Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Ephesians 4:2

"with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;" — Ephesians 4:2 (ASV)

The apostle now specifies four graces that evidence this essential proportion between calling and character: humility, gentleness, patience, and forbearance. These are all qualities necessary for good relations with others in the Christian community and beyond. “Humble” (GK 5425) occurs five times in Paul and only once elsewhere in the NT. In classical Greek this word was a derogatory term suggesting low-mindedness and groveling servility. The adjective was redeemed by the gospel to represent a distinctively Christian virtue and stands over against the admired high-mindedness of the heathen. Linked with being humble is being “gentle” (GK 4559) or considerate. The element of restraint is included so that it denotes controlled strength and not supine weakness. Being “patient” (GK 3429) is a characteristic of God himself. It can mean steadfastness in the endurance of suffering, but more often in the NT it describes reluctance to avenge wrongs. It is to be displayed to other Christians and to everyone else (Romans 12:10, 18). Being patient finds its expression in “bearing with [lit., holding up] one another” (GK 462; cf. Colossians 3:18). Christians must put up with each other’s faults and idiosyncracies, knowing that all of us have our own. “Love” (GK 27) is a recurring theme in Ephesians. The four graces Paul recommends here are all aspects of love and are exemplified to perfection in Christ (Php 2:2, 5).