A Great Passage

There is a passage of Scripture that holds a special place in the history of the Christian Church. From the start, during the times of the Apostles and during the age of their successors, the Apostolic Fathers, this passage has been important. It has consistently been included in Christian liturgy, creeds, catechisms, and statements of faith. Christian consensus holds it to be a summary of Truth.

This passage consists of seven great Realities which, as the passage says, all true Christians share. These comprise Christian spiritual unity—and among these Truths standsthe one Hope.

… one Body, and one Spirit, just as also you were called with one Hope of your calling; one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God… (Ephesians 4:4-6; LEB)

The Best Translation

The LEB translation is closest to the original Greek. This same passage has been translated poorly by other translators to say ‘just as you were called to one Hope when you were called’ (NIV), and it’s a poor translation because it gives the wrong idea. Paul is not drawing the attention of the Ephesians to when they were called. He was not asking them to pinpoint an event that took place at a certain moment in their spiritual journey, no!

Rather, Paul was explaining that the particular and unique hope of Christians is the Hope of our calling (in the original Greek, literally: one Hope of the calling of yours). The idea is that the Hope is part of something broader: our calling, our vocation!

What is the Calling?

We must interpret this passage correctly if we will understand the great Truth of the Hope, and we start by defining what our calling is.

What is our calling? Is it not to reign on the Earth and to rule with Christ? Of course it is. This is the high calling Paul strove to achieve with all his might. Notice how in the following passage he calls it the upward call of God:

… that I may know him [Jesus] and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death; in order that I may attain to the Resurrection from the Dead.

Not that I have already obtained it [the resurrection] or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it [the Resurrection] yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:10-14; NASB).

This is also the calling of which Peter spoke (one that involves an entrance into the Kingdom). It’s a calling that we must make more and more sure by constantly growing spiritually:

… brothers, be zealous even more to make your calling and election secure, because if you do these things, you will never ever stumble. For in this way [through spiritual growth] entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly supplied for you (2 Peter 1:10-11; LEB).

And this is the same calling to which Paul referred when he said that we must be worthy of it:

… we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling (2 Thessalonians 1:11; NKJV).

Paul is not saying that anyone could ever deserve the calling, for it is only by grace that we will ever see its fulfillment; but it’s still incumbent upon us to show ourselves worthy of the Kingdom! God called us there--now let’s show him our faith by our works! Let’s show him that we believe he can make us suitable for the Kingdom.

The Context of Ephesians

Most importantly, since the text at hand is from Ephesians, we do well to examine the way Paul uses the term calling in other verses in Ephesians. If we do, we’ll see that Paul considers this calling to be so great that it’s something we can’t comprehend without the assistance of God’s revelation.

Paul paints a picture of a calling so wonderful that we won’t understand it unless God reveals it to us. That’s what the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to describe as Paul expounded on our calling in Ephesians 1 and 4:

… [I pray that]… the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his mighty power which he worked in Christ (Ephesians 1:18-20; NKJV).

[I]… implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called (Ephesians 4:1; NASB).

Purpose Then Purpose Now

So our calling—our future vocation—is bound to the Hope is that there will be a Kingdom of God on Earth. In it, we will all serve God, thrive, and rule forever. If you’re convinced of that, then you will have a clear purpose in this life now. If you are aware of your role in God’s Kingdom, you’ll be able to withstand the trials of this life much easier.

Because your Hope is part of your vocation (your active role in God's eternal Kingdom), you’ll have clear direction in life. You’ll be able to overcome temptations, discouragement, sickness, loss, poverty, and even death. And even when things go well for you in this life, you will not set your hope on riches, blessings, or success.

You will have overcome this World like Jesus did.

As Jesus declared exaltingly:

Take courage. I have overcome the World! (John 16:33; NASB)