Time after Pentecost · Proper 13 · Year B
Ephesians 4:1-16
Unity in the Body of Christ
August 1, 2027
Overview & Insights
“There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” (Ephesians 4:4–5)
Chapter 4 begins what often is referred to as the ethical or practical section of the epistle. If chapters 1–3 provide the theological basis for Christian unity, then chapters 4–6 contain the practical instruction for its maintenance. Unity has been established (the indicative); now it becomes the duty of the believers to strengthen and maintain unity in their fellowship (the imperative).
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Commentary
Working Preacher: Commentary on Ephesians 4:1-16 Working Preacher
Lutheran lectionary commentary on the unity and gifts of the one body.
Enduring Word: Ephesians 4 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the whole chapter.
CEP: Ephesians 4:1-16 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching commentary on keeping the unity of the Spirit.
BibleHub: Commentaries on Ephesians 4:1 BibleHub
Parallel classic commentaries keyed to the call to walk worthy.
StudyLight: Ephesians 4 Commentaries StudyLight
Many complete commentaries on Ephesians 4 gathered on one passage page.
Background & Word Study
Enter the Bible: Ephesians Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's scholarly introduction to the letter and its setting.
BibleProject: Ephesians Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of the argument and themes of Ephesians.
BibleHub: Ephesians 4 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek-English interlinear for word-level study of the chapter.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What is the unity of the Spirit?
Paul urges the church to walk worthily with humility and patience, eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, for there is one body, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.
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