Ephesians 4:3

Ephesians 4:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
• New International Version (NIV)Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
• English Standard Version (ESV)eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
• New King James Version (NKJV)endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Context of Ephesians 4:3

1So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called [that is, to live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior—a life that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation], 2with all humility [forsaking self-righteousness], and gentleness [maintaining self-control], with patience, bearing with one another in [unselfish] love. Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful]. 4There is one body [of believers] and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when called [to salvation]— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Ephesians 4:3 word by word

σπουδάζοντες τηρεῖν τὴν ἑνότητα τοῦ πνεύματος ἐν τῷ συνδέσμῳ τῆς εἰρήνης,Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Endeavouringσπουδάζωspoudazō · be eagerG4704
• to keepτηρέωtēreō · to keep: protectG5083
• the unityὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the unityἑνότηςhenotēs · unityG1775
• of the Spiritπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the bondσύνδεσμοςsundesmos · bond(age)G4886
• of peaceεἰρήνηeirēnē · peaceG1515

Cross-references for Ephesians 4:3

• Ephesians 4:4There is one body [of believers] and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when called [to salvation]—
• John 13:34I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another.
• John 17:21that they all may be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe [without any doubt] that You sent Me.
• Romans 14:17for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [what one likes], but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
• 1 Corinthians 1:10But I urge you, believers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in full agreement in what you say, and that there be no divisions or factions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your way of thinking and in your judgment [about matters of the faith].
• 1 Corinthians 12:12For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ.
• 2 Corinthians 13:11Finally, believers, rejoice! Be made complete [be what you should be], be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace [enjoy the spiritual well-being experienced by believers who walk closely with God]; and the God of love and peace [the source of lovingkindness] will be with you.
• Colossians 3:13bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:13and [we ask that you appreciate them and] hold them in the highest esteem in love because of their work [on your behalf]. Live in peace with one another.
• Hebrews 12:14Continually pursue peace with everyone, and the sanctification without which no one will [ever] see the Lord.
• James 3:17But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile].

Commentaries on Ephesians 4:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3Endeavouring 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…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3The 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 into 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3through the bond of peace: Paul emphasizes that God accepts both Gentiles and Jews (2:11–3:6). This acceptance should guide behavior. Jews and Gentiles should accept each other in the church (see Colossians 3:14–15).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2-32-3. 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 injuries done us by men, out of the thought…Read the comment

Topics related to Ephesians 4:3

• Commandments
• Communion
• Holy Spirit
• Peace
• Unity

In the dictionaries

• Bands
• Bitterness
• Bond
• Communion
• Compact
• Dark
• Ephesians, Epistle to
• Forbear
• Grieve
• Lasciviousness

Commentaries on Ephesians 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings