Ephesians 4:3
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Cross-references
Ephesians 4:4 grounds the call to unity in the reality of one body, one Spirit, and one hope.
Colossians 3:13-15 expands on bearing with one another, forgiving, and letting peace rule — binding everything together in harmony, echoing the unity theme.
John 13:34 commands love for one another, which is the bond that maintains the unity urged here.
John 17:21-23 records Jesus' prayer for believers to be one, directly supporting the unity this verse calls for.
Romans 14:17-19 urges pursuing peace and mutual edification, the very actions that preserve unity here.
In 2 Corinthians 13:11, Paul calls the church to agree, live in peace, and pursue restoration — directly reinforcing the same call to maintain unity.
1 Corinthians 1:10 appeals for agreement and no divisions, a direct parallel to the unity this verse emphasizes.
1 Corinthians 12:12 uses the body metaphor to illustrate unity amid diversity, reinforcing the call to unity here.
1 Corinthians 12:13 describes all being baptized by one Spirit into one body, the basis for the unity of the Spirit here.
1 Kings 16:21 records Israel's division into two factions — a stark contrast to the unity Paul urges, showing the consequence of disunity.
Colossians 3:14 identifies love as the bond that brings perfect unity, paralleling the bond of peace.
Philippians 1:27 urges striving together in one Spirit, directly echoing the call to maintain unity of the Spirit.
Romans 14:19 urges pursuing peace and edification, key practices for keeping the unity of the Spirit.
Romans 12:18 commands living peaceably with all, directly supporting the 'bond of peace' in maintaining unity.
Ezekiel 11:19 promises God will give one heart and a new spirit, the divine source of the unity we maintain.
Psalm 133:1 celebrates brothers dwelling in unity, directly paralleling the call to maintain unity of the Spirit.
In Genesis 13:8, Abraham urges Lot to avoid strife because they are brothers — an OT example of actively preserving peace and unity.
Colossians 2:19 shows the body held together by Christ the head, revealing the source of unity.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:13, Paul commands 'Be at peace among yourselves' — a succinct parallel to the call for unity and peace here.
Hebrews 12:14 exhorts striving for peace with everyone — a broader call but directly supporting the same goal of peace and unity.
1 Peter 1:22 calls for sincere love, which fosters the unity described here.
James 3:17 describes wisdom from above as peaceable — connecting peace to divine wisdom, complementing the Spirit's unity.
James 3:18 says righteousness is sown in peace by peacemakers — reinforcing the value of peace as a means to unity.