11/09/20 THE ONE ANOTHER’S IN THE NT #21 — Ephesians 4:1-2 (CSB) Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE…

“Therefore” marks the transition from doctrine to duty, principle to practice, position to behavior. This is typical of Paul (see Ro 12:1; Gal 5:1; Php 2:1; Col 3:5; 1Th 4:1).

“The prisoner of the Lord”: By mentioning his imprisonment again (see 3:1), Paul gently reminded Ephesian believers that the faithful Christian walk can be costly and that he had paid a considerable personal price because of his obedience to the Lord.

“Walk worthy”: "Walk" is frequently used in the NT to refer to Daily Conduct. It sets the theme for the final 3 chapters. "Worthy" has the idea of living to match one's position in Christ. The apostle urged his readers to be everything the Lord desires and empowers them to be.

“Humility,” the most foundational Christian virtue (Jas 4:6), is the quality of character commanded in the first beatitude (Mt 5:3), and describes the noble grace of Christ (Php 2:7, 8).

“Gentleness," an inevitable product of humility, refers to that which is mild-spirited and self-controlled.

“Patience”: The Gr. word lit. means long-tempered, and refers to a resolved patience that is an outgrowth of humility and gentleness.

“Bearing with one another in love” is the idea of Tolerating, Accepting and Enduring other believers, whose personalities, abilities and gifts differ from ours. (adapted from The MacArthur Study Bible)