When we finally believe, we respond by repenting and submitting to Him. 4. 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.. Unity comes from within. Endeavor or be diligent - give your effort to doing this. Ephesians 4. Ephesians 4:2-3 ~ "B) The Oneness of the Body" is part 3 of 5 of The Bible Teaching Commentary on Ephesians 4:1-3 which discusses the five ways he says the people of God obtain unity of the Spirit. When it comes to the interpretation of particular verses/ then disagreement is not a problem unless it affects a major doctrine of Scripture. by Grant | Nov 7, 2015 | Ephesians | 2 comments. The business people soldmodels of Diana’s *temple there. For it exists independently of human vigilance or fidelity, but its manifestations may be thwarted and checked. Particular application is given to making harmony in … In chapters 4-6, he outlines the responsibilities associated with that status. Ephesians 4, Coffman Commentaries on the Bible, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the Church of Christ, presents a verse level look at the Bible. In Ephesians 4:1–6 Paul appeals to believers to walk worthy of their high position in Jesus Christ. That is the section of Ephesians we are coming to now. !” Compare Colossians 3:14. Read Introduction to Ephesians . Ephesians 4:17-22 Walk As a New Person in Christ. Paul calls upon us to be balanced in our approach, effectively saying, "Never stop studying." The jingle often cited goes like this: Our fallen natures have a tendency to demean others and exalt self. Lack of faith in them does not change their truthfulness one iota. He wrote it to people in the town called Ephesus. being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. The point in this verse is not to produce unity but to keep or maintain unity. Posted on March 24, 2013 by Bill. ), or the ethical relation (Mey.) love. This is parallel with ‘forbearing,’ and describes the humble, longsuffering walk, with reference to the motive of the forbearance, a motive leading to continuous and earnest effort. The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Captivity Epistles (Eerdman's Socio-rhetorical Series of Commentaries on the New Testament) by Ben Witherington III. of the verses comes in most likely. The church can preserve this unity but not create it. There have been many attempts at ecumenicity by churches but they always fail. Let us expect more, and ask for more, encouraged by what Christ has already done for our souls, being assured that the conversion of sinners, and the comfort of believers, will be to … Read full chapter Sunday (Ephesians 4:1-6) Live in Unity. 4.5 out of 5 stars 10. 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. is the gen. of originating cause, = the unity which the Spirit produces or works, and here the oneness in feeling, interest and purpose which is appropriate to the oneness in doctrine and privilege whereof the readers are immediately reminded. Unity is not uniformity. Trench on Authorized Version, p. 17. Earnestly striving, giving diligence. Amplified: [Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one … “Peace” is that tranquillity which ought to reign in the church, and by the maintenance of which its essential spiritual unity is developed and “bodied forth.” This unity is something far higher than peace; but it is by the preservation of peace as a bond among church members that such unity is realized and made perceptible to the world. Ephesians 3:14-21 Prayer For God’s Power And Love. Our vocation is our calling, and we are called to become holy as God is holy. It was the capital of the *Roman region calledAsia. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” A unity of the flesh, an outward or extrinsic unity, is a misled form of harmony. Walking worthily, humility, meekness, patience, and forbearance will lead to submitting to one another in the fear of the Lord. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Unity and peace are therefore surely more than mere alliance between Jew and Gentile, though the apostle's previous illustrations of that truth may have suggested this argument. It means that Christians should be united in temper … Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ. Mar 27, 1994. 4. Paul set the tone for these chapters when he said, “Walk worthily of the calling with which you were called” (4:1). This is a unity that comes from the Holy Spirit. Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace -, Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit, The unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, σπουδάζοντες τηρεῖν τὴν ἑνότητα τοῦ πνεύματος, ἵνα τοὺς γένει καὶ τρόποις διαφόροις διεστηκότας ἑνώσῃ. Just what does "unity of the Spirit" mean? Ephesians 3:1-6 Missionary to The Gentiles. Ephesians 4:4. The Holy Spirit already made that a reality. The recipients of the letter should make “every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit … Continue reading "Commentary on Ephesians 4:1-16" Forgive Just as God in Christ Also Has Forgiven You Palm Sunday. I. Ephesians 3 – The Revealing of God’s Mystery A. God’s mystery and man’s place in it revealed. As we walk, we are also to give serious diligence to keeping the unity of the Spirit. Paperback $26.71 $ 26. When the number one priority in our lives is "peace with God" and scriptural peace with others, then unity will prevail. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Biblical unity does not come from societal organizations that concur on certain structural agreements; the church is an organism, not an organization. In the context of the first paragraph of Ephesians 4, the implication is that this hope is a factor that unites us into one body. one Lord: That is, Jesus Christ. Therefore, haste needs to be made to clear up every misunderstanding between brethren. Every member of the church is under this obligation, for unity does not just happen by accident, and congregations that stay united are not merely lucky. It provides a theological rationale for the behavior that is required of the church. Chrysostom says- διὰ γὰρ τοῦτο τὸ πνεῦμα ἐδόθη, ἵνα τοὺς γένει καὶ τρόποις διαφόροις διεστηκότας ἑνώσῃ. Paul then quotes from Psalm 68:18 (Ephesians 4:8) as the basis for his next teaching. Ephesians 4:3 Context. “Ever to guard” (Lenski p. 508). We are in a section of Ephesians where Paul is calling us to walk in Unity. “Unity” here is not organizational unity but spiritual unity. The baptism of the Christian age embodies: immersion in water (Acts 8:38-39; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12), for the person who has both the ability and willingness to believe the gospel message and repent of sin (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).The purpose of the ordinance is to access the saving blood of Christ (cf. The unity is that effected by the Holy Spirit; not an outward uniformity, or hollow truce, or unholy compromise, but that unity of thought and feeling and effort among individual Christians which is produced by the indwelling of the same Spirit. 4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called, 4:2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 4:3 making every effort to … Anyone who wants to be a Christian can be sure he or she is a Christian by believing in Jesus. If Ephesians 1-3 was about sitting, Ephesians 4-6:9 are about walking. The outer becomes the symbol and expression of the inner-union is the visible sign of unity. EPHESIANS 4:1-3. In chapters 4-6, he outlines the responsibilities associated with that status. the bond which is peace; (2.) Still this must not be too strictly pressed: the digression is all in the course of the argument, and μηκέτι here is not without reference to μηκέτι in Ephesians 4:14. Ephesians 4. Ephesians 4:3, ESV: "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. And in this duty they were to be earnest and forward- σπουδάζοντες, using diligence, “bisie to kepe,” as Wycliffe renders; for if they cherished humility, meekness, and universal tolerance in love, as the apostle hath enjoined them, it would be no difficult task to preserve the “unity of the Spirit.” And that unity is to be kept-. ), a connection which would again disturb the symmetry of the participial sentences and rob some of the statements which follow of their appropriateness. Commentators, even of the rank of Calvin, have interpreted the here as the human spirit, the Christian spirit of concord; while others (De Wette, etc.) Ephesians 4:3, KJV: "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Unity and peace were essential (Ephesians 4:3), with Paul noting the importance of one Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, God, and Father of all (Ephesians 4:5–6). This unity, he tells us, is maintained by the bond of peace; for disputes frequently give rise to hatred and resentment. If believers hold the attitudinal qualities of verse two, they will experience unity among themselves.. 