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Ephesians 4

Eph. 4:3 KJV (With Strong’s)

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3
Endeavoring
spoudazo (Greek #4704)
to use speed, i.e. to make effort, be prompt or earnest
KJV usage: do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study.
Pronounce: spoo-dad'-zo
Origin: from 4710
to keep
tereo (Greek #5083)
to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from 5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from 2892, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), i.e. to note (a prophecy; figuratively, to fulfil a command); by implication, to detain (in custody; figuratively, to maintain); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried)
KJV usage: hold fast, keep(- er), (pre-, re-)serve, watch.
Pronounce: tay-reh'-o
Origin: from τερός (a watch; perhaps akin to 2334)
the unity
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
henotes (Greek #1775)
oneness, i.e. (figuratively) unanimity
KJV usage: unity.
Pronounce: hen-ot-ace'
Origin: from 1520
of the Spirit
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
pneuma (Greek #4151)
a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit
KJV usage: ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare 5590.
Pronounce: pnyoo'-mah
Origin: from 4154
in
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
the bond
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
sundesmos (Greek #4886)
a joint tie, i.e. ligament, (figuratively) uniting principle, control
KJV usage: band, bond.
Pronounce: soon'-des-mos
Origin: from 4862 and 1199
of peace
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
eirene (Greek #1515)
peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity
KJV usage: one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.
Pronounce: i-ray'-nay
Origin: probably from a primary verb εἴρω (to join)
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More on:

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Peace,
Spirit

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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Eph. 4:4• 4There is one body and one Spirit, as ye have been also called in one hope of your calling; (Eph. 4:4)
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John 13:34• 34A new commandment I give to you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. (John 13:34)
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John 17:21‑23• 21that they may be all one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
 22And the glory which thou hast given me I have given them, that they may be one, as we are one;
 23I in them and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and that thou hast loved them as thou hast loved me. (John 17:21‑23)
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Rom. 14:17‑19• 17for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
 18For he that in this serves the Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men.
 19So then let us pursue the things which tend to peace, and things whereby one shall build up another. (Rom. 14:17‑19)
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1 Cor. 1:10• 10Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all say the same thing, and that there be not among you divisions; but that ye be perfectly united in the same mind and in the same opinion. (1 Cor. 1:10)
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1 Cor. 12:12‑13• 12For even as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of the body, being many, are one body, so also is the Christ.
 13For also in the power of one Spirit *we* have all been baptised into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bondmen or free, and have all been given to drink of one Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:12‑13)
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2 Cor. 13:11• 11For the rest, brethren, rejoice; be perfected; be encouraged; be of one mind; be at peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. (2 Cor. 13:11)
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Col. 3:13‑15• 13forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any should have a complaint against any; even as the Christ has forgiven you, so also do *ye*.
 14And to all these add love, which is the bond of perfectness.
 15And let the peace of Christ preside in your hearts, to which also ye have been called in one body, and be thankful. (Col. 3:13‑15)
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1 Thess. 5:13• 13and to regard them exceedingly in love on account of their work. Be in peace among yourselves. (1 Thess. 5:13)
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Heb. 12:14• 14Pursue peace with all, and holiness, without which no one shall see the Lord: (Heb. 12:14)
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James 3:17‑18• 17But the wisdom from above first is pure, then peaceful, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, unquestioning, unfeigned.
 18But the fruit of righteousness in peace is sown for them that make peace. (James 3:17‑18)
• What comes from the Spirit is always one; why are we not all agreed? Because our own minds work; if we had only what we have learned from the Scripture, we should be all the same. (“Thoughts on Ephesians 4” by J.N. Darby)
• This unity of the Spirit is not similarity of sentiment, but the oneness of the members of the body of Christ established by the Holy Spirit, maintained practically by a walk according to the Spirit of grace. It is evident that the diligence required for the maintenance of the unity of the Spirit relates to the earth and to the manifestation of this unity on the earth. (“Ephesians 4-5” by J.N. Darby)
• We are not to tolerate evil against the Lord; but wherever it is that which injures us, longsuffering is the word. (“Remarks on Ephesians 4:1-6” by W. Kelly)
• “Endeavoring”—showing all needed earnestness—not to make, but “to keep the unity of the Spirit.” It is something already made by the Spirit which we have to maintain or observe. (“Remarks on Ephesians 4:1-6” by W. Kelly)
• "in the bond of peace" The flesh is anxious and restless: a peaceful spirit is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and mightily contributes to the binding together of hearts in practice. (“Remarks on Ephesians 4:1-6” by W. Kelly)
• “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” It is not the unity of our spirits, but the unity of the Spirit. (“Remarks on Ephesians 4:1-6” by W. Kelly)

J. N. Darby Translation

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using diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the uniting bondc of peace.

JND Translation Notes

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c
It is not only "bond," but the "bond-together." It is not the power of union -- that is the Holy Spirit; but the practically uniting in fact, as amongst men on earth.

W. Kelly Translation

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using diligencea to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace:

WK Translation Notes

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a
The word "endeavoring" fails to give the real force of the word employed by the Spirit of God. To "endeavor" in the ordinary language of the day is habitually applied to that which men essay or seek after, even if they have not a hope of accomplishing. They feel that they may fail, but at any rate they try or "endeavor" to do this or that. Such is not the meaning of the word here, but rather zeal in heeding and carrying out what is already true, giving diligence. This, however, shows that not mere effort to attain, but earnestness to maintain, is the exhortation intended.