v1: Live a life worthy, conscious of the true value of good works, knowing that they do not contribute to our salvation, nor do they maintain our salvation. Yet we are empowered to live a life of power and godliness.

We have a holy calling, 1 Thess 4.7; 2 Tim 1.9, and are commanded to live a holy life. We walk worthy, for this was Paul's teaching when he was with them.

v2: This life is marked by attitudes, rather than specific actions;

• lowliness, not pride;
• gentleness, not harshness;
• long-suffering, not impatience.

In this way, we bear with others in love. There are differences of doctrine and practice and understanding. We are to accept others whatever their faults, not grudgingly, but with the character taught here. In this way the unity of the church is preserved.

v3: To keep means to guard, as in a prison (see Acts 5.18), a reference to something precious.

We are to make every effort to keep; this means to strive diligently.

Unity is God's work; we are united with each other because we belong to Christ; our obligation is to preserve that unity.

v4-6: The reality of unity is expressed in seven ways;

• One is inclusive; of all true Christians; one body;
• One is exclusive; of all other beliefs, one faith, one baptism;
• One is definite; no doubt or question; one hope of our calling;
• One is complete; One Spirit, one Lord, one God and Father.
• Our unity is linked to God's pre-eminence, for He is over all. We grow in unity as we submit to Him.
• Unity is outward and visible; there is one Lord, manifest in the flesh; one body, being the Church; one baptism, our public testimony.
• Unity is inward and unseen; there is one God and one Spirit, whom no man can see; one faith and one hope, which are in us; but are nevertheless very real.

That there is but one faith is clear, for there is but one God, who is eternal, omnipotent, omniscient; there is no room for another. All other religious belief is therefore error.

Unity is outward and visible; there is one Lord, manifest in the flesh; one body, being the Church; one baptism, our public testimony.

Unity is inward and unseen; there is one God and one Spirit, whom no man can see; one faith and one hope, which are in us; but are nevertheless very real.

v7-16: We are to lead a life worthy in our service, in our local church context, but also aware of being part of the worldwide church of God.

v7: Christ's gift of grace given to each one of us, for no one is excluded, Rom 12.6; 1 Cor 12.7,11. Paul's gift of apostleship was one such gift (3.7-8), which is different in detail, but of the same order, since it was still a gift from Jesus Christ. Unity is seen here in diversity, not uniformity.

v8: The gifts are given by the ascended Christ, John 7.39; 16.7,13.14. He distributes the gifts as the returning victor, with captives in His train.

In 1 Cor 12, the gifts are given by the Holy Spirit, who is sent by Christ as "another Helper"; He comes into our lives at conversion, bringing gifts, as well as teaching and understanding.

v9: He ascended, Acts 2.27,30; 13.33-37; having descended into the lower parts of the earth, the domain of the dead, 1 Pet 3.19; 4.6, where He tasted death for us; He was then raised up, begotten again (Ps 2.7).

v10: The same Christ who descended also ascended, victorious. All glory is now His, He is far above all, 1.21. He is now exalted as Lord and Christ (Acts 2.36).

v11: Gifts are given at Christ's choice and initiative and discretion. Verses 12-16 explain the purpose of the gifts, providing a clear framework for their use, esp. to enable the church to fulfil its calling, as in 3.10-11. In this sense the people are the gifts that God has given.

Watchman Nee comments that the apostles referred to here were appointed after Christ's ascension;  in contrast the Twelve were appointed before His ascension. They form different classes of apostles. (The Normal Christian Church Life, chapter 1).

v12: Preparing, or equipping, God's people for the work of service; enabling each one to serve faithfully.

Edifying, or building up, strengthening, the body of Christ.

v13: To promote spiritual maturity;

• the unity of the faith, contrasting with the immaturity of schism (1 Cor 3.3);
• understanding what is meant by 'the faith';
• the knowledge and likeness of Christ; getting to know Him, and becoming like Him; the church is to display His character.

‘Do we yet see the Church full-grown and perfect, in unity of the faith, etc? No! Well then there must be apostles still, because apostles were given till then.’ (William Burton, Into Africa, Part 2, Chapter 6.)

v14: Stability in the face of every wind of doctrine. The immature believer is tossed about; the danger is false doctrine; therefore the answer is discernment and knowledge of the truth. Stability is also necessary in the face of the trickery of men, their craftiness and cunning and deception, Acts 20.29-30. From another angle, the unsettled Christian will not grow in maturity, just as a plant which is constantly moved will not grow.

