Walking Worthy of the Worthy One

A few posts ago I mentioned from time to time I would post a devotional from a particular scripture(s). Below is from Ephesians 4:1-3 and as some may know, I have been studying through Ephesians, using Harold Hoehner's commentary on Ephesians to help me do so. Some of the below is directly from Hoehner. Remember, the devotional below is supposed to be used as a handout to accompany a small group, preaching, or a classroom setting. As a result of this, there are some incomplete sentences which serve only as key points. May this serve you in your walk with the Worthy One.

Walking Worthy of the Worthy One
Ephesians 4: 1- 3

1 I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received,2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love,3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds [us].

v. 1
“walk”- a figure of speech called metonymy. This is when one word is put in place of another to more clearly illustrate its meaning.
- “walk” is in place of the word “live”
“worthy” (ἀξίως )
- Has the idea of equivalence; emphasizing that one’s conduct is to be in balance with or equal to their calling.
- “therefore, I the prisoner of the Lord, strongly urge you to walk in a suitable manner equal to your calling.”

v. 2
“humility” (ταπεινοφροσύνης)- mentioned first because humility promotes unity, pride causes dis unity.
- a hallmark of a leader is being aware of their shortcomings. Typically, as human beings, one of our shortcomings can be our pride.
- not a self- seeking way of life, but others first. Jesus was best at this (Phil. 2).
“gentleness” (πραΰτητος)
- the man who is gentle is angry at the right time and never angry at the wrong time.
- this is a consciousness effort on our part to not reply to a situation in anger, but to chose to calmly confront something. Not to retaliate toward a person, rather to work at eliminating the problem.
- this person does not seek revenge.
“patience” (μακροθυμίας)
- an attitude of endurance which does not abandon hope; waiting, even without results.
- God is best at this, as he withheld his wrath from us who sinned against him.
“accepting” (ἀνεχόμενοι)- This is the idea to withhold our initial response and reaction to people and situations, exercising restraint.
“love” (ἀγάπῃ)
- this is the kind of love which seeks the highest good; a you before me kind of love.
- If these things are not done out of love, than there could arise resentment, anger, regret, or bitterness. This kind of love wants to do these things.
- To walk worthy of the Worthy One, we must aim to do all of these, not just one or another. Remember, this is a process, not a product. So, may our goal (to walk worthy) determine our conduct.

v. 3
“making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”- according to this, unity is not brought about by humans, but by the Spirit.
- believers are to make every effort to preserve the unity (bond between Jews & Gentiles) which has its origin in the Holy Spirit.
- we have a bond with all believers which is at peace until disrupted. May we strive to keep it.