The one Lord is Jesus Christ, the Head of the church ( Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). The one faith is probably the faith that each Christian and the whole church have in Christ rather than Christianity viewed as a faith (cf. Colossians 2:7). This identification unites faith with Christ in the context ( Ephesians 2:8). [source][source][source]
The one baptism may be the baptism that unites all believers in the body of Christ. This is Spirit baptism, which water baptism symbolizes. Both kinds of baptism were probably in Paul"s mind. [1] However baptism falls in the second triad of elements that relate to Christ rather than to the first that relate to the Spirit in this verse. Therefore it probably refers to water rather than to Spirit baptism. Another possibility is that it refers metaphorically to the believer"s baptism into Christ"s death. In this case the "one baptism" would refer to the internal reality of having been baptized into (identified with) the "one Lord" by means of the "one faith." [2][source]
Context Summary
Ephesians 4:1-10 - Keeping The "unity Of The Spirit"
Paul here admonishes lowliness in the presence of another's excellence; meekness in suffering injury; long-suffering under provocation; forbearance toward the trying mistakes and failures of others. Remember that the unity of the Church, as the body of Christ, is already made; but it is for us to maintain it. We must avoid whatever in word or deed would break it. There are seven different bonds of unity, but of these the greatest is the nature of God, which is transcendent, who is above all; penetrant, through all; and immanent, in all. Each saint has some grace or gift; use it. On the whole, after we reach maturity, we had better center on what we can do best.
What a magnificent conception is given in Ephesians 4:8-9 of the ascended Christ! The original conception was supplied by Deborah in her noble song. Descending from her morning vigil on Tabor, she summoned Barak to lead captive the foe who for so long had held the land in captivity. But in Jesus' ascension, a long procession of yet mightier foes was led captive by Him. Among them were Death, the Grave, and Hades, the underworld. It is from the hands of Jesus that even the rebellious may obtain their gifts. There is no depth to which Jesus will not go to save; no height to which He will not lift us [source]
Chapter Summary: Ephesians 4
1He exhorts to unity; 7and declares that God therefore gives various gifts unto men; 11that his church might be edified, 16and grow up in Christ 18He calls them from the impurity of the Gentiles; 24to put on the new man; 25to cast off lying; 29and corrupt communication
Greek Commentary for Ephesians 4:5
One Lord [εις Κυριος] The Lord Jesus Christ and he alone (no series of aeons). [source]
One faith [μια πιστις] One act of trust in Christ, the same for all (Jew or Gentile), one way of being saved. One baptism (εν βαπτισμα hen baptisma). The result of baptizing (βαπτισμα baptisma), while βαπτισμος baptismos is the act. Only in the N.T. (βαπτισμος baptismos in Josephus) and ecclesiastical writers naturally. See note on Mark 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. [source]
One baptism [εν βαπτισμα] The result of baptizing (βαπτισμα baptisma), while βαπτισμος baptismos is the act. Only in the N.T. (βαπτισμος baptismos in Josephus) and ecclesiastical writers naturally. See note on Mark 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. [source]
Faith [] The principle of faith; not that which is believed - the body of Christian doctrine, which does not promote unity. See on Acts 6:7. [source]
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. [source]
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: πίστις
Sense: conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it.
Greek Commentary for Ephesians 4:5
The Lord Jesus Christ and he alone (no series of aeons). [source]
One act of trust in Christ, the same for all (Jew or Gentile), one way of being saved. One baptism (εν βαπτισμα hen baptisma). The result of baptizing (βαπτισμα baptisma), while βαπτισμος baptismos is the act. Only in the N.T. (βαπτισμος baptismos in Josephus) and ecclesiastical writers naturally. See note on Mark 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. [source]
The result of baptizing (βαπτισμα baptisma), while βαπτισμος baptismos is the act. Only in the N.T. (βαπτισμος baptismos in Josephus) and ecclesiastical writers naturally. See note on Mark 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. [source]
The principle of faith; not that which is believed - the body of Christian doctrine, which does not promote unity. See on Acts 6:7. [source]
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. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Ephesians 4:5
Rev., correctly, unto. Compare one faith, Ephesians 4:5. [source]