Ironically, this little verse about unity has caused more fighting, more division, and more heartache than almost any other verse…
Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3)
There are Christian groups teaching it is your responsibility, it is your work, and it is your endeavor that makes the unity in this verse. These groups teach unity is the result of correct doctrine, the result of correct walk, and the result of correct practices. Therefore, they teach, you have to keep all of their rules and regulations in order for there to be unity.
Nothing could be farther from the truth. Let’s start by looking at the Greek word in this verse, which is translated: keep, maintain, preserve, and guard…
G5083 téreó — which means: to hold firmly: τήν ἑνότητα τοῦ πνεύματος, Ephesians 4:3; anything as a mental deposit, τήν πίστιν, 2 Timothy 4:7; Revelation 14:12 –Thayer’s Greek Lexicon
Endeavoring to keep[G5083 téreó ] the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3 KJV)
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept[G5083 téreó ] the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7 KJV)
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep[G5083 téreó ] the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation 14:12)
It’s a shame that people who require works to “keep the unity” don’t believe the next verse. There is one body. Not, there should be one body if you obey God, or there can be one body if you do your work, no “ifs” at all. There is one body regardless of what you try to do or don’t do. Even if you separate yourself from every other Christian on earth and claim to be the One True Church, it doesn’t change this truth one iota.
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. (Ephesians 4:4-6 KJV)
The word, which is translated “keep” in Ephesians 4:3 means “to hold firmly” just as the Apostle Paul “held firmly” to faith.
Nobody would say the Apostle Paul created faith, or preserved faith, or improved faith. Nobody would say the saints created the commandments, preserved the commandments, or improved the commandments. Why do some teachers claim you can create unity, or preserve unity, or improve unity?
Nobody would say the Apostle Paul could have destroyed faith by not keeping it. Nobody would say the saints could have destroyed the commandments by not keeping them. Why do some teachers claim you can destroy unity by not endeavoring to keep it?
I can’t judge hearts, I can’t judge motives, and I can’t judge sin. Jesus Christ will do that at the right time (Rom 14:10; 2 Cor 5:10) However, if we keep reading in Ephesians, we find this warning from God against anyone who is trying to build a private little kingdom inside the church…
You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. (MSG Ephesians 4:4-6)
Which reminds me of a story. A man walked into church one day carrying a huge load of wood and some simple tools. He walked up the aisle and dropped his supplies in the main aisle. Then, he started sawing wood and nailing it together. The noise and confusion brought the whole service to a stop. In utter astonishment, the preacher looked down at the man and asked, “What are you doing?” Without even looking up from his work, the man replied, “I’m building a church.” In exasperation, the preacher bellowed, “Look around you man, look where you are.”
Sometimes we need the same admonition. If you are trying to create unity, if you are trying to preserve unity, or if you are trying to improve unity, then you are just as blind to reality as the man in the story. Jesus Christ created unity. He wants us to live in it.