Ephesians 4 · Verse 3

Ephesians 4:3

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:3, King James Version

Ephesians 4:3 in other translations

BSBand with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
WEBbeing eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
ASVgiving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
YLTbeing diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of the peace;
DARBYusing diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the uniting bond of peace.
BBETaking care to keep the harmony of the Spirit in the yoke of peace.
WebsterEndeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

What does Ephesians 4:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ephesians 4:2-3

2-3. lowliness--In classic Greek, the meaning is meanness of spirit: the Gospel has elevated the word to express a Christian grace, namely, the esteeming of ourselves small, inasmuch as we are so; the thinking truly, and because truly, therefore lowlily, of ourselves [Trench]. meekness--that spirit in which we accept God's dealings with us without disputing and resisting; and also the accepting patiently of the…

Read the full comment on Ephesians 4:2-3 →

Barnes' Notes
Verse 3. The unity of the Spirit. A united spirit, or oneness of spirit. This does not refer to the fact that there is one Holy Spirit; but it refers to unity of affection, of confidence, of love. It means that Christians should be united in temper and affection, and not be split up in factions and parties. It may be implied here, as is undoubtedly true, that such a unity would be produced only by the Holy Spirit; and that, as there was but one Spirit which had acted on their hearts to renew them, they ought to evince the same feelings and views. There was occasion among the Ephesians for this exhortation; for they were composed of Jews and Gentiles, and there might be danger of divisions and strifes, as there had been in other churches. There is always occasion for such an exhortation; for

(1.) unity of feeling is eminently desirable to honour the gospel, Jn 17:21; and

(2.) there is always danger of discord where men are brought together in one society. There are so many different tastes and habits; there is such a variety of intellect and feeling; the modes of education have been so various, and the temperament may be so different, that there is constant danger of division. Hence the subject is so often dwelt on in the scriptures, 1Cor 2:1, seq. and hence there is so much need of caution and of care in the churches.

In the bond of peace. This was to be by the cultivation of that peaceful temper which binds all together. The American Indians usually spoke of peace as a "chain of friendship" which was to be kept bright. The meaning here is, that they should be bound or united together in the sentiments and affections of peace. It is not mere external unity; it is not a mere unity of creed; it is not a mere unity in the forms of public worship; it is such as the Holy Spirit produces in the hearts of Christians, when he fills them all with the same love, and joy, and peace in believing. The following verses contain the reasons for this.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace - There can be no doubt that the Church at Ephesus was composed partly of converted Jews, as well as Gentiles. Now, from the different manner in which they had been brought up, there might be frequent causes of altercation. Indeed, the Jews, though converted, might be envious that the Gentiles were admitted to the same glorious privileges with themselves, without being initiated into them by bearing the yoke and burden of the Mosaic law. The apostle guards them against this, and shows them that they should intensely labor (for so the word σπουδαζειν implies) to promote and preserve peace and unity. By the unity of the Spirit we are to understand, not only a spiritual unity, but also a unity of sentiments, desires, and affections, such as is worthy of and springs from the Spirit of God. By the bond of peace we are to understand a peace or union, where the interests of all parties are concentrated, cemented, and sealed; the Spirit of God being the seal upon this knot.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ephesians 4:1-6

Nothing is pressed more earnestly in the Scriptures, than to walk as becomes those called to Christ's kingdom and glory. By lowliness, understand humility, which is opposed to pride. By meekness, that excellent disposition of soul, which makes men unwilling to provoke, and not easily to be provoked or offended. We find much in ourselves for which we can hardly forgive ourselves; therefore we must not be surprised if…

Read the full comment on Ephesians 4:1-6 →

Ephesians 4:3 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

σπουδάζοντεςspoudazontesbeing diligentG4704
τηρεῖνtēreinto keepG5083
τὴνtēntheG3588
ἑνότηταhenotētaunityG1775
τοῦtouof theG3588
πνεύματοςpneumatosSpiritG4151
ἐνeninG1722
τῷtōtheG3588
συνδέσμῳsundesmōbondG4886
τῆςtēs<the>G3588
εἰρήνης,eirēnēsof peace,G1515

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ephesians 4:3

  • 1 Corinthians 1:10

    Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

  • Colossians 3:13-15

    Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

    For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

  • John 13:34

    A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

  • Romans 14:17-19

    For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

  • Hebrews 12:14

    Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

  • 2 Corinthians 13:11

    Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

  • John 17:21-23

    That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

  • James 3:17-18

    But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:13

    And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

  • Ephesians 4:4

    There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
4; Joh 13:34; 17:21-23; Ro 14:17-19; 1Co 1:10; 12:12,13; 2Co 13:11
Col 3:13-15; 1Th 5:13; Heb 12:14; Jas 3:17,18

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Ephesians 4:2

    With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

  • Ephesians 4:3

    Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

  • Ephesians 4:4

    There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

Read all of Ephesians 4

Ephesians 4:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Solícitos á guardar la unidad del Espíritu en el vínculo de la paz.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		vous appliquant à garder l’unité de l’Esprit par le lien de la paix.
German
Elberfelder 1871		euch befleißigend, die Einheit des Geistes zu bewahren in dem Bande des Friedens.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		solliciti servare unitatem Spiritus in vinculo pacis.