for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, Truth to Learn All Christians have gifts to be used in the church. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “equipping” is katartismos. This word is made up of kata, meaning...
Ephesians 4:11 – Builders and Protectors
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, Truth to Learn God has provided gifted men to build and protect the church. Behind the Words “Apostles” is a transliteration of the Greek word apostolos, which is made up of apo, meaning...
Ephesians 4:10 – Not Worth Arguing
He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) Truth to Learn Some Biblical truths are very important to understand correctly, others are not worth arguing about. Behind the Words Both the words translated “descended” and “ascended” are expressed...
Ephesians 4:9 – Jesus In Hades
(Now this, "He ascended"—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? Truth to Learn Our Lord experienced physical death for us. Behind the Words The word “first” is translated from prōton, which is based on the superlative of pro (toward or...
Ephesians 4:8 – Moving Day
Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men." Truth to Learn Jesus Christ moved Paradise and gave all Christians gifts. Behind the Words The word “says” is from the Greek verb legō, which literally means “to lay forth,” that is, “to...
Ephesians 4:7 – God’s Gifting
But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Truth to Learn Each Christian has a job function to perform within the church based on how God has gifted him or her. Behind the Words The word “each” is from heskatos, which indicates...
Ephesians 4:6 – One Father God
one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Truth to Learn All Christians are united under our Father God. Behind the Words “God” is translated from the Greek word theos, from which we get our English word “theology,” meaning the study...
Ephesians 4:5 – More Oneness
one Lord, one faith, one baptism; Truth to Learn There are several aspects of oneness in the church. Behind the Words “Lord” is translated from the Greek noun kurios. This word is derived from kuros, meaning “authority” or “supremacy.” The basic meaning of kurios is “owner, master, or lord.” It...
Ephesians 4:4 – Only One
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; Truth to Learn All Christians are to work toward unity within the church. Behind the Words “One” is translated from the Greek word heis (pronounced hice). This is the masculine form of...
Ephesians 4:3 – Peaceful Unity
endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Truth to Learn Our service within the church should promote unity and peace. Behind the Words “Endeavoring” is translated from spoudadzō. This word is derived from the noun spoudē, meaning “speed.” However, by implication and common usage,...
Ephesians 4:2 – Humble, Gentle, Patience
with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, Truth to Learn As we serve God and others within the church, we need to keep in mind how He treats us. Behind the Words The word “lowliness” is translated from the Greek noun tapeinophrosunē. This is...
Ephesians 4:1 – Serve One, Serve All
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, Truth to Learn We are all called to serve in God’s church. Behind the Words “Prisoner” is from desmios, which is derived from the verb desmeō, meaning “to bind.” Thus,...
Ephesians 3:21 – Praise God!
to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Truth to Learn God deserves all our praise! Behind the Words The word “glory” is translated from doxa, from which we get our English word doxology. It is derived from the verb dokeō,...
Ephesians 3:20 – Mighty Prayer Power
Ephesians 3:20 - Mighty Prayer Power Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, Truth to Learn God is able to answer our greatest and mightiest prayers. Behind the Words “Now” is translated...
Ephesians 3:19 – Knowledge by Experience
Ephesians 3:19 - Knowledge by Experience to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Truth to Learn You can only really know God’s love by experience. Behind the Words There is a tiny Greek particle that is left...
Ephesians 3:18 – Foundational Understanding
Ephesians 3:18 - Foundational Understanding may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— Truth to Learn Christian lives must be based on and rooted in Jesus Christ. Behind the Words “May be able” is translated from the verb exischuō,...
Ephesians 3:17 – Indwelling Christ
Ephesians 3:17 - Indwelling Christ that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, Truth to Learn Christ dwells in the heart of every Christian. Behind the Words “Dwell” is from the Greek verb katoikeō, which is made up of kata, meaning...