Ephesians 4 and the Context of the Letter

Let’s attempt to put all the chapters together and see the relationship between them.   When we reach the fourth chapter, we understand that the ultimate goal of completing the unity of the faith, and knowledge of Christ is accomplished through the gifts that God gave the called out body.  Make no mistake, the body of Christ existed then.  But, it was not complete in as much as they had not the mind of Christ.  The law was still lingering in their hearts and the acceptance of the Gentiles as “fellow-heirs” was not accepted.    The gospel that created “one new man and resulted in peace was accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit poured out on these gifted men, but it was not fully accepted.   These gifted men of chapter 4 were given for such a time.  The Holy Spirit empowered them, to give witness that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and members of the same body, i.e., the body of Christ.

1. To develop this, you will, please, notice the following points made in the letter that emphasizes similar themes and utilizes similar terms. You will notice that the unity of the faith corresponds to the one new man (two becoming one).  The mystery set forth in Christ was a plan to unite all things in Him (1:9-10).  The context of the first chapter unites the Jews who first trusted in Christ (1:1-10), and the Gentiles, who heard, believed and were sealed with the Holy Spirit (1:11-14), just as the Jews experienced on Pentecost.
2. The Gentiles could receive the Spirit of wisdom and revelation(1:17) so that they might know their hope, inheritance, and God’s greatness toward them (1:18-21).
3. Their salvation is the proof of God’s grace and kindness (2:1-10) and salvation is through faith.
   

   Work of Christ	Tie to the Spirit	God’s People	Uniting Jew & Gentile
   Those who first trusted in Christ (Jews) and Gentiles who also heard and believed	1. Gentiles were sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit…. 2. received the Spirit of wisdom and revelation	One body of called-out ones is the fullness of Him who fills all in all.	A plan to unite all things in Him

4. Christ has made “us” (Jew and Gentile) both one (2:14) and has destroyed in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law (2:14-15) so that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace (2:15),  reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross (2:16), and have access in one Spirit to the Father (2:18).   And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near (2:17).  The result of this work is that Gentiles are fellow citizens, members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets that grows into a holy temple in the Lord (2:19-22), a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
   

   Work of Christ	Tie to the Spirit	God’s People	Uniting Jew & Gentile
   He has brought the Gentile near by the blood of Christ He has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law He preached peace to those far off and near	Through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father Built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit	Fellow citizens with saints Members of the household of God Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets Holy Temple in the Lord	He has made us both one …. that he might create in himself one new man in place of two that he might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross

5. In chapter three, Paul continues to describe the same elements in the previous two chapters. Here, he takes up his role in this eternal purpose of God.   He was a steward of God’s grace (3:2), or a minister according to the gift of God’s grace given to him by the working of his power (3:7-8).    His stewardship was a gift of God’s grace when God chose him for the work of an apostle.  But, another gift of grace was the revelation of a mystery (cf. v. 5, “unknown in other generations”), but “now” revealed to apostles and prophets by the Spirit (3:5) and through the written word so others may read and understand it (3:4).  Verse 6 reads, “This mystery is  that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”  Similarly, he writes in verse 8-9, “To me…was this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery.”  This was good news to the Gentiles, many of whom accepted it, but it needed to be brought to light to everyone, including Jewish Christians.

The purpose and effect of preaching this mystery of Gentile inclusion with the Jews (the called out, ekklesia) is that God’s manifold wisdom might be known by rulers and authorities in the heavenly places (3:10).

You see the same descriptive words and phrases, but used in the context of his particular role in God’s plan.