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Text -- Ephesians 4:5 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: TRINITY, 2 | TRINE IMMERSION; TRIUNE IMMERSION | SACRAMENTS | One God | GOD, 3 | EPHESIANS, EPISTLE TO THE | Communion | Church | COMMON | Baptism | BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT | BAPTISM (LUTHERAN DOCTRINE) | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , Defender , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , PBC , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes


Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , Combined Bible , Maclaren , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Eph 4:5 - -- One Lord ( heis Kurios ). The Lord Jesus Christ and he alone (no series of aeons).

One Lord ( heis Kurios ).

The Lord Jesus Christ and he alone (no series of aeons).

Robertson: Eph 4:5 - -- One faith ( mia pistis ). One act of trust in Christ, the same for all (Jew or Gentile), one way of being saved.

One faith ( mia pistis ).

One act of trust in Christ, the same for all (Jew or Gentile), one way of being saved.

Robertson: Eph 4:5 - -- One baptism ( hen baptisma ). The result of baptizing (baptisma ), while baptismos is the act. Only in the N.T. (baptismos in Josephus) and eccl...

One baptism ( hen baptisma ).

The result of baptizing (baptisma ), while baptismos is the act. Only in the N.T. (baptismos in Josephus) and ecclesiastical writers naturally. See note on Mar 10:38. There is only one act of baptism for all (Jews and Gentiles) who confess Christ by means of this symbol, not that they are made disciples by this one act, but merely so profess him, put Christ on publicly by this ordinance.

Vincent: Eph 4:5 - -- Faith The principle of faith; not that which is believed - the body of Christian doctrine, which does not promote unity. See on Act 6:7.

Faith

The principle of faith; not that which is believed - the body of Christian doctrine, which does not promote unity. See on Act 6:7.

Vincent: Eph 4:5 - -- Baptism The external sign of faith, but of no significance without the Lord and the faith. Baptism is emphasized instead of the Eucharist, becaus...

Baptism

The external sign of faith, but of no significance without the Lord and the faith. Baptism is emphasized instead of the Eucharist, because the latter assumes and recognizes unity as an established fact; while faith and baptism precede that fact, and are essential to it. Baptism, moreover, is not administered to the Church as a body, but to individuals, and therefore emphasizes the exhortation to each member to be in vital union with the whole body.

Wesley: Eph 4:5 - -- One outward baptism.

One outward baptism.

JFB: Eph 4:5 - -- Similarly "faith" and "baptism" (the sacramental seal of faith) are connected (Mar 16:16; Col 2:12). Compare 1Co 12:13, "Faith" is not here that which...

Similarly "faith" and "baptism" (the sacramental seal of faith) are connected (Mar 16:16; Col 2:12). Compare 1Co 12:13, "Faith" is not here that which we believe, but the act of believing, the mean by which we apprehend the "one Lord." "Baptism" is specified, being the sacrament whereby we are incorporated into the "one body." Not the Lord's Supper, which is an act of matured communion on the part of those already incorporate, "a symbol of union, not of unity" [ELLICOTT]. In 1Co 10:17, where a breach of union was in question, it forms the rallying point [ALFORD]. There is not added, "One pope, one council, one form of government" [Cautions for Times]. The Church is one in unity of faith (Eph 4:5; Jud 1:3); unity of origination (Eph 2:19-21): unity of sacraments (Eph 4:5; 1Co 10:17; 1Co 12:13): unity of "hope" (Eph 4:4; Tit 1:2); unity of charity (Eph 4:3): unity (not uniformity) of discipline and government: for where there is no order, no ministry with Christ as the Head, there is no Church [PEARSON, Exposition of the Creed, Article IX].

Clarke: Eph 4:5 - -- One Lord - Jesus Christ, who is the governor of this Church

One Lord - Jesus Christ, who is the governor of this Church

Clarke: Eph 4:5 - -- One faith - One system of religion, proposing the same objects to the faith of all

One faith - One system of religion, proposing the same objects to the faith of all

Clarke: Eph 4:5 - -- One baptism - Administered in the name of the holy Trinity; indicative of the influences, privileges, and effects of the Christian religion.

