Ephesians 4: Key Concepts and Theological Themes for Study

How does Paul describe himself at the start of the chapter?

the prisoner in the Lord (4:1)

What kind of life are believers urged to live?

lead a life worthy of the calling (4:1)

What attitudes should characterize believers?

humility and gentleness, with patience (4:2)

How should believers treat one another?

bearing with one another in love (4:2)

What must believers make every effort to maintain?

the unity of the Spirit (4:3)

What holds this unity together?

the bond of peace (4:3)

How many bodies and Spirits are mentioned?

one body and one Spirit (4:4)

How many hopes of calling are mentioned?

one hope of your calling (4:4)

How many Lords, faiths, and baptisms are mentioned?

one Lord, one faith, one baptism (4:5)

Who is described as over all, through all and in all?

one God and Father of all (4:6)

What is given to each believer?

grace was given to each of us (4:7)

What did Christ do when he ascended?

He gave gifts to his people (4:8)

What does Paul say Christ also did before ascending?

he had descended into the lower parts of the earth (4:9)

Why did Christ ascend above all the heavens?

so that he might fill all things (4:10)

What leadership roles did Christ give?

apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (4:11)

What is the purpose of these leaders?

to equip the saints for the work of ministry (4:12)

What is being built up?

the body of Christ (4:12)

What unity are believers meant to reach?

the unity of the faith (4:13)

What knowledge should believers grow in?

knowledge of the Son of God (4:13)

What level of maturity is the goal?

the full stature of Christ (4:13)

What should believers no longer be like?

we must no longer be children (4:14)

What danger faces spiritually immature believers?

tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine (4:14)

How should truth be spoken?

speaking the truth in love (4:15)

Into whom should believers grow?

into him who is the head, into Christ (4:15)

How is the body described as growing?

joined and knit together (4:16)

What happens when each part works properly?

promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love (4:16)

How should believers no longer live?

no longer live as the Gentiles live (4:17)

What is said about the Gentiles' minds?

futility of their minds (4:17)

What is darkened in those separated from God?

darkened in their understanding (4:18)

What causes their ignorance?

hardness of heart (4:18)

What have some people lost?

have lost all sensitivity (4:19)

What behaviors are they given over to?

licentiousness, greedy to practice every kind of impurity (4:19)

What truth have believers learned?

the truth as it is in Jesus (4:21)

What must be put away from the former life?

put away your former way of life (4:22)

What is corrupted by deceitful desires?

the old self (4:22)

What part of believers must be renewed?

the spirit of your minds (4:23)

What new identity must believers put on?

put on the new self (4:24)

What is the new self created according to?

the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (4:24)

What should replace falsehood?

let all of us speak the truth (4:25)

Why should believers speak truthfully?

we are members of one another (4:25)

How should anger be handled?

do not let the sun go down on your anger (4:26)

Who should not be given an opportunity?

do not make room for the devil (4:27)

What should thieves do instead of stealing?

labor and work honestly with their own hands (4:28)

Why should believers work honestly?

to have something to share with the needy (4:28)

What kind of speech should believers avoid?

no evil talk come out of your mouths (4:29)

What kind of speech should believers use?

only what is useful for building up (4:29)

Who should not be grieved?

do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God (4:30)

What marks believers as God's own?

marked with a seal for the day of redemption (4:30)

What attitudes must be put away?

all bitterness and wrath and anger (4:31)