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Selected Verse: Ephesians 4:12 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Eph 4:12 |
King James |
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
For--with a view to; the ultimate aim. "Unto."
perfecting--The Greek implies correcting in all that is deficient, instructing and completing in number and all parts.
for--a different Greek word; the immediate object. Compare Rom 15:2, "Let every one . . . please his neighbor for his good unto edification."
the ministry--Greek, "ministration"; without the article. The office of the ministry is stated in this verse. The good aimed at in respect to the Church (Eph 4:13). The way of growth (Eph 4:14-16).
edifying--that is, building up as the temple of the Holy Ghost. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
For the perfecting of the saints - On the meaning of the word rendered here as "perfecting" - καταρτισμὸν katartismon - see the notes on Co2 13:9. It properly refers to "the restoring of anything to its place;" then putting in order, making complete, etc. Here it means that these various officers were appointed in order that everything in the church might be well arranged, or put into its proper place; or that the church might be "complete." It is that Christians may have every possible advantage for becoming complete in love, and knowledge, and order.
For the work of the ministry - All these are engaged in the work of the ministry, though in different departments. Together they constituted the "ministry" by which Christ meant to establish and edify the church. All these offices had an existence at that time, and all were proper; though it is clear that they were not all designed to be permanent. The apostolic office was of course to cease with the death of those who were "the witnesses" of the life and doctrines of Jesus (compare notes on Co1 9:1); the office of "prophets" was to cease with the cessation of inspiration; and in like manner it is possible that the office of teacher or evangelist might be suspended, as circumstances might demand. But is it not clear from this that Christ did not appoint "merely" three orders of clergy to be permanent in the church? Here are "five" orders enumerated, and in Co1 12:28, there are "eight" mentioned; and how can it be demonstrated that the Saviour intended that there should be "three" only, and that they should be permanent? The presumption is rather that he meant that there should be but one permanent order of ministers, though the departments of their labor might be varied according to circumstances, and though there might be helpers, as occasion should demand. In founding churches among the pagan, and in instructing and governing them there, there is need of reviving nearly all the offices of teacher, helper, evangelist, etc., which Paul has enumerated as actually existing in his time.
For the edifying - For building it up; that is, in the knowledge of the truth and in piety; see the notes on Rom 14:19.
The body of Christ - The Church; see the notes on Eph 1:23. |
| The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
perfect
(See Scofield) - (Mat 5:48). |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
For the perfecting (πρὸς τὸν καταρτισμὸν)
Only here in the New Testament. In classical Greek of refitting a ship or setting a bone. The preposition for denotes the ultimate purpose. Ministering and building are means to this end. Hence its emphatic position in the sentence. For perfecting, see on mending, Mat 4:21; see on perfected, Mat 21:16; see on Luk 6:40; see on Pe1 5:10. Compare Co1 1:10; Heb 13:21. The radical idea of adjustment is brought out in Eph 4:13.
For the work of the ministry (εἰς ἔργον διακονίας)
Rev., much better, unto the work of ministering. Εἰς unto, marks the immediate purpose of the gift. He gave apostles, etc., unto the work of ministering and building, for the perfecting, etc. The prevailing sense of διακονία ministry, in the New Testament, is spiritual service of an official character. See Act 1:25; Act 6:4; Act 20:24; Rom 11:13; Ti1 1:12; Ti2 4:5.
Edifying (οἰκοδομὴν)
Rev., building up. See on Act 20:32. Notice the combination of perfecting and building. Building defines the nature of the work of ministry, and perfecting comes through a process. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| In this verse is noted the office of ministers; in Eph 4:13, the aim of the saints; in Eph 4:14-16, the way of growing in grace. And each of these has three parts, standing in the same order. For the perfecting the saints - The completing them both in number and their various gifts and graces. To the work of the ministry - The serving God and his church in their various ministrations. To the edifying of the body of Christ - The building up this his mystical body in faith, love, holiness. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
For the perfecting of the saints - For the complete instruction, purification, and union of all who have believed in Christ Jesus, both Jews and Gentiles. For the meaning of καταρτισμος, perfecting, see the note on Co2 13:9.
For the work of the ministry - All these various officers, and the gifts and graces conferred upon them, were judged necessary, by the great Head of the Church, for its full instruction in the important doctrines of Christianity. The same officers and gifts are still necessary, and God gives them; but they do not know their places. In most Christian Churches there appears to be but one office, that of preacher; and one gift, that by which he professes to preach. The apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, are all compounded in the class preachers; and many, to whom God has given nothing but the gift of exhortation, take texts to explain them; and thus lose their time, and mar their ministry.
Edifying of the body - The body of Christ is his Church, see Eph 2:20, etc.; and its edification consists in its thorough instruction in Divine things, and its being filled with faith and holiness. |
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
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.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.