 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
More Ephesians commentaries
Ephesians 1:1-6
Our Riches in Christ
Ephesians 1:7-14
Redemption for the believer in Christ
Ephesians 1:15-23
Prayer for knowledge and power
Ephesians 2:1-3
How we were ’before’ salvation
Ephesians 2:4-10
How He works in us ’after’ salvation
Ephesians 2:11-13
My position in Christ as a Gentile
Ephesians 2:14-18
We are one body in Christ
Ephesians 2:19-22
Fellowship needs to be a priority
Ephesians 3:1-6
Missionary to the Gentiles
Ephesians 3:7-13
Mystery of God’s grace
Ephesians 3:14-21
Prayer for God’s power and love
Ephesians 4:1-6
Spiritual unity
Ephesians 4:7-16
Gifts from the Risen Messiah
Ephesians 4:17-22
Walk as a new person in Christ
Ephesians 4:23-29
Be holy and not sinful
Ephesians 4:30-32
Grieving God’s Spirit by the way we live
Ephesians 5:1-7
Who do you try to imitate?
Ephesians 5:8-14
Walk as children of Light
Ephesians 5:15-21
Evidences of a Spirit-filled life
Ephesians 5:22-24
How to be submissive in our relationships
Ephesians 5:25-33
Instructions to husbands
Ephesians 6:1-4
Training children to obey
Ephesians 6:5-9
Living under authority
© Family Times | About Us | Donate | Contact Us
Search for sermons by: Commentaries | Scripture search | Topics
Spiritual unity
Ephesians 4:1–6
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
Mark Twain used to say he put a dog and a cat in a cage together as an experiment, to see if they could get along. They did, so he put in a bird, pig and goat. They, too, got along fine after a few adjustments. Then he put in a Baptist, Presbyterian, and Methodist; soon there … More
The first three chapters of Ephesians deal with doctrine while the last three chapters explain our responsibilities as Christians. The word “therefore” shows that Paul is basing what he now has to say on the doctrines he has taught in the first three chapters (v. 1). The better we understand Bible doctrine the easier it will be to obey Bible duties.
The key thought in these verses is the unity of the believers in Christ. Unity does not mean uniformity. Unity comes from within while uniformity is the result of pressure from without. Unity does not just happen; we have to work at it. If we are going to have unity we must exhibit humility, meekness and longsuffering. (v. 2) We need to try our best to let God’s Spirit keep our hearts united. We do this by living at peace with each other.
Many people today attempt to unite Christians in a way that is not Biblical. Paul names seven basic elements of unity (vv. 4-6):
- One Body - What each believer is placed into
- One Spirit - The Holy Spirit
- One Hope - The rapture.
- One Lord - Jesus Christ
- One Faith - Basic Bible doctrine
- One Baptism - Happens at conversion
- One God and Father - Creator and sustainer
Purity of doctrine doesn’t necessarily produce spiritual unity. You can be sound in doctrine but unsaved in practice.Application
It has be said there are two ways of being united. One is by being frozen together, and the other is by being melted together. It is my desire to be united in brotherly love with other Christians, and then I can expect to have God’s power in my life.
Ephesians 4:1-6 (English Standard Version)
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »
Post your comment or question below.