Ephesians 4:12 is filled with wisdom for our Christian lives today. One could spend hours of study, meditation, and reflection on the stated purposes of being equipped.
- For the work of ministry
- For the building up of the body of Christ
- Until we all attain to the unity of the faith
This lesson is an investigation into one aspect (there are many) of the meaning of the Holy Spirit’s inspiration of the word equip.
Matthew 4:21 shows Jesus finding James, John, and Zebedee in a boat mending their nets. Matthew’s “mending” and Paul’s “equip” are the same word.
Being fully prepared, repaired, and fit for service is a general summary of the idea.
Ephesians easily divides into two sections. Chapters 1, 2, and 3, form section one and place emphasis upon the glorious work of God in and for the Christian. Chapters 4, 5, and 6, for section two with emphasis upon “walking” properly as recipients of God’s great grace.
Paul immediately launches the second section with the command to “walk worthy,” in light of all God has done (chapters 1, 2, and 3), of this all-encompassing call of God.
In order to walk worthy of God’s high calling, one might say Paul hints at five holes that must be mended by clearly stating the mended condition.
“With all humility” suggests pride is a gaping hole that must be immediately stitched firmly closed.
- “and gentleness” indicates that harsh abrasiveness also needs mending.
- “with patience” repairs the net flaws created by impatience.
- “bearing with one another in love” is required to seal off the damage caused by not bearing and carrying one another and the lack of love.
- “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” keeps the Christian’s net mended from trauma caused by living outside the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace.
The author of Hebrews prays for this equipping in 13:20, 21, “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”