Walking Worthy: Living Out the Calling of Christ
- Be God's Glory
- Dec 4
- 11 min read
Welcome to Day 337 of The Glory Team Bible Reading Plan.
Ephesians 4–6 presents Paul’s practical instructions for how believers should live in response to the spiritual truths revealed in the first half of the letter. After establishing that Christians are united with Christ and sealed by the Spirit, Paul shows what this new identity looks like in daily life—calling believers to unity, holiness, love, submission, and spiritual warfare. These chapters outline how the church grows together in maturity, how Christians are to walk differently from the world, how households should reflect Christ, and how believers must stand firm against spiritual attack. Together, these chapters show that the gospel not only saves us but transforms every relationship, every action, and every part of our walk with God.
Ephesians 4
Ephesians 4 begins with Paul urging believers to “walk worthy” of the calling they have received by cultivating humility, gentleness, patience, and love that preserve unity in the Spirit. He teaches that although believers have different gifts—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers—these gifts exist to build up the body of Christ until it reaches maturity and stability in truth. Paul then contrasts the old way of life with the new, explaining that Christians must put off their former corrupt behaviors and be renewed in the spirit of their minds. He describes what this transformation looks like in practical terms: speaking truth, resisting sinful anger, rejecting theft, using words to build others up, and living with kindness and forgiveness. Through this chapter, Paul emphasizes that unity and holiness are not optional, but essential expressions of the believer’s new identity in Christ.
Ephesians 5
In Ephesians 5, Paul calls believers to imitate God by walking in love, just as Christ sacrificially loved us, and to reject all forms of impurity, greed, and darkness. He instructs Christians to live wisely, making the most of every opportunity and being filled with the Spirit, which produces worship, gratitude, and mutual submission. Paul then shifts to describe how Christ-centered relationships function within the home, beginning with the instruction for wives to submit to their husbands “as to the Lord,” not as inferiors but as partners modeling Christ and the church. Husbands are commanded to love their wives with the same self-giving, sanctifying love Christ shows His people, making marriage a living picture of the gospel. The chapter reveals that Christian households are meant to display God’s character, with every member walking in love, purity, and Spirit-led devotion.
Ephesians 6
Ephesians 6 continues the household instructions, teaching children to obey their parents and parents to nurture their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Paul also addresses servants and masters, calling for obedience, sincerity, justice, and fairness rooted in the fear of God and the awareness that all believers share one heavenly Master. He then shifts to the famous teaching on spiritual warfare, reminding believers that their real battle is not against people but against demonic forces of darkness. For this reason, Christians must put on the full armor of God—truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, God’s Word, and persistent prayer—to stand firm against attack. Paul ends by urging believers to pray continually for boldness and faithfulness, showing that victory in the Christian life depends on spiritual alertness, divine strength, and unwavering dependence on God.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The name “Ephesians” comes from the ancient city of Ephesus, a major Roman port city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). The name Ephesus is believed to come from the Greek word “Ephesos,” which is possibly rooted in the idea of “desirable” or “permitted,” reflecting its reputation as a prosperous and attractive city. Ephesus was known for its commerce, culture, and especially the famous Temple of Artemis—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Purpose of the Book:
The purpose of Ephesians is to strengthen the church by teaching believers their identity in Christ and how to live out that identity. Paul writes to explain:
The spiritual blessings believers have through Christ
The unity of Jews and Gentiles in the body of Christ
God’s eternal plan for salvation
How believers should walk in holiness, love, unity, and spiritual strength
The importance of spiritual warfare and the armor of God
Ephesians does not correct major problems like some of Paul’s other letters. Instead, it serves as a doctrinal foundation and a practical guide for Christian living.
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The Apostle Paul is recognized as the author of Ephesians by both biblical testimony and early historical writings.
1. Internal Biblical Evidence
Paul identifies himself directly in the letter:
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus…” (Ephesians 1:1)
The writing style, themes, and theology align closely with Paul’s other letters such as Colossians and Romans.
Shared phrases, prayers, and doctrinal structures reinforce Pauline authorship (e.g., Ephesians 2:8–9 and Titus 3:5).
2. External Historical Evidence
Early Christian writers consistently attribute the book to Paul:
Ignatius of Antioch (A.D. 110) alludes to Ephesians and connects it to Paul.
Irenaeus (A.D. 180) quotes from Ephesians and names Paul as the author.
Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 200) references Paul’s authorship in his writings.
Tertullian (A.D. 200) explicitly defends Pauline authorship.
The Muratorian Canon (late 2nd century) includes Ephesians among Paul’s letters.
Both biblical and historical records support the conclusion that Ephesians is authentically Pauline.
Key People:
Ephesians is less narrative than historical books but still references important figures:
Paul – Apostle, writer of the letter, imprisoned when writing (Eph. 3:1; 4:1; 6:20).
Tychicus – Paul’s ministry partner who delivered the letter and gave updates to the church (Eph. 6:21–22).
The Holy Spirit – Mentioned repeatedly as the seal, guarantee, and source of power.
