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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 186

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called."

Text: Ephesians 4:1

WALK WORTHY

Paul used an interesting phrase in his appeal to his readers. What did he mean when he said “walk worthy”?

1. A literal expression

The word “walk” (“peripateo”) means “to walk here and there” or “to walk around”.

2. The figurative use of the word

The word “walk” was used by the apostle Paul in a figurative sense. He employed it to refer to “the conduct of one’s life”. As much as Paul was concerned with doctrinal matters, he was as deeply concerned about how doctrine must affect one’s behaviour or conduct in life.

3. The word “worthy” (“axios”)

This word is used to define the kind of “walk” or “conduct” one must maintain. The following ideas are contained in this word:-

a) There is the idea of “high degree of worth”
b) There is the idea of “appropriateness”
c) There is the idea of “comparative value”

THE USE OF THE WORD “WALK” IN THE PAULINE EPISTLES

Paul used the word “walk” quite consistently in his other epistles.

That you may walk worthy of the Lord,
fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work
and increasing in the knowledge of God.
COLOSSIANS 1:10

 

That you would walk worthy of God who calls you
into His own kingdom and glory.
1 THESSALONIANS 2:12

 

Let us walk properly…
ROMANS 13:13

 

I say then, ‘Walk in the Spirit…’
GALATIANS 5:16

In each context, Paul was making reference to the conduct of one’s life. The word “walk” may be used with reference to the Holy Spirit as well. Paul sought to encourage his readers to put into practice in daily life their understanding of God’s calling.