The idea of those with “deceitful scheming” comes from the dice-thrower, who can throw to the best advantage; he has sleight of hand. See Rom 16.18.

v15: Speaking the truth in love, truth without harshness, love without sentimentality.

v16: Spiritual growth together; involvement if all, the whole body, every ligament and every part; for the blessing of all, edifying of itself; and knit together, held firmly and closely. There is no place for selfishness or individualism.

Notice the seven verbs here – joined; held/knit together; supporting; grows; builds; loving; working – in the life of the church we must practice all these well, to see healthy church development. While each one may refer to our relationship with Christ, we also consider an individual’s relationship with the church. (notes based on Bryn Hughes, Training, Consultancy and Mentoring)

                ‘joined’ – relates to our being welcomed into the church

                ‘held/knit together’ – this moves us into a real integration into church life

                ‘supporting’ – implies that we face issues and challenges in our lives – we do not expect blind loyalty, but take responsibility to care for one another

                ‘growing’ – as we enjoy opportunities to serve and to invest in the life of the church

                ‘builds’ – together; this is always a corporate word. This implies strong and growing relationships

                ‘loving’ – which is care for others at a genuine level, treating people as individuals, seeking to put their needs first

                ‘working’ – seeing our purpose and aims fulfilled, as each one plays its part, to the blessing of the whole.

v17-24: Since we have a new life, we must have a new lifestyle.

v17-19: Do not walk in the old way of life. These verses describe the depravity of the unconverted, and the thoroughness of the effects of unbelief. By implication we see the mighty change required to save an individual, and the great power of God to effect that change.

The unbeliever has a mental problem; the futility of their thinking...darkened in their understanding; his thoughts are distorted as well as being sinful.

The unbeliever has a spiritual problem; separated from the life of God...ignorance...hardening of their hearts; Rom 3.10,18; they do not seek God, and they do not have the righteousness of God.

Their conscience is marred; having lost all sensitivity, 1 Tim 4.2.

They are therefore given over to all manner of sensuality, impurity and lust; devoted to sinful pleasures and practices.

Paul insists that Christians reject such things in their own lives; there is a need to keep close to the Lord, that we might be sensitive to these things springing up in our lives. The description here is not just of the worst of sinners, but of all unbelievers.

v20: Jesus Christ is the reason we are different, and He has the power to make us different. We need to learn His ways, the ways of righteousness and true holiness. We have the new way of life in Christ Jesus, 1 Cor 4.17.

v21: The truth of God is revealed in Jesus Christ, there is no other truth. There is also a need to teach others faithfully, esp. in terms of holy living.

v22: The deliberate rejection of the former conduct; the way we used to live must be past. Deceitful lusts, offering pleasure and fulfilment, but delivering nothing but corruption.

v23: Be renewed mentally, having new attitudes. This is important as our attitudes do lead to actions.

v24: According to God; the plan and intention of God is that we walk in newness of life. The new man is seen in a life of righteousness and true holiness. This is the standard that we must demonstrate. Again, this is a deliberate choosing to go God's way.

The principles of v20-24 are explained in v25-32. We are to put on good things, and put off bad things. Specific reasons are given for some (v25,28,29,32). There are two main themes; godly lips, and godly lives.

v25: Put off lying, and speak truth. The reason is that we belong to each other; lies damage relationships in the church.

v26-27: Anger is not necessarily sin, but wrath needs to be dealt with quickly. "Anger" (from Ps 4.4) indicates a strong feeling of indignation; whilst 'wrath' refers to a continued state of provocation. We may feel angry when one person suffers unfairly at the hands of another; anger is a response to another person; however we are not right to maintain an attitude of bitterness or wrath towards the wrong-doer. We need discernment with respect to our own attitudes.

The reason for dealing wisely with anger and wrath is so that we do not give the devil a foothold in our lives.

v28: Put off stealing, and put on diligence and good works. The reason is so that we give to those in need. Our attitude must change from selfishness to unselfishness.

v29: Put of unwholesome words, and put on good words that build others up. The reason is that we mat benefit, or build up, those who listen. Our good words promote the well-being of others, Prov 25.11; apples of gold in settings of silver; glory in a frame of redemption.

v30: In the middle of these verses; do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God. Although He is our seal, guaranteeing our future, we grieve Him by maintaining the bad attitudes mentioned here. To grieve another indicates the reality of a relationship; we must promote our own relationship with God through His Spirit.

v31: Bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, malice; all these are to be put away totally.

'There is always a place for correction. There is always a place for repentance. This should be applied not just to stealing and lying, but to all sin. Anyone who has sinned in any way is now called not to sin again.' (Marius Victorinus, 4th century Christian writer)

v32: Rather put on kindness and compassion, forgiveness. The reason is that God has forgiven us. A greater understanding of God's forgiveness will motivate us to forgive others.