Eph 4 | Comm | STEP | I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

‏ Ephesians 4

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high, he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." 9 (In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean except that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also he who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of service, for the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to become mature, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15 But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into him, who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being joined and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each part, causes the growth of the body and builds itself up in love.

17 Now this I affirm and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds, 18 they are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality, greedy for the practice of every kind of impurity. 20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former manner of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful lusts; 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, each one of you must speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity. 28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but rather must labor, doing useful work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with those in need. 29 Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building others up according to the need of the moment, that it may impart grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.