All together now

Major Nigel Bovey gives the score on unity

Key text

• Ephesians 4:1-16

Like many YP band members of the 1960s, my introduction to the world of brass music came through the Unity Series. These full-blown marches and selections are written in the component soprano, alto, tenor and bass of four-part harmony, with mellifluous euphonium adding colourful interest.

In our study passage, unity is Paul’s keynote. He trumpets ‘make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit’ (v3) and talks about ‘unity in the faith’ (v13). He augments this theme with motifs such as ‘one’ (vv4 to 6), ‘all’ (vv6 and 13) and ‘whole’ (vv10 and 13).

Before examining the message, we need to unearth the context. Why is Paul banging the drum for unity?

Simply because – just as he majored on love to the unloving Corinthians – there is disunity in Ephesus. There is discord, the root of which strikes a chord; an issue in which Paul is historically and emotionally invested.

Some years earlier, Paul fell out with Peter. He accused Peter of hypocrisy over his attitudes and actions towards Gentile Christians (see Galatians 2:11–21). Now, Paul faces a replay.

Paul had invested heavily in the church in the Greek city of Ephesus, winning Jewish and Gentile converts (see Acts 19). Little wonder that the imprisoned Paul is desperate for them to enjoy the freedom and unity of the Spirit.

Ephesus was the epicentre of worship of the goddess Artemis. A temple erected in her honour – one of the seven wonders of the ancient world – had stood for hundreds of years and the city had prospered from devotee pilgrimages. Growing up in such a place would have made it easy for a local to have worshipped Artemis. In contrast, in such God-less culture, it would have been difficult to have been a devout Jew.

Gentile and Jewish converts, therefore, would have made different but equally life-changing journeys to their new-found faith in Christ. Possibly, because of their new allegiance, Gentile and Jewish Christians faced opposition from their families and former worshipping communities.

Tragically, both parties are seeing only their grievance and counting their own cost; neither is appreciating what the other is paying and how they are hurting.

The problem, as in many congregations, is one of expectation of other people – Jewish Christians expected Gentile Christians to be circumcised. Instead of confronting the issue, the Ephesian church had divided into two camps and engaged in name-calling (see Ephesians 2:11–13). On the surface, it looks like a culture war between Jewish and Gentile believers over an aspect of religious observance – equivalent to today’s tiffs over uniform, commitment or ‘worship’ songs. But it goes deeper than that. The question is: What does a Christian look like?

The word Paul uses for ‘unity’ – henotes – comes from heis, meaning ‘one’. Unity, therefore, is ‘oneness’. What does Paul’s unity look like?

Unity is being united. Knowing that oneness is precious and fragile, Paul urges his readers to ‘make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit’ (v3). The word ‘effort’ here is spoudazo, meaning ‘earnestness’, ‘diligence’ or ‘eagerness’. It is tough to make an effort to see another’s point of view while pouring energy into substantiating ours.

This ‘every effort’ means treating people who see things differently to us with love, humility, gentleness, patience and forbearance (see v2). There are no shortcuts.

Pause and reflect

• How readily do you consider where other people are coming from?

Unity is unique. Paul’s first development of the unity theme is to go double forte on the concept of ‘one’. Seven times he strikes ‘one’: body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, God (see vv4 to 6). He reminds his readers that – despite their cultural differences – they all experience a common new life through God’s unique salvation plan.

Unity is uniform. Again, looking beyond his readers’ culturally ingrained norms and values, Paul stresses the all-inclusive, whosoever generosity of God: ‘To each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it’ (v7). The Father has no favourite children. Referring to Gentiles and Jews, Paul writes ‘God does not show favouritism’ (Romans 2:11).

Unity is universal. Whereas we might have a tick list of qualifications to be a Christian in terms of prerequisite lifestyle, God rules no one out. Christ’s resurrection and ascension mean that God’s grace now fills ‘the whole universe’ (v10).

Pause and reflect

• What kind of person do you think can’t become a Christian?

Unity is not unison. Singing from the same hymn sheet does not require singing the same notes. Where else the harmony! Within a church there are different roles – apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers – requiring different skills and giftings. Just as the source is common – ‘Christ himself’ – so is the aim – ‘to equip his people for works of service’ (vv11 and 12).

It’s OK to be different. We don’t all have to do the same things or be involved in the same aspects of corps life. Equally, we are allowed an opinion. How, whether and to whom we express it will either enhance or detract from unity.

Pause and reflect

• How much do you want people to fit your idea of what it means to be a Christian?

Unity is unibody. Beyond being nice to each other and getting by on Sundays, there is a greater purpose to unity within a congregation. Paul links unity with becoming a mature body of people that understands and practises the gospel. The more it exercises love, the stronger it will become (see vv14 to 16).

Jesus gave only one indication as to how the Church would grow: ‘By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another’ (John 13:35). Love won another?