Note 1 at Eph. 4:1: The book of Ephesians can roughly be divided into two sections. In chapters 1-3 Paul presents theological, positional, and doctrinal truths. In chapters 4-6 the practical, experimental, and outworking of Christ's life through the believer is the focus.

At Paul's conversion, he asked two questions: "Who art thou, Lord?" (Acts 9:5) and "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:6). The first question was doctrinal and the second question was practical. It's not enough to merely learn about God. That knowledge has to be translated into practical actions in our every day life. It won't work to try and just live for God either. We need to come to know Him intimately before we can accurately represent Him to a lost world. The theological and practical have to be merged. That's what Paul does in this letter to the Ephesians.

Beginning in chapter 4, the conduct of the child of God is spoken about in at least five areas: (1) the believer's conduct in relation to his fellow-believers (Eph. 4:1-16); (2) his conduct in relation to the unbelievers around him (Eph. 4:17,25); (3) his relationship and conduct to the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30; 5:18); (4) his conduct in relation to his home and family (Eph. 5:22-33; 6:1-4); and (5) his conduct in relation to the devil (Eph. 6:10-18).

Note 2 at Eph. 4:1: Paul had been describing the glorious things that are ours in Christ in the first three chapters of this letter. At the end of chapter three, he prayed for a revelation of these truths to come to the Ephesians which would make them have all the fullness of God manifest in them (see note 14 at Eph. 3:19, p. 1113). Now therefore, because of all the goodness of God, Paul is calling the Ephesians to a life totally committed to Him.

This is the same reasoning that he used with the Romans when he said, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice..." (Rom. 12:1). Many people serve the Lord through the negative motivation of fear, but Paul used the positive motivation of love to get people committed to God. It's better to serve the Lord out of fear than not to serve the Lord at all. But, "fear hath torment" (1 Jn. 4:18). Those who do not move beyond fear into love as their motivation for serving the Lord will be tormented with the fear that they may not be doing enough.

Those who walk in love serve the Lord out of thankfulness for what God has already done. Those who serve out of fear are trying to get God's blessing or avert God's judgment. The motivation of love rests in what's already been done. The motivation of fear is predicated on the assumption that the verdict has yet to be decided. Love rests. Fear frets.

Note 3 at Eph. 4:1: The word "worthy" is defined as "1. having worth, merit, or value. 2. honorable; admirable. 3. deserving" (American Heritage Dict.). We often apply the third meaning to this word "worthy," but no one, saved or lost, can truly be deserving of what Jesus has done for us or what He has called us to do. This must be understood to be talking about honoring the Lord through our actions.

This phrase "walk worthy" is used three times in the New Testament (Eph. 4:1; Col. 1:10, 1 Th. 2:12).