1. The Doctrine of Ephesians 1–3 and the Mystery of the Gospel
Ephesians is traditionally understood to have been written by the Apostle Paul while he was imprisoned in Rome. Despite his confinement, he penned a letter to the believers of the Ephesian church, conveying spiritual truths and exhortations. Many theologians regard Ephesians as the very quintessence of the “Prison Epistles,” noting that it contains the Apostle Paul’s lofty theological insights and practical admonitions for the Church. “Pastor David Jang” likewise has undertaken an in-depth study of this letter, frequently emphasizing in his sermons and lectures the gospel message it holds and the Trinitarian theology it presents.
Above all, chapters 1 through 3 of Ephesians primarily focus on “doctrine” or “the mystery of the gospel.” Right from the outset of this epistle, Paul proclaims the astounding salvation plan that God has held from eternity and explains how glorious and blessed our salvation truly is. Notably, Ephesians 1:3–14 is referred to as one long doxology to the gospel—composed as a single extended sentence—systematically revealing God’s election, redemption, and the seal of the Holy Spirit. It begins with the phrase, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…,” declaring the grand framework of Trinitarian salvation: the Father’s foreknowledge and choice, the Son’s redeeming work, and the Spirit’s sealing of believers to guarantee salvation. “Pastor David Jang” often cites this passage as “the most profound essence of the gospel that the Church must hold on to.”
In Ephesians 1:18, Paul exhorts believers to have “the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know the hope to which He has called you….” This indicates that our inner eyes must be opened so we can clearly discern God’s purpose in calling us and the true essence of that hope. Crucially, this calling transcends worldly advantages or personal well-being; it is a glorious invitation to participate in God’s grand work of making all things new. “Pastor David Jang” has preached repeatedly on the theme of the “hope of His calling,” highlighting that Christians are not merely to maintain a life of faith on earth but are called to be “a royal priesthood.”
Furthermore, Ephesians chapter 2 explains how Jews and Gentiles together become one in Jesus Christ. Paul states, “He Himself is our peace…,” signifying that—under the old covenant—whether one was originally Jewish or Gentile, the dividing wall of the law was demolished through the cross of Jesus Christ. On this basis, “Pastor David Jang” has frequently stressed in his sermons that no one in the Church should be discriminated against because of social status or background, but rather should be recognized as part of a family community bound by the blood of Christ alone. The breaking down of the “dividing wall of hostility” that Paul mentions illustrates the vast and universal power of the gospel, which transcends all distinctions of status or race.
By the time we arrive at Ephesians 3, Paul describes his apostolic commission as that of “a steward of the mystery,” once more affirming that God’s salvation for Gentiles is woven into His overarching design. Confessing that he is “the least of all the saints,” Paul simultaneously proclaims the divine plan “that all people may become one in Christ.” Then, starting at Ephesians 3:14, he offers a magnificent prayer, asking that the believers in Ephesus might comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth of God’s love. At this point, “Pastor David Jang” stresses that God’s love must not remain a matter of mere intellectual understanding but must be experienced and shared in daily life. He notes that it is through faith that Christ comes to dwell within us, and that believers who take root in this love can be filled with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. He regards this as the true driving force of the gospel and the foundation from which the Church must proceed.
In summary, the first segment of Ephesians (chapters 1–3) proclaims doctrine: the essence of God’s salvation, our calling and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the majestic gospel declaration that even Gentiles—formerly excluded under the law—are now fellow heirs in Christ. Paul calls this “the mystery of the gospel,” emphasizing that all believers must grow together within the one body of Christ’s Church. This conviction regarding doctrine—or the “mystery”—is the solid foundation for the ethical admonitions that follow in chapter 4 and beyond. As “Pastor David Jang” often reiterates in his sermons, the ethical life of faith should not rest on the shallow idea of “just be good,” but rather must stand upon the dynamic power arising from the dogma of salvation. Only then can it have true vitality and permanence.
