Ephesians 4:2-3 2with all humility and gentleness; with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3being eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
The list of characteristics that help the readers know in tangible ways what it means to live out their relationship with Christ begins with two words paired together with the same preposition and modifier: with all humility and gentleness. Humility (tapeinophrosynēs) requires stepping back from selfish ambitions and desires and putting the needs of others first (Philippians 2:3). Jesus is the prime example of humility. With his love in us, we will begin to model him in all we due. It is significant that humility comes first in this list that ends in unity in the church.
Gentleness (praütētos) is closely related to humility. A person who is humble has taken an important first step towards being gentle. Gentleness also begins with a person setting aside selfishness, which sees other people as objects to be used, and replacing this with kindness and consideration of what others need. It is often included with other virtues because it is the result of attitude and action changes that the Holy Spirit grows within us (Galatians 5:23; Colossians 3:12).
Patience (makrothymias) is made up of two parts, which literally mean “long” and “suffering.” When these two words are combined, they indicate action that enduring and puts up with a situation. When a situation is difficult or a person is hard to deal with, patience is the needed response for those who are filled with the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Because we are selfish by nature, we will exert our will over other people. If we do not get what we want, we may be tempted to lash out in anger, scheming, or bitterness. Patience is the answer to this. With the Spirit’s help, we can learn to be patient with one another, and the result will be stronger relationships and unity.
The participle bearing (anechomenoi) has an instrumental sense to it. Humility, gentleness, and patience are shown by bearing with one another in love. Love (agapē) is the only way any of these virtues can lead to wholesome relationship with other people and unity in the church. Love has been a key topic of this letter and the focus of the prayer Paul just gave. Jesus is our ultimate example of love (Ephesians 5:2).
These virtues will result in an eagerness in the church to be united together in the Spirit. We will be driven by the desire to out do one another in love. This would be a great competition, to see who can love the most. Love helps people rise above their differences, which there will always be, and be united in purpose. This unity will bear witness to the world to the love of Christ which the Holy Spirit is growing in each dedicated and sanctified life.
What holds these together as a bond (Greek syndesmō) or “glue” is peace (eirēnē). Peace in relationships result when a person has been sanctified by the Spirit resulting in growing love. Other virtues that bring wholeness and health to relationships will also grow as a result. Paul calls on the Ephesians to be eager (spoudazontes), a participle with resultative sense to it. Eagerness will be the result of allowing the Holy Spirit to work within them. There is also an instrumental sense that “by making every effort” to love, they will experience unity as the Spirit works within them as individuals and as a group.
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