Ephesians 4 Footnotes

4:4-6 Since believers are one body, they must maintain unity (v. 3). Though current divisions among Christians are embarrassing, organic unity at all costs does not adequately address these schisms. Given departures from orthodoxy and the church’s expansion, denominations are not only inevitable but may serve to preserve the truth.

4:8 Probably Paul adapted wording from Ps 68:18. Instead of receiving gifts from humans (the point of the psalm)—which Christ rightly deserves—Christ lavishes gifts on his people.

4:9 Some think the phrase “the lower parts of the earth” refers to Hades (metaphorically below the earth). Most, however, agree that these regions are set opposite the “heavens,” from which Christ descended to earth to give gifts to his church.

4:26 Though Paul’s literal “be angry” may be a genuine command to righteous anger, many versions rightly take the imperative in a conditional way: “In your anger …” or “If you get angry …”

4:30 Paul thought of the Spirit in personal terms. Those whom God marks as his own (see 1:13) grieve the Spirit when living contrary to his will.