ἑνότης

From the study of Ephesians 4:13

Range of meaning

Oneness, unity, the state of being one. In philosophical writers it is an abstract term for unity as opposed to plurality.

Against the English

Every version says 'unity'. That is accurate, but a modern reader may hear organisational merger or uniform opinion. Here unity is a gift (v.3) and also a maturity still to be reached (v.13).

Used elsewhere in the period

In the NT it occurs only at Eph 4:3 and 4:13. It appears in Greek philosophical prose (Aristotle, Plutarch) and becomes a favourite word of Ignatius of Antioch a generation later (e.g. Ign. Phld. 2:2; 8:1), who uses it for church unity around the bishop.

From the study of Ephesians 4:3

Range of meaning

Oneness, unity: the condition of being one. A fairly abstract word, attested mainly in philosophical Greek before Paul's time.

Against the English

Every major version says "unity", which is accurate. Modern readers may still hear "agreement" or "sameness", which is narrower than the Greek.

How it drifted

Modern "unity" is often heard as agreement on everything, organizational merger, or getting rid of differences. In Ephesians the oneness is between very different people (Jews and Gentiles) who stay different but now form one body.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the NT only Eph 4:3 and 4:13 ("the unity of the faith"). Not found in the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint). Shortly after the NT, Ignatius of Antioch, writing to churches in the same region including Ephesus, uses it repeatedly as a central word for church life (e.g., To the Philadelphians). BDAG notes earlier use in philosophical writers.