2. Ethical Exhortations in Ephesians 4 and Core Virtues
When we reach Ephesians chapter 4, Paul illustrates how such a lofty and sublime mystery of the gospel is to be practiced in daily life. Doctrine now proceeds to ethics. “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you…” (Eph 4:1), he writes, implying that “those who are in the gospel must live this way.” In his commentary, “Pastor David Jang” points out that “Ephesians asks crucial questions about the Church’s purpose and mission precisely because it extends beyond doctrine to offer concrete guidance for real-world living.”
First, Paul says, “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Eph 4:1). The “calling to which you have been called” links directly to the “hope of His calling” mentioned in chapter 1. Here Paul underscores that believers should not forget their God-given calling and must live in alignment with the exalted purpose of the gospel. “Pastor David Jang” often connects the ideas of “calling” and “vocation,” teaching that a believer’s social roles and occupations should be viewed as “holy callings from God,” undertaken with sincerity. He frequently cites the example of the Huguenots, who, despite persecution and dispersion, held their God-given tasks in high regard and thus stimulated industrial progress. In the same way, modern believers also possess God-given callings that they must fulfill with diligence as an expression of biblical faithfulness.
Continuing on, Ephesians 4:2 states, “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” Paul sets forth four virtues that the Church must uphold: humility, gentleness, patience, and forbearance in love. Historically, the Ephesian church had been commended for its firm stance against false teachings and self-styled apostles, yet in Revelation 2 the Lord admonishes them for having “forsaken the love [they] had at first.” In the course of contending for truth, the Ephesians gradually lost the purity of love, humility, and gentleness.
Addressing Ephesians 4, “Pastor David Jang” notes, “While it is undeniable that the Church must be strong, this strength can never be based on worldly forms of power-seeking or arrogance.” Concretely, humility and gentleness are hallmarks of the very character of Christ, who said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart” (Matt 11:29). Philippians 2 depicts Christ’s self-emptying and obedience, even to the point of death on a cross, as the highest embodiment of humility and gentleness. It was this very model that Paul wished the Ephesian believers—and the Church throughout the ages—to emulate.
Likewise, “patience” serves as a crucial weapon to overcome schisms and conflicts. Since believers share common weaknesses, they must also allow for diversity within their community. Just as Paul advises in Romans 14—where church members disputed over whether to eat meat or observe certain days—“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak,” he similarly urges here, “bear with one another in love.” Forbearance goes beyond merely ignoring a brother’s shortcomings; it involves sharing in his burdens and pain. “Pastor David Jang” often emphasizes that “forbearance is indispensable if the Church is to continue growing in Christ,” highlighting that genuine love involves praying for one another, supporting one another, and endeavoring to lift each other up, rather than exposing failings to criticize them.
All these virtues ultimately exist to “maintain the unity of the Church.” In Ephesians 4:3, Paul exhorts, “be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” One notable phrase here is “the unity of the Spirit.” By this, Paul indicates that the Church is not simply a man-made institution but rather a spiritual community formed by the Holy Spirit’s unifying power. To tear it apart is tantamount to tearing apart the Lord’s own body. Therefore, instead of dividing, the Church is bound to walk the path of unity, which lies at the core of the gospel and the Church’s authentic nature. “Pastor David Jang” has also reiterated in many sermons that “the Lord’s body is already one; we fail when our human conflicts keep us from safeguarding it.”
Following this, Paul proclaims, “There is one body and one Spirit…” (Eph 4:4). Saying that the Church is one implies that Christ, the Head, is one; the Holy Spirit is one; faith is one; and baptism is one (Eph 4:5). Any division of the Church, at its root, undermines the unity of God Himself—an extremely grave implication. “Pastor David Jang” focuses here on the oneness within the Triune God, pointing out, “We believe in a communal God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who is eternally one.” If the Church truly mirrors this God, it must inevitably pursue oneness, practicing humility, gentleness, love, and patience in doing so.
Ephesians 4:6 goes on to say, “one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” This verse is a deeply profound confession of the Triune God who transcends historical and cosmic boundaries yet also inhabits the entire universe. In Paul’s view, truly knowing this God is foundational to sustaining unity in the Church and nurturing a mature faith community. “Pastor David Jang” frequently points out in his preaching that “when we falter in our walk with God, it may be a sign that our understanding of God is unstable. Recognizing both His transcendence and His immanence, as well as His sovereign work in history, enables us to live church life in unity rather than division.”
