One Body, One Spirit, One Hope Ephesians 4:4

Paul the apostle desired for the Ephesian church members to “walk worthy” of their “vocation” and to do so with all “lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love”. He also wanted them to “endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”. In chapter four and verse four of his letter to them, Paul shares how there is “one body, one Spirit” and “one hope” where we read:

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling;

The verse begins, “There is one body, and one Spirit,...” Paul began with the words, “There is one body” which means “a large or small number of men closely united into one society or family”, “and one Spirit” which refers to “the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit who is coequal and coeternal with the Father and the Son”. Paul declared only “one” unified “body” and only “one” “Holy Spirit”.

The verse goes on to say, “...even as you are called in one hope of your calling;” Paul added, “even as you” which refers to “the Ephesian church members” “are called” which means “invited, given a name and saluted by one name” “in one hope” or “expectation of good, confidence and anticipated pleasure” “of your calling” which means “the divine invitation to embrace salvation of God”. The Ephesians were “invited” to “one anticipated pleasure” which was related to the “divine invitation” of “God's Salvation”.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we realize he has remained with the idea of a “unified” church. Although there are many different styles to churches, there is only “one” true “body” of Christ. In addition, Paul made sure the Ephesians knew there is only “one” Holy Spirit “even as” they were “invited” to “one expectation of good and anticipated pleasure”. Jesus Christ made all this possible, and as we manifest His “body”, the church”, in this world, let us bear witness that we are “unified” even as He is toward everyone who responds to His “calling”.

Next time Paul shares about “one Lord, one faith” and “one baptism”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.