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Ephesians 4:1-16
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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • Comparative texts about Baptism: Water & Spirit from DSS, Josephus, Babylonian Talmud. At (Rutgers University Dept of Religion) Mahlon H. Smith's Into His Own: Perspective on the World of Jesus companion to the historical study of Christian texts.
  • Chapter VI, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians, Ignatius of Antioch (c.110). (Longer version only - 4th cent interpolation.)
  • Chapter IV, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Philadelphians, Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110). (Longer Version only - 4th cent interpolation)
  • II.II.5, II.XX.3, III.XIX.3, III.XXI.6, IV.XX.2, IV.XXII.1, IV.XXXII.1, V.XVIII.2, V.XXXI.1, V.XXXI.2, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180) 
  • Chapter XII, Chapter XV, On Baptism,  Tertullian (c. 198)
  • I.5, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • I.1, I.8, IV.21, VI.11, VI.13, VII.2, VII.11, VII.14, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • Chapter XIV, The Prescription of Heretics, Tertullian (c. 200)
  • Chapter II, On The Veiling of Virgins, Tertullian (c. 205)
  • Chapter VII, Chapter X, Exhortation to Chastity, Tertullian (c. 210)
  • V.8, V.10, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 212)
  • Chapter XXX, Against Praxeas,  Tertullian (c. 213)
  • I.VI.2, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen. (c.225)
  • I.5, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Origen. (c.228)
  • X.20, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Philocalia [anthology of Origen prepared by St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen], Origen. (c.230)
  • I.XXXV, V.XVIII, Against Celsus, Origen (c. 246)
  • X.3, XIII.26, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)
  • On the Unity of the Church, Cyprian of Carthage (c. 250)
  • Epistle LI -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 252)
  • Epistle LXXIV -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 256)
  • On the Advantage of Patience -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 256)
  • Deposition of Arius, Athanasius of Alexandria, c. 321-322.
  • Commentary by St. John Chrysostom: Homily VIII, Homily IX, Homily X, Homily XI.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "Another part of the epistle, containing precepts of the Christian life, the sum of which is this, that every man behave himself as it is fitting for so excellent a grace of God."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "Nothing is pressed more earnestly in the Scriptures, than to walk as becomes those called to Christ's kingdom and glory."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "The bond of peace is love."
  • Of The Church (Eph 4:1-6). Sermon by John Wesley.
    • "The catholic or universal Church is, all the persons in the universe whom God hath so called out of the world as to entitle them to the preceding character; as to be "one body," united by "one spirit;" having "one faith, one hope, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in them all.""
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "lowliness--In classic Greek, the meaning is meanness of spirit: the Gospel has elevated the word to express a Christian grace, namely, the esteeming of ourselves small, inasmuch as we are so; the thinking truly, and because truly, therefore lowlily, of ourselves [TRENCH]."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "The Unity commanded has a basis in seven unities which existed in the church, and should exist in all ages."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, Ephesians 4:1-16, Sarah henrich, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2015.
    • "This section of Ephesians begins a series of ethical instructions firmly based on the preceding three chapters."
  • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, Stan Mast, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, illustration ideas, 2015.
  • "Eternal Life," Frederick Buechner from Wishful Thinking.
    • "God was making a body for Christ, Paul said. Christ didn't have a regular body any more so God was making him one out of anybody he could find who looked as if he might just possibly do. He was using other people's hands to be Christ's hands and other people's feet to be Christ's feet, and when there was some place where Christ was needed in a hurry and needed bad, he put the finger on some maybe-not-all-that-innocent bystander and got him to go and be Christ in that place himself for lack of anybody better."
  • Commentary, Ephesians 4:1-16, Mark Tranvik, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2012.
    • "We live in a time that tends to undermine any claim to truth out of fear of being divisive or intolerant. But Paul advocates 'speaking the truth in love' (4:15). In other words, our bearing witness to the truth is grounded in a deep humility (4:2)."
  • "Cultivating Spiritual Growth," Sharron R Blezard, Stewardship of Life, 2012.
    • "What do gardening and the Christian life have in common? For one thing, they both involve cultivation and tending."
