Meaning of Ephesians 4:3

This verse, Ephesians 4:3, is a powerful exhortation from the Apostle Paul to the church at Ephesus, urging believers to actively and intentionally preserve the unity that the Holy Spirit has already established among them, binding them together through the pervasive influence of peace. The imperative "make every effort" (Gk. spoudazontes) denotes a diligent, earnest striving, not a passive hoping, implying that maintaining unity requires conscious work and commitment from each member of the body of Christ. This unity is not a manufactured or organizational construct, but a spiritual reality gifted by the Spirit, which is then to be sustained by fostering an atmosphere of peace, characterized by reconciliation, gentleness, and understanding in all interpersonal relationships within the church.

Context and Background

Ephesians 4 is situated within a section of the letter where Paul transitions from doctrinal instruction to practical application of Christian living. Having laid the theological foundation for the church as the unified body of Christ in the first three chapters, Paul now focuses on the outworking of this unity in daily life. The preceding verses (Eph 4:1-2) set the stage by calling believers to live a life worthy of their calling, characterized by humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love. This verse, therefore, is the direct consequence and practical outworking of that foundational call to godly character within the community of faith.

Key Themes and Messages

• Active Preservation of Unity: The emphasis is on making every effort. Unity is not something that happens automatically; it requires deliberate action and conscious participation.
• Unity of the Spirit: This unity is not of human origin but is a divine gift, originating from the Holy Spirit who indwells believers and unites them into one body.
• The Bond of Peace: Peace is the essential element that undergirds and facilitates this spiritual unity. It refers to both peace with God and peace among believers, characterized by harmonious relationships and the absence of strife.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The spiritual significance of Ephesians 4:3 lies in its direct link to the health and effectiveness of the church. A united church, characterized by peace, is a powerful witness to the world and a place where God's presence is more fully manifested. Application involves cultivating attitudes of humility, forgiveness, and mutual respect. It means actively seeking reconciliation when conflicts arise, speaking truth in love, and prioritizing the well-being of the community over personal grievances. It calls for a conscious choice to foster an environment where the Spirit's unifying work can flourish.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse resonates with the overarching biblical narrative of God's desire for reconciliation and unity. From the creation of humanity as one race, through the Old Testament's covenant promises of a unified people, to Jesus' prayer for the unity of his followers ("that they may be one, as we are one" - John 17:11), and culminating in the vision of a redeemed humanity from every nation, tribe, people, and language gathered in unity in Revelation, the theme of unity is central to God's redemptive plan. Ephesians 4:3 is a practical outworking of this divine aspiration within the New Covenant community.

Analogies

• A Well-Tuned Orchestra: Imagine a symphony orchestra. The conductor (the Holy Spirit) leads, but each musician must play their part with precision and in harmony with others. If one instrument is out of tune or plays a discordant note, it disrupts the entire performance. The "bond of peace" is like the shared understanding and commitment of the musicians to create beautiful music together.
• A Body: Paul himself uses the analogy of the body in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12. Just as the diverse parts of a human body work together for the health and function of the whole, so too must diverse believers function in unity. Peace is the vital connective tissue that allows the body to operate harmoniously.

Relation to Other Verses

• John 17:11, 21, 23: Jesus' high priestly prayer for the unity of believers, "that they may all be one... so that the world may believe that you sent me." This directly underpins the importance of unity for evangelism.
• Colossians 3:14: "And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Love is presented as the supreme virtue that perfects unity, closely related to the "bond of peace."
• Philippians 2:2-3: "Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." These verses offer specific attitudes and actions that contribute to the unity described in Ephesians 4:3.
• Romans 12:4-5: "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." This highlights the diversity within unity and the interconnectedness of believers.