Ephesians 4

The Lord

Lord — Master and rightful ruler; in Paul's letters the title of the risen Jesus, carrying the weight of the divine name

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, Ephesians 4:1

Paul is in chains because he serves the Lord Jesus Christ; he elsewhere calls himself 'the prisoner of Jesus Christ'.

• the same title in Ephesians 3:1 — 'Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ' — the same self-description naming Him

One Lord

Lord — Master and rightful ruler; in Paul's letters the title of the risen Jesus, carrying the weight of the divine name

One Lord, one faith, one baptism, Ephesians 4:5

The 'one Lord' is Jesus Christ, named between the one Spirit (v. 4) and the one God and Father (v. 6) — distinct members of the Godhead who unite the Saints.

• the same title in 1 Corinthians 8:6 — 'one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things'

Grace, the gift of Christ

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Ephesians 4:7

Every Saint receives grace — divine help and enabling power — measured out as Christ's own gift.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

He that descended and ascended

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Ephesians 4:8–10

Paul applies Psalm 68 (where the LORD ascends on high) to Jesus: He first descended — into mortality, death, and the world of spirits — then ascended above all heavens, freeing the captives of sin and death and pouring out gifts. Latter-day revelation uses the same words: He 'descended below all things'.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Psalm 68:18 — 'Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive' — said of the LORD, applied to Christ
• alluded to by D&C 88:6 — 'He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things'
• the same event in Acts 1:9 — the ascension witnessed by the apostles

Christ, Giver of apostles and prophets

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek Christos, Hebrew Messiah)

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; Ephesians 4:11–12

The ascended Christ gives His Church apostles, prophets, and other leaders to perfect the Saints and build His body. Latter-day Saints see here why His restored Church has living apostles and prophets.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alluded to by Articles of Faith 1:6 — 'the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists'

Son of God

Son of God — Jesus as the literal Son of the Father

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Ephesians 4:13

The Church exists until we all truly know Jesus as the Son of God and grow toward His fulness — becoming like Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a Church study aid lists it

Christ the Head

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek Christos, Hebrew Messiah)

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Ephesians 4:15–16

Christ is the Head of His Church; every member draws life and growth from Him, like a body joined to its head.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Colossians 1:18 — 'he is the head of the body, the church'

The Lord

Lord — Master and rightful ruler; in Paul's letters the title of the risen Jesus, carrying the weight of the divine name

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Ephesians 4:17

Paul bears his warning as a witness speaking in the Lord Jesus, under His authority.

Christ, the Truth

Jesus — 'Jehovah saves'; Christ — 'the Anointed One'

But ye have not so learned Christ; Ephesians 4:20–21

Conversion is not just learning about Christ but 'learning Christ' — hearing Him and being taught by Him — because the truth is found in Jesus.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• the same title in John 14:6 — 'I am the way, the truth, and the life'

Forgiveness for Christ's sake

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

God forgives us because of Christ — His Atonement is the reason mercy reaches us — so we forgive one another the same way.

How we know: the verse itself names Him