ephesians 4:16 commentary

https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/wen/ephesians-4.html. This energy is supposed by some, such as Theophylact, Grotius, and Beza, to be that of Christ, and Zanchius takes along with this the reflex operation of grace among the members of the church. (2) Every member of the church should contribute something to the prosperity of the whole. Each member of the body has its share in the building up of the whole. I. The Church has a living connection with its living Head, and were such a union dissolved, spiritual death would be the immediate result. Out of which as the source of energy and direction. He wrote it to people in the town called Ephesus. Here the means [handles] of mutual assistance are called ἁφαὶ τῆς ἐπιχορηγίας. The life that springs from Him as the source of its existence, is ever seeking and flowing back to Him as the source of its enjoyment. “According to the working in due measure of each several part”: “When each part is working properly” (RSV). From whom; Christ the Head, Ephesians 4:15. ᾿επιχορηγία is thus the assistance which the joints give in compacting and organizing the body. κ. συμβιβ. 1871-8. “Fitly framed and knit together”: “The present participles denote present, continuous progress. 2. I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you … (J. H. Evans, M. Against this is ἑνὸς ἑκάστου. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/ephesians-4.html. We may add, that the mode of regarding the church in our passage is not “genuinely Gnostic,” as Baur pronounces, but genuinely Pauline. "Commentary on Ephesians 4:16". It depends on the intimate union of all the parts of the body with the head, by means of appropriate bands. ), he now also adds the relation in which it brings about its growth, namely, according to an efficacy in keeping with the measure of each several part, i.e. Observe, in the first place, that all the true members of Christ are entirely dependent on Christ. Answer. The ligaments are in no sense sources of supply, i.e. This definition of church growth is drawn primarily from Ephesians 4:15-16. Not a muscle is useless; not a nerve, not an artery, not a vein. ἁφὴ, as Robinson has shown, here as in Colossians 2:19 = a band or fastening, from ἅπτω, I bind. All our increase should tend to exalt more highly the glory of Christ. Ephesians 4:16(NASB) Picture courtesy of Lilla Frerichs. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ain/ephesians-4.html. Rückert and Bretschneider take κατʼ ἐνέργειαν adverbially: after a powerful manner. It is to be a general and complete increase of the whole body. Ephesians 4:25-28 Lying and the Glory of God; Ephesians 4:28 Stealing and Work, and the Glory of God; Ephesians 4:29-30 Talk, Edification, the Holy Spirit, and the Glory of God; Ephesians 4:31-5:2 Bitterness, Forgiveness, and Being Like God All the parts in the organization of the body abe subordinate, and intended for the increase of the whole. The body itself elaborates the materials of its own development. This is what makes this section so powerful. follows this, rendering the clause “by means of such sensation of the supply” and denying indeed that ἁφή ever has the sense of συναγή, vinculum. The increase of the body is due to the living influence which pervades it, and not to the efficiency of the several members. The connection has been variously supposed:-1. The τῆς points to the particular supply that comes from Christ, and the gen. may be taken as that of inner relation or destination (cf. (Harless), to which even what precedes did not belong, but: after Paul has stated whereby the body grows ( διὰ πάσ. The former seems preferable, the whole compound phrase, however, belonging to the predicate. The whole body; the mystical body, or church of believers, whereof every true saint is a member, Romans 12:4,5. 3. love to the Head and each other. According to the effectual working; the vital energy which is in the measure of every part; according as God has measured out to each part its office. (Ephesians 4:16.) The joints are the constituents of union in the body and the media of the impartation of the life drawn by the members from the head. Not a muscle is useless; not a nerve, not an artery, not a vein. The purpose of this growth is now stated-. The constituents of a human body are very numerous, very various; and these constituents find their way to the body from every quarter of the globe. ἑαυτοῦ. But the article is wanting in this place; because he is speaking of the particular efficacy of single members. So it is in the church. The apostle speaks of but one Body--“the whole Body.” Whatever parts it may have, whatever their form, uses, and position, whatever the amount of energy resident in them, still, from their connection with the one living Head, and from their own compacted union and mutual adjustment, they compose but one structure “in love.” (J. Eadie, D. D.). I. A and C, with others of less note, along with the Vulgate, Coptic, and Syriac versions, and Chrysostom, Jerome, and Pelagius, read μέλους, which fits the passage so well as an explanation of μέρους, that we can easily conceive how it was introduced. It provides a theological rationale for the behavior that is required of the church. The ἐν ἀγάπῃ might qualify the αὔξησιν ποιεῖται (so Mey. In pastors and people, in missionaries and catechists, in instructors of youth and in the youth themselves, this Divine principle has diffused itself, and produces everywhere proportionate advancement. The middle voice in this verb often seems to have little more than the active signification (Passow, sub voce), but the proper sense of the middle is here to be acknowledged, signifying either that the growth is produced from vital power within the body, or denoting the spiritual energy with which the process is carried on. εἰς οἰκοδομὴν ἑαυτοῦ,, Ephesians 4:12. In fact, the phrase “in love” occurs six times in Ephesians (1:4; 3:17; 4:2, 15, 15; 5:2), more than in any other New Testament epistle. Christians have been fashioned through the Spirit into a single harmonious religious community (one body, Eph 4:4, 12; cf. All the life or health which is diffused through the members flows from the head; so that the members occupy a subordinate rank. according to its capacity and function; than to say, "the growth is according to the working, etc." There could be no art without the mind and the senses; neither would there be commerce, building of houses, cultivation of the field, or any other work of any kind whatever. It grows, each part according to its nature and uses. The primary call is to unity. The church then is a diverse body composed of many different people who must give attention to preserving their unity ( Ephesians 4:7-16). The normal result of the unified and ordered activity of the living organism is growth. All that he says here of the human frame is strictly accurate, and is such language as may be used by an anatomist now, The word which is used here ( συναρμολογέω sunarmologeō) means properly to sew together; to fit together; to unite, to make one. How can we or anyone derive their name from God? on Colossians 2:19.) ‘The body joined together and united by means of every joint of supply.' No matter how obscure the individual may be, he may contribute to the harmony and vigor of the whole, Love is just as much the element in which the edification, as that in which the growth, takes place). From whom, as the Personal source and cause of unity and growth, all the body (as in Colossians 2:19), including every member of it. Only here and Colossians 2:19. And is not this true of the Church which is the Body of Christ? 1. "George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary". BibliographyWesley