Trinity Reformed Church
moscow, idaho
The unity and diversity of Christ’s gifts: Eph. 4:1-16 (Ninth Sunday of Trinity)
Introduction
In this passage, Paul addresses two important aspects of God’s newly formed society: the unity and giftedness of the Church. Both stem from Paul’s theological foundation laid in chapters 1-3. They portray God as a God who gives gifts to his people. Our obedience is always in response to what He has given.
“Therefore…”
For three chapters Paul has shown his readers God’s eternal plan to redeem the world through the death and resurrection of His Son to form them into a new society, a kingdom of priests on earth who are His very own body and His bride: the Church. In chapter one, Paul explains the Trinitarian nature of God’s plan. The Father elects and predestines (vs. 3-6), the Son redeems (vs. 7-12), and the Spirit seals and guarantees (vs. 13-14). In chapter two, Paul describes the vertical and horizontal ramifications of Christ’s work. Vertically, we have been rescued from our deadness in trespasses and sins and “made alive” to God (vs.1-10). Horizontally, Christ, “our Peace,” has reconciled Jew and Gentile and has made them both members of “God’s household” (vs. 11-21). In chapter three, Paul describes the privilege he was given to “preach to the Gentile the unfathomable riches of Christ,” and his prayer that the fullness of God’s purpose in the Church be realized in his readers’ lives.
From Instruction to Exhortation
“Therefore…walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called…being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (vs. 1-3). In chapter 4 Paul moves from his exposition of the nature of God’s new society to its practical implications. He moves from the indicative to the imperative, building agenda upon credenda.
We are exhorted to live lives worthy of God’s calling. What is that calling? The new society that God is forming has two defining characteristics:
(1)It is the ‘one’ people of God; a family that reflects the unity of the God who formed it.
(2)Like OT Israel, the new Israel of God is to be a holy people, set apart as “God’s own possession” (Titus 2:13-14, I Pet. 1:14-16). Eph. 4:1-16 treats the question of unity, while 4:17-5:21addresses the Church’s purity.
The Unity of the Church
Paul elaborates four central truths about unity God intends for His people. They wonderfully reflect a concern for both the gifts of God and our responses to them.
1.Unity depends upon character and conduct that are filled with charity (vs. 2)
Humility (lowliness), meekness (gentleness), patience, mutual forbearance, and love
2.Our unity is founded upon the unity of our God (vs. 3-6)
Seven “unites”: Three are used in relation to the Trinity and four describe the Christian’s relation to the three persons of the Trinity.
a.There is one body because there is one Spirit (vs. 4)
b.There is one hope of our Christian calling (vs. 4), one faith and one baptism (vs. 5) because there is only one Lord.
c.There is one Christian family, encompassing us all (vs. 6) because there is one God and Father…who is over all and through all and in all.
3.Christian unity is enriched and strengthened by the diversity of our gifts (vs. 7-12)
In vs. 6 Paul makes the change from ‘all of us’ to ‘each of us,’ from unity to diversity.
Again, God is a God who graciously gives gifts to His people (charismata).
Saving grace charis (given to all, unity) vs. service grace charismata (given in differing degrees, diversity)
4.Christian unity requires our growth in maturity (vs. 13-16)
As spiritual gifts are given ‘to the building up of the body of Christ,’ Paul points toward three goals: “until we all attain the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (vs. 13)
a.Corporate unity requires individual growth and maturity (vs. 14)
b.The means of growth: speaking the truth in love (vs. 15)
c.The mature man: giving and receiving gifts (vs.16)
From Credenda to Agenda
Following Paul’s instruction on the unity of the Church, it is right for us to ask how we may respond. Several things emerge naturally from the text. First, confess and forsake the sins that divide and mar the visible unity of the body. Second, pursue the virtues that maintain that unity and make it lovely. Third, develop your gifts by serving one another in love. Pursue maturity by holding truth together with love.
