the anticipated Second Coming of Christ.

Top Rated Ephesians Books

Historical Context

This verse is found in a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Ephesians, a group of Christians in Ephesus, a major city in ancient Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) with substantial Greco-Roman influence.

The letter dates roughly to A.D. 60-62, during Paul's imprisonment in Rome.

It addresses both Jews and Gentiles who have converted to Christianity and seeks to promote unity and proper conduct within the early Church.

Ephesians 4, where this verse is located, focuses on moral transformation and the rejection of the old self for the new self in Christ.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives view this verse in varying lights. In general, Christian theology agrees that the Holy Spirit is sensitive to sin, and sinful behavior on the part of believers causes grief to the Spirit. For example:

Traditional Christian View: It is often held that the Holy Spirit, being God, is grieved by anything that is against the nature and will of God, such as sin, disobedience, and unbelief.
Calvinist View: This verse is sometimes cited in discussions of perseverance of the saints, suggesting that while believers can grieve the Holy Spirit, they cannot lose their salvation, which is "sealed" by the Holy Spirit.
Arminian View: In contrast, some argue that grief caused to the Holy Spirit could, if continued in willfully and unrepentantly, lead to a forfeiture of grace.

Practical Applications

The exhortation not to grieve the Holy Spirit can be applied in various ways:

Personal Conduct: Believers are encouraged to live lives characterized by behaviors that are pleasing to God, such as kindness, forgiveness, and truth.
Community Life: In the context of Christian community, maintaining unity, peace, and building each other up is seen as a way of honoring the Holy Spirit's work.
Personal Reflection: It encourages believers to regularly examine their actions and attitudes, repenting of any sin that might grieve the Spirit.

Cross-References

Isaiah 63:10: "But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them."
1 Thessalonians 5:19: "Quench not the Spirit."
2 Corinthians 1:22: "Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."
Ephesians 1:13-14: "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, key words include:

"Grieve" (λυπεῖτε, lypeite): This verb, in its base form λυπέω (lypeo), holds the notion of causing pain, sorrow, or distress.
"Sealed" (ἐσφραγίσθητε, esphragisthete): This term implies a mark of ownership, security, and authenticity, much like a seal on a legal document.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient religions, deities were also thought to have emotions and could be grieved or angered by human actions.

For example, in ancient Mesopotamia and Greece, gods were described as showing displeasure when humans did not offer proper respect or obedience.

In comparison, Judaism and Christianity place a significant emphasis on ethical monotheism, where God's character is consistent and calls for moral behavior.

Scientific Perspectives

The verse speaks to concepts, such as emotion attributed to a divine being and the idea of a metaphysical seal, lying outside the realm of empirical science.

Scientifically, emotions are understood as complex psychological and physiological responses to stimuli.

The grieving of the Holy Spirit is a metaphorical concept that lacks direct scientific quantifiability or explanation, as it pertains to spiritual beliefs.

Commentaries

Commentators have provided various insights on 'Ephesians 4:30':

Matthew Henry: Emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is a holy Spirit and when believers sin, they not only act contrary to their own consciences but grieve their best Friend.
John Gill: Discusses that believers are sealed for the day of redemption, indicating that despite grief, the Spirit does not depart, highlighting the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints.
John Stott: Suggests that the negative command not to grieve the Spirit is countered by the positive command to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), indicating a need for a dynamic relationship and responsiveness to the Spirit's influence.

Ephesians 4

Ephesians 4

What does Ephesians 4:30 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Ephesians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Ephesians 4:30 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Ephesians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?