Quick Devotional from Ephesians 4:3 (Observation from the Greek)

This is from my daily Greek exercise of sight reading a few weeks ago, courtesy of Vincent S Artale Jr.

Our text is Ephesians 2:4. Here’s my translation:

“ELABORATION 3 σπουδάζοντες τηρεῖν τὴν ἑνότητα τοῦ πνεύματος ἐν τῷ συνδέσμῳ
Being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bondage of

τῆς εἰρήνης”
peace

Here’s some observation:

1. Unity of the Church is important.  It is important enough for Paul to command the church at Ephesus to keep this.
2. “Being diligent” is a Present participle and has the idea of continuously doing.  Keeping the unity of the church cannot be a one time action.
3. The source of this unity is the Spirit.  Meditated upon this truth: The same Spirit who worked mightily in the Exodus narrative (see Isaiah 63:11-14) and in the early Church is the same Spirit who is able to work in your life and your church to bring about unity!
4. The manner of peace is identified: “in the bondage of peace.”  Why would anyone put themselves in any bondage, even the bondage of peace?  It is because of God’s grace already given to us concerning peace, note the following in the book of Ephesians:
   1. At the start of the book Paul’s salutation is a call upon God to give the church peace!  Note: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:2)
   2. Christ’s work is to bring about peace!  Note:
      1. “For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall” (Ephesians 2:14)
      2. “by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace” (Ephesians 2:15)
      3. “And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near” (Ephesians 2:17)
   3. The Gospel itself is a message define by peace with God!  Note: “and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15)
   4. At the end of the book Paul’s closing is a call upon God to give the church peace!  Note: “Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:2).

Application:

• Do you see the importance of unity of the church?
• Are you actively working towards the unity of the church?
• Have you rely on the Spirit instead of merely yourself and others for the unity of the church?
• How do you rely on the Spirit?  Have you prayed for the unity of the church?
• How do you rely on the Spirit?  Have you been motivated to pursue peace and unity given the peace God has given you through the Gospel and also through union with Christ?
• How do you rely on the Spirit?  If the source of the unity is the Spirit we should see how the fruit of the Spirit contribute to the Church’s unity.  How are you bearing fruit of the Spirit?  It is worth studying from Scripture the fruit of the Spirit in your own personal study to cultivate the fruit mentioned.

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