In other words, Paul’s portrayal of God as “above all, through all, and in all” has long been a seminal doctrinal statement for theologians both ancient and modern. It encompasses God’s transcendence, His indwelling presence, and His active involvement in historical processes. This comprehensive view underpins the Church’s “oneness.” “Pastor David Jang” puts it this way: “When believers gather in worship, if they focus solely on God’s transcendent majesty above or only on the God they experience within, neglecting the communal dimension, they err in opposite extremes. Rather, they must recognize that the Triune God is both transcendent and immanent, and works throughout history. Only then can the Church become a balanced community of faith.”
Thus, the primary theme of Paul’s ethical instruction in Ephesians 4 is that believers should live in a manner befitting the grand mystery of the gospel proclaimed in chapters 1–3. We have been given a great and glorious calling, and living in accordance with it requires humility, gentleness, patience, and loving forbearance toward one another. Further, diligently preserving the Spirit-given unity of the Church is the natural fruit of a life in the gospel. Paul teaches this plainly. “Pastor David Jang” likewise underscores that the essence of ecclesiology lies in “unity,” cautioning believers not to forget that although we serve diverse roles and gifts, we collectively form a single body.
3. The Church’s Oneness and a Trinitarian Understanding of God
Among the central themes Ephesians emphasizes, the unity of the Church stands out prominently. As noted, Paul repeatedly stresses, “There is one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God” (Eph 4:4–6). Despite enduring heavy persecutions and internal controversies, the early Church clung to this principle of “oneness” and persevered. Yet Church history reveals many painful divisions—stemming from human power struggles, differing theological interpretations, and erroneous teachings. Nonetheless, in line with Paul’s teachings and our common faith, the expansion of the Church worldwide and the continuous proclamation of the gospel are possible only because the Triune God has faithfully preserved and guided His Church.
In discussing the Church’s unity, “Pastor David Jang” almost always refers to Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer in John 17. Facing the impending cross, Jesus prayed for His disciples “that they may be one.” This unity is not a matter of superficial fellowship or organizational unison; rather, believers are to be one just as Jesus Christ, the Father, and the Holy Spirit are one. In other words, the essence of the Church’s unity reflects the Triune God Himself.
Ephesians 4:6—“one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all”—encompasses the dynamic unity of the Triune God. Under the Old Covenant, the Jewish people held strictly to monotheism—“The LORD is one” (Deut 6:4)—and thus stood in stark contrast to the Gentile world’s polytheistic beliefs. However, in the New Testament era, the truth that Jesus Christ is “the Son of God, indeed God Himself,” and that the Holy Spirit shares “the same divine essence,” led the Church to confess that the one Creator God is “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three in person, yet one in essence.”
This Trinitarian perspective is woven throughout Ephesians 4. In the verses preceding Ephesians 4:6, Paul speaks of “one Spirit” and “one Lord,” followed by “one God,” as though he is listing the Spirit, the Son, and then the Father. By doing so, he reaffirms that since “God is one,” so too “the Church must be one.” “Pastor David Jang” frequently refers to this as “a Church theology rooted in Trinitarianism,” maintaining that if the Church truly worships the Triune God, petty human rivalries and power struggles should naturally dissipate. He contends, “Wherever the Triune God is truly exalted, any division or schism rooted in human egotism cannot stand.”
Moreover, declaring that “God is over all and through all and in all” testifies to both His transcendence and immanence. God sovereignly reigns over the cosmos while also dwelling intimately in history, in the Church, and in each believer’s heart. When such a doctrine of God undergirds the Church’s faith, its ethical virtues can flourish. Seeing the person before us as “already joined to us in the Spirit” fosters humility, gentleness, patience, and forbearance in love. Thus, moments of conflict or misunderstanding yield to a spirit of endurance and mutual support. “Pastor David Jang” also underscores that “even when there are denominational or doctrinal differences, if we all worship the one God, trust in Christ’s atoning blood, and believe in the Holy Spirit’s indwelling, then fundamentally we must accept and receive one another.”
