Unity In Ephesians

There are several references to unity in the epistle to the Ephesians, about relationships to Christ, to fellow Christians, to family and to the outside world. Never is it implied that those concerned will be unified by becoming exact copies of each other. That is uniformity rather than unity. For example, in the sixth chapter, advice is given to promote unity between masters and servants, yet it is not suggested by Paul that it can be achieved by abolishing the distinctions of master and servant. Some sociologists might reason that unity could be attained by dropping all thought of these differences and all becoming fellow‑workers of equal standing, but that is not in the Bible. In the heavenly realms unity prevails but stars differ in glory. We do well to remember that Paul is writing to Christians, though all may profit by his advice. Servants (v.5) are urged to do their part in securing unity by obeying their human masters in singleness of heart as though they were serving Christ. At times this admonition will be irksome to Christians whose masters are sharp men of the world. It will not be easy for the Christian when faced with orders that border on sharp practice to decide what to do. Duty to God is, of course, the greater obligation: but he will find that as his master gets to know his principles and practice he will honour him. It is by doing these "good works" for the master (usually unknown to fellow Christians) that the reputation of the servant is enhanced. If on the other hand the Christian fails in his duty of obedience, the master will be the first to judge his religious pretensions. From Paul's words it is clear that the onus is on the servant faithfully to serve, not with a view to securing favours; but having the satisfaction of knowing that obedience to an earthly master is noted by his Master in heaven. Paul also gives advice to those who are masters (v.9), for unity is best attained when both parties contribute to that end. Servants should give loyal service but masters must not be overbearing and remember that like the servant they have a Master in heaven who deals impartially with all. Often in this world the servant will have a master who is not in the faith and a Christian master will have unbelieving servants; yet Paul's does not allow either party to act differently in such circumstances. There will be times when master and servant will need to face some problem which will test their loyalty to Christ their Master. We may hesitate to give advice from the Word when particular difficulties occur between them, having been tested ourselves but we note that these problems in life give the Christian opportunity to let his or her light shine before men. Such problems invariably are met when one is without the help of other members. Hence faithful service and faithful management receives the heavenly Master's approval and he who sees in secret will reward openly. Apart from Christian duty all know that in business, in factory and in field, unity and wellbeing increase when employers and employees act in accordance with the Apostle's advice, even though neither may know that he had so written.

Again in Ephesians 6 we find the basis of unity between parents and children. Here we find that to achieve unity both parents and children must contribute something. We have all met those parents who quote "Children obey your parents" yet do not appear to know the remainder of the sentence or they avoid quoting it. Usually these parents have not followed the advice of v.4. The first step in family unity, as v.2 says, is that children should honour their parents. Where there is little respect for parent's disobedience is rife. Parents will be spared many problems if they have "brought their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord". Difficulties increase when either or both the parents are not Christians; or the children as they grow up do not embrace the faith 'and want to live their own lives'. Again all of us will be loath to advise what to do in particular cases. One can but say that Paul's words give the basis upon which we should act and leave it at that. As we think over these words of Paul and review our own lives, we will admit that we could have done better than we have. Blessed are those parents who having brought up their children in the fear of the Lord, receive the reward of having their children reach manhood and wholeheartedly accept the faith. That does not always follow and some of the great men of the Bible had sons who did not follow in their footsteps.

In chapter 5, Paul teaches that unity can be secured between husband and wife. This is subsidiary to his teaching of Christ and the Church. The unity of the one is used by him as a picture of the other; and this should always be in mind when we hear the modern world criticizing Paul's use of the word "submit" in v.22. It is not unusual nowadays to hear that his words on family relationships are unsuited to present conditions although the critics have not given a better basis of unity. Even if Paul were only discussing husband and wife, it would be unfair to him to forget his words in verses 25 and 33. Nor may we discuss his advice to wives without mentioning also his words to the husbands and we have to admit that the closing words of the section are most reasonable.

Let us not dismiss these practical precepts from the Bible on the grounds that our own master, or children, or wife or husband are not covered by this advice. We are all prone to think that our home or business life is an exception. Some of us may pass over the sundry obligations of the last three chapters of Ephesians because of our liking for the great church truths of the first three. The advice is given in the latter part, because Paul having declared such glorious things realizes that we must in all phases of life, walk worthy of our calling. How inconsistent it would be for those who hope to be unified with their God and their Saviour for eternity, to fail in their associations with their fellow men and their families! Perhaps we prefer to meditate on the unity of Christ and the Church as revealed by His sacrifice for them in giving Himself. Maybe we would rather think about His work cleansing them by the Word, and eventually present them to himself, a glorious church free of all blemish and wrinkle. That achieved there will indeed be unity. But that will result from what He has done for the church; they contribute very little. NT teaching is that He has done all, and we accept. That truth underlies the word "submit" in Eph.5:22. In the relationships of master and servant, parents and children, unity is formed by each doing something to that end. In the relationship of Christ and His church the work is predominantly His and we thankfully submit. Without question we accept all that He has done and so we become united to him. Our great sense of debt always remains in our minds and our thanks though inadequate keep us united to him. In the same way, if husband and wife feel indebtedness to each other, they will be unified.

Still reviewing the Ephesian points of unity in the reverse order from what they were written, we come to the well‑known seven parts of unity (making one whole) mentioned in the 4th chapter. In fact the first sixteen verses deal with the subject, concluding with that perfect figure of unity, the head and body. The first three verses show how the unity prompted by the Holy Spirit may be maintained; and the words lowliness, meekness and longsuffering show just what Paul had in mind. These are the virtues which, if unity is to exist in the church, will smooth over the differences of opinion that so easily disunite any community. The opposite of these principles makes for discord in the church and in the world. Many of mankind's troubles arise from the lack of forbearance with others. No dictator would ever succeed had he lowliness of mind and meekness, and none will advance far in the world today whose hearts are thus controlled. But in the church we can all contribute and possibly because of that Paul mentioned them before the seven points of unity of verses 4‑7. One of the seven links of unity is the 'one faith' and immediately we are aware that our definition of 'the faith' may not suit other members' opinions. It may be well not to single out one phase and stress it to the detriment of the other six. We should also hesitate to say that any of the seven is the most important. All are important and all are links in a chain without a weak link. If that is so we can dispense with the ancient slogan "in essentials unity, in doubtful matters liberty and in all things charity" as being unsuitable for Christian problems. The slogan has its good points but the Bible is a better mentor for us all.

The last one the apostle mentions, "One God and Father of all, who is above all, through all, and in all" provides us with a great truth towards church unity. If we can gather all that is meant in the prepositions (above, through and in) we shall see that the other phases of unity, including the one faith, are parts of His purpose. For this God and Father is the one who has formed the one body. From Him the one Spirit emanates; from Him the one hope of our calling has reached our ears. He is the Father of the Lord who died for us; who framed the one true faith, and who has baptized us by the one Spirit into the one body. Paul must be referring to a relatively small body within the larger company of believers, a little flock owning but one Master, animated by one Spirit, and governed by one God and Father, united even in this world.

In the second chapter Paul writes of a time prior to the First Advent when the favoured people Israel had the promises and blessings of God. During that long period the outside world of Gentiles had no hope in God and were without knowledge of Him and His purposes So dissimilar was the status of the two that he refers to the one as being 'near to God' and the other as 'far off'. This enmity has been changed to unity by the cross of Christ reconciling both to God in one body spoken of in Ephesians 4. Those in Israel who accept His atoning work will be nearer to God than ever they were under the law of Moses. The Gentiles will now be alongside them and as near to God as they are because both will be "in" Christ. Thus unity is made not only by the two parties being united to each other, but both are united to God, in one new man, so making peace. In this truth we see once more that the blessedness we now enjoy in Christ is due to what has been done for us and to which we have not contributed. But the unity thus made for us we maintain by following the instructions of the fourth chapter.

In the first chapter there is revealed that unity which is the purpose of the ages. There we see (v.10) the Divine purpose is to unite all earthly peoples and worlds beyond our ken (and it is reasonable to think, worlds yet to be inhabited) under one Head. It is difficult to imagine the glorious outcome of this pre‑determined plan, but one thing will satisfy the hearts of all Christians that all things will be united under the Lord Jesus Christ, an honour most justly due, for He is before all things and by Him all things consist.

BJD