We Grow Best When We Grow Together
Thoughts on Ephesians 4:1-16
How do you feel about people?
Some of us thrive on company, conversations, and new connections. Others prefer quiet interaction in small doses and space to be left alone. But whether you’re an extrovert, an introvert, or somewhere in between, we all need one another. Paul pens Ephesians chapter 4 to make that point.
The section starts with the word “therefore” (v.1), which is always a hint that he is drawing a conclusion or making what he thinks is an obvious application.
Paul has just spent three chapters celebrating what God has done for us in Christ — grace, salvation, reconciliation. Now comes the hinge: therefore, live a life worthy of that calling (4:1).
Our calling in this section is to be what we are - one Body. In verse four, Paul strings together seven ones to make his point. Because God (Father, Son, Spirit) is One, it makes no sense for us not to be one as well.
If you read widely in Paul’s letters, you know that he sees unity as a gift, a gift from God. But if unity came in a package, it would be stamped ‘Fragile: Handle with Care.’ And the truth is, the church sometimes drops the box.
That’s why Paul urges us to cultivate humility, gentleness, patience, and love — the attitudes that provide the best atmosphere in which unity can flourish. Those attitudes are something he wants us to be “eager” to attend to.
To help us with this unity, God employs what seems to be a rather odd strategy. To make us one, He made us all different. In addition to the cultural, linguistic, and emotional differences already present, He gives “each of us” (v.7) a set of unique gifts. And we are to use these gifts to serve Him and to serve the Body, He has put us in.
Paul writes about these gifts (spiritual gifts) in many places in his letters. All those gifts are to be exercised for building up the Body and the glory of God. And all are to be exercised.
However, Paul is not referring to gifts in general here. While God has given each person a set of gifts, God has also given gifted people to the church. He names the following: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers. He didn’t do this to create a hierarchy. These gifted people have a job. They are to equip the saints so that the saints can do the work of ministry.
And when all these different parts are working correctly, the church grows. Each of us and all of us together become more and more fully like Jesus (v. 15).
All through the passage, Paul uses one of his “go to” metaphors, word pictures, analogies - the church as the Body of Christ. While some parts are more prominent (such as the brain, lungs, and heart), all parts, even the smallest and most hidden ones, are vital too. (Without the tiny pituitary gland, we would be in big trouble). And when each part does its work (v. 16), everyone benefits. We benefit because we grow best when we grow together, and the world benefits because we, as His Body, do His work in our world. Christ is the Head, but we are His Body, His hands, His feet, His voice. Our hands help the hurting. Our feet go to the lost. Our voice speaks hope to the hopeless.
Bottom line? In the Body of Christ, every part matters. No part stands alone. And when all parts are working, every part grows.
And not only that, when Christ the Head directs His Body, when every part does its work, when the church is one, it paints a compelling portrait of Jesus that the world cannot ignore.
How do you feel about people?
Some of us thrive on company, conversations, and new connections. Others prefer quiet interaction in small doses and space to be left alone. But whether you’re an extrovert, an introvert, or somewhere in between, we all need one another. Paul pens Ephesians chapter 4 to make that point.
The section starts with the word “therefore” (v.1), which is always a hint that he is drawing a conclusion or making what he thinks is an obvious application.
Paul has just spent three chapters celebrating what God has done for us in Christ — grace, salvation, reconciliation. Now comes the hinge: therefore, live a life worthy of that calling (4:1).
Our calling in this section is to be what we are - one Body. In verse four, Paul strings together seven ones to make his point. Because God (Father, Son, Spirit) is One, it makes no sense for us not to be one as well.
If you read widely in Paul’s letters, you know that he sees unity as a gift, a gift from God. But if unity came in a package, it would be stamped ‘Fragile: Handle with Care.’ And the truth is, the church sometimes drops the box.
That’s why Paul urges us to cultivate humility, gentleness, patience, and love — the attitudes that provide the best atmosphere in which unity can flourish. Those attitudes are something he wants us to be “eager” to attend to.
To help us with this unity, God employs what seems to be a rather odd strategy. To make us one, He made us all different. In addition to the cultural, linguistic, and emotional differences already present, He gives “each of us” (v.7) a set of unique gifts. And we are to use these gifts to serve Him and to serve the Body, He has put us in.
Paul writes about these gifts (spiritual gifts) in many places in his letters. All those gifts are to be exercised for building up the Body and the glory of God. And all are to be exercised.
However, Paul is not referring to gifts in general here. While God has given each person a set of gifts, God has also given gifted people to the church. He names the following: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers. He didn’t do this to create a hierarchy. These gifted people have a job. They are to equip the saints so that the saints can do the work of ministry.
And when all these different parts are working correctly, the church grows. Each of us and all of us together become more and more fully like Jesus (v. 15).
All through the passage, Paul uses one of his “go to” metaphors, word pictures, analogies - the church as the Body of Christ. While some parts are more prominent (such as the brain, lungs, and heart), all parts, even the smallest and most hidden ones, are vital too. (Without the tiny pituitary gland, we would be in big trouble). And when each part does its work (v. 16), everyone benefits. We benefit because we grow best when we grow together, and the world benefits because we, as His Body, do His work in our world. Christ is the Head, but we are His Body, His hands, His feet, His voice. Our hands help the hurting. Our feet go to the lost. Our voice speaks hope to the hopeless.
Bottom line? In the Body of Christ, every part matters. No part stands alone. And when all parts are working, every part grows.
And not only that, when Christ the Head directs His Body, when every part does its work, when the church is one, it paints a compelling portrait of Jesus that the world cannot ignore.
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