Thrust Statement: The Gospel is the one faith in Ephesians 4:5.

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:5

            Prior to Paul’s statement about the “one faith” (Ephesians 4:5), he soars into the height of heaven, as it were, in his contemplation of the “one faith.”  He begins this Epistle with an explanation of the spiritual blessings in Christ (1:3-14). This “one faith” is about God’s predestinating those who have faith in Jesus to be “adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ” (1:5). Following this pericope (Spiritual Blessings in Christ—1:13-14), he, immediately, says, “I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints” (1:15). In this second pericope (Thanksgiving and Prayer—1:15-23), he prays that their eyes and understanding will be opened to the incomparable greatness of his power to those “who believe” (1:18-19).

            In chapter two, Paul talks about their prior state of condemnation and their present state of redemption. This “one Faith” (4:5) is about God raising individuals up with Christ and seating them with Christ in the heavenlies” (2:6). Also, Paul expresses this “one faith” in glowing terms: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God (2:8). This “one faith” is about those “who were once far away have been brought near through the blood of Jesus” (2:13). Again, the “one faith” is found in the following words of Paul: “For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit” (2:18).

            If one is to understand clearly the “one faith” in Ephesians 4:5, one must read the first three chapters in this short Epistle. For instance, chapter three discusses this “one faith” in terms of the “mystery of Christ” (3:1-13). This “one faith” is about Jesus. Paul says, “This grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to every one the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things” (3:8-9). God accomplished this redemption for humanity “In him and through faith in him” (3:13). There is only one way to God—faith in Jesus.

            Paul, after having developed the background of this “one faith,” encourages all believers to put forth every effort to maintain the Spirit’s unity—a unity created by the Holy Spirit (4:1-3). This pericope (Unity in the body of Christ—4:1-16) is reminiscent of 2:18 (“by one Spirit”). Since every believer is introduced into the “one body” by the Holy Spirit (see also 1 Corinthians 12:13), every saint is reminded that there is just “one body,” “one Spirit,” “one hope,” “one Lord,” “one faith,” “one baptism,” and “one God and Father of all” (4:4-6). This “one faith” is faith in Jesus as God’s Anointed One for the salvation of the world (see also John 3:16-21). Jesus is the object of the “one faith” in Ephesians 4:5.