Ephesians 4:3-5: Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called, one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Paul commanded the church at Ephesus to to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
What is the bond of peace? The Bible is full of references to peace, but this is the only occasion where I see a Biblical writer, who makes a reference to the bond of peace. I asked one brother, who is an excellent teacher in the Word of God, what Paul means by that phrase. He was intrigued by the question, but he had absolutely no idea as to the answer.
I will share what I see in this phrase. But, if you have additional insight, or more precise knowledge into the meaning of this phrase, please feel free to share it with me.
Earlier in this book Paul said speaking of Jesus, For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. See Ephesians 2:14-17.
The bond of peace is Jesus. He destroyed the barrier between God and man. He destroyed the barrier between the Gentiles and the Jews. And in his peace he has worked to create one new man out of the two. The church is held together by Jesus himself, who is our peace.
Peace does not occur when our enemies are appeased. Peace does not occur when we deny our problems, and attempt to act as if they did not exist. Peace only comes through victory.
Jesus won a total and complete victory over Satan, therefore his church can walk in the rich fullness of God's peace.
Here are three references to the victory that we possess in Jesus Christ.
1. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37.
2. But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. II Corinthians 2:14
3. for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. I John 5:4
The bond of peace is Jesus Christ. As we, the church, purpose to walk together in Jesus, we are bound together by his authority and victory, which produces peace in each individual believer, and in the church as a whole.
As individual members of the body are attacked by the schemes of the evil one, then we bind together to enforce the victory of Jesus Christ in that life. As the church stands together in faith and prayer, the victory of Jesus Christ is enforced and the peace of God prevails.
We have the ability to walk together in the bond of peace, because there is not a doubt that Jesus Christ crushed every facet of Satan's dominion.
In John 16:33 Jesus said, I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But, take heart! I have overcome the world.
This particular verse ties together the reality that God's victory and God's peace go hand in hand. Jesus told these things so that the disciples would have peace. He told them that they would have trouble in the world, but to be encouraged. Why? Because Jesus has overcome the world.
We can walk together as his church in his peace because Jesus Christ has overcome this world, and he has stripped Satan of all his authority and his dominion. Praise be to God!!
Wayne L. Williams
wayne@fotwm.org