One baptism - Administered in the name of the holy Trinity; indicative of the influences, privileges, and effects of the Christian religion.

Calvin: Eph 4:5 - -- 5.One Lord In the first Epistle to the Corinthians, he employs the word Lord, to denote simply the government of God. “There are differences of ...

5.One Lord In the first Epistle to the Corinthians, he employs the word Lord, to denote simply the government of God.

“There are differences of administration, but the same Lord.”
(1Co 12:5)

In the present instance, as he shortly afterwards makes express mention of the Father, he gives this appellation strictly to Christ, who has been appointed by the Father to be our Lord, and to whose government we cannot be subject, unless we are of one mind. The frequent repetition of the word one is emphatic. Christ cannot be divided. Faith cannot be rent. There are not various baptisms, but one which is common to all. God cannot cease to be one, and unchangeable. It cannot but be our duty to cherish holy unity, which is bound by so many ties. Faith, and baptism, and God the Father, and Christ, ought to unite us, so as almost to become one man. All these arguments for unity deserve to be pondered, but cannot be fully explained. I reckon it enough to take a rapid glance at the apostle’s meaning, leaving the full illustration of it to the preachers of the gospel. The unity of faith, which is here mentioned, depends on the one, eternal truth of God, on which it is founded.

One baptism, This does not mean that Christian baptism is not to be administered more than once, but that one baptism is common to all; so that, by means of it, we begin to form one body and one soul. But if that argument has any force, a much stronger one will be founded on the truth, that the Father, and Son, and Spirit, are one God; for it is one baptism, which is celebrated in the name of the Three Persons. What reply will the Arians or Sabellians make to this argument? Baptism possesses such force as to make us one; and in baptism, the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Spirit, is invoked. Will they deny that one Godhead is the foundation of this holy and mysterious unity? We are compelled to acknowledge, that the ordinance of baptism proves the existence of Three Persons in one Divine essence.

Defender: Eph 4:5 - -- Whether this "one baptism" refers to Spirit baptism or water baptism has been extensively argued. Since both aspects of baptism are taught in the Bibl...

Whether this "one baptism" refers to Spirit baptism or water baptism has been extensively argued. Since both aspects of baptism are taught in the Bible, with water baptism being the visible sign and testimony to the Spirit's baptism, and since no modifying words or phrases are attached to the word here to identify it as one or the other, it is probable that both aspects are in view. It is implied that both go together in one unifying reality (see 1Co 12:13, note; Rom 6:3-5, note)."

TSK: Eph 4:5 - -- One Lord : Act 2:36, Act 10:36; Rom 14:8, Rom 14:9; 1Co 1:2, 1Co 1:13, 1Co 8:6, 1Co 12:5; Phi 2:11, Phi 3:8 one faith : Eph 4:13; Rom 3:30; 2Co 11:4; ...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Eph 4:5 - -- One Lord - This evidently refers to the Lord Jesus. The "Spirit"is mentioned in the previous verse; the Father in the verse following. On the a...

One Lord - This evidently refers to the Lord Jesus. The "Spirit"is mentioned in the previous verse; the Father in the verse following. On the application of the word "Lord"to the Saviour, see the notes on Act 1:24. The argument here is, that there ought to be unity among Christians, because they have one Lord and Saviour. They have not different Saviours adapted to different classes; not one for the Jew and another for the Greek; not one for the rich and another for the poor; not one for the bond and another for the free. There is but one. He belongs in common to all as their Saviour; and he has a right to rule over one as much as over another. There is no better way of promoting unity among Christians than by reminding them that they have the same Saviour. And when jealousies and heart-burnings arise; or when they are disposed to contend about trifles; when they magnify unimportant matters until they are in danger of rending the church asunder, let them feel that they have one Lord and Saviour, and they will lay aside their contentions and be one again. Let two men who have never seen each other before, meet in a distant land, and feel that they have the same Redeemer, and their hearts will mingle into one. They are not aliens, but friends. A cord of sympathy is struck more tender than that which binds them to country or home and though of different nations, complexions, or habits, they will feel that they are one. Why should contentions ever arise between those who have the same Redeemer?

