Unity in the Spirit Is Maintained Through Intentional Effort
“Being eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the uniting bond of peace.” — Ephesians 4:3
This verse lies at the heart of Paul’s appeal to the church in Ephesus—a call to preserve unity, not by neglecting truth, but by embracing the humility, patience, and peace that Christ requires among his people. The book of Ephesians, written by Paul during his Roman imprisonment around 60–62 C.E., is structured in two halves: chapters 1–3 unfold the doctrinal foundation of God’s work in Christ, while chapters 4–6 apply that foundation to the believer’s life in the church, family, and world.
Ephesians 4:3 stands at the beginning of this practical section. Here Paul exhorts Christians to preserve the unity already established by the Holy Spirit. This unity is not based on emotions, social agendas, or shared preferences—it is based on shared doctrine, mutual submission to Christ, and the work of the Spirit in calling believers into one body.
Unity in the body of Christ is not automatic. It must be maintained. It must be guarded. And it must be pursued with diligence, self-discipline, and truth.
“Being eager to maintain…”
The Greek word translated “being eager” is σπουδάζοντες (spoudazontes), which means to make every effort, to be diligent, to be zealous. This is not passive. It is not a suggestion. It is a command for urgent, intentional action. Paul is not saying “let unity happen.” He is saying “work hard to keep it intact.”
This verb is in the present tense, indicating continuous action. Unity must be preserved every day, through every trial, against every temptation to divide. Believers are commanded to pursue peace with one another, not to wait for others to act first.
The fact that Paul says “maintain” (Greek: τηρεῖν, tērein) rather than “create” is significant. Unity of the Spirit already exists for all who are truly in Christ. It was created by the Spirit at conversion, when each believer was baptized into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13). The task of the Christian is not to manufacture unity, but to keep it—to preserve what God has already accomplished.
“…the unity of the spirit…”
This phrase refers to the spiritual unity that the Holy Spirit creates among true believers. This is not institutional uniformity. It is not based on human agreement or organizational structure. It is a spiritual reality rooted in shared salvation, mutual submission to Christ, and obedience to the Word.
The unity of the Spirit is doctrinal in nature. It is not vague or mystical. It is rooted in one Lord, one faith, one baptism (Ephesians 4:5). It is defined by truth, not by feelings. It cannot exist where false doctrine prevails. Thus, while Paul urges believers to preserve unity, he never calls them to compromise truth for the sake of false peace.
Real unity is the byproduct of shared belief in the gospel, shared obedience to the commands of Christ, and shared reverence for the authority of Scripture. Where this foundation is abandoned, unity is only superficial. But where this foundation is honored, unity is spiritual, durable, and powerful.
“…in the uniting bond of peace.”
Paul concludes with the means by which this unity is preserved: the uniting bond of peace. The Greek word for “bond” (σύνδεσμος, syndesmos) denotes something that fastens or holds together, such as ligaments that join parts of the body. Peace is not just the goal—it is the binding force that holds believers together in Christ.
But peace here does not mean mere absence of conflict. It means reconciliation rooted in the gospel, self-control in personal conduct, and forgiveness in interpersonal relationships. It is the product of humility, gentleness, patience, and love—traits Paul describes just one verse earlier (Ephesians 4:2).
Peace is not sustained by avoiding confrontation or by silencing truth. It is maintained by dealing with one another in love, truth, and discipline, without pride or vengeance. When members of the body refuse to forgive, harbor bitterness, or act selfishly, they sever the ligaments of peace. But when they exercise restraint, speak graciously, correct humbly, and walk in the Spirit, peace binds them together like unbreakable cords.
Application: How Christians Must Maintain Unity
Be eager and proactive Do not wait for others to create harmony. Be zealous to protect the unity of the Spirit in your congregation, your family, and your relationships.
Refuse to divide over selfish ambition Most church conflicts are not about doctrine—they are about pride, offense, or control. Humble yourself. Submit to others. Seek reconciliation early.
Do not confuse unity with compromise Unity of the Spirit is rooted in truth. It does not mean accepting error, tolerating false teaching, or avoiding confrontation. It means speaking truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
Pursue peace with patience Unity requires time, effort, and patience. People grow at different paces. Correct gently. Endure wrongs. Choose peace, even when it costs.
Let Christ be the center of every relationship Peace comes not from personalities or preferences, but from shared submission to Jesus. When all parties look to Christ, they are drawn together in purpose and affection.
Conclusion: Preserve What God Has Already Built
Ephesians 4:3 is a call to guard the spiritual unity given by the Holy Spirit. It is a command to stay vigilant, to pursue peace actively, and to deal with one another in humility and grace. Unity is not optional for the Christian—it is part of his calling.
The Spirit has joined us in one body. Let us not tear apart what He has brought together. Let us not tolerate bitterness, arrogance, or division. Let us not confuse man-made harmony with the unity of the Spirit. Instead, let us labor, daily and diligently, to keep the peace that honors Christ and reflects His character.
“Being eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the uniting bond of peace.”
Let this verse govern your interactions, your thoughts, and your behavior—so that the church may be united, strong, and a living testimony to the wisdom of God.
EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
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