Introduction
What does the Bible say about the unity of the church? A great deal, and powerful things: Jesus himself prayed that believers would be one (John 17:21), the New Testament describes the church as one body with different members, and Paul asks Christians to preserve this unity with humility and patience. Here are 20 verses on the unity of the church, quoted in full from the Louis Segond version, with a word of context for each. You can use them for a sermon, a small group study, a team meeting, or your personal meditation.
The Unity Willed by Christ
1. John 17:21
"That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." (John 17:21, LSG)
A few hours before the cross, Jesus prays for all who will believe in him. The model for this unity is the communion of the Father and the Son, and its purpose is that the world may believe.
2. John 17:22-23
"And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." (John 17:22-23, LSG)
The continuation of the same prayer: Jesus asks for a "perfect" unity, visible, that reveals God's love for his own to the world.
3. John 13:34-35
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:34-35, LSG)
At the last supper, Jesus gives the command of mutual love. This love is the mark that identifies his disciples in the eyes of all.
4. Matthew 18:19-20
"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:19-20, LSG)
Jesus promises his presence where his own are gathered in his name. Agreement between brothers gives weight to common prayer. To continue this theme, read our 20 Verses to Pray for Your Church.
One Body in Christ
5. Romans 12:4-5
"For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." (Romans 12:4-5, LSG)
Paul compares the church to a body: different members, different functions, but one body in Christ.
6. 1 Corinthians 12:12
"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12, LSG)
To the divided Corinthians, Paul reminds them that the diversity of members does not contradict the unity of the body: it composes it.
7. 1 Corinthians 12:27
"Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." (1 Corinthians 12:27, LSG)
The chapter's conclusion: every believer is a member of Christ's body, each for their part. This part is lived out concretely in service: our pillar article 25 Bible Verses on Serving in the Church develops this point.
8. 1 Corinthians 10:17
"For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread." (1 Corinthians 10:17, LSG)
The Lord's Supper expresses this reality: one bread, one body.
Preserving the Unity of the Spirit
9. Ephesians 4:2-3
"With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:2-3, LSG)
Paul does not ask us to create unity, but to preserve it. It is kept with humility, meekness, patience, and mutual forbearance.
10. Ephesians 4:4-6
"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ephesians 4:4-6, LSG)
Seven times the word "one": body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, God and Father. Unity rests on what believers already have in common.
11. 1 Corinthians 1:10
"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1 Corinthians 1:10, LSG)
Facing the factions dividing the church at Corinth, Paul urges the brothers to speak the same thing and share the same mind. When division sets in despite everything, our 15 Verses for Navigating Conflict can help you.
12. Colossians 3:14
"And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness." (Colossians 3:14, LSG)
Charity, that is to say love, is the bond of perfectness: it is what holds all the other virtues together.
Living Unity Day by Day
13. Philippians 2:1-2
"If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." (Philippians 2:1-2, LSG)
Paul asks the Philippians for one love, one accord, one mind. Their unity makes his joy complete.
14. Philippians 1:27
"Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27, LSG)
Striving "with one mind for the faith of the gospel": unity is part of a conduct worthy of the gospel. It is also lived out in the practicalities of service, as shown in our 20 Bible Verses on Teamwork.
15. Romans 15:5-6
"Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 15:5-6, LSG)
Unity is a gift that Paul asks God for, and it leads to praise: glorifying God together, with one mouth.
16. 1 Peter 3:8
"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous." (1 Peter 3:8, LSG)
Peter sums up brotherly life in a few words: one mind, brotherly love, compassion, humility.
The Unity That Bears Witness
17. Psalm 133:1
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1, LSG)
This song of ascents, attributed to David, celebrates the blessing of brothers dwelling together.
18. Acts 2:42
"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42, LSG)
The portrait of the first church in Jerusalem: teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers, lived with perseverance.
19. Acts 4:32
"And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common." (Acts 4:32, LSG)
"One heart and one soul": the unity of the first church was visible even in the sharing of possessions.
20. Colossians 3:11
"Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all." (Colossians 3:11, LSG)
In Christ, the barriers of origin, culture, and social status fall. What unites believers surpasses everything that could separate them.
Key Takeaways
- The unity of the church is not primarily a human project: Jesus asked the Father for it before the cross (John 17:21-23).
- The New Testament describes the church as one body with different members (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12).
- Unity already exists in Christ; our part is to preserve it, with humility, meekness, and patience (Ephesians 4:2-3).
- Brotherly love is the bond that makes it visible (Colossians 3:14; John 13:35).
- A united church is a witness: "that the world may believe" (John 17:21).
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most well-known verse on the unity of the church?
John 17:21 is the passage most often cited: a few hours before the cross, Jesus prays that all believers be one, on the model of the unity of the Father and the Son, so that the world may believe. Psalm 133:1 ("how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity") is also very well known.
Why is unity so important in a local church?
Because it bears witness. Jesus links the unity of believers to the credibility of the gospel (John 17:21-23) and makes mutual love the mark that identifies his disciples (John 13:35). The New Testament also describes the church as one body: when one member cuts itself off from the others, the whole body suffers.
How can you preserve unity in a church?
Ephesians 4:2-3 gives the path: humility, meekness, patience, mutual forbearance, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Colossians 3:14 adds that love is the bond of perfectness. Unity is not something to create: it already exists in Christ, and our part is to guard it.
to take notes and ask questions.