One faith - The same belief. That is, either the belief of the same doctrines, or faith of the same nature in the heart. The word may be taken in either sense. I see no reason why it should not include "both"here, or be used in the widest sense, If so used it means that Christians should be united because they hold the same great doctrines; and also, because they have the same confidence in the Redeemer in their hearts, They hold the same system as distinguished from Judaism, Paganism, Mohammedanism, Deism; and they should, therefore, be one. They have the same trust in Christ, as a living, practical principle - and they should, therefore, be one. They may differ in other attachments; in temperament; in pursuit; in professions in life - but they have a common faith - and they should be one.

One baptism - This does not affirm that there is one mode of baptism, but it refers to "the thing itself."They are all baptized in the name of the same Father, Saviour, Sanctifier. They have all in this manner been consecrated unto God, and devoted to his service. Whether by immersion, or by pouring, or by sprinkling, they have all been baptized with water; whether it is done in adult years, or in infancy, the same solemn act has been performed on all - the act of consecration to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This passage cannot be adduced to prove that only one "mode"of baptism is lawful, unless it can be shown that the thing referred to here was the "mode"and not "the thing itself;"and unless it can be proved that Paul meant to build his argument for the "unity"of Christians on the fact that the same "form"was used in their baptism. But this is evidently not the point of his argument.

The argument is, that there was really but "one baptism"- not that there was but one "mode"of baptism. I could not use this argument in this form, "Christians should be one because they have been all baptized by ‘ sprinkling;’ "and yet the argument would be just as forcible as to use it in this form, "Christians should be one because they have all been baptized by ‘ immersion.’ "There is one baptism, not one "mode"of baptism; and no man has a right to "assume"that there can be but one mode, and then apply this passage to that. The "essential thing"in the argument before us is, that there has been a consecration to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, by the application of water. Thus, understood, the argument is one that will be "felt"by all who have been devoted to God by baptism. They have taken the same vows upon them. They have consecrated themselves to the same God. They have made the same solemn profession of religion. Water has been applied to one and all as the emblem of the purifying influences of the Holy Spirit; and having been thus initiated in a solemn manner into the same profession of religion, they should be one. (See Mat 3:6 note and Mat 3:16 note.)

Poole: Eph 4:5 - -- One Lord Christ, viz. as Redeemer, Head, and Husband of the church, to whom, by God’ s appointment, she is immediately subject, 1Co 8:6 Joh 13:1...

One Lord Christ, viz. as Redeemer, Head, and Husband of the church, to whom, by God’ s appointment, she is immediately subject, 1Co 8:6 Joh 13:13 Act 2:36 .

One faith i.e. one object of the faith of all believers, viz. the doctrine of salvation, which is but one.

One baptism both as to the outward symbol, and the thing signified by it.

PBC: Eph 4:5 - -- See PB: Eph 4:4 319

See PB: Eph 4:4

319

Haydock: Eph 4:5 - -- This contains some more reasons why Christians should love one another. We are all servants of the same God, believe the same mysteries, and receive ...

This contains some more reasons why Christians should love one another. We are all servants of the same God, believe the same mysteries, and receive the same sacraments, whoever may be the dispenser of them. ---

