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EPHESIANS 4:32

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

 

 

 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
II Timothy 2:15

 

LESSON 1:

It's just one verse of Scripture.

But so powerful!

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."  Ephesians 4:32

It belongs to the family of what I call the "one another" verses of Scripture.

There are over twelve of them!

Notice with me that little pronoun "another."

It is spelled "allelon" in Greek and specifically means "another of the same kind!"

Did you get that?

OF THE SAME KIND!

Had the Holy Spirit been wanting to say "another of a different kind" He would have used the word "heteros."

For example ... two apples, when compared, are of the same kind! (That's "allelon.")

But an apple and a ten dollar bill, when compared, are of a different kind! (That's "heteros.")

When Ephesians 4:32 tells us to be kind to "one another," Paul has in mind others of the same kind ... other Believers in Christ!  Others who are saved by the Grace of God!

Now, this is NOT teaching that we can be unkind to the lost, to unbelievers!

No!

But it is clearly saying that we have a mandate, a command, to be kind to other brothers and sisters in Christ!

Elsewhere in the New Testament our truth is expressed in a slightly different way:  "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."  Galatians 6:10

Be good to everyone ("heteros") ... but especially to those who are "in the family of Christ" ("allelon").

So ... when it comes to our behavior to other Christians ... we are to be kind and tenderhearted and forgiving!

When it comes to the lost ... pray for their salvation and witness to them when possible!

Therefore Ephesians 4:32 is written as an "in-house memo!"

And its practice should be most evident at such places as the House of God (Church) and within the walls of the Christian home (your house or mine) and anywhere else Believers in Christ meet!

In fact, if we truly lived in this kind of loving spirit ... many more sinners would be saved!

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."  John 13:35  By the way, "another" is "allelon!"

Yes, it's just one verse of Scripture.

But ... again ... I say, "It's a powerful one!"

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."  Ephesians 4:32

Let's live it today!

But, Preacher Bagwell, this is Tuesday!  It's not a night that we go to Church!

No, but it is a night that we go HOME!

And for most of us ... fellow "Believers" live there too!  Our husbands or wives and, in many cases, our children too!

We can surely be kind and tenderhearted and forgiving to them!

I think our Bible Study today got dangerously close to "preaching" instead of "teaching!"

                                                                                   --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 2:

"Be ye kind!"

Sounds like such an elementary command.

"Be ye kind one to another!"

What Preacher would use such simple words?

Aren't we to preach about grand and glorious themes such as redemption, propitiation and sanctification, to list just a few?

I'll give you the name of the Preacher!

Paul, the great Apostle!

He taught "kindness" everywhere he went.

Listen to him:  "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."  Ephesians 4:32

Now ... since we Christians are to "be kind," let's examine that key expression.

First of all, the verb.

"Be ye" expresses the meaning of a Greek word "ginomai."  As used in our verse it is an imperative mood, present tense, middle voice, second person plural construction.

It means "to become" or "to happen" to to "be created" or "to be made."  It is even 3 times in the King James Bible rendered as "be married!"

Get this.  We as Believers were not naturally born with such kindness!  No!  It became ours when we were BORN again!  God created such kindness in us by the Holy Spirit's power and indwelling!  Furthermore, we are to be (as it were) so in love with such kindness that it is as if we were married to it!  Inseparable with it!  Constantly being companions ... you and kindness!

It being in the present tense suggests to us that this kindness is an on-going attribute.  Not be kind for a week then revert to meanness!  Kindness as a lifestyle!  Perpetual sweetness!

Also the verb, being an imperative, demands that we obey it!  It is a requirement for us to be kind!  A law of God!  We must!

The middle voice reveals that such "being" (being kind) will impact us as we do so!  True, your kindness will certainly influence and encourage the recipient ... but your kindness will also change YOU ... for the better!  Practice this "kindness" way of life ... and you will GROW in the Lord!  You will be transformed!

Then the person and number ... 2nd plural ... tells us that Paul is writing the whole Church congregation in Ephesus, all of them!  He is not just telling the preacher to be kind, for example.  Everybody who is saved in all that Assembly is "be kind one to another!"

The Holy Spirit has placed all this detail into just one little verb!  "Ginomai," or in King James English, "be kind" is loaded with significant meaning ... and responsibility!

I'm almost afraid to go to the next word today.

It may be "too much."

The word?

"Kind!"

Better wait until tomorrow, Lord willing!

But until then ... there are just some things we Christian must "be" ... and kind is one of them!

Good day, kind Brethren and Sisters in Christ!

                                                                              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 3:

What does it mean to be "kind?"

We Christians need to know ... because we are commanded to be that way, kind!

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."   Ephesians 4:32

The adjective "kind" is specifically used here because "chrestos," its Greek equivalent, is found in the Textus Receptus.  That's the Greek manuscript from which our King James Bible is translated.

"Chrestos" has a considerable number of meanings and in Scripture is used as:  "kind" twice, then as "easy" and "better" and "goodness" and "good" and "gracious" once each!  Seven times in all.

It was used of apples ... when they became sweet and mellow!

It implied to the Greek mind a quality that could not be harsh or bitter ... only gentle and mild!

Jesus said:  "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  Now, "easy" in His statement is our word "chrestos."  Matthew 11:30

Watch this one:  "No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better."  (Here, "better" = "chrestos")  That older wine had sweetened and lost its sharp taste!  It must have been like well prepared grape juice.

When we are told to be "kind" to each other, we are simply being commanded to live in a God-like manner:  "But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil." Luke 6:35

In Romans 2:4 God's goodness is again mentioned:  "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" Here "goodness" can influence behavior and belief and lifestyle!

"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners," thunders First Corinthians 15:33!  "Manners" is literally our word "ethics!"  We Believers are to live a "chrestos" flavored life!

And finally, in 1st Peter 2:2-3 ... "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious."  Anyone who has spiritually "tasted the Lord" knows!  He is "chrestos!"

Our adjective today ("chrestos"), in its noun form ("chrestotes") means kindness too.  And once it is even translated as "gentleness."

Paul told the Colossians to "wear" (to "put on") a good layer of "kindness" before leaving home each day!  "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering."  Colossians 3:12

And let me quickly tell you Who real Kindness is!  Jesus!  Jesus Christ, the Son of God!  Rather, let me say Jesus Christ Who is God the Son!  That's what Paul means in Titus 3:4 ... "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared."  Yes, He did!

Yet, as far as lost unsaved men and women are concerned, "They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."  (Romans 3:12)  The verb "doeth" here means habitual action, the practice of doing kind things!  Sinners can't keep up with such a lifestyle!

And ... Paul invites us to:  "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God!"  The Lord saved the Gentiles and (temporarily) cast away Israel!  So ... God, based upon mankind's rebellion (against God) or submission (to God), has both "goodness" ("chrestotes" ... the noun form) and "severity" that He can dispense.  Two sides to the Divine Nature!

Paul considered himself, a Spirit filled Preacher, to be saturated with "kindness!" See 2nd Corinthians 6:6!

But where is all this KINDNESS coming from?

Where (Who) is The Reservoir?

Here's our Answer:  "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith ...."  Galatians 5:22

We are gentle and kind ... because He is first gentle and kind!

The Psalmist once even says to God:  "Thy gentleness hath made me great."  (Psalm 18:35)  It is so!  (The word "great" here has the idea of growth and expansion and betterment in every proper area of life!)

Folks, let's be bathed in His kindness as we live our lives on earth ... all to the glory of God! 

What a difference that will make!

                                                                         --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 4:

An interesting little Bible word is "tenderhearted."  I mean as it is used in Ephesians 4:32.  "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

In Greek the word is "eusplagchnos."  It literally means "bowels" or "intestines!"  The prefix "eu" means strong and well (good) bowels or intestines!

What has that got to do with anything spiritual?

Well, to the ancient minds of these first century Greeks and Romans, one's feelings, his or her "deepest" feelings, sprang from his (not heart, not brain, not mouth, but ...) innermost organs!  From his insides!  From his intestines!  The old timers in bygone days used to speak of "gut" feelings.  That's the same idea as this!

So ... as one would expect ... "eusplagchnos" came to mean "full of compassion" or "full of pity."

The word as an adjective is only used twice in the whole New Testament.  Here in Ephesians 4:32 it is "tenderhearted" and in 1 Peter 3:8 it is "pitiful."

Paul and Peter are telling us that we should "feel love and concern" for one another ... expressing it from deep within our beings!  The intestines are pretty deep!

As a noun our word occurs more frequently in the Bible.  As such it is rendered "tender mercy" and "inward affection" and "bowels."

It is also found as a verb in Scripture.  Then it is "have compassion" or "be moved with compassion" or some similar expression.

Are we caring ... for one another?

Really caring with concern and love?

If not, we lack "tenderheartedness."

                                                                           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 5:

We Christians have been forgiven!

Sins gone!

Washed away by the Blood of Jesus!

Therefore ... we are also to forgive one another!

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."  Ephesians 4:32

Of all the New Testament's "one another" statements (over a dozen of them), this one is fundamental to right living in our Christian communities.

"Forgiving one another."

Since this clause opens with a participle, it is dependent on some other verb in the sentence for further structure.  That verb is "be ye," back at the first of Paul's great verse.

"Be ye" is in Greek "ginomai" and is in the imperative mood, present tense, and middle voice.  It is COMMANDED that we be "forgiving one another!"

All the time!  (That's the meaning of present tense.)

Realizing that such forgiving will also change our own lives in the process! (Hence, middle voice.)

Our forgiving each other is a requirement of Christianity!

Now to look at the precise word.

"Forgiving" is "charizomai" and is a present participle also in the middle voice (2nd person plural).  This forgiving is to be an on-going lifestyle with each of us! And these words are addressed to all Christians, not just one believer somewhere back in the first century!

Also "charizomai" the participle (verbal in nature) ... is simply an "action" form of the noun "charis."  That's the word for Grace!  In a rather elementary way I will explain it this way:  We are told to "grace" one another with forgiveness! To "grace" away the offenses and shortcomings and unkind acts others may direct our way!

And why are we to live in this manner?

"Because the Lord God Almighty has "graced away" our sins in the first place!  "Even as God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven you."

We forgive others ... because He first forgave us!

There's just no place for us Believers to carry grudges ... harbor mean spirits or nurse bitter attitudes!

And just in case you think this is unimportant --- read Jesus' words in Matthew 6:15.  "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."  This rule is written to folks who are already saved --- "your Father!"

Enough has been said!

                                                                       --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 6:

The Cross of Jesus is the central Truth in all of Christianity!

Without the Virgin born Son of God dying on that Cross, we could certainly not have been saved.

Jesus' shed Blood washes away our sin and iniquity!

Let me today just show you how the Cross ... Jesus' vicarious Sacrifice on Calvary ... not only is essential for our salvation, but for our godly daily living too!

Paul the Apostle, in Ephesians 4:32, makes several amazing statements.  One of them is pertinent to today's discussion.  "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake, hath forgiven you." 

You will see that I have capitalized those last few words.

We as Believers can forgive one another ... because ... God, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, has forgiven us!

And HOW did God the Father forgive us for Christ's sake?  Through Jesus' death on the Cross of Calvary!  The Sacrifice of His precious Blood!

Here's how it looks in capsule form:  Jesus is God!  Jesus came to earth as God via the womb of the Virgin Mary.   Jesus lived without sin His entire earthly life. Jesus willingly died on the Cross ... as a Divine Substitute for you and me.  We are saved as the Spirit of God draws us to Christ.  When we believe on Him, repenting of our sins, He places us in His Family, redeeming us forever! 

Then ... as Christians ... we are to love other brothers and sister in the Lord (our new spiritual family) ... being kind to them and forgiving them!  Specifically, we are urged to forgive them ... simply because God made it possible to forgive us ... through Jesus' Blood centered death on Golgotha's Hill!

See that?

I can live in harmony with my brethren, because Jesus died on the Cross?

That's CALVARY permeating a daily area of my life!

And Paul does this again and again!

He teaches us to have victory over those pesky little sins (those that so easily beset us) by crucifying them!  Even as Jesus died on the Cross ... we can crucify ourselves, mortifying the sins of the flesh!  "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience."  Colossians 3:3-6

Again, Paul tells us that the Christian life itself cannot be lived apart from Jesus' completed work on Calvary!

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."  Galatians 2:20

He next took this so far that he indicated everything in his life revolved around the Cross!

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."  Galatians 6:14

So ... should we ever have difficulty forgiving some fellow Christian  ... just go to the old rugged Cross!  Through the witness of Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit, just ponder what happened There ... how God forgave us ... and you will have no trouble forgiving others!

What a lesson!

Even when we get to Heaven ... and see Jesus, He will be partly identified by His "marks" from that old rugged Cross.  "And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain."  Revelation 5:6 

Our very rejoicing in Glory will be based upon His death too!  "Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing."   Revelation 5:12

Without the Cross ... Christianity could not exist!

And without that Cross ... no harmony would be enjoyed in our Christian lives and homes and churches either.  At least ... no Holy Spirit induced harmony!

                                                                                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

ephesians 4:32 ... it is just one short verse, but contains volumes of truth!  this is the case with all the bible, which is verbally inspired of god!

 

 

 

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