1As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7Now to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8This is why it says: “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.” 9What does “He ascended” mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things. 11And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ. 14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head. 16From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part. 17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. 19Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more. 20But this is not the way you came to know Christ. 21Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him—in keeping with the truth that is in Jesus— 22to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another. 26“Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need. 29Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Showing the first 30 verses. Continue the passage in your Bible.
Berean Standard Bible (BSB), public domain.
Ephesians 4-6 provides a comprehensive guide for Christian living, covering everything from personal conduct to relationships within the Church and the household, and preparing for spiritual warfare. Paul’s teachings in these chapters are deeply practical, offering believers clear instructions on how to live in a manner that reflects their identity in Christ. These chapters remind us that the Christian life is not merely about believing certain truths but about living them out in every area of our lives. We are called to walk in unity, love, and light, to reject the old self and embrace the new, and to stand firm against the spiritual forces that seek to undermine our faith. As we reflect on Paul’s instructions, may we be inspired to live lives that are worthy of our calling, fully committed to Christ, and equipped with the full armor of God. By doing so, we can stand firm in the faith, grow in spiritual maturity, and be a light in a world that desperately needs the hope and truth of the gospel.
Practical Application
How might you personally apply the Bible Story Lessons learnt so far this week? Kindly refer to your, Our Daily Dose Prayer Journal to complete today’s exercise.
Week 38: Day 232-238 Unity in the Body of Christ The theme of unity within the body of Christ is a central and powerful message in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, particularly in chapter 12. Here, Paul presents a vivid metaphor of the Church as one body with many parts, each uniquely gifted and essential to the health and function of the whole. This passage not only highlights the diversity of gifts within the Church but also emphasizes the necessity of each member working in harmony for the good of the entire body. As we explore 1 Corinthians 12, we will uncover the importance of unity, the value of diversity, and the role each believer plays in building up the body of Christ.
Scripture is shown in public-domain translations, so you can share it freely. The study text is from Our Daily Dose by Armstrong & Zanele Ogwuche. A daily devotional from KingdomOS. Share freely; every card links back here.