One faith. As rebellion is the bane of commonwealths and kingdoms, and peace and concord the preservation of the same; so is schism, and diversity of faith or fellowship in the service of God, the calamity of the Church: and peace, unity, and uniformity, the special blessing of God therein. St. Cyprian, in his book on the unity of the Church, writeth thus: "One Church, for one is my dove. This unity of the Church, he that holdeth not, doth he think he holdeth the faith? He that withstandeth or resisteth the Church, he that resisteth Peter's chair, upon which the Church was built, doth he trust that he is in the Church?" And again, Ep. xl. "There is one God, and one Christ, and one Church, and one chair, by our Lord's voice founded upon Peter. To set up another altar, or to constitute another priesthood, besides the one altar and the one priesthood, is impossible. Whosever gathereth elsewhere scattereth. It is adulterous, it is impious, it is sacrilegious, whatsoever is instituted by man to the breach of God's disposition. Get ye far from such men: they are blind, and leaders of the blink." St. Hilary also applies this text against the Arians thus: "Perilous and miserable is it that there are now among them as many faiths as wills, and as many doctrines as manners; whilst modes of faith are written as men will, or as they will, so are understood. Whereas the one truth teaches there is but one God, one Lord, one baptism, and also one faith: hence whilst more faiths are made, they begin by falling from that which is the only faith, and end in having no faith at all." (St. Hilary, lib. ad Constantium Augustum.)

Gill: Eph 4:5 - -- One Lord,.... The Lord Jesus Christ, who, by right of creation, is Lord of all; and by right of marriage, and redemption, is the one and only Lord of ...

One Lord,.... The Lord Jesus Christ, who, by right of creation, is Lord of all; and by right of marriage, and redemption, is the one and only Lord of his church and people; he has betrothed them to himself, and is their husband, and so their Lord, whom they are to worship and obey; he has redeemed them, he has bought them with the price of his blood, and therefore they are not their own, but his, and should glorify him both with their bodies and souls, which are his; he is the head of his body the church, the King of saints, and Father and master of the family named of him, and therefore they ought to agree among themselves, and not be many masters, and usurp a domination over one another. The Ethiopic version reads, "one God", but that is expressed in the following verse.

One faith; there is but one grace of faith; there are indeed different sorts of faith; there is the faith of miracles, and an historical, temporary faith, but there is but one true grace of faith; and which, though it is in different subjects, and its degrees and acts are various, yet as to its nature, it is like precious faith in all; and has the same author and object, Jesus Christ, and springs from the same cause, the free grace of God, and has equally in all everlasting salvation connected with it, and consequent upon it: and there is but one doctrine of faith; the Gospel is so called, because it consists of things to be believed, is the means of implanting faith, it proposes the object to be believed in, and requires the exercise of it upon it, and should be mixed with faith whenever heard. Now this is but one, and is all of a piece, and consistent with itself, and so should the professors of it be, and love one another in the faith.

One baptism, there were divers baptisms under the law, but there is but one baptism under the Gospel; for John's and Christ's are the same: there are, besides, figurative or metaphorical ones, which are so in an improper sense, as the baptism of the Spirit, and the baptism of blood, or of sufferings; but there is but one baptism, literally and properly so called, which is water baptism; and which is to be administered in one and the same way, by immersion in water; and on one and the same subjects, believers in Christ; and in one and the same name, the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and to be performed but once, when rightly administered.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Eph 4:1-32 - --1 He exhorts to unity;7 and declares that God therefore gives divers gifts unto men;11 that his church might be edified,16 and grow up in Christ.18 He...

Combined Bible: Eph 4:5 - --We share, "one Lord", the Lord Jesus Christ; "one faith", that measure of faith given to us by the Father to bring us to the Cross; "one baptism", the...

Maclaren: Eph 4:5 - --The Threefold Unity' One Lord, one faith, one baptism.'--Eph. 4:5. THE thought of the unity of the Church is very prominent in this epistle. It is di...

MHCC: Eph 4:1-6 - --Nothing is pressed more earnestly in the Scriptures, than to walk as becomes those called to Christ's kingdom and glory. By lowliness, understand humi...

Matthew Henry: Eph 4:2-16 - -- Here the apostle proceeds to more particular exhortations. Two he enlarges upon in this chapter: - To unity an love, purity and holiness, which Chri...

Barclay: Eph 4:4-6 - --Paul goes on to set down the basis on which Christian unity is founded. (i) There is one body. Christ is the head and the Church is the body. No bra...

Constable: Eph 4:1--6:21 - --III. THE CHRISTIAN'S CONDUCT 4:1--6:20 Practical application (chs. 4-6) now follows doctrinal instruction (chs. ...

