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how does paul's call for unity in ephesians relate to jesus's prayer for unity in john 17?

Adds the setting and its conversation across both testaments.

Ephesians 4:1-3

“I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love; being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

The Apostle Paul, writing from prison, addresses believers in Ephesus (a major city in Asia Minor) around the early 60s CE. Following a foundational section on God's work in Christ, Paul shifts to practical instructions for Christian living, emphasizing the unity of the church as a body made up of diverse members.

What practical steps could I take today to 'keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace' within my own communities?

Then — the setting

Paul wrote this letter from prison, likely in Rome or Ephesus, around 60-62 CE. The church in Ephesus was a vibrant but diverse community, comprising both Jewish and Gentile believers. Paul had spent significant time there, and his letter aims to solidify their understanding of Christian identity and conduct. The call for unity was crucial in a context where different cultural backgrounds, previous religious practices, and social standings could easily lead to fragmentation, especially given the Roman Empire's multi-ethnic urban centers. The emphasis on 'lowliness and humility' was counter-cultural in a society that valued honor and status.

Across the Testaments

The main passage is in the New Testament. While Paul's call for unity in Ephesians 4 focuses on the practical outworking of Christian community, Jesus's prayer in John 17 (also New Testament) lays the theological foundation. Jesus prays for his disciples' unity, echoing the unity He shares with the Father, specifically 'that the world may believe that you sent me.' Paul then applies this high theological vision to the everyday life of the church, detailing the attitudes and actions necessary to 'keep' this unity. Both emphasize that this unity is not merely organizational, but spiritual and relational, demonstrating God's presence to the world.

Keep thinking

Read alongside it

John 17:20-23
Jesus's prayer for the unity of his followers 'that the world may believe' serves as the spiritual blueprint for Paul's exhortations.
Colossians 3:12-15
Paul similarly encourages virtues like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience as foundations for peace and unity.
1 Corinthians 1:10
Paul directly confronts divisions in the Corinthian church, urging them to agree and be united in mind and thought.

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