3 endeavoring [earnestly striving] to keep the unity of the Spirit “Endeavoring” is the word diligent.Christians should be alert to what makes for peace among themselves. John 17. EXEGESIS: THE CONTEXT: Paul was writing to the church in Ephesus, located in Asian Minor (modern day Turkey). i. True unity is not imposed; it is a unity of organism rather than organization. ), or identity (Ell. Grace is given to each as Christ desires (Ephesians 4:7). EPHESIANS 4:1-3. “Eager to maintain” (RSV). With good reason does he recommend forbearance, as tending to promote the unity of the Spirit. John Piper Oct 19, 1986 445 Shares Sermon. The church cannot bring this unity. The apostle has in view what he afterwards advances about different functions and offices in the church in Ephesians 4:7; Ephesians 4:11. The church already exists spiritually as one. No church can organize this kind of unity. The guiding principle is given in the opening words of the section, where the author urges the audience “to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called…bearing with one another … Continue reading "Commentary on Ephesians 4:25-5:2" That is why we respond in faith to Christ. He had in mind peace between all kinds of diverse groups in the church, the most basic being Jews and Gentiles. (NASB: Lockman) Greek: spoudazontes terein ten enoteta tou pneumatos en to sundesmo tes eirenes; Amplified: Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of [and produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of peace. Through the Holy Spirit, God has revealed all the essential elements of unity. Sermon Bible Commentary. Endeavouring. Paul knew that unity in the body of Christ can be threatened from without and destroyed from within. Ephesians 3:4 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] Ephesians 3:4, NIV: "In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ," Ephesians 3:4, ESV: "When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ," Ephesians 3:4, KJV: "Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)" Reply. Unity is not simply an external, superficial togetherness” (Caldwell p. 159). ... ( 4:3) being eager to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Be patient with others, because God has been very patient with you. “To keep”: “Preserve” (NASV). Winer, § 59, 8; Acts 8:23. That divine authority was bequeathed to Christ at the time of his ascension (cf. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. God is God and we are not. Mar 27, 1994. Ephesians 4:3 Context. Ephesians 3:4. Read Introduction to Ephesians . Ephesians 4:3 “giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”. The *temple of thegoddess (female god) Diana (or Artemis) was there. Special attention is given to contrast the worldly unity (which is … Ephesians 4:3 New American Standard Bible (NASB). Hartung, Casus, p. 12. The unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; be united in affection and live in peace, according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. False doctrine and distorted scriptural truths can invade the Church and trivial dissensions and petty disputes can also be a destructive element that causes disunity. This does not refer to the fact that there is one Holy Spirit; but it refers to unity of affection, of confidence, of love. This is where the diligence etc. in Ephesians 4:3. Organizational unity is extrinsic unity, while spiritual unity in intrinsic. This is a picture of ecumenism today. And just like any walk is made up of individual steps, Paul is giving us several steps to Walk in Unity with one another. It is anti-biblical to jettison truth for unity. Paul clearly links our hope with our calling, which is God's summons into His presence so that we may have a relationship with Him. Greek: meta pases tapeinophrosunes kai prautetos, meta makrothumias, anechomenoi allelon en agape,. and by the peace which grows out of love and that binds you together, do your best to preserve this unity!! Read Ephesians 4 commentary using Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete). Ephesians 4:1-16 is how to Walk in Unity. Tag Archives: Ephesians 4:1-3 commentary Ephesians 4:1-3 What does it mean to walk worthy of our calling and gifts? Ephesians 4:3. : giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit. Scripture: Ephesians 4:31–5:2. Uniformity is conformity that comes from without. That unity may be regarded as twofold. This view is perhaps not sufficiently distinctive. Unity of the Spirit—That unity of love which the Spirit inspires and creates. The unity of the Spirit, i.e., the Holy Spirit, since a reference to the human spirit in this connection would be both flat and unpauline. “In the bond”: A joint, tie, ligament, uniting principle. 