Verse Of The Day
Ephesians 4:32 (New International Version)
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Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
We are taught love in so many scriptures and so many ways of how to love and again we see Jesus teaching in Paul telling us to us to once again love that we are to not be hateful or boastful but to be kind and caring, loving and tender hearted with one another, forgiving as God forgives us holding no grudge or mark but a mark of love that will impact one another
What Does Ephesians 4:32 Mean? ►
And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.
Ephesians 4:32(HCSB)
Verse Thoughts
Forgiveness was a matter that was dear to the heart of our compassionate God – and forgiveness paid a tremendous part in the redemption of mankind. Forgiveness of sin is what fallen man yearns for and yet is incapable of receiving, unless he comes to the foot of the cross and is washed clean by the blood of the Lamb, for there is no forgiveness of sins – except through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Forgiveness was also a theme that was close to the heart of our kind and gracious Lord Jesus and much of His teaching and training surrounds the principle of forgiveness – gracious, beautiful, unconditional forgiveness. Forgiveness was one of the final thoughts on the heart of our Messiah as He hung on the cross – and uttered those universe-shattering words, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.
Forgiveness should be a subject to which we should also play close attention for forgiveness is one of the godly garments with which we have been covered and clothed – and our call to kindness, compassion and forgiveness rests on the immeasurable forgiveness and mercy that each of us have received in Christ Jesus.
It seems to be the case that those who are not able to forgive have never come to an understanding how much they have been forgiven – for the more understanding we have of the grace that we have received the deeper our gratitude and the greater our capacity to forgive other people.
Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/ephesians-4-32
Ephesians 4:32 Meaning of Be Kind and Compassionate
Aug 26, 2020 by Editor in Chief
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Explanation and Commentary of Ephesians 4:32
If only all people would follow these commands, it would be a heavenly world. Paul’s imperative here encompasses the whole of the Christian life towards one another. Though he does not say in this verse to love one another, he does show key component parts of Christian love by this statement. The previous verse dealt with anger and malice, showing that there is no place for them in the heart of a Christian. Kindness, compassion, and forgiveness are what will take the place of those things in the heart of a believer
The grounds for this behavior is that this is the way our Master, our teacher, Jesus Christ behaved towards us. His death on the cross atoned for our sin, bringing us peace with God, redemption, justification, and adoption as his sons and daughters in Christ. But the other thing Christ accomplished on the cross was a perfect example of how we should be toward others. Our kindness is grounded in God’s kindness for us in sending his Son. Our compassion is modeled on Jesus’ compassion in his earthly ministry, and on the cross. And most importantly, our forgiveness is made possible by his forgiveness of us and is a model for us to imitate toward others. Thanks to Christ’s sacrifice, we are wholly unable to see a person’s sin against us as unpardonable. If we are unable to forgive, then we have not yet been forgiven (Mt 6:15).
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Ephesians 4:32
#1 “Be kind…”
Our being is rooted in God’s creation of us. We exist because he exists and spoke us into being. As we are being, we should live in kindness. Kindness should be a state of our being.
#2 “…and compassionate to one another,”
Compassion comes from being willing to feel along with others what they might be feeling. It is to understand the state and the pain someone is in and to show that we understand.
#3 “forgiving each other,”
Forgiveness is a superpower for the Christian who wants to live in perfect peace. We forgive others because God is the ultimate rememberer of wrongs on our behalf. He wants to be the one to exact vengeance when it is necessary (Ro 12:19). Forgiveness removes anger and wrath from our shoulders and leaves us in peace.
#4 “just as in Christ God forgave you.”
We forgive because we have been forgiven. God forgave us “in Christ.” His amazing plan to save the world was to send his Son to live on the earth, to never sin, but then die for the sin of the world. Whoever believes in him has been forgiven and will be able to forgive others.
What does Ephesians 4:32 mean?
Paul’s final verse of this section offers three brief commands. First, he explicitly tells his readers to exhibit kindness. The focus is not merely on generic helpfulness. Paul is specifically thinking of compassion for other believers in the congregation.
Second, Paul uses the Greek word eusplanchnoi, which means to be “tenderhearted,” or “compassionate.” It is sometimes taken to mean “strong-hearted,” as well. Paul’s use of it here focuses on the idea of showing sympathy. Believers are not to be known for a harsh attitude, but rather for compassion. The account of the Good Samaritan offers Christ’s picture of living with compassion toward others (Luke 10:25–37).
Third, Paul commands readers to forgive one another. This instruction comes with an explanation, referring to the forgiveness believers have received from Christ (Matthew 18:21–35). Forgiveness is a unique characteristic of the Christian faith. Scripture often includes reminders of God’s forgiveness toward us. For example, Matthew 6:12, part of the “Lord’s Prayer,” asks God to “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Matthew 26:28 reminds us that the blood of Jesus was specifically “poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Context Summary
Ephesians 4:17–32 is a valuable, highly practical explanation of how to live out a Christian life. Paul notes the difference between a life wallowing under the power of sin, as opposed to a life thriving in the power of Christ. Christians are called on to ”put away” the things which entangle unbelievers. This includes sins such as malice, slander, commotion, and bitterness. Instead, we should demonstrate a Christ-like attitude of love and forgiveness.
Chapter Summary
Truly understanding saving grace, as Paul explained in prior chapters, is the Christian’s first motivation for living a godly life. Here, Paul encourages believers to live in way which honors that gift. All saved Christians are part of a single, unified family, part of the ”body” of Christ. At the same time, different believers are given different talents. Some are called to positions of leadership and authority. All Christians should turn away from the ”old self” we were prior to being saved. Paul’s explanation of the ”new self” includes some basic, practical steps.
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