Notes On The Book Of Ephesians - Part 2 - Chapters 4-6

Please find the second part of my notes on Ephesians below.

Notes on the Book of Ephesians - Chapters 4-6

• We should be humble, gentle and patient, bearing with our brothers in love to maintain unity in the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:2-3).
  
• The "Unity" Proclamation: "There is one body and one Spirit...one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:4-5 ESV).
• When we get to a point of spiritual maturity we will not be carried away or shaken by false doctrine, manipulation or schemes (Ephesians 4:14).
• We should speak the truth in love and grow in spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:15). I think there might a relationship between the two, that is as we speak the truth with love (and not judgment) we may find that we are growing in maturity. I have found this to be a hard thing to do so sometimes I just don't say anything for fear that it will come out the wrong way.
• The hard heart of the nonbeliever leads to futile thinking and ignorance of God (Ephesians 4:17-18).
• We must put off our old selves, be renewed in the spirit of our minds and put on the new self (Ephesians 4:22-24).
• We should also speak the truth, not give vent to our anger, turn away from old sins, work, have pure speech and not upset the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:25-30).
• We should be kind, forgiving, soft hearted and put away anger, quarreling, slander and maliciousness (Ephesians 4:31-32).
• Chapter 5 continues with a lot of general advice on how the saints should conduct themselves, some that I find notable include: "Let no one deceive you with empty words" (Ephesians 5:6 ESV), "try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:10 ESV), "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." (Ephesians 5:11 ESV).
• On the topic of exposing evil Paul makes an interesting point, "But when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light." (Ephesians 5:13). If I am reading this correctly Paul appears to be saying that when you expose evil you effectively transform its nature into good, that is by exposing evil good is produced. What exactly the implications of that are I'm not sure, perhaps exposing evil creates good by preventing further evil, or it bolsters the righteous who see that wickedness does not go unseen, or serves as a deterrent to other evildoers lest they also be exposed. I think these are all possible. One last point, we might actually be helping the "evildoers" if we expose their works because we give them an opportunity to repent that in their hardened condition they would not so long as they operate in darkness.
• We should address each other with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, "making melody to the Lord with your heart." (Ephesians 5:19).
• Always give thanks for all things (Ephesians 5:20).
• Wives should submit to husbands and husbands should love their wives as themselves (Ephesians 5:22,24-25,28-31).
• Children should obey their parents "in the Lord" and honor them so that it will go well with them (Ephesians 5:1-3 ESV). It's important to emphasize that God is our true father and parent and so we owe allegiance to him before anyone else, including our earthly parents. If they (or anyone else) ask us to do something ungodly then we should refuse; this does not dishonor them.
• Fathers should not provoke their children to anger (Ephesians 6:4).
• Obey your bosses for the sake of Christ not for appearances sake or to curry favor (Ephesians 6:5-7).
• All good that we do we will receive back from the Lord (Ephesians 6:8).
• Bosses should not threaten their employees because we each have God as our boss and are subject to him (Ephesians 6:9).
• The Armor of God prayer: "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God....Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication." (Ephesians 6:11-18 ESV).
• We should always be praying in the Holy Spirit, keeping alert (I believe this means against temptations but also dangers) with perseverance (i.e. don't fall asleep while on watch) and praying on behalf of all of the saints (Ephesians 6:18).
• Paul also asks the church to pray for him that he may speak boldly (Ephesians 6:19), which I think serves as guidance to us, let us not be afraid to ask others to pray for us and in particular in regards to spiritual gifts or spiritual matters such as our ministry.
• Finally, "Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with you all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible." (Ephesians 6:24 ESV).