and with diligenceThis phrase emphasizes the importance of intentional effort and commitment. In the biblical context, diligence is often associated with perseverance and careful attention to one's duties.
Proverbs 4:23 advises believers to guard their hearts with diligence, highlighting the necessity of vigilance in spiritual matters. The call to diligence here suggests that maintaining unity requires active participation and is not a passive endeavor.
to preserve the unity of the Spirit
The unity of the Spirit refers to the oneness that believers share through the Holy Spirit. This unity is a gift from God, established through the work of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. InJohn 17:21, Jesus prays for His followers to be one, just as He and the Father are one, indicating that this unity is both spiritual and relational. The early church, as seen inActs 2:42-47, exemplified this unity through communal living and shared faith. The preservation of this unity is crucial for the witness of the church in the world.
through the bond of peace
The bond of peace is the means by which unity is maintained. Peace, in the biblical sense, is more than the absence of conflict; it is the presence of harmony and wholeness.Colossians 3:15 encourages believers to let the peace of Christ rule in their hearts, which serves as a guiding principle for interactions within the body of Christ. The bond of peace can be seen as a type of covenantal relationship, reflecting the peace that Christ established between God and humanity through His sacrifice. This peace is both a gift and a responsibility, requiring believers to actively pursue reconciliation and harmony with one another.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Paul the ApostleThe author of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings.
2.
EphesusA major city in Asia Minor, Ephesus was a center of commerce and culture. The Ephesian church was diverse, consisting of both Jewish and Gentile believers.
3.
The Holy SpiritThe third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit is central to the unity of believers, as emphasized in this passage.
Teaching Points
Unity as a Divine MandateThe Greek word for "unity" (henot?s) implies a oneness that is divinely orchestrated. Believers are called to actively maintain this unity, recognizing it as a gift from God.
The Role of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the source of unity among believers. Our efforts to maintain unity should be Spirit-led, relying on His guidance and strength.
Peace as a Binding ForceThe "bond of peace" suggests that peace acts as a glue that holds the community together. Christians are encouraged to pursue peace actively in their relationships.
Effort and IntentionalityThe phrase "make every effort" (spoudazontes) indicates diligence and intentionality. Unity requires active participation and commitment from each believer.
Practical Steps for UnityEngage in open communication, practice forgiveness, and prioritize love in interactions with others to foster unity within the church.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Ephesians 4:3?
2.How can we "keep the unity of the Spirit" in our church community?
3.What practical steps promote "the bond of peace" in personal relationships?
4.How does Ephesians 4:3 connect with Jesus' teachings on unity and peace?
5.Why is maintaining unity important for the witness of the Christian faith?
6.How can prayer support efforts to "preserve the unity of the Spirit"?
7.How does Ephesians 4:3 define the concept of unity in the Spirit?
8.What historical context influenced Paul's message in Ephesians 4:3?
9.How does Ephesians 4:3 challenge modern Christian communities to maintain peace?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Ephesians 4?
11.How can we maintain unity in the spirit of peace?
12.What were the main outcomes of the Lateran Councils?
13.What was the purpose of the Council of Constance?
14.What defines a Union Church?What Does Ephesians 4:3 Mean
With diligence• Paul urges purposeful exertion: “Make every effort” (Ephesians 4:3). Living faith is never passive (compare2 Peter 1:5, “make every effort to add to your faith virtue,”).
• Diligence guards against indifference.Proverbs 4:23 reminds, “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life”.
• Such focused zeal honors the Lord who “gave Himself for us to redeem us” (Titus 2:14). We work hard because Christ worked completely.
To preserve• The call is not to create unity but to keep what the Spirit already established. “O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you” (1 Timothy 6:20) pictures the same careful stewardship.
• Preservation implies watchfulness. Jesus warned His disciples, “Stay awake and pray” (Matthew 26:41). Unity erodes when vigilance fades.
• Practical steps:
– Quickly address offenses (Matthew 5:24).
– Refuse gossip (Proverbs 16:28).
– Step toward reconciliation (Romans 12:18).
The unity of the Spirit• Believers are “baptized into one body” by “one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13). Unity is a gift rooted in our shared new birth.
• Jesus prayed, “that they may be one as We are one” (John 17:22–23), linking our unity to His own relationship with the Father.
• This unity transcends background, status, and culture (Galatians 3:28). We stand shoulder to shoulder as redeemed people, not rivals.
Through the bond of peace• Peace is the ligature holding unity together.Colossians 3:14–15 calls love “the bond of perfect unity” while urging, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts”.
• Christ Himself is our peace (Ephesians 2:14). When His calm authority governs us, relational fractures heal.
• Pursue peace actively:
– Speak words that build up (Ephesians 4:29).
– Choose gentleness over retaliation (James 3:17–18).
– Seek mutual edification (Romans 14:19).
• Peace is not mere absence of conflict; it is the presence of Christ-shaped harmony that tightens the cords of fellowship.
summaryEphesians 4:3 calls every believer to a vigorous, ongoing commitment: work hard to safeguard the Spirit-given unity of Christ’s body by living in peace with one another. Diligence keeps us alert, preservation keeps us faithful, the Spirit’s unity keeps us humble, and the peace of Christ keeps us bound together in love.
-3
Ephesians 4:12-16 return from diversity of functions to singleness of object--viz., the perfecting individual souls in the likeness of Christ, and so building up of the whole Church in unity with Him.
Verse 3. -
Striving to keep the unity of the Spirit.
Σπουδάζοντες is stronger than the A.V. "endeavoring," and denotes an object to be carefully and earnestly watched for and promoted. "The unity of the Spirit" is equivalent to the unity of which the Spirit is the Author. In all in whom he works savingly, the Spirit produces a certain oneness in faith, in repentance, in knowledge, in their views of sin, grace, Christ, the world, etc. This oneness exists, and cannot but exist, even when Christians are not careful of it, but the
manifestation of it is lost; it seems to the world as if there were no such oneness. "Many men, many minds," says the world, when believers differ much and contend much, and are at no pains to preserve and manifest the unity wrought by the Spirit. It is due to the Spirit, as well as to the interests of the kingdom of God, that the unity of the Spirit be maintained
in the bond of peace. The genitive,
εἰρήυης, is commonly held to be that of apposition, the bond which consists of peace - a peace-loving spirit, a spirit laying more stress on the points in which Christians agree than those in which they differ. Those who are combative, censorious, careless of peace, do not walk worthy of their vocation.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
[and] with diligenceσπουδάζοντες(spoudazontes)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4704:To hasten, be eager, be zealous. From spoude; to use speed, i.e. To make effort, be prompt or earnest.to preserveτηρεῖν(tērein)Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 5083:From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold.theτὴν(tēn)Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.unityἑνότητα(henotēta)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1775:Oneness, unity, unanimity. From heis; oneness, i.e. unanimity.of theτοῦ(tou)Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.SpiritΠνεύματος(Pneumatos)Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151:Wind, breath, spirit.throughἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.theτῷ(tō)Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.bondσυνδέσμῳ(syndesmō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4886:That which binds together; a band, bond. From sun and desmon; a joint tie, i.e. Ligament, uniting principle, control.of peace.εἰρήνης(eirēnēs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1515:Probably from a primary verb eiro; peace; by implication, prosperity.
Links
Ephesians 4:3 NIVEphesians 4:3 NLTEphesians 4:3 ESVEphesians 4:3 NASBEphesians 4:3 KJV
Ephesians 4:3 BibleApps.comEphesians 4:3 Biblia ParalelaEphesians 4:3 Chinese BibleEphesians 4:3 French BibleEphesians 4:3 Catholic Bible
NT Letters: Ephesians 4:3 Being eager to keep the unity (Ephes. Eph. Ep) 
