Devine Scripture

Ephesians 4:5

What does Ephesians 4:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 4:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 4:5 means

Unity also gathers around one Lord—Jesus Christ, the Master and Savior whom all Christians confess. There is one faith—the common trust in Christ and the core message about Him received by the church. There is one baptism—the sign of initiation into Christ and His body. While believers may differ on modes or timing, the reality symbolized is singular: union with Christ by faith and incorporation into His people. This verse keeps unity Christ-centered. Diverse backgrounds and gifts are subordinated to allegiance to the same Lord, the same gospel, and the same covenant sign. To divide where Christ unites is to contradict the very confession that all Christians share.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

One Lord, one faith, one baptism.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

Context

Continuing the sevenfold unity (verses 4–6), verse 5 focuses squarely on Christ and the common response to Him. It follows the Spirit and hope of verse 4 and sets up the climactic reference to the Father in verse 6. These phrases likely echo early Christian confession. They remind readers that the church’s oneness is anchored in shared lordship, shared belief, and a shared sacrament. Paul will next lift their eyes to the one God and Father, from whom and for whom this unity exists.

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

v.5This passage

v.6one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 1:2

    unto the church of God which is at Corinth, eventhem that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, calledto besaints, with all that call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, theirLordand ours:

  • 2 Corinthians 11:4

    For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if ye receive a different spirit, which ye did not receive, or a different gospel, which ye did not accept, ye do well to bear with him.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:13

    For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit.

  • Acts 2:36

    Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.

  • Hebrews 6:6

    and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

  • Philippians 2:11

    and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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