One

Ephesians 4:4-6

Being "bound together", as described in the latter part of verse three, has the purpose of unity, not enslavement or co-dependence (in the clinical sense). Paul emphasizes this point, and its origins in verses four through six.

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in * all. New Heart English Bible NHEB (c) 2009

4 εν σωμα και εν πνευμα καθως [και] εκληθητε εν μια ελπιδι της κλησεως υμων 5 εις κυριος μια πιστις εν βαπτισμα 6 εις θεος και πατηρ παντων ο επι παντων και δια παντων και εν πασιν WHNU

The word "one" is used seven times in the NHEB, and likewise in the Greek. Numerologists would suggest this implies the notion of spiritual perfection or truth, as is commonly associated with the number seven (http://carm.org/what-biblical-numerology). Whether the number "one" appears seven times is a calculated presentation, or it appears seven times merely because Paul had made all the emphasis he desired to make, or some combination of both, and whether or not we should get excited about such things is debatable, it is unmistakable that its repeated use indicates a very, very strong emphasis on the matter at hand.

Verse 4 "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling NHEB" εν σωμα και εν πνευμα καθως [και] εκληθητε εν μια ελπιδι της κλησεως υμων WHNU "one body and one spirit just as also you have been called in one hope of your calling MP" Paul begins this passage where verse three left off, the unity of the believers. He reminds them there is truly only one Body of Christ, there is only one Holy Spirit, and there is only one Hope into which all true believers have been called (note the use of the aorist passive; we do not seek His calling, He calls us). These elements transcend race, nationality, socio-economic status, political views, and yes, even denominations and church memberships. When believers focus on what our Lord has commanded us to do, which is to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world, we experience this transcendent unity. When we get distracted by man-made derivatives to that command, our unity likewise suffers.

Verse 5, "one Lord, one faith, one baptism, NHEB" εις κυριος μια πιστις εν βαπτισμα WHNU Of what does our calling consist? Our Lord Jesus Christ, the ONLY begotten Son of God; our faith, which is a gift from Him (see Ephesians 2:8-9); and our baptism, our symbol of a life redeemed by Christ. Every true believer has the same Lord, the same saving faith, and demonstrates a life which has been called unto the one hope through baptism (I do not suggest baptismal regeneration nor that baptism is part of a salvation "formula", rather, I suggest every true believer will seek to be baptized as a result of his salvation, to identify himself with Christ, and that it is the Holy Spirit which will compel him in that direction).

Verse 6, "one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all NHEB" εις θεος και πατηρ παντων ο επι παντων και δια παντων και εν πασιν WHNU Everything that precedes verse 6 is summed up into God, Who, being eternal and unchanging in nature, establishes the unity whom He has called. His reach is supremely transcendent, nothing escapes His reach or dominion. "Over all", "through all", "in all" -- there is nothing outside His will or control, and He is the premier source of our unity through Jesus Christ, our ONE Lord, His ONE Son.

We wage battle for the souls of men, women, boys, and girls, and too often, we fight one another in the process, and allow the enemy to have more apparent strength than he should. Let us, therefore, set our minds on the transcending elements and persons of our calling, lock arms, and proclaim the Gospel of Christ to a world that yet needs to hear.