In the context of Ephesians 4, the “one God” refers to God the Father. In fact, the language of Ephesians 4:6 is “one God and Father of all.” In addition, in verse four there is reference to the Holy Spirit (“one Spirit”) and in verse five the “one Lord” would be Jesus. Thus, the “one God” is the Father.
Paul was aware that the people of his generation worshipped a number of different gods. In the city of Ephesus, there was a massive temple in honor of Diana/Artemis, yet the apostle reminded the saints who lived in that region that there is “one God.” There is none like Him — He is the first and the last, and besides Him there is no other God (Isaiah 44:6).
There can only be only one true God. Why? The true God is complete and unlimited in every aspect of His being — if He needed other “gods” in order to exist, He would not be God. If He needed others gods to help make Him complete, He would not be God. If He needed other gods to maximize His power, He would not be God. If He needed other gods to increase or complete His knowledge, He would not be God. There must only be one, true God.
When the Israelites of Elijah’s day understood that Jehovah alone is the true God, they exclaimed, “The LORD, He is God!” (1 Kings 18:39). Think about the magnitude of those three simple words: “He is God!” The great God of heaven possesses traits that make Him God: He is living, eternally- existent, sinless, without limitation in each of His attributes, all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-good. He is unchanging, He is the sole communicating Deity, and He is the lone Deity Who can save souls.
When we offer Him our daily service (Romans 12:1,2), we are giving it to the Almighty Who was, and is, and evermore shall be (Revelation 4:8-11)! He is God! When we come together to worship, we bow before the great I AM. He is God! Life has meaning because He is God! When life is filled with trials and disappointments, He is still God! He is still in control.
The one God deserves our reverence (Hebrews 12:28,29). He deserves our submission: He is the Creator, we are the created (Ecclesiastes 12:13). He deserves our allegiance, so serving Him must be our top priority in life (Matthew 6:33). Every Christian should be elated and grateful that He allows us to be His servants and children (1 John 3:1).
The Lord God gives all men life, breath, and all things (Acts 17:25). Better than all material things combined is this truth: the one God also gives eternal life in His Son (1 John 5:11). Praise His holy name!
— Roger D. Campbell