Constable: Eph 4:1--6:10 - --A. Spiritual walk 4:1-6:9 Paul had explained the unity of Jewish and Gentile believers in the church and...

Constable: Eph 4:1-16 - --1. Walking in unity 4:1-16 He began by stressing the importance of walking (or living) in unity....

Constable: Eph 4:1-6 - --The basis of unity 4:1-6 4:1 "Therefore" or "then" refers to what Paul had said in chapters 1-3. To walk worthily or in balance means to harmonize one...

College: Eph 4:1-32 - --EPHESIANS 4 II. DUTIES: THE CHRISTIAN'S RESPONSE TO SALVATION (4:1-6:24) A. THE CHRISTIAN IN CHURCH LIFE (4:1-16) 1. Unity in the Body (4:1-6) 1 ...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: Ephesians (Book Introduction) The Epistle to the Ephesians From Rome a.d. 63 By Way of Introduction There are some problems of a special nature that confront us about the so-...

JFB: Ephesians (Book Introduction) THE headings (Eph 1:1, and Eph 3:1, show that this Epistle claims to be that of Paul. This claim is confirmed by the testimonies of IRENÆUS, [Against...

JFB: Ephesians (Outline) INSCRIPTION: ORIGIN OF THE CHURCH IN THE FATHER'S ETERNAL COUNSEL, AND THE SON'S BLOODSHEDDING: THE SEALING OF IT BY THE SPIRIT. THANKSGIVING AND PRA...

TSK: Ephesians 4 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Eph 4:1, He exhorts to unity; Eph 4:7, and declares that God therefore gives divers gifts unto men; Eph 4:11, that his church might be ed...

Poole: Ephesians 4 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 4

MHCC: Ephesians (Book Introduction) This epistle was written when St. Paul was a prisoner at Rome. The design appears to be to strengthen the Ephesians in the faith of Christ, and to giv...

MHCC: Ephesians 4 (Chapter Introduction) (Eph 4:1-6) Exhortations to mutual forbearance and union. (Eph 4:7-16) To a due use of spiritual gifts and graces. (Eph 4:17-24) To purity and holin...

Matthew Henry: Ephesians (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians Some think that this epistle to the Ephesians was a circular l...

Matthew Henry: Ephesians 4 (Chapter Introduction) We have gone through the former part of this epistle, which consists of several important doctrinal truths, contained in the three preceding chapte...

Barclay: Ephesians (Book Introduction) A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTERS OF PAUL The Letters Of Paul There is no more interesting body of documents in the New Testament than the letter...

Barclay: Ephesians 4 (Chapter Introduction) Ephesians 4 Introduction (Eph_4:1-10) With this chapter the second part of the letter begins. In Eph 1-3 Paul has dealt with the great and eternal ...

Constable: Ephesians (Book Introduction) Introduction Historical background Almost all Christians believed in the Pauline autho...

Constable: Ephesians (Outline) Outline I. Salutation 1:1-2 II. The Christian's calling 1:3-3:21 A. Indi...

Constable: Ephesians Ephesians Bibliography Abbot, T. K. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistles to the Ephesians and t...

Haydock: Ephesians (Book Introduction) THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE EPHESIANS. INTRODUCTION. Ephesus was a famous city, the metropolis of Asia Minor, upon the Ægean...

Gill: Ephesians (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO EPHESIANS The city of Ephesus is, by Pliny a, called the other light of Asia; Miletus was one, and Ephesus the other: it was the me...

Gill: Ephesians 4 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO EPHESIANS 4 The apostle having in the three former chapters treated of the doctrines of grace, and explained and established them, ...

College: Ephesians (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION We are saved by grace through faith! We do not earn our salvation - it is the gift of God. This is the shocking good news of Ephesians. ...

College: Ephesians (Outline) OUTLINE I. DOCTRINE: God's Plan for Salvation - Eph 1:1-3:21 A. God's Blessings - 1:1-23 1. Salutation - 1:1-2 2. Present Blessings in Ch...

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