2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
The fourth characteristic of a worthy walk under our positional truth is the willingness to forebear with others who mistreat us.
bearing with one another
We bear with another by the three previous virtues. Bearing with one another is forbearance, a restraint of self when we would ordinarily lash out at others. The words “bearing with” mean to forebear, to restrain self.
in love,
The reason Christians forebear mistreatment by others is their capacity to love in the face of issues with others. This is agape love. Forbearance is to go beyond mere mechanical putting up with others. We are to exercise our actions toward others in the sphere of love. Love is the catalyst for our forbearing with others rather than hurting them.
PRINCIPLE:
Bearing with one another in love involves receiving mistreatment from others without retaliation.
APPLICATION:
Christian character is not peevish or crotchety. The idea of inwrought grace is the opposite of self-assertion. However, it does not suggest weakness. Moses was meek because he understood he was the object of God’s grace in his life (Nu 12:3). This and the other, previous attitudes exercise grace toward others in love without retaliation.
All of us have peculiarities. We have them and our mate knows it but loves us anyhow. We do not try to change people we love; we accept them for who they are.
Grant, just want to say thank you for this in-depth commentary on Ephesians 4:2. I have been using your commentary to study the book of Ephesians and your expansive detailed commentary on 4:2 came at the exact right time that I needed it to, as always confirm just what God is working on in my life. I spent 4 days on this verse as did you, and in that time God worked on my heart to open my eyes to the lack of Love, Forbearance, Longsuffering, Inwrought Grace and Humility towards a situation where I was wronged and was preparing to retaliate.
Gods Timing is always perfect, even when it comes 4 years later.
Thank you again for allowing God to work through you!
Graham, thanks for that blessing.