 |  |
A | 2: 2. Walk according to (kata) world.
B | 2: 10. Good works,
4: 1. Worthy of calling.
A | 4: 17. Walk as (kathos) Gentiles.
B | 5: 2. In love.
5: 8. As light.
5: 15. Circumspectly.
The negative is grouped under A, the positive under B. We need both. We need
to be warned of that walk which is according to the age of this world, and of that walk
which partakes of the characteristics of those conditions we have left behind. We are
exhorted to remember that we were once Gentiles in the flesh, and in the world
(2: 11, 12), and to see to it that our walk shall not be in accord with either of these.
Let us once again be permitted to bring before the mind's eye the balances, as we
repeat the exhortation, "Walk worthy".
#66.
The Walk and the Calling.
pp. 21 24
"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation
wherewith ye are called" (Eph. 4: 1).
It will be noticed that when referring to himself as the "prisoner" in 3: 1, the apostle
calls himself "The prisoner of Christ Jesus" (R.V.), but that in chapter 4: he styles
himself "the prisoner of the Lord". These titles are not used at random. "Christ Jesus"
speaks of the ascended and risen Saviour in Whom we find our acceptance, our ground of
blessing, our hope of glory. "Lord" speaks of our relationship with Him in the practical
sphere.
"Ye call Me Master and Lord, and ye say well; for I am. If I then, your Lord and
Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet . . . . . the servant
is not greater than his Lord" (John 13: 13-16).
In the A.V. of this epistle the title "Lord", standing alone, occurs sixteen times. Of
this number only one occurrence is found in the three doctrinal chapters (2: 21, "An holy
temple in the Lord"). The remaining fifteen occurrences are all found in the three
practical chapters.
The prisoner of the Lord, beseeches the saints to walk worthy (4: 1).
The unity of the Spirit gathers around the one Lord as its centre (4: 5).
Paul testifies in the Lord that the saints do not henceforth walk as the Gentiles (4: 17).
As light in the Lord, the believer should walk as child of light (5: 8).
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord (5: 10).
and so through the whole series.