Ephesians 4:5

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Ephesians 4:5 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

King James Version KJV

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

American Standard Version ASV

one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Bible in Basic English BBE

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Free Bible Version FBV

The Lord is one, our trust in him is one, and there's one baptism;

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

There is one Lord, one Faith, one Baptisme,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

World English Bible WEB

one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Noah Webster Bible WBS

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

One Lord, one faith, one baptism.

Translation for Translators T4T

There is only one Lord, Jesus Christ. We all believe the same teaching about him. It was to show that we belong to him alone that we had someone baptize us.

Plain English Version PEV

We all have only one leader, Jesus. There is only one true message that we all believe, the good news about Jesus. We all went through that one ceremony called baptism, to show that we follow Jesus.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Ephesians 4:5

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Word Study

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Ephesians 4:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK εις κυριος μια πιστις εν βαπτισμα

εις ehis G1520 one Adj-NSM

κυριος kurios G2962 lord: God Noun-NSM

μια ehis G1520 one Adj-NSF

πιστις pistis G4102 faith Noun-NSF

εν ehis G1520 one Adj-NSN

βαπτισμα baptisma G908 baptism Noun-NSN

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Ephesians 4:5

εις ehis G1520 "one" Adj-NSM

The Greek word for one, used to describe unity or agreement, as seen in John 10:30 and Romans 12:4-5. It emphasizes oneness and togetherness. This concept is key in Christian teachings.

Definition: εἷς ιά, ἕν, genitive ἑνός, μιᾶς, ἑνός, cardinal numeral, one; __1. one, as opposite to many: Mat.25:15, Rom.5:12, 1Co.10:8, al.; as subst., Rom.5:15, Eph.2:14; id. with genitive partit., Mat.5:19, al.; before ἐκ (ἐξ), Mrk.14:18, Jhn.6:8, al.; metaphorically, of union and concord, Jhn.10:30 17:11, Rom.12:4-5, Php.1:27; ἀπὸ μιᾶς (B1., § 44, 1), Luk.14:18; with neg., εἷς. . . οὐ (μή), more emphatic than οὐδείς, no one, none (cl.), Mat.5:18 10:29, Luk.11:46 12:6. __2. Emphatically, to the exclusion of others; __(a) a single (one): Mat.21:24, Mrk.8:14; absol., 1Co.9:24, al.; οὐδὲ εἷς, Mat.27:14, Jhn.1:3, Rom.3:10, al.; __(b) one, alone: Mrk.2:7 10:18, Luk.18:19; __(with) one and the same: Rom.3:30, 1Co.3:8 11:5 12:11, 1Jn.5:8. __3. In late Gk., with weakened force, = τις or indef. art. (of. Heb. אֶחָד, Gen.22:13, al.; see B1., § 45, 2; M, Pr., 96 f.): Mat.8:19 19:6, Rev.8:13, al.; εἷς τις (Bl., l.with), Luk.22:50, Jhn.11:49 __4. Distributively: εἷς καστος (cl.), Luk.4:40, Act.2:6, al.; εἷς . . . καὶ εἷς (cl., εἷς μὲν . . . εἷς δέ), Mat.17:4, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.20:12, al. (cf. LXX and use of Heb. אֶחָד, Exo.17:12, al); ὁ εἷς . . . ὁ ἕτερος (ἄλλος) = cl. ὁ μὲν (ἕτερος) . . . ὁ δέ (ἕτερος), Mat.6:24, Luk.7:41, Rev.17:10; καθ᾽ εἷς, εἷς κ. είς (in which καθ᾽ is adverbial, or the expression formed from the analogy of ἕν καθ᾽ ἔν; M, Pr., 105), one by one, severally: Mrk.14:19, Rom.12:5, al.; εἷς τὸν ἕνα = ἀλλήλους (B1., 45, 2; M, Pr., 246), 1Th.5:11. __5. As ordinal = πρῶτος (like Heb. אֶחָד; Bl., § 45, 1; M, Pr., 95 f.), first: Mat.28:1, Mrk.16:2, al (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 291 NT verses. KJV: a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some See also: 1 Corinthians 3:8; John 12:4; Hebrews 2:11.

