Note 4 at Eph. 4:2: In verse 1 Paul gave the challenge. In verses 2-3, he tells the Ephesians how to accomplish this goal of walking worthy of their vocation. There are four great virtues of the Christian life presented here.

First, Paul speaks of "lowliness." Lowliness is having a humble opinion of one's self (Thayer). It was translated in the King James Version as "humility of mind" (Acts 20:19), "lowliness" (Eph. 4:2), "lowliness of mind" (Phil. 2:3), "humility" (Col. 2:18, 23; 1 Pet. 5:5), and "humbleness of mind" (Col. 3:12).

Secondly, he mentions "meekness." Meekness is being kind and gentle (1 Cor. 4:21; 2 Cor. 10:1; Gal. 5:23; 6:1; Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12; 1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 2:25; Ti. 3:2).

The third virtue is "longsuffering." Longsuffering is patient endurance (Rom. 2:4; 9:22; 2 Cor. 6:6; Gal. 5:22; Eph. 4:2; Col. 1:11; 3:12; 1 Tim. 1:16; 2 Tim. 3:10; 4:2; 1 Pet. 3:20; 2 Pet. 3:15). This same Greek word (MAKROTHUMIA) was also translated "patience" in Heb. 6:12 and Jas. 5:10.

The fourth thing Paul mentions is "forbearance." That is tolerance, restraint, and patience (Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:13). This same Greek word (ANECHOMAI) was also translated in the King James Version as: "shall I suffer" (Mt. 17:17; Mk. 9:19), "suffer" (Lk. 9:41; Heb. 13:22), "that I should bear" (Acts 18:14), "we suffer it" (1 Cor. 4:12), "ye could bear and indeed bear" (2 Cor. 11:1), "ye might bear with" (2 Cor. 11:4), "ye suffer" (2 Cor. 11:19, 20) "ye endure" (2 Th. 1:4), and "endure" (2 Tim. 4:3).