Christ – Central figure throughout the book; all blessings, unity, and salvation come through Him.
God the Father – Described as the initiator of the believer’s salvation and identity.
(Note: No individual members of the Ephesian church are named in this letter, unlike many of Paul’s other writings.)
Conclusion
The Book of Ephesians stands as one of the New Testament’s richest explanations of who believers are in Christ and how they should live because of that identity. It begins by lifting readers into the heavenly reality of God’s eternal plan—chosen, redeemed, united, and sealed by the Spirit. It then moves to the practical, urging believers to walk in holiness, unity, maturity, and love. Finally, it equips the church for spiritual warfare, reminding them that they fight not in human strength but with the full armor of God. Ephesians remains a foundational letter for understanding Christian identity, community, and spiritual power.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Ephesians 4
In Ephesians 4, God reveals Himself as a God of unity, patience, and transformation. He calls His people to mirror His character by walking in humility, gentleness, and love toward one another. God is shown as the One who equips His church with spiritual gifts so that believers mature and grow together. We relate to Him by surrendering our old ways and allowing His Spirit to renew our minds and shape our daily conduct.
The main lesson God teaches in this chapter is that unity and spiritual maturity flow from His character, not human effort. He invites believers to put off their old nature and to embrace the new life created after His likeness. God shows that true holiness is expressed through truthfulness, kindness, forgiveness, and actions that reflect His nature. Through this, He teaches that Christlike character is the foundation of a healthy and unified church.
Ephesians 5
In Ephesians 5, God displays Himself as holy, loving, and purposeful, calling His people to imitate Him as dearly loved children. He is the God who exposes darkness and invites believers into His light, shaping their lives with purity and wisdom. His character is revealed as sacrificial through Christ, who loved us and gave Himself for us. We relate to Him by walking in love, rejecting sin, and submitting ourselves to His Spirit.
The lesson God teaches here is that every part of our life—relationships, decisions, purity, and worship—must reflect His holiness and love. He shows that Spirit-filled living creates order, mutual submission, and sacrificial love in the home, mirroring Christ’s relationship with the church. God teaches believers to walk carefully and wisely, discerning His will in a world filled with darkness. He reminds us that love, purity, and Spirit-led obedience are marks of those who truly know Him.
Ephesians 6
In Ephesians 6, God reveals Himself as a righteous and powerful Father who cares for families, guides relationships, and equips His people for spiritual battle. He is just and fair, seeing all people equally regardless of status or position. God is shown as the mighty protector who provides armor for His children so they can stand firm against evil. We relate to Him by obeying His instruction, trusting His strength, and relying on His power rather than our own.
The core lesson God teaches is that the Christian life is a spiritual battle requiring His strength and His armor. He shows believers that victory comes from truth, righteousness, faith, prayer, and unwavering dependence on Him. God teaches families and workplaces to operate under His order, reflecting His fairness and authority. Through this chapter, He reminds His people that they are not fighting alone—He empowers, protects, and strengthens them every step of the way.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
How does Ephesians 4 reveal God as a God of unity, and what does that teach us about His desire for His people?
In what ways do the gifts God gives to the church in Ephesians 4 reflect His wisdom, purpose, and nurturing nature?
How does God’s holiness become clear through Paul’s call to walk in purity and light in Ephesians 5?
What does Christ’s sacrificial love in Ephesians 5 show us about God’s heart for relationships and community?
How does God’s fairness and justice appear in the instructions for families, servants, and masters in Ephesians 6?
What does God’s provision of spiritual armor in Ephesians 6 teach us about His protective and empowering nature?
How does God’s call to prayer in Ephesians 6 reveal His desire for constant fellowship and dependence from His people?
Questions About Themes:
Why is unity in the body of Christ such a central theme in Ephesians 4, and how does spiritual maturity contribute to it?
How does Paul contrast the “old self” and “new self,” and what does this say about transformation in the Christian life?
What does the theme of walking in love, light, and wisdom in Ephesians 5 reveal about the Christian lifestyle?
How does Spirit-filled living shape relationships within the home according to Ephesians 5?
In Ephesians 6, why is it important to recognize that the Christian’s battle is spiritual and not merely earthly?
What major themes are emphasized by the imagery of the armor of God, and what do they teach about spiritual resilience?
How does the theme of submission—to God, to one another, and within households—form a consistent thread throughout chapters 4–6?
Reflective Application Questions:
Which attitudes listed in Ephesians 4 (humility, gentleness, patience, love) do you personally need to grow in to protect unity in your community?
In what areas do you still struggle to put off the “old self,” and what steps can you take to renew your mind daily?
How does Christ’s example of sacrificial love challenge the way you treat your spouse, family, friends, or church community?
What areas of your life need the light of Christ to expose hidden habits, compromises, or patterns that do not honor Him?
How can you intentionally walk in wisdom by making better use of your time, as instructed in Ephesians 5?
Which piece of the armor of God do you most need to strengthen right now, and why?
How can you grow in consistent, Spirit-led prayer so that your daily life reflects God’s strength rather than your own?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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