κυριος kurios G2962 "lord: God" Noun-NSM

The Greek word for lord or master, used to address God or a person in authority, showing respect and power. In the New Testament, it appears in Matthew 9:38 and Mark 12:9. It signifies a controller or ruler.

Definition: κύριος, -α, -ον (also -ος, -ον), [in LXX (subst.) chiefly for יהוה, also for בַּעַל ,אָדוֹן, etc. ;] having power (κῦρος) or authority; as subst., ὁ κ., lord, master; __1. in general: with genitive of thing(s), Mat.9:38 20:8, Mrk.12:9 13:35, Luk.19:33; τ. σαββάτου, Mat.12:8, Mrk.2:28, Luk.6:5; with genitive of person(s), δούλου, etc., Mat.10:24, Luk.14:21, Act.16:16, al.; absol, opposite to οἱ δοῦλοι, Eph.6:5, 9 al.; of the Emperor (Deiss., LAE, 161), Act.25:26; θεοὶ πολλοὶ καὶ κ. πολλοί, 1Co.8:5; of a husband, 1Pe.3:6; in voc, as a title of respect to masters, teachers, magistrates, etc., Mat.13:27 16:22 27:63, Mrk.7:28, Luk.5:12, Jhn.4:11, Act.9:5, al. __2. As a divine title (frequently in π.; Deiss., LAE, 353 ff.); in NT, __(a) of God: ὁ κ., Mat.5:33, Mrk.5:19, Luk.1:6, Act.7:33, Heb.8:2, Jas.4:15, al.; anarth. (Bl., §46, 6), Mat.21:9, Mrk.13:20, Luk.1:17, Heb.7:21, 1Pe.1:25, al.; κ. τ. οὐρανοῦ καὶ τ. γῆς, Mat.11:25; τ. κυριευόντων, 1Ti.6:15; κ. ὁ θεός, Mat.4:7, 10 al.; id. before παντοκράτωρ, Rev.4:8; κ. σαβαώθ, Rom.9:29; (ὁ) ἄγγελος κυρίου, Mat.1:20 2:13, Luk.1:11, al.; πνεῦμα κυρίου, Luk.4:18, Act.8:39; __(b) of the Christ: Mat.21:3, Mrk.11:3, Luk.1:43 20:44, al.; of Jesus after his resurrection (Dalman, Words, 330), Act.10:36, Rom.14:8, 1Co.7:22, Eph.4:5, al.; ὁ κ. μου, Jhn.20:28; ὁ κ. Ἰησοῦς, Act.1:21, 1Co.11:23, al.; id. before Χριστός, Eph.1:2, al.; ὁ κ. ἡμῶν, 1Ti.1:14, Heb.7:14, al.; id. before Ἰησοῦς, 1Th.3:11, Heb.13:20, al.; Χριστός, Rom.16:18; Ἰ Χ., 1Co.1:2, 1Th.1:3, al.; Ἰ. Χ. (Χ. Ἰ) ὁ κ. (ἡμῶν), Rom.1:4, Col.2:6, Eph.3:11, al.; ὁ κ. καὶ ὁ σωτὴρ, 2Pe.3:2; id. before Ἰ. Χ., ib. 18; anarth., 1Co.7:22, 25 Jas.5:4, al.; κ. κυρίων, Rev.19:16; with prep., ἀπὸ (κατὰ, πρὸς, σὺν, etc.) κ., Col.3:24, al. SYN: see: δεσπότης. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 686 NT verses. KJV: God, Lord, master, Sir See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Peter 1:3.

μια ehis G1520 "one" Adj-NSF

The Greek word for one, used to describe unity or agreement, as seen in John 10:30 and Romans 12:4-5. It emphasizes oneness and togetherness. This concept is key in Christian teachings.

Usage: Occurs in 291 NT verses. KJV: a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some See also: 1 Corinthians 3:8; John 12:4; Hebrews 2:11.

