Which other scriptures reinforce the concept of unity in Ephesians 4:4? Ephesians 4:4 in focus “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;” The “one body” echoed elsewhere • 1 Corinthians 12:12–13 — “For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body, so also is Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink.” • Romans 12:4–5 — “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, so we who are many are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” • Colossians 3:15 — “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.” • Colossians 1:18 — “And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence.” The “one Spirit” affirmed • 1 Corinthians 6:17 — “But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit.” • 1 Corinthians 2:12 — “Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.” • John 14:16–17 — “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.” The “one hope” celebrated • Titus 1:2 — “in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.” • 1 Peter 1:3–4 — “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you.” • Colossians 1:5 — “because of the hope reserved for you in heaven, of which you have already heard in the word of truth, the gospel.” Jesus’ own prayer for unity • John 17:20–23 — “I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. … I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me.” Practical calls to live the unity we already share • Philippians 2:1–2 — “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.” • Colossians 3:12–14 — “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. … And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.” • 1 Corinthians 1:10 — “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction.” • Psalm 133:1 — “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” Putting it all together Ephesians 4:4 anchors us in the reality that God has already made us one body, indwelt by one Spirit, sharing one glorious hope. The passages above echo and expand that truth, urging every believer to embrace and express the unity Christ purchased, so the watching world sees a living picture of the gospel. |
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