Note the rest of Ephesians starts here: https://literalbible.org/2024/04/26/devotion-of-ephesians-41-3/
Ephesians 4:3-6 (WEL) Doing your best to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you’re called to one hope of your calling. 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism. 6 One God and Father of all, who is over all, through all, and in you all.
V3 Doing your best to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
The Greek word for doing your best is G4704 spoudazō (σπουδάζω), which means (Baker Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) “In general spoudazō refers to being eager or diligent in doing something and is often translated as “make every effort.” In this way it is used to exhort the various Epistle recipients in a variety of activities. Paul urges the believers to live a life worthy of the calling they have received, “making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1–3).”
This is the church unity being one in doctrine, worldview, rules, lifestyle, etc. Also, we are to be patient with others’ personalities as we are all different. God works for us to be unified, but we have a responsibility, too.
Ellicott writes: “The unity of the Spirit is certainly the unity given by the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. This we cannot create, for it is the gift of God; but we can “keep” it: that is, cherish it, guard it, and make it effectual by love; and all experience proves that, if we would so keep it, we need the positive earnestness of exertion against evils without and within.”
V4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you’re called to one hope of your calling.
This is a continuation of the thought started in verse 3 concerning the unity of the Spirit. In the body of Jesus, the church (Romans 12:4-5 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-20), there is one body consisting of many members, one spirit that is the life of every member, and one hope. That one hope is the hope of every believer to be in heaven serving and worshiping God for eternity. It is a calling, an invitation, that every believer accepts.
Ellicott writes: “Even as ye are (or rather, were) called in one hope of your calling.—The connection, though not at first obvious, is clear on consideration. Since the grace of the Holy Spirit is not only the “seal” of regeneration, but also the “earnest” (Ephesians 1:14) of future perfection, the mention of the one Spirit suggests naturally the “hope of our calling” (i.e., the perfect unity of heaven). In this, in spite of all natural and spiritual inequalities, and in spite even of our divisions and strifes upon earth, all Christians are still actually one. Hence the communion of saints is perhaps most clearly realized in the times of high spiritual aspiration, and in the near presence of death.”
V5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
The church, body of believers, has only one Lord—Jesus Christ. The Pope does not qualify, nor any other human. We do not have to give account of ourselves to any but the Lord Jesus Christ. His word is supreme, so we accept the Bible as supreme as well for it is His word.
One faith that is one way to be saved, to live, to think with one worldview, one set of rules, one set of promises, etc.
One baptism includes a physical and a spiritual action. The physical baptism with water is the symbol of death and resurrection, our identity with Jesus Christ. One baptism of the Spirit, for the Holy Spirit lives in each believer (Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, and 1 John 4:13).
V6 One God and Father of all, who is over all, through all, and in you all.
One God for Christians only worship one God. There is no other god (1 Corinthians 8:6, Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 45:6, and Jude 1:25). We have only one spiritual Father; it is the one and only God who has adopted us as His sons and daughters (Romans 8:15).
God is over all (supreme), through all (believers by working in various ways in the family of God), and in all (believers only).
We learn:
- There is only one God, faith, worldview, set of rules, way of life, doctrine, Gospel, etc.
- There is only one group of Christians (all true believers).
Questions:
- Are you a believer in the one and only God?
- Are you serving God and fellowshipping with other believers?