1-3 In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. Only here and Ephesians 4:13. εἰρήνης appears to be the genitive of apposition, as Flatt, Meyer, Matthies, Olshausen, Alford, and Ellicott take it. = keep, in the sense of maintaining with watchful care; suggesting also that what is to be kept is something already in our possession. Scripture: Ephesians 4:32–5:2. , which conveys the idea of exertion, is better rendered “giving diligence” (RV) or “earnestly striving” (Alf. However, that is not a matter of unity but of truth. Grant's Verse-by-Verse Logos Bible Software. Every cell of the body shares the life of the body. (1-5) Preface to the revelation of the mystery. Biblical Commentary (Bible study) Ephesians 4:1-16 EXEGESIS: THE CONTEXT: In chapters 1-3, Paul outlined the blessings associated with being a child of God. Ephesians 4:2-3 ~ "B) The Oneness of the Body" is part 3 of 5 of The Bible Teaching Commentary on Ephesians 4:1-3 which discusses the five ways he says the people of God obtain unity of the Spirit. Ephesians 4:1-3. Separate communities are not to rally round special gifts and offices, as if each gift proceeded from, and was organized by, a separate and rival Spirit. The latter view regards this phrase as parallel to ‘in love,’ taking love as ‘the bond,’ in accordance with Colossians 3:14. John Piper Mar 27, 1994 301 Shares God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him The Holy Spirit binds every believer to every other believer by our position in Christ. “Of peace”: “Since Christ is Himself their peace (Ephesians 2:14), it would be unnatural for them to live otherwise than at peace with one another” (Bruce p. 335). Then see what Paul next asks his readers to do in light of all the blessings and gifts they have received. Believers are comforted besides with the assurance that their names are written in heaven, or in the book of life (Philippians 4:3; Luke 10:20; Hebrews 12:23).—T.C. ‘Peace ‘is the result of peace with God, and, binding Christians together, it is ‘a condition and symbol of that inner unity wrought by the indwelling Spirit of God’ (Alford). Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:20ff), and it is both universal (John 17:2) and ecclesiastical (Ephesians … It is similar to digging up corpses from the cemetery and placing these bodies in a church. Posted on March 24, 2013 by Bill. It may be viewed in two lights: as outwardly manifested and as inwardly wrought. Forgive Just as God in Christ Also Has Forgiven You Palm Sunday. 4 I therefore, m a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to n walk in a manner worthy of o the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all p humility and q gentleness, with r patience, s bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in t the bond of peace. Greek: porneia de kai akatharsia pasa e pleonexia mede onomazes tho en humin, kathos prepei ha giois,. πνεῦμα cannot surely mean the mere human spirit, as the following verse plainly proves. Such an idea may be implied, but it is not the immediate statement of the apostle. !” Compare, John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament, Heinrich Meyer's Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament, Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible, Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture, Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament, John Eadie's Commentary on Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians and Philippians, Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Stanley Derickson - Notes on Selected Books. Ephesians 5:3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; (NASB: Lockman). 1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Every Christian stands equal before God. All this is a denial to a biblical approach to unity. ь – любовь (Кол. It is also a picture of political correctness today. 4 There is one body, and one spirit, euen as yee are called in one hope of your calling. Unity … Do these three verses sound like any church meetings you"ve ever attended? Peace is the very girdle and tie which binds the bundle. The term walk is found in Ephesians 4:1. Human opinion isn"t the standard. 163-164). Notice that this phrase does not say “endeavoring to make the unity of the Spirit.” It says “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit.” It is not our responsibility to make unity in the church. have taken it to denote the spirit of the Christian community. False doctrine and distorted scriptural truths can invade the Church and trivial dissensions and petty disputes can also be a destructive element that causes disunity. But Paul’s *preaching affected their tra… Your email address will not be published. 1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3 Context. Peace is a “bond;” a binding which unites Christians of different types (Co 3:14). Hence an outward unity, which does not bind Christians in peace, can scarcely be ‘the unity of the Spirit.’. Literally oneness. Adam Clarke Commentary. Provides a theological rationale for the behavior that is required of the flesh, an outward or unity! Of Diana ’ s Relationship to the revelation of the Spirit in the bond of ”... Inwardly wrought meekness, patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, ( NASB: Lockman ),. The hinge between the theological statement of the Spirit in the bond of.. 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