“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,” – Ephesians 4:1 (NASB)
Here, the apostle Paul resumes what he had initially stated at the start of the last chapter. The word “Therefore” is not a mere conjunctive adverb but is a word pregnant with meaning. In effect, what he’s trying to say is, ‘on account of the amazing truths that God has shown to you, Gentiles, I encourage you to consider your special privileges. God has done so much for you; since He has revealed such a great plan for you; since He has honored you by inviting you into His kingdom and showing you His mercy, I urge you to live according to these high privileges and to show your thankfulness for his goodness by dedicating yourself to his service.’ The word “I” carries a lot of weight. It represents the request and encouragement of someone who had endured a lot for them, and who was now in chains because of his commitment to the well-being of the Gentile world.
The phrase “the prisoner of the Lord” highlights Paul’s self-identification as being in the custody of Christ rather than Rome. What Paul passionately declares is that, even though he is held captive by the Romans, he is a bondservant of the Lord and is Inextricably linked to Him. His perspective goes beyond mere endurance of suffering; Paul feels the presence and empowering strength of the Lord Jesus in his life, transcending his physical limitations. Additionally, this connection grounds Paul’s guidance in what he believes is the Lord’s will for the believers, rather than just his own personal wishes for them. This amazing observation demonstrates his deep understanding of the strong connection between believers and Christ. It powerfully emphasizes that their existence is intertwined with His (cf. Job 12:10; Dan. 5:23; Acts 17:28), highlighting the depth of this union with God (cf. 1 Pet. 1:13-25).
Paul’s exhortation for believers to “walk in a manner worthy” is a call to purposeful, everyday Christlike living. In the Old Testament and Jewish tradition, “walking” is a metaphor for lifestyle. Paul also used this phrase when encouraging the Colossians and the Thessalonians (cf. Col 1:10; 1 Thess 2:12). This echoes the idea of Christianity not just as an initial decision but as a continuous journey of following Christ, as portrayed in the early church’s designation as “the Way.” In 1 John 2:6, it talks about how important it is for believers to live the way Jesus did. This means showing love, humility, and obedience, just like Christ did. It shows that being a true follower of Jesus involves more than just believing – it means letting that belief shape how you live your life. This theme aligns with Eph. 2:8-9, 10 where it emphasizes the connection between faith, good works, and salvation. According to this view, good works come from the grace and faith that is the basis of our salvation. The ability to do good works and to live a life worthy of our calling is attributed to the Holy Spirit within us, making them the evidence of salvation rather than the way to achieve it. This viewpoint sees salvation as a gate and a path. It describes salvation as a free gift, but also as a way of life that involves being prepared to give up everything for the sake of Christ (see Matt. 7:13-14).
The apostle Paul’s appeal to believers is based on “the calling with which they have been called,” (Aorist Passive Indicative) – a calling which originates from God (cf. John 6:44, 65). This divine call is intricately linked to the term “church” in Ephesians 3:21, leading to a word play evident in Ephesians 4:1 (twice) and 4 (twice). Essentially, it signifies a collective summons to a spiritual separation from “the world,”1 embracing a call to holiness (cf. Eph 1:4). This concept serves as a theological counterbalance to the doctrine of election, illustrating the necessity for humanity to receive God’s initiating call (cf. Eph 1:13). The sovereign God’s choice to redeem fallen mankind through the work of Christ and their responsive faith (cf. Mark 1:15; Acts 3:16, 19; 20:21) underlines the twin pillars of the sovereign call and required human response, integral to both the Old Testament and New Testament covenants. Inextricably linked to these pillars is the call for godly living, as God desires a people (i.e., the church) who embodies His character (cf. 1 Peter 1:13-25).
Believers today are encouraged to heed Paul’s words and live in a way that shows the great calling they have received from God. This means accepting the privileges and responsibilities that come with being part of God’s kingdom, and letting gratitude for His kindness and mercy inspire a life of service and commitment. The call to “walk in a manner worthy” highlights the ongoing, purposeful followship of Christ in love, humility, and obedience. It shows the close connection between faith and good deeds, making it clear that true discipleship involves more than just belief in truths – it includes a changed way of life that reflects Christ’s character to the world. Therefore, believers are urged to live as a living example of God’s grace and to demonstrate the transforming power of the gospel in their daily lives, fulfilling their purpose in this day and age.
- (A. F. Muir, M. A.) ↩︎
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