with all humility
The Greek word for "humility" is "ταπεινοφροσύνη" (tapeinophrosyne), which conveys a sense of lowliness of mind. In the Greco-Roman world, humility was often seen as a weakness, yet in the Christian context, it is a virtue. This humility is not about self-deprecation but about recognizing one's position before God and others. It is an acknowledgment of our dependence on God and a willingness to serve others selflessly. Historically, humility was exemplified by Christ, who, though being in the form of God, took on the form of a servant (Philippians 2:6-7). This call to humility is a call to emulate Christ's example in our interactions with others.

and gentleness
The term "gentleness" is translated from the Greek "πραΰτης" (prautes), which can also be understood as meekness. This is not weakness but strength under control. It is the quality of being calm and composed, even in the face of provocation. In a historical context, gentleness was a trait of leaders who could wield power without resorting to harshness. Scripturally, Jesus describes Himself as "gentle and humble in heart" (Matthew 11:29), setting a standard for His followers. Gentleness involves a sensitivity to others' needs and a willingness to put others first, reflecting the character of Christ.

with patience
The Greek word "μακροθυμία" (makrothymia) is used here, which means long-suffering or forbearance. Patience is the ability to endure difficult circumstances and the shortcomings of others without becoming angry or upset. In the biblical narrative, God is often described as patient, giving people time to repent and turn to Him (2 Peter 3:9). This patience is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and is essential for maintaining unity and peace within the body of Christ. It requires a trust in God's timing and a commitment to love others despite their flaws.

bearing with one another
The phrase "bearing with" comes from the Greek "ἀνέχομαι" (anechomai), which means to endure or tolerate. This implies a mutual forbearance, where believers are called to support and uphold each other, even when it is challenging. In the early church, diverse backgrounds and personalities required a conscious effort to maintain harmony. This bearing with one another is not passive but an active choice to maintain unity and peace. It reflects the love and patience God shows us and calls us to extend the same grace to others.

in love
The Greek word for "love" here is "ἀγάπη" (agape), which is the highest form of love, characterized by selflessness and sacrifice. This love is not based on emotions or feelings but is a deliberate choice to seek the best for others. In the scriptural context, agape love is the foundation of Christian relationships and community. It is the love that God has for us, demonstrated through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (John 3:16). This love is the glue that holds the body of Christ together, enabling believers to live in harmony and reflect God's love to the world.

1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings.

2. Ephesus
A major city in Asia Minor, Ephesus was a center of commerce and culture. The church in Ephesus was one of the early Christian communities to which Paul wrote.

3. The Ephesian Church
The recipients of the letter, this early Christian community faced challenges of unity and spiritual growth, which Paul addresses in his epistle.The Call to Humility
Humility is foundational to Christian character. It involves recognizing our dependence on God and valuing others above ourselves. In Greek, the word "tapeinophrosyne" (humility) suggests a lowliness of mind, which is essential for unity in the body of Christ.

Gentleness as Strength
Gentleness, or "prautes" in Greek, is not weakness but controlled strength. It involves responding to others with kindness and grace, reflecting Christ's own demeanor.

Patience in Practice
Patience, or "makrothumia," involves enduring discomfort and delay without complaint. It is a fruit of the Spirit that enables us to bear with others' faults and shortcomings.

Bearing with One Another in Love
Love is the binding force that enables us to endure and support one another. This love is "agape," a selfless, sacrificial love that seeks the best for others.

Unity in the Body of Christ
These virtues are essential for maintaining unity within the church. As members of one body, we are called to live in harmony, reflecting the unity of the Spirit.(2) With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering.--See Colossians 3:12, where the same three qualities are dwelt upon, but there introduced by "compassion and kindness." They seem to correspond almost exactly to the first, third, and fifth beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount, in which the principle of love is wrought out in various forms (as in the other beatitudes the principle of righteousness): "Blessed are the poor in spirit;" "Blessed are the meek;" "Blessed are the merciful." The word "lowliness of mind" is used by St. Paul only in the Epistles of the Captivity (Philippians 2:3; Colossians 2:18; Colossians 2:23; Colossians 3:12) and in the address to the Ephesian presbyters (Acts 20:19). It is, indeed, a word new coined in Christian terminology, and even the root from which it comes is mostly used by the heathen moralists in a bad sense (of meanness and slavishness), of which there is still a trace in Colossians 2:18. "Meekness" is mostly "gentleness"--"the meek and quiet spirit" (1Peter 3:4)--the natural, though not the invariable, fruit of humility, winning souls by its very absence of bitter self-assertion, and so "inheriting the earth." "Longsuffering" is the manifestation of such meekness, with something of especial effort and struggle, in the bearing of injury. . . . Verse 2. - SOME POINTS OF A WORTHY WALK. With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love. He begins his enumeration with passive graces - eminently those of Christ. Lowliness or humility may well be gendered by our remembering what we were when God's grace took hold of us (Ephesians 2:1-3). Meekness is the natural expression of a lowly state of mind, opposed to boisterous self-assertion and rude striving with others; it genders a subdued manner and a peace-loving spirit that studies to give the soft answer that turneth away wrath. Long-suffering and loving forbearance are phases of the same state of mind - denoting the absence of that irascibility and proneness to take offence which flares up at every provocation or fancied neglect, and strives to maintain self-control on every occasion. It is from such qualities in God that our redemption has come; it is miserable to accept the redemption and not try to attain and exhibit its true spirit. Neglect of this verse has produced untold evil in the Christian Church

Parallel Commentaries ...


with
μετὰ (meta)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

all
πάσης (pasēs)
Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

humility
ταπεινοφροσύνης (tapeinophrosynēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5012: Humility, lowliness of mind, modesty. From a compound of tapeinos and the base of phren; humiliation of mind, i.e. Modesty.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

gentleness,
πραΰτητος (prautētos)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4240: Mildness, gentleness. From praus; mildness, i.e. humility.

with
μετὰ (meta)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

patience,
μακροθυμίας (makrothymias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3115: Patience, forbearance, longsuffering. From the same as makrothumos; longanimity, i.e. forbearance or fortitude.

bearing with
ἀνεχόμενοι (anechomenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 430: To endure, bear with, have patience with, suffer, admit, persist.

one another
ἀλλήλων (allēlōn)
Personal / Reciprocal Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 240: One another, each other. Genitive plural from allos reduplicated; one another.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

love,
ἀγάπῃ (agapē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 26: From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.


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NT Letters: Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and humility with patience (Ephes. Eph. Ep)