thinking bible.

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how does this 'unity of the spirit' relate to the kind of unity jesus prayed for his followers to have with him and the father in john 17?

The passage, plainly, with room to sit with it.

Ephesians 4:3

eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

The Apostle Paul wrote this letter from prison to Christian believers in Ephesus, probably around the 60s CE. In chapter 4, he pivots from theological teaching to practical exhortations, urging them to live in a way that reflects their calling, starting with unity within the community.

How might actively preserving peace contribute to a deeper spiritual connection with others?

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Read alongside it

  • John 17:21

    This is where Jesus prays for his followers to be one, just as he and the Father are one.

  • Colossians 3:14

    Paul describes love as the bond of perfectness or unity, connecting it to peace and spiritual formation.

  • Psalm 133:1

    This psalm celebrates the goodness and pleasantness of brothers dwelling together in unity.

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