“[4:1] I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, [2] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,” – Ephesians 4:1-2
Paul puts humility first because he is about to speak about unity, and humility is the first step toward achieving it. Humility in turn produces gentleness, and that makes us patient. By bearing with our fellow believers we keep that unity that otherwise would be broken a hundred times a day. Let us remember, therefore, that in cultivating brotherly kindness we must start with humility….
Anyone who has these gifts of moderation will overlook and put up with many faults among his fellow believers. We must also respect the order in which Paul lists these things. It is pointless to ask for patience if people’s spirits have not been tamed first, or to preach gentleness without humility. When Paul mentions love, he means what he says elsewhere, that the true nature of love lies in patience.
~John Calvin~
Reformation Commentary on Scripture – Galatians, Ephesians (Downers Grove, IL; IVP Academic; 2011) p. 329
The Old Guys 
Reblogged this on HE STILL SPEAKS!.
And yet, as I was thinking of “Lent”, which John Calvin did not practice, the so-called ‘ordo salutis’ (order of salvation} comes to mind, and the “unity” of the Holy Trinity, so unity, at least in God’s order, can come first! Just a thought..