πιστις pistis G4102 "faith" Noun-NSF

Faith is the meaning of this word, which involves trust and confidence in God or Jesus Christ. It's used in Matthew 8:10 and Romans 1:8, showing reliance on God's power and promises.

Definition: πίστις, -εως, ἡ (πείθω), [in LXX chiefly for אֱמוּנָה ;] __1. in active sense, faith, belief, trust, confidence, in NT always of religious faith in God or Christ or spiritual things: Mat.8:10, Luk.5:20, Act.14:9, Rom.1:8, 1Co.2:5, 2Co.1:24, 1Ti.1:5, al.; with genitive obj., Mrk.11:22, Act.3:16, Rom.3:22, Gal.2:16, Eph.3:12, Jas.2:1, al.; with prep., ἐν, Rom.3:25, Gal.3:26, Eph.1:15, Col.1:24, 1Ti.1:14 3:13, 2Ti.1:13 3:15, 2Pe.1:1; εἰς, Act.20:21 24:24 26:18, Col.2:5, 1Pe.1:21; πρός, 1Th.1:8, Phm 5; ἐπί, with accusative Heb.6:1; ἐν τῇ π. στήκειν (εἶναι, μένειν), 1Co.16:13, 1Co.13:5, 1Ti.2:15; ὑπακοὴ τῆς π., Rom.1:5 16:26; ὁ ἐκ π., Rom.3:26 4:16, Gal.3:12; διὰ (τῆς) π., Rom.3:30, Gal.2:16, Php.3:9. By meton., objectively, that which is the object or content of belief, the faith: Act.6:7 14:22, Gal.1:23 3:23 6:10, Php.1:26, 27 Ju 3, 20, and perh. also Act.13:8 16:5, Rom.1:5 and 16:26 (see supr.), 1Co.16:13, Col.1:23, 2Th.3:2 (Lft., Notes, 125), 1Ti.1:19 3:9 4:1, 6 5:8 6:10, 12, 2Ti.3:8 4:7 Tit.1:4, 13 3:15, 1Pe.5:9. __2. In passive sense, __(a) fidelity, faithfulness: Mat.23:23, Gal.5:22; ἡ π. τοῦ θεοῦ, Rom.3:3; __(b) objectively, plighted faith, a pledge of fidelity: 1Ti.5:12. (On the various shades of meaning in which the word is used in NT, see esp. ICC on Rom.1:17, pp. 31ff.; Lft., Ga., 154ff.; Stevens, Th. NT, 422, 515ff.; DB, i, 830ff.; Cremer, see word) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 228 NT verses. KJV: assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity See also: 1 Corinthians 2:5; Galatians 3:23; 1 Peter 1:5.

εν ehis G1520 "one" Adj-NSN

The Greek word for one, used to describe unity or agreement, as seen in John 10:30 and Romans 12:4-5. It emphasizes oneness and togetherness. This concept is key in Christian teachings.

Usage: Occurs in 291 NT verses. KJV: a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some See also: 1 Corinthians 3:8; John 12:4; Hebrews 2:11.

βαπτισμα baptisma G908 "baptism" Noun-NSN

Baptism, which is a ceremonial act of washing or immersion. In the Bible, it refers to John's baptism and Christian baptism, as seen in Matthew 3:7 and Acts 1:22.

Definition: βάπτισμα, -τος, τό (βαπτίζω), prop., the result of the act, τὸ βαπτίζειν, as distinct from βαπτισμός, the act itself, immersion, baptism; __1. metaphorically, of affliction: Mrk.10:38, 39 Luk.12:50. __2. Of the religious rite of baptism; __(a) of John's baptism: Mat.3:7 21:25, Mrk.11:30, Luk.7:29 20:4, Act.1:22 10:37 18:25 19:3; β. μετανοίας, Mrk.1:4, Luk.3:3, Act.13:24 19:4; __(b) of Christian baptism; Rom.6:4, Eph.4:5, Col.2:12 (Tr., -μῷ, which see), 1Pe.3:21 (cf. Cremer, 130; Tr., Syn. §xcix). † (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 22 NT verses. KJV: baptism See also: 1 Peter 3:21; Luke 12:50; Romans 6:4.

Study Notes — Ephesians 4:5

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Ephesians 4:5 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Ephesians 4:5
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ephesians 4:5
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ephesians 4:5
Trapp's Commentary on Ephesians 4:5
Ellicott's Commentary on Ephesians 4:5
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ephesians 4:5
Cambridge Bible on Ephesians 4:5
Barnes' Notes on Ephesians 4:5
Whedon's Commentary on Ephesians 4:5
Sermons on Ephesians 4:5

Context — Unity in the Body

3and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;

5one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7Now to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	1 Corinthians 8:6	yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.
2	1 Corinthians 12:13	For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.
3	1 Peter 3:21	And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
4	Romans 3:30	since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.
5	Galatians 3:26–28	You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
6	Matthew 28:19	Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
7	Jude 1:3	Beloved, although I made every effort to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt it necessary to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints.
8	1 Corinthians 1:13	Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?
9	2 Corinthians 11:4	For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it way too easily.
10	Zechariah 14:9	On that day the LORD will become King over all the earth—the LORD alone, and His name alone.

Ephesians 4:5 Summary

This verse, Ephesians 4:5, reminds us that as believers, we have one Lord, one faith, and one baptism that unites us. This means that we all serve the same God and have the same basic beliefs, as seen in verses like Romans 10:9-10, which explains that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved. By focusing on these shared foundations, we can work towards unity and love within the church, just as Ephesians 4:3 encourages us to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. As we prioritize our shared faith and baptism, we can experience a deeper sense of connection with our fellow believers and with God Himself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to have 'one Lord' in Ephesians 4:5?

Having one Lord means that there is only one true God, Jesus Christ, who is the ruler of all believers, as seen in Ephesians 4:4-6 and supported by verses like Isaiah 45:5-6, which declares that there is no other God besides Him.

Is 'one faith' in Ephesians 4:5 referring to a specific denomination or doctrine?

The 'one faith' in Ephesians 4:5 refers to the unified belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ, as explained in Jude 1:3, which encourages believers to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

What kind of baptism is being referred to in Ephesians 4:5?

The 'one baptism' in Ephesians 4:5 is likely referring to the spiritual baptism that occurs when a person puts their faith in Jesus Christ, as described in Romans 6:3-4 and Galatians 3:27, which symbolizes the believer's union with Christ.

How does this verse relate to the unity of the church?

Ephesians 4:5 emphasizes the importance of unity among believers by highlighting the shared foundations of our faith, including one Lord, one faith, and one baptism, which is further explained in Ephesians 4:3, where it encourages believers to make every effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I can demonstrate my commitment to the 'one Lord' of my life, and how can I prioritize His will above my own desires?
In what ways can I work towards unity with my fellow believers, despite our differences, and how can I promote a spirit of love and acceptance within my church community?
What are some core beliefs of the 'one faith' that I can cling to, even in times of uncertainty or doubt, and how can I deepen my understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
How can I allow the 'one baptism' that I have experienced to shape my daily life and interactions with others, and what are some ways that I can symbolize my union with Christ to those around me?

Gill's Exposition on Ephesians 4:5

One Lord,.... The Lord Jesus Christ, who, by right of creation, is Lord of all; and by right of marriage, and redemption, is the one and only Lord of his church and people; he has betrothed them to

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ephesians 4:5

One Lord, one faith, one baptism, Similarly "faith" and "baptism" (the sacramental seal of faith) are connected (Mark 16:16; Colossians 2:12).

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ephesians 4:5

One Lord; Christ, viz. as Redeemer, Head, and Husband of the church, to whom, by God’ s appointment, she is immediately subject, . One faith; i.e. one object of the faith of all believers, viz. the doctrine of salvation, which is but one. One baptism; both as to the outward symbol, and the thing signified by it.

Trapp's Commentary on Ephesians 4:5

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, Ver. 5. One baptism] The author to the Hebrews speaketh of baptisms, Ephesians 6:2. But either he puts the plural for the singular; or else he meaneth it of the outward and inward washing, which the schools call baptismum fluminis et flaminis, the baptism of water and fire.

