Ephesians 4:4 kjv
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Ephesians 4:4 nkjv
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
Ephesians 4:4 niv
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;
Ephesians 4:4 esv
There is one body and one Spirit ? just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call ?
Ephesians 4:4 nlt
For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.
Ephesians 4 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eph 4:4 | There is one body | Foundation of unity |
| 1 Cor 12:12 | For as the body is one, and hath many members... and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. | Unity through Christ's body |
| Col 1:18 | And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. | Christ as the Head of the Church |
| Rom 12:5 | So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. | Interdependence of believers |
| Gal 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. | Breaking down social barriers |
| 1 Cor 10:17 | For we are many, we eat of one bread: the one loaf of bread. | Communion signifying unity |
| Acts 2:44 | And all that believed were together, and had all things common; | Early church's shared life |
| John 17:21 | That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. | Christ's prayer for unity |
| Eph 2:14 | For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; | Christ uniting Jews and Gentiles |
| Eph 4:3 | Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. | Call to preserve unity |
| Eph 5:30 | For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. | Intimate connection to Christ |
| Phil 1:27 | That ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; | Unity in purpose and spirit |
| 1 Thes 5:23 | And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. | Sanctification of the whole person |
| Heb 12:23 | To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, | Heavenly assembly of believers |
| 1 Cor 6:17 | But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. | Union with Christ |
| Eph 1:22-23 | And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. | Christ's supremacy over the church |
| Col 3:15 | And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. | Peace as the unifying principle |
| Rom 14:7 | For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. | Interdependence in life and death |
| 1 Cor 12:13 | For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. | Spiritual baptism into one body |
| Eph 4:1-3 | I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering; forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. | Preceding call to unity |
Ephesians 4 verses
Ephesians 4 4 Meaning
There is one body. This signifies the unified spiritual organism of all believers in Christ, irrespective of their earthly differences.
Ephesians 4 4 Context
Ephesians chapter 4 addresses the unity of the church and the conduct that preserves it. Paul urges believers to live a life worthy of their calling, emphasizing humility, gentleness, patience, and love as foundational to maintaining unity. This specific verse, Ephesians 4:4, introduces the basis for this unity: the oneness of the body of Christ. The subsequent verses will elaborate on the "one Spirit," "one hope," "one Lord," "one faith," "one baptism," and "one God and Father," all of which contribute to the singular identity of believers. The historical context involves the early church, a diverse group composed of Jews and Gentiles, who needed to be reminded of their shared identity in Christ, transcending their former divisions.
Ephesians 4 4 Word Analysis
- There: Demonstrative pronoun.
- is: Present tense of the verb "to be." Indicates a present reality.
- one: Adjective indicating singularity and unity. Refers to indivisible oneness, not mere numerical unity.
- body: Noun. In this context, it refers to the Church, the spiritual body of believers, with Christ as its Head. This metaphor emphasizes organic unity, interdependence, and shared life.
Words-group Analysis:
- "one body": This phrase encapsulates the core concept of the Church's unity in Christ. It signifies a single, cohesive spiritual entity formed by all who are united with Christ, regardless of their earthly backgrounds or individual gifts. This unity is not manufactured by human effort but is a divinely established reality through the indwelling Spirit.
Ephesians 4 4 Bonus Section
The concept of the "body of Christ" is a central Pauline metaphor, first extensively developed in 1 Corinthians 12, where Paul explains the diversity of gifts within the unified body. Ephesians 4 builds upon this, emphasizing the unity aspect more directly as the ground for Christian conduct. The unity is divinely given and is spiritual, not merely organizational or visible. This verse serves as the bedrock upon which the subsequent declarations of "one Spirit," "one hope," etc., are built, all contributing to the unique and unified identity of the Church in Christ. This unity is an objective fact to be recognized and preserved through intentional, Spirit-led actions.
Ephesians 4 4 Commentary
The foundational truth of the Church's unity is established here: "There is one body." This single body is the mystical body of Christ, a spiritual organism encompassing all true believers. This unity is not an aspirational goal that believers must create, but a divinely constituted reality they must acknowledge and strive to maintain. This oneness means that every believer, whether Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female, is integrated into a single, inseparable whole. All members share in Christ's life, his benefits, and his identity.
- Practical Application: Recognizing this "one body" should foster a profound sense of solidarity and love among believers, overcoming divisions and promoting mutual respect and support.