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(Jan 29, 2024)
Unity Among Christians In The New Testament Letters
[1] The New Testament is a collection of letters, epistles, and writings from various
apostles and leaders in the early Christian church that provide teachings and guidance. One
recurring theme in these letters is the concept of "unity among Christians." In the sections, we
will look at the New Testament letters of Ephesians, Philippians, and 1 Corinthians to see how
they compare and differ in terms of Christian unity.
[2] Ephesians, a letter attributed to the Apostle Paul, addresses unity in a unique way. It
emphasizes the inherent unity in the body of Christ, grounded in shared faith and the indwelling
of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:3 (NIV) states, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit
through the bond of peace."(Piper 1984) This verse underscores that unity is not something to be
created but rather preserved among believers.
[3] Philippians, also penned by Paul, offers a different perspective on unity. It focuses on
achieving unity through humility and mutual love. In Philippians 2:2-3 (NIV), Paul urges
believers to "be like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do
nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit." (Beetge 2018) unity is seen as a result of
selflessness and shared attitudes.
[4] 1 Corinthians, another letter by Paul, takes a distinct approach. It confronts divisions
and conflicts within the Corinthian church, highlighting the need for correction and
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reconciliation to restore unity. In 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV), Paul implores, "I appeal to you,
brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another
in what you say and that there be no divisions among you." (Peterson 2008). Unity in this context
requires addressing and overcoming internal strife.
[5] Despite their differences, these letters have several key similarities in how they
portray Christian unity. To begin, all three letters emphasize the value of Christian unity. They
emphasize that unity is not just a desirable trait, but a necessary characteristic of genuine
Christians.
[6] Second, all three letters were written by the same person, the Apostle Paul, giving
them significant authority within the Christian community. This shared authorship emphasizes
the significance of their teachings on unity.
[7] Thirdly, love and mutual care among Christians are recurring themes in these letters,
contributing to the unity of believers. Ephesians mentions "bearing with one another in love"
(Ephesians 4:2), Philippians encourages believers to have "the same mind" and "look not only to
[their] interests but also to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:2-4), and 1 Corinthians extols
the virtue of love in 1 Corinthians 13, describing it as the "greatest" (1 Corinthians 13:13).
[8] In conclusion, though from distinct perspectives, the New Testament epistolaries of
Ephesians, Philippians, and 1 Corinthians all add to our knowledge of Christian unity. While
Philippians offers a helpful manual for establishing unity via humility and love for one another,
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Ephesians extols the natural unity based on faith and the Spirit, and 1 Corinthians addresses
disagreements and divisions while promoting reconciliation. When taken as a whole, these letters
present several perspectives on the early Christian community's unity. Their teachings on unity
are still applicable today, serving as a constant reminder of the value of peace and love among
Christians as well as the necessity of addressing and mending rifts within the Church.
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References
Piper, John. “Maintain the Unity of the Spirit.” Desiring God, 10 Nov. 2023,
www.desiringgod.org/messages/maintain-the-unity-of-the-spirit.
Beetge, Anton. “Living Humbly With One Another (Philippians 2:3) | Brackenhurst Baptist
Church.” Brackenhurst Baptist Church, 26 Nov. 2018,
brackenhurstbaptist.co.za/living-humbly-with-one-another.
Peterson, Dwight. “Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:10-18.” Working Preacher from Luther
Seminary, 11 Nov. 2020,
www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/third-sunday-after-e
piphany/commentary-on-1-corinthians-110-18-2.