Ellicott's Commentary on Ephesians 4:5

(5) One Lord, one faith.—From the idea of “the calling,” the Apostle passes naturally to Him who calls—the “one Lord”—and to the method of His calling to Himself, first, by the “one faith,” and then by the “one baptism” at which profession of that one faith is made. It is on the indwelling of Christ in each heart by faith that the spiritual unity of all Christians—primarily with Him, secondarily with one another—depends; and that spiritual unity is “put on” in baptism (Galatians 3:27), in which we are “buried with Him and risen again” (Colossians 2:12), growing into the likeness of His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5). Again we note that, with but few exceptions, all Christians, even in the divided condition of the Church, are still united in the “one baptism;” and if we look to such expressions of the one faith as are contained in the baptismal profession (e.g., of the Apostles’ Creed), it is clear that our divisions, great as they are, turn mainly on the fourth subsidiary Article on the “Holy Catholic Church,” and not on the three primary Articles of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. In these the mass of Christendom has still one faith.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ephesians 4:5

Verse 5. One Lord] Jesus Christ, who is the governor of this Church. One faith] One system of religion, proposing the same objects to the faith of all. One baptism] Administered in the name of the holy Trinity; indicative of the influences, privileges, and effects of the Christian religion.

Cambridge Bible on Ephesians 4:5

5. one Lord] Jesus Christ; Possessor and Prince of all His people equally.one faith] Is “faith” here the “Christian creed,” or “trustful acceptance” of Christ, “saving faith”? Probably the latter, in view of the great rarity of the former meaning of the word in St Paul (Galatians 1:23; Philippians 1:27; present perhaps the best cases, and even these are not quite clear). The words here thus mean, “one and the same way of access to and union with the One Lord.”one baptism] The one Divine Seal upon the one God-given faith in the One Lord. This holy Seal is “one” in respect of the Unity of the Triune Name (Matthew 28:19) “into” which, and which alone, all partakers of the covenant of Christ are baptized. The “one baptism for the remission of sins” is baptism into that Name, or into its equivalent (Acts 2:38), the Name of the Son of the Father and the Giver of the Spirit.

Barnes' Notes on Ephesians 4:5

One Lord - This evidently refers to the Lord Jesus. The “Spirit” is mentioned in the previous verse; the Father in the verse following. On the application of the word “Lord” to the Saviour, see the notes on Acts 1:24.

Whedon's Commentary on Ephesians 4:5

5. One Lord—To whom, as centre, head, and author of our entire salvation one faith unites us, that faith expressed and confirmed by one baptism. Thus one faith supposes a creed.

Sermons on Ephesians 4:5

	Sermon	Description
	Water Baptism - Part 1 by Derek Prince	In this sermon, Derek Prince emphasizes the importance of not just believing and confessing the Gospel, but also demonstrating it through our actions. He shares a principle he taug
	Church History - the Christian Empire Part 3 (312-1500) by David Guzik	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the popularity and influence of Arius, a controversial figure in the Aryan debate of the 4th century. The speaker highlights how Arius' teachi
	Baptism for Us in This Dispensation; Has Never Been Done Away With by John R. Rice	John R. Rice preaches about the importance of obeying Christ's command of baptism, emphasizing that some people try to promote Christian unity by disregarding this command, leading
	The Father by F.B. Meyer	F.B. Meyer emphasizes the necessity of recognizing God as our Father to fully experience His grace and peace, which are essential for our spiritual well-being. He illustrates how J
	Two Chosen Vessels by G.W. North	G.W. North emphasizes the distinct paths of Peter and Paul in their ministries, illustrating how their unique backgrounds shaped their understanding and approach to preaching the G
	Whom to Know Is Life Eternal by G.W. North	G.W. North emphasizes the transformative nature of baptism in the New Covenant, explaining that the apostles, after Jesus' resurrection, were commanded to baptize in the name of th
	The Anabaptists by William Cathcart	William Cathcart preaches about the history and principles of the Anabaptists during the Reformation, highlighting their rejection of infant baptism and their emphasis on believers