Click
here to show/hide instructions.
Instructions on how to use the page:
The commentary for the selected verse is is displayed below.
All commentary was produced against the King James, so the same verse from that translation may appear as well. Hovering your mouse over a commentary's scripture reference attempts to show those verses.
Use the browser's back button to return to the previous page.
Or you can also select a feature from the Just Verses menu appearing at the top of the page.
Selected Verse: Ephesians 4:13 - King James
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
Eph 4:13 |
King James |
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: |
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] |
come in--rather, "attain unto." ALFORD expresses the Greek order, "Until we arrive all of us at the unity," &c.
faith and . . . knowledge--Full unity of faith is then found, when all alike thoroughly know Christ, the object of faith, and that in His highest dignity as "the Son of God" [DE WETTE] (Eph 3:17, Eph 3:19; Pe2 1:5). Not even Paul counted himself to have fully "attained" (Phi 3:12-14). Amidst the variety of the gifts and the multitude of the Church's members, its "faith" is to be ONE: as contrasted with the state of "children carried about with EVERY WIND OF DOCTRINE." (Eph 4:14).
perfect man--unto the full-grown man (Co1 2:6; Phi 3:15; Heb 5:14); the maturity of an adult; contrasted with children (Eph 4:14). Not "perfect men"; for the many members constitute but one Church joined to the one Christ.
stature, &c.--The standard of spiritual "stature" is "the fulness of Christ," that is, which Christ has (Eph 1:23; Eph 3:19; compare Gal 4:19); that the body should be worthy of the Head, the perfect Christ. |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Till we all come - Until all Christians arrive at a state of complete unity, and to entire perfection.
In the unity of the faith - Margin, into. The meaning is, until we all hold the same truths, and have the same confidence in the Son of God; see the notes on Joh 17:21-23.
And of the knowledge of the Son of God - That they might attain to the satire practical acquaintance with the Son of God, and might thus come to the maturity of Christian piety; see the notes on Eph 3:19.
Unto a perfect man - Unto a complete man. This figure is obvious. The apostle compares their condition then to a state of childhood. The perfect man here refers to the man "grown up," the man of mature life. He says that Christ had appointed pastors and teachers that the infant church might be conducted to "maturity;" or become strong - like a man. He does not refer to the doctrine of "sinless perfection" - but to the state of manhood as compared with that of childhood - a state of strength, vigor, wisdom, when the full growth should be attained; see Co1 14:20.
Unto the measure of the stature - Margin, or age. The word "stature" expresses the idea. It refers to the growth of a man. The stature to be attained to was that of Christ. He was the standard - not in size, not in age - but in moral character. The measure to be reached was Christ; or we are to grow until we become like him.
Of the fulness of Christ - see the notes on Eph 1:23. The phrase "the measure of the fulness," means, probably, the "full measure" - by a form of construction that is common in the Hebrew writings, where two nouns are so used that one is to be rendered as an adjective - "as trees of greatness" - meaning great trees. Here it means, that they should so advance in piety and knowledge as to become wholly like him. |
Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Till (μέχρι)
Specifying the time up to which this ministry and impartation of gifts are to last.
Come (καταντήσωμεν)
Arrive at, as a goal. See Act 16:1; Act 18:19; Act 25:13. Rev., attain.
In the unity (εἰς)
Rev., correctly, unto. Compare one faith, Eph 4:5.
Knowledge (τῆς ἐπιγνώσεως)
The full knowledge. Not identical with faith, since the article puts it as a distinct conception; but related to faith. Compare Phi 3:9, Phi 3:10; Jo1 4:16. "Christians are not to be informed merely on different sections of truth and erring through defective information on other points, but they are to be characterized by the completeness and harmony of their ideas of the power, work, history, and glory of the Son of God" (Eadie).
Of the Son of God
Belongs to both faith and knowledge. Faith in Him, knowledge of Him.
Perfect (τέλειον)
Rev., full grown. See on Co1 2:6.
Measure of the stature (μέτρον ἡλικίας)
Defining perfect man. For stature, see on Luk 12:25. The word is rendered age, Joh 9:21, Joh 9:23; Heb 11:11. So here, by some, the age when the fullness of Christ is received. But fullness and grow up (Eph 4:15) suggest rather the idea of magnitude.
Fullness of Christ
Which belongs to Christ and is imparted by Him. See Joh 1:16, and compare Eph 3:19. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
Till we all - And every one of us. Come to the unity of the faith, and knowledge of the Son of God - To both an exact agreement in the Christian doctrine, and an experimental knowledge of Christ as the Son of God. To a perfect man - To a state of spiritual manhood both in understanding and strength. To the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ - To that maturity of age and spiritual stature wherein we shall be filled with Christ, so that he will be all in all. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
In the unity of the faith - Jews and Gentiles being all converted according to the doctrines laid down in the faith - the Christian system.
The knowledge of the Son of God - A trite understanding of the mystery of the incarnation; why God was manifest in the flesh, and why this was necessary in order to human salvation.
Unto a perfect man - Εις ανδρα τελειον· One thoroughly instructed; the whole body of the Church being fully taught, justified, sanctified, and sealed.
Measure of the stature - The full measure of knowledge, love, and holiness, which the Gospel of Christ requires. Many preachers, and multitudes of professing people, are studious to find out how many imperfections and infidelities, and how much inward sinfulness, is consistent with a safe state in religion but how few, very few, are bringing out the fair Gospel standard to try the height of the members of the Church; whether they be fit for the heavenly army; whether their stature be such as qualifies them for the ranks of the Church militant! The measure of the stature of the fullness is seldom seen; the measure of the stature of littleness, dwarfishness, and emptiness, is often exhibited. |
19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
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;
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
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;
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
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.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 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.
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.
19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: