What is the meaning of Ephesians 4:21? Surely you heard of Him • Paul assumes that every believer in Ephesus has already “heard” the gospel—more than casual information, it’s the life-changing proclamation of Christ crucified and risen (Romans 10:17 tells us “faith comes by hearing”). • This hearing is personal: like the crowd at Pentecost who were “pierced to the heart” when they heard Peter preach (Acts 2:37), the Ephesians had experienced conviction and new birth (Ephesians 1:13, “Having heard and believed the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation…”). • The phrase underscores accountability. Having truly heard, we are responsible to respond, just as Jesus warned in John 5:24 that only those who hear and believe pass from death to life. and were taught in Him • Salvation ushers us into an ongoing classroom where Christ Himself is both the curriculum and the Teacher (Matthew 11:29, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me”). • “In Him” speaks of union: we don’t just learn about Jesus, we learn within a living relationship with Him (John 15:4, “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you”). • Practical outworking: – Growing roots (Colossians 2:6-7) – Being guided by the Spirit who “will teach you all things” (John 14:26) – Continuing, lifelong discipleship (2 Peter 3:18, “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord”). in keeping with the truth that is in Jesus • Truth is not an abstract concept; it is embodied in Christ Himself—“I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). • The instruction believers receive must align with who Jesus is and what He has revealed. Anything contrary is dismissed (2 Corinthians 11:10, Paul speaks “in the truth of Christ in me”). • Truth governs both doctrine and lifestyle: remaining in Jesus’ word sets us free (John 8:31-32), while abiding in falsehood betrays Him (1 John 5:20 affirms that “the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true”). • Scripture, breathed out by God, equips us to stay anchored in this truth (2 Timothy 3:15-17). summary Ephesians 4:21 reminds believers that the Christian life begins with genuinely hearing the gospel, continues with being personally instructed within union with Christ, and is always measured by the unchanging truth embodied in Jesus. To walk worthy of our calling, we keep listening, keep learning, and keep aligning every belief and action with Him who is the Truth. |
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