Ephesians 4:1-6
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Unity of the Spirit
4 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have beencalled, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There isone body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in onehope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
Unity:
- etymology unos unitas - latin
- implications: Many people not in conflict with one another.
- compared with harmony absence of conflict - unity's end result is harmony an supportive of each other.
Spiritual harmony is: unity of the spirit in the bond of peace
If not spiritual it is temporal.
Why is it called unity of the spirit?
3 important reasons:
1. Because it is produced by the Holy spirit.
Unity of the spirit has 2 nouns. Technical info: Linguistically, "Spirit" is genitive adjectival producer
2. Because it is primarily doctrinal (spiritual teachings) in nature.
Technical info: Unity is translated from heis (one)
3. Because it is protected by (sustained by the efforts of) spiritual persons
Technical info: unity: Greek accusative case. Direct object or primary recipient of the verb action.
The unity among believers is brought about by the holy presence of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the people.
The unity among believers is strengthened by a disciplined study of the doctrines of the scriptures.
Ephesians 4 teaches: Spiritual harmony is both a goal and a sign of the level of spiritual maturity.
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