Devine Scripture

Ephesians 4:3

What does Ephesians 4:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 4:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 4:3 means

Unity is God’s work, but it requires our diligence to preserve it. The “unity of the Spirit” exists because the Spirit has made us one in Christ. Our task is to keep it, not create it. The “bond of peace” is the tie that holds us together—peace with God and one another through the gospel. Such unity does not mean uniformity, but a shared life held together by reconciliation. Believers must be eager, not indifferent, to maintain this peace, addressing conflicts quickly and charitably. The Spirit unites; our sinful flesh divides. Therefore, careful, persistent peacemaking is part of walking worthily. It honors the God who has reconciled us and displays the gospel’s power.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Taking care to keep the harmony of the Spirit in the yoke of peace.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of the peace;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

using diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the uniting bond of peace.

Context

This verse completes the immediate call to relational virtues (verse 2) by stressing intentional effort. It serves as a hinge to the theological basis for unity in verses 4–6. Paul will soon recite the realities that already bind Christians together—one body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, and God and Father (verses 4–6). The charge to “give diligence” sets the tone: believers actively preserve what God has given. Next, Paul will ground this exhortation in shared spiritual facts that make unity both possible and necessary.

v.2with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

v.3This passage

v.4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 14:17

    for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

  • Hebrews 12:14

    Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord:

  • 1 Corinthians 1:10

    Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

  • 2 Corinthians 13:11

    Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

  • James 3:17

    But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.

  • John 17:21

    that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me.

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