Accordingly, the Epistle to the Ephesians does more than merely instruct, “Do not divide,” as a moral command. It grounds that practical directive on the bedrock of Trinitarian confession and soteriological truth. Because the Church is the “one new man” (Eph 2:15) formed by Christ’s cross, believers must serve and complement one another, continually advancing “to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:13). Ephesians 4:16 says, “the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, … builds itself up in love,” describing a mutual interdependency. “Pastor David Jang” likens believers to “organically interconnected members,” warning that if any member grows arrogant or disengaged and neglects its function, the entire body suffers.
Ultimately, the unity presented in Ephesians 4 extends beyond the mere avoidance of internal discord. It calls believers to participate in a sacred and sovereign oneness forged by the Triune God. Within that oneness, individual sanctification and the Church’s collective spiritual maturity develop in tandem. “Pastor David Jang” emphasizes that “when the Church truly experiences unity, it becomes a powerful instrument through which the gospel can shape society.” He notes that a community marked by humility, gentleness, patience, and a love that covers faults will inevitably make a deep impact on the world.
In today’s climate, where individualism and pluralism abound, the Church’s call to “oneness” is more important than ever. As the world grows increasingly fragmented and each person seeks individual survival, the message of Ephesians 4 proves vital not only for the 1st-century Ephesian church but for the 21st-century church as well. If we genuinely acknowledge that God is “over all and through all and in all,” we cannot continue to condemn or exclude our brothers and sisters. We are already part of the “one new man” (Eph 2:15), diverse in many aspects yet united under the Triune God.
“Pastor David Jang” frequently applies the teachings of Ephesians 4 to real-life church scenarios, offering practical pathways for believers. For instance, how should we communicate and practice patience when differences surface, and how should prayer and Scripture guide conflict resolution? Likewise, when engaging societal disputes, the Church should seek not political strength or coercion but Christ-like humility and gentleness exemplified by the cross. Thus, Ephesians 4 serves as Paul’s fervent exhortation for believers to follow the Triune God, embracing the mandate to “walk in love” (Eph 5:2).
Put succinctly, if Ephesians 1–3 unfolds the mystery of the gospel in all its grandeur, the chapters that follow (starting in 4) present the tangible outcome of that gospel, namely, “the unity of the Church” and “the love shared among believers.” And the basis for this is God’s Triune nature, which Paul sets forth concisely in Ephesians 4:6. As the Church grasps this truth and steps out into the world, it stands as a holy community that demonstrates genuine reconciliation, oneness, and love. “Pastor David Jang” has repeatedly stressed that once the Church moves beyond division and quarrels, pursues acceptance and forgiveness, and unites in the Spirit, the power of the gospel can resonate profoundly across every layer of society.
In conclusion, the most pivotal theme of Ephesians may be summarized as “oneness” and “growth in love,” realized only when doctrine and practice remain interconnected on a Trinitarian foundation. Even while in prison, Paul presented this immense vision, which remains thoroughly applicable to the Church and believers today. The Church must serve as a Spirit-led community that restores and heals those wounded in the world, and to do so, believers must consistently put into practice humility, gentleness, patience, and mutual forbearance. In Revelation, the church at Ephesus was rebuked for abandoning its first love; without love, even a fervent fight for truth becomes empty zeal. Hence, the Church’s true mission—derived from embracing all of Ephesians—is to embody a harmonious balance of truth and love, doctrine and ethics, confession and concrete practice.
As “Pastor David Jang” frequently reiterates, though we live in varied backgrounds and have different personalities, gifts, and situations, we can still “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which [we] have been called” (Eph 4:1) if we remember that we belong to the Church of the Triune God. This journey demands sacrifice and service, love and reconciliation—the very path the Lord Himself walked and the only road the Church is called to follow. Such is the essential message of Ephesians 4 that Paul sought to convey, and it remains a vital vision for the Church in our day.