The bond of peace creates unity, which finds expression in the Holy Spirit. from Ephesians 4:1-3
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: Ephesians 2:13-16
The blood of Christ makes us nigh — “squeezes together” those who were at a distance.
The hedge, (middle wall) was the whole Mosaic economy which separated Jew from Gentile. Vincent.
This was the enmity, now abolished, one new man results, and peace. The bond of peace is Calvary, a bloody cross.
Needless to say, this unity was accomplished when Jesus died. It is not something that needs to be accomplished future tense. but is something permanent, added to the Christian at the point of salvation. When we received Christ , we received peace , for He is our peace. (Ephesians 2:14) For this reason Paul writes to the Ephesians, keep the unity.
A Christian does not make unity. He simply keeps it.
Now. we are to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
And then future, we come to another unity, the unity of faith. (verse 4:13). With this unity of faith, we enter into what Paul calls the perfect man. As we come into the knowledge of the son of God, we can enter into the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. This “faith” unity substantiates the unity of Christ’s accomplished unity.
In Ephesians 4, between these two kinds of unity we realize that:
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (v. 4:4-6)
And, “…unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Ephesians4:7
Barnes comments, “All have enough for the purposes for which God has called them into his kingdom, but there are not the same endowments conferred on all. Some have grace given them to qualify them for the ministry; some to be apostles; some to be martyrs; some to make them eminent as public benefactors. All this has been obtained by Christ; and one Should not complain that another has more distinguished endowments than he has;”
Paul here admonishes lowliness in the presence of another’s excellence; meekness in suffering injury; long-suffering under provocation; forbearance toward the trying mistakes and failures of others. Remember that the unity of the Church, as the body of Christ, is already made; but it is for us to maintain it. We must avoid whatever in word or deed would break it. F.B. Meyer
“Paul now quotes Psalm 68. “When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.”
Vincent again, ” The captives are not the redeemed, but the enemies of Christ’s kingdom, Satan, Sin, and Death.”
Colossians 2:15 parallels the thought, “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. “
In closing, Paul now refers us to the many gifts to the church which have been given for this unifying of the body of Christ. Included are apostles; prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.” and these For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Finally, “faith” is not equivalent to “creed,” or truth believed, but the act of believing; so here the consummation which the ministers of the Church are given to bring about is a state in which faith in the Son of God shall characterize all, and that, not a blind faith, but a faith associated with knowledge.” Pulpit Commentary
Paul, in the book of Philippians, admitted that he had not yet attained to this kind of perfection of faith.
Beloved, let us love one another, for charity is the bond of perfection. Love ya
Be First to Comment