 |  |
The word `walk' occurs in the epistle seven times, and therefore bears the hall-mark of
Divine emphasis:
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, 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".
No.69.
The Practical Section (4: - 6:).
The Walk and the calling (4: 1).
pp. 201 - 203
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 so 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 16 times. Of this
number only one occurrence is found in the three doctrinal chapters (2: 21, "An holy
temple in the Lord"). The remaining 15 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).