Ephesians 4:3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. I. WHAT IS TO BE KEPT. "The unity of the Spirit" — the unity of which the Holy Spirit is the Author: that oneness of believing men in Christ which is the Spirit's new creation. It must be an unity corresponding in its nature and character to the nature and character of Him who is its Author and Creator. 1. Look at its outward manifestation. 2. The real seat of this unity is within, in the heart. II. THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IS TO BE KEPT. 1. There must be an endeavour to keep it. And the endeavour must be most earnest and most strenuous. 2. There is a bond provided for keeping this unity. The bond of peace. The endeavour, strenuous and sustained as it must be, is not to be the endeavour of violence or excitement. It is no desperate groping and struggling in the dark that is required. The unity of the Spirit is to be sedulously kept. But the keeping of it is to be quiet, calm, peaceful. The bond, the girdle, which is to be the means of keeping it, is peace. (R. S. Candlish, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.WEB: being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. |
    |