  • Radical Gratitude, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf)
  • "Striving toward unity," Faith Element Discipleship System, "Setting the Bible Free," 2012.
  • "Gold Medal," Steve Garnaas-Holmes, Unfolding Light, 2012.
    • "Discover what is is to be yourself, to live out the gifts God gives you. There’s no competition; nobody in the world can do it like you. Nobody. There won’t be a medal you can hang in your trophy case. But it will be beautiful, and a joy to behold."
  • "You're Going the Wrong Way!" Michael Danner, The Hardest Question, 2012.
    • "Our unity breaks down, and we fail to meet our final destination, when we forget that going God’s way begins with a call from God that we are to live into in a particular way."
  • Commentary, Ephesians 4:1-16, Susan Hylen, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
    • "In Ephesians, unity is not the same as uniformity."
  • "A Picture of Jesus," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer, 2009.
    • "We can only attain to "the full stature of Christ" by following Jesus' example of selfless love and sacrificial service to others. I think this also relates to congregational transformation: it is only when we become "a picture of Jesus" by serving the people around us with compassion that we can experience the quality of life that will enable our congregation to thrive."
  • "First Thoughts on Year B Epistle Passages in the Lectionary," Pentecost 10, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "Ministries exist for the sake of ministry, not for their own sake. The ministry of all is about living out the life and love which constituted us in the first place and keeps us going together."
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • Commentary, Ephesians 4:7-13, William F. Buchanan, The African American Lectionary, 2010.
    • "...the Apostle Paul is clear that the body without the appointment of particular gifts will be fragmented ? divided and cannot reach its ultimate end in Christ Jesus."
  • "Being Ideal Readers," "Putting It All Together," Tim Bulkeley, 5 Minute Bible (podcast).
  • "Nurturing the Congregation's Voice," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Singing Our Lives," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2006.
  • "Practicing Wholeness," "Thinking and Practicing Reconciliation": The Ephesians Texts for Pentecost 8-14, Ronald Olson, Word & World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1997.
  • Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16, Reconciled in Christ: Ministry in Light of Ephesians, Wendell W. Frerichs, Word & World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1988.
  • "The Unity of the Spirit," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
  • "The Unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:1-6)," by J. Hampton Keathley III at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "Unity is living and vital. It is not mechanical. It is not a coalition or an amalgamation."
  • " 'One Baptism' in Ephesians 4:5," by Hampton Keathley IV at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "If the Spirit is understood as being the instrument and Christ is actually the one who baptizes, then Spirit baptism is actually Christ?s baptism, and consequently, there is no conflict with the trinitarian grouping of verses 4-6 and with the contents of verse 5 (particularly a reference to Spirit-baptism) being associated with the second person of the Trinity. Perhaps alleviation of this conflict will open the door for consideration of the other reasons that this might indeed be a reference to Spirit baptism."
  • "Called through Relationship," Elizabeth Newman, (other resources at) "Vocation," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2004.
    • "Our vocation is a gift, not something we decide after assessing our skills and talents."
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
  • Albright, W.F., "A Catalogue of Early Hebrew Lyric Poems (Ps 68)," Hebrew Union College Annual, 1950/51.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Ballenger, Isam E., "Ephesians 4:16," Interpretation, 1997.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Charlesworth, James H., "Revealing the Genius of Biblical Authors: Symbology, Archaeology, and Theology," Communio Viatorum, 2004. (Section on this text begins on p. 133.)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Ballenger, Isam E., "Between Text and Sermon: Ephesians 4:1-16," Interpretation, 1997.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Berding, Kenneth, "Confusing Word and Concept in 'Spiritual Gifts': Have We Forgotten James Bar's Exhortations?" Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 2000.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Booys, John, "No Clergy or Laity: All Christians Are Ministers in the Body of Christ: Ephesians 4:11-13," Direction, 1991.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Butting, Klara, "Pauline Variations on Genesis 2.24: Speaking of the Body of Christ in the Context of the Discussion of Lifestyles," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2001.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Dockery, David S., "Ephesians 4:1-6," Review and Expositor, 1991.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Everding, H. Edward, Clarence H. Snelling, Jr., and Mary M. Wilcox, "A Shaping Vision of Community for Teaching in an Individualistic World: Ephesians 4:1-16 and Developmental Interpretation," Religious Education, 1988.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Frerichs, Wendell W., "Reconciled in Christ: Ministry in Light of Ephesians," Word & World, 1988.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Goetz, Ronald, "Heresy, Diversity and Grace," The Christian Century, 1997.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Gombis, Timothy G., "Cosmic Lordship and Divine Gift-Giving: Psalm 68 in Ephesians 4:8," Novum Testamentum, 2005.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Gordon, T. David, "'Equipping' Ministry in Ephesians 4," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1994.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Hamann, Henry Paul, "The Translation of Ephesians 4:12, a Necessary Revision," Concordia Journal, 1988.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Harris, W. Hall, "The Ascent and Descent of Christ in Ephesians 4:9-10," Bibliotheca Sacra, 1994.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Herrmann, Erik H., "Homiletical Helps on LW Series B," Concordia Journal, 2006. (Section on this text begins on p. 318)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Jolivet, Ira, "The Ethical Instructions in Ephesians as the Unwritten Statutes and Ordinances of God's New Temple in Ezekiel," Restoration Quarterly, 2006.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Kipp, Judith G., "Of Sunbeams and Spiders," Brethren Life and Thought, 1993. (Reflection)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Loscalzo, Craig, "Ephesians 4:1-16," Review & Expositor, 1988.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Olson, Ronald, "'Thinking and Practicing Reconciliation': The Ephesians Texts for Pentecost 8-14," Word & World, 1997.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Page, Sydney H.T., "Whose Ministry? A Re-Appraisal of Ephesians 4:12," Novum Testamentum, 2005.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Pitts, R.D., "Christian Unity: An Exposition of Ephesians 4:1-16," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1982.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Rubinkiewicz, Richard, "Psalm 68:19 (= Eph. 4:8): Another Textual Tradition or Targum?" Novum Testamentum, 1975.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Schaper, Gary, "Homiletical Helps on LW Series B," Concordia Journal, 2006. (Section on this text begins on p. 316)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Smith, Gary V., "Paul's Use of Psalm 68:18 in Ephesians 4:8," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1975.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Stroble, Paul, "Joined at the Heart," The Christian Century, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Strauss, Richard L., "Like Christ: An Exposition of Ephesians 4:13," Bibliotheca Sacra, 1986.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Taylor, Richard A., "The Use of Psalm 68:18 in Ephesians 4:8 in Light of Ancient Versions," Bibliotheca Sacra, 1991.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Van Engen, Charles, "Toward a Theology of Mission Partnerships," Missiology, 2001.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Verbrugge, Verlyn D., "Christian Unity: An Exposition of Ephesians 4:1-16," Calvin Theological Journal, 1983.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Vooys, John, "No Clergy or Laity: All Christians Are Ministers in the Body of Christ, Ephesians 4:11-13," Direction, 1991.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • White, L. Michael, "Social Authority in the House Church Setting and Ephesians 4:1-16," Restoration Quarterly, 1987.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Sermons:
  • "In Repair," the Rev. Dr. Guy Sayles, Day 1, 2012.
  • "Double Standards," from a series of sermons on the book of Ephesians by Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines, Washington.
  • "Gifts," the Rev. Dr. Francis H. Wade, Day 1, 1997.
• With Children:
  • Worshiping with Children, Proper 13B, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2015. 2012.
  • "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," 2015, Union Presbyterian Seminary.
  • "The Holy Spirit Brings Many Gifts to Us," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
• Drama:
  • "Unity Tableau," Faye Ruddenkalu, dramatix.
  • "No Church in Churchville," Raymond J. Lombardi, dramatix. (Royalty required.)
  • "The Health Centre," Trevor Fletcher, dramatix.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Ephesians 4:5, 7, 9, 11. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • Onward, Christian Soldiers!
    • The Church Has One Foundation
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Movies listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
  • Interconnectedness
  • Community
  • Truth/Truthfulness
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Ephesians

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