endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Truth to Learn
Our service within the church should promote unity and peace.
Behind the Words
“Endeavoring” is translated from spoudadzō. This word is derived from the noun spoudē, meaning “speed.” However, by implication and common usage, spoudē refers to eagerness or diligence. Thus, spoudadzō (expressed here as a participle) means “being eager,” “making haste,” or “being diligent.”
The verb “keep” is from tereō, which means “to watch” or “to guard from loss or injury.” It is the word used of a soldier keeping guard over a prisoner.
“Unity” is translated from henotēs, which is derived from heis, referring to the number “one.” Therefore, we can see that henotēs literally refers to “oneness” or “unity.”
“Bond” is from the Greek word sundesmos. This is a compound word made up of sun, meaning “together” and a dorm of deō, meaning “to bind” or “to tie.” Thus, sundesmos refers to that which binds things together.
Meaning Explained
Paul is in the midst of teaching us how to behave as we perform the function to which we have been called within the church. Throughout his writings, the Apostle repeatedly uses two analogies when referring to the church. One is “the body of Christ” and the other is “the temple of God.” At the end of chapter two of this letter, he referred to us (both Jews and Gentiles) as being building materials in the temple, the dwelling place of God. Later in this chapter he will refer to us as part of the body in which “every part does its share.”
In yesterday’s verse we were instructed about our attitudes while fulfilling our calling: we are to have an attitude of humbleness about ourselves, and we are to have an attitude of gentleness and long-suffering toward others as we work to build up other members of the body. Now Paul tells us why those attitudes are of such importance. As the body of Christ, we are one body. We are no longer separated from the Jews and from God’s covenants. And, even though there are numerous denominations and designations by which we refer to ourselves, we are one body, the body of Christ.
Therefore, through our attitudes of humility, gentleness, and longsuffering, we are to be eagerly diligent in maintaining the unity of the body of Christ. But this is not to be done through human effort and strength; it is to be done through the power of the Holy Spirit. When this unity is accomplished by the Holy Spirit within us, peace will be the bond that holds us all together.
Before we leave this subject, let me present this word of caution. Keeping peace within the church does not mean allowing each of us to believe whatever we want. Remember, Paul taught us doctrine before he taught us duty. What we believe is just as important as how we behave. Although God hates division within the body, He hates heresy even more.
Application
As you perform your calling within the body of Christ, your goals should be to serve God with humility, to build up others with gentleness, and to build a bond of peace with others.
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.