In this chapter we find that we are again moved to even higher grounds, than the last level, by the unity of Spirit, that of Christ's revelation. This has to take place before we are empowered to walk as Christ-ones as Lights to the world, in which to this day darkness rules because of unbelief and this by the perversion of the Word. We are, Not as that of the world, any longer, in it's many religious forms cause people to walk, but as GOD-ones in the earth, again. My apologies as this area is lengthy, but to shorten it would create confusion and discourse; just has been suffered by religions conflicting stories of perversion, twisting, blending and mixing of scripture over the ages.
Ephesians 4:1-6, 7-16 "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech(G3870) you that ye walk(G516) 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(G4886) of peace(G1515). There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One LORD, one faith, one baptism(G907), One God and Father of All, Who is above(G1909) All, and through(G1223) 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 (in Psalm 68:18, Judges 15:12; Matthew 27:51-54, Colossians 2:15; Hosea 6:1-3), "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 fullness(G4138) 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(G2024), according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." (KJV)
Ephesians 4:1-6, 7-16 "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge(G3870) you to walk(G516) in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond(G4886) of peace(G1515). There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—One LORD, one faith, one baptism(G907), one God and Father of all, who is over(G1909) all and through(G1223) all and in all.
But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says (in Psalm 68:18, Judges 15:12; Matthew 27:51-54, Colossians 2:15; Hosea 6:1-3), "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." (In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness(G4138) of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped(G2024), when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love." (ESV)
Ephesians 4:1-6, 7-16 "The fact that I am in prison does not in the least diminish my awareness of my "in-Christ-ness!" My/our complete existence in defined and confined in him. Let the details of our day-to-day life [1]flow from the consciousness of our true [2]identity and [3]worth, as defined in him. ( Paul writing from prison, but seeing himself co-seated together with Christ in heavenly places! Ephesians 2:6. No distraction or contradiction can reduce his life to any other reality. "Walking worthy of your calling," I have replaced with, "Let the details of our day-to-day life flow from the consciousness of our true identity and worth as defined in him. (The word, [1, G3870 from a compound of G3844, para, near, and G2564] parakaleo, means inspired from within to live the life of your design. Your calling or vocation, is from [2, G2564] kaleo, to surname, to identify by name. To [3, G516]walk worthy, is axios, meaning having the weight of another thing of like value, worth as much.) Meekness and tenderness are the fabric of our make-up; this enables us and shows compassion even in seemingly impossible situations, eagerly bearing with one another in an environment where love rules. Being alert to treasure our [1]oneness of spirit; encapsulated in [2]peace. (The word, [1,G4886 is from G4862 and G1199, is from G1210] sundesmos, is from sun, a primary preposition denoting a strong union and (G1210) is, deo, to bind in agreement like in a marriage. The word, [2, G1515 from a primary verb εἴρω eirō ] eirene, means peace, is from eiro, to join, to be set at one again; in carpentry it is referred to as a dove-tail joint, which is the strongest of joints. Peace is a place of unhindered enjoyment of friendship.) There is only one body and one Spirit. We are inseparably One in the same hope; there is no plan B. (No other options!) For we bear the same [1]surname. (Called, [1, G2564] kaleo, to identify by name, to surname.) There is only one legitimate Lordship; one faith and one [1]baptism; we are all immersed in the same oneness! (There is only one faith! Not what we believe about GOD but rather what GOD believes about us! Our faith does not invent GOD; his faith defines us! Jesus is what GOD believes! Look at John 1:33, posted earlier; John's baptism announced the incarnation; yet it communicates a mere prophetic picture of what Jesus' spirit baptism will fully interpret of humanity's co-inclusion and our joint immersion into his death, resurrection and ascension. In the incarnation we have the prophetic word on exhibit, intercepting time and human history and declaring that there would be no stopping him from entering into our hell and deepest darkness. In dying our due death, GOD would bring closure to every destructive mindset and futile fruit we inherited from Adam's fall. Just as he was raised out of the water in his baptism, we would be co-elevated together with him in his resurrection into newness of life! Hosea 6:2; Ephesians 2:5. The word, [1, G908 from G907 from a derivative of G911] baptizo, is from (G911) bapto, to immerse, to overwhelm, to stain with a dye.) There is only One GOD. He remains the ultimate Father of the universe. We are because He IS. He is [1]continually bearing fruit and influence upon one and ALL; everyone's being is the ultimate [2]defined by him. He is never absent anywhere! He is present in ALL! (He is not far from each one of us; in him we live and move and have our being. We are indeed his offspring. [Acts 17:24-28] The preposition [1, G1909] epi, suggests continual influence upon, leading from the front! The preposition [2, G1223] dia, denotes the channel of an act; through; because of; by reason of; for the sake of.)
The gift of Christ gives dimension to grace and defines our individual value. (Grace is given to each one of us according to the measure of the gift of Christ. One measure, one worth! Our worth is defined by his gift and not of reward for our behavior.) Scripture confirms that he led us as trophies in his triumphant procession on high; he [1]repossessed his gift (likeness) in human from at humanity's creation. (Look at Ephesians 2:6, We are also elevated in his ascension to be equally welcome in the Throne room of the heavenly realm where we originated and are now seated again together with him in his authority. Quoted from the Hebrews text, Psalm 68:18, [1, G ] lakachta mattanoth baadam, you have taken gifts in human form, in Adam. [Now I will take a liberty to deviate from the text of the Mirror Bible to share from another's statement. In verse eight, there is some controversy as to what Christ is actually "leading captive." However, the meaning of this passage is simple: Christ defeated sin and death by His resurrection, taking them captive and rendering them powerless as would a king after a victory over his enemies. The "gift" (i.e., eternal life and forgiveness of sin) that are given to believers were the consequence of Christ's defeat of sin and death. The analogy is this, Christ is sharing the spoils of His ultimate victory over Satan with those who have received Him. In Psalm 68:18, David is expressing the same idea of GOD Almighty obtaining victory over His enemies and leading them away as captives. The gifts given by Christ (Ephesians 4:8) are those things that are given to enable a saint to live a more victorious life as a Christ-one while on earth. Quoted from the Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible, commentary on page 1467.] back now to the Mirror Bible, [The gifts which Jesus Christ distributes to us he has received in us, in and by virtue of his incarnation. Comment by Adam Clarke.] We were born anew in his resurrection. 1Peter 1:3, Hosea 6:2) The fact that he ascended confirms his victorious descent into the deepest pits of human despair. (Look at John 3:13, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who [1]descended from heaven, even the son of man.: All humanity originates from above; we are [1, G509 from G507, from G407] anouthen, from above [look at James 1:17-18.]) He now occupies the ultimate rank of authority from the lowest regions where he stooped down to rescue us to the highest authority in the heavens, having executed his mission to the fullest. (Fallen humanity is fully restored to the authority of the authentic life of our design and origin. [Psalm 139:7-8, Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend to heaven, You! If I make my bed in Sheol, You!] Ephesians 1:21) What GOD has in us is gift wrapped to the world: some are commissioned to pioneer, others are gifted prophetically, some as announcers of good news, some as Shepherds with a real gift to care and nurture, and others have a gift to ignite instruction through revelation knowledge. (Couriers, communicators, counsellors and coaches.) Each expression of his gift is to fully equip and enable the Saints for the work of the ministry so that they may mutually contribute in their specific function to give definition to the visible body of Christ. The purpose of these ministry gifts is to present everyone on par and in oneness of faith; believing exactly what the Son of GOD believed and knowing accurately what he knows concerning us. Standing face-to-face in equal stature to the measure of the [1]completeness of Christ. (The word, [1, G4138] pleroma, means a life filled to the brim with Christ, like a freight ship carrying its cargo.) The most dangerous life we can live is an ignorant one. Where we're left like an infant on a ship out of control in the waves and winds of the storms of life. The fall of the dice dictates while the deceptive teachings of men and their distracted tricks entertain. [1]Agape gives Truth a voice. The conversation that [2] truth inspires creates the atmosphere wherein growth is both spontaneous and inevitable. The whole person is addressed in Christ (there is no duality as some have put it) Who is the head of the body; he is the conclusion of GOD's communication with humanity. ("Speaking the truth in agape" is not only the preferred attitude in our every conversation, but is the only option; where truth gives integrity to love, and love gives attraction to truth. Love, [1, G26 from G25 compared to H5689, to breath after and from G3973] agape, comes from (G71 ) ago, to lead as a Shepherd leads his sheep, and (G3973) pao, to rest. GOD's first rest (Genesis 2:1-3) celebrated our perfection; agape is to see the same value that GOD sees in every person. [2, G226] Truth as it is mirrored in Christ [v2].) [1]From him flows the original composition and details of our design. Like words entwined in poetry, ([1] Like a conductor of music, [1, G2024] epichoregeo) they connect layer upon layer to complete the harmony, following the rhythm of his thoughts like footprints. Meanwhile the body thrives and pulsates with the energy of agape. Each individual expression finds its complete measure there. (The church is not a dismembered, dysfunctional body, such as we have today, but is a fully functional, coordinated lover of people.") (The Mirror)
Again my apologies for the length of this study. Until our next visit may the LORD GOD reveal within you and yours the truth herein expressed.
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