3
So I mistakenly posted the study on Ephesians 4:4 before this study on Ephesians 4:3, sorry for the confusion. Anyways, isn’t the picture of this peace sign great?! It brings back memories of the 60’s and 70’s for many of us. Peace in the world is good when found, but the peace offered from God surpasses anything we may be able to accomplish here on this earth. God’s family are able to be united His Spirit and when we concentrate on what we have in common in Christ, we can enjoy peace as His children looking forward to the same future, having the same purpose.
Eph 4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
The first verse of Ephesians 4 presents a charge to us to act like children of God. The second verse of this chapter answers the question ‘How is this done, what does it look like’. Now, we move on to the third verse and we will see the results of following God’s commands, the reason why it is so important to pay attention to this exhortation from Paul.
The words given to us in these first few verses of Ephesians 4 are not a one-time action, rather, they are continuous. We are to continually be walking in a manner worthy, continually having a character of humility and gentleness, continually responding with patience and long-suffering to one another. In other words, the idea of ‘I was patient’ doesn’t really measure up to this charge. Instead, our course is one of perpetual effort.
Ephesians 4:3 begins with the words ‘being diligent’ in the NAS translation. We also find these first few words translated as endeavoring in the KJV, giving diligence in the ASV and eager to maintain in the RSV.
When I looked up the Greek word <spoudazo>, the first definition given was ‘to use speed’, in other words to make an effort, to be prompt or earnest. Following ‘to use speed’ were the words to give diligence, to be diligent, to endeavor, to labor, to study.
There is no mistake that again what we see is a continuous work, a lifelong pursuit, a habitual way of thinking and acting as we walk along our course of honoring God.
Consider. What does diligence look like? WordWeb says: 1. Quietly and steadily continuing a task despite any difficulties, and 2. Characterized by care and perseverance in carrying out tasks. What is the opposite of being diligent? Negligence! Accordingly, a good question to ask ourselves may be, ‘Are we negligent in our efforts to walk worthy as a child of God’?
Negligence is not a quality any of us would like associated with ourselves! It means we’re not taking care of our responsibilities. Those who are negligent lack concern and fail to act reasonably. This is different than simply making a mistake. It is continually lacking discretion or discernment. This is not good.
We are to take seriously our responsibilities as God’s children – all the time, in each circumstance, weighing carefully what God would have us do, according to what His word says. The characteristics of walking worthy – humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance – all work together in preserving our unity as a family of God.
Almost every summer, I will spend time preserving the fruit from our trees. It is a bit of work but the payback is keeping the quality of fruit as fresh tasting as possible. Preserving it means it won’t spoil as it may if left alone in an environment where the temperature and bugs will eventually take over and cause it to go bad.
We are to be careful to keep unity among ourselves as followers of Christ. We are to preserve it. In order to do this, we may need to frequently be reminded of what the previous verse of Ephesians chapter 4 says: with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love. It takes effort, work and care to preserve unity in the body of Christ. We need to be diligent in our protection of oneness. Paul knew this was difficult, hence the fact that he implores us in his words to take action.
Practically speaking, what does a heart of humility and gentleness, acting with patience, hanging in there for the long run, look like? My best answer to this question is to look at Christ’s own actions towards each one of us. His humility and gentleness, His patience and forbearance, all out of love. I am so very thankful God did not give up on me. Who am I to not treat a brother or sister in Christ with the same consideration?
God’s church is made of people who act and think differently. But, in the Spirit, we are bonded together as one. Oneness, unity. Children of God have the unified Spirit of understanding Jesus as Lord and Savior. The acceptance of Jesus’ death on the cross and victory of Jesus’ rising from the dead – this acceptance of our need provides our common thread of oneness. We are joined in the Holy Spirit as we strive to walk worthy. The church at Ephesus which Paul addresses in Ephesians, was a combination of Jews and Gentiles coming from different backgrounds, the Jews were expected to follow the Law while the Gentiles were not held to it. You can see right away the problem and hear the words being muttered, ‘It’s not fair’. This statement may seem an appropriate response, but then we need to think upon our own standing in Christ. Is it fair that I’m saved? What did I do to earn this gift? Of course, the answer is nothing – nada – zip. Strife could easily have been a problem yet Paul stressed the necessity of laboring to preserve unity among them. There was only one church, not a Jewish church nor a Gentile church, but the Church of Christ. The different denominations we have in the world now were not in existence then.
Albert Barnes’ NT Commentary says the unity of the Spirit “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 goes on to say, “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.”
This unity described in Ephesians 4:3 comes from within the hearts of God’s children. It can’t just be outward motions because it won’t last, we will get tired, and we will fail. It must come from an understanding of our oneness within. Despite all our differences, we have much in common.
1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Verses 4-6 go on to explain our unity and peace as believers. We can either destroy one another in our differences or come alongside one another in our sameness.
Eph 2:12-18 [remember] that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both [groups into] one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, [which is] the Law of commandments [contained] in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, [thus] establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
Matthew Poole’s Commentary on Ephesians 4:3 referring to the words, ‘in the bond of peace’, states, “in peace as the bond which keeps the members or parts of the church together, which by dissensions are dissipated and scattered. The first step to this unity is humility, for where that is not, there will be no meekness nor forbearance without which unity cannot be maintained”.
Joh 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
Ro 14:17-19 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who in this [way] serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
1Co 1:10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.
2Co 13:11 Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Col 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 which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Jas 3:17-18 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Consider. We can either concentrate on our differences or choose to be unified in our purpose. In Christ, we are united. We are sinful creatures saved by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, in need of His guidance through the Holy Spirit, looking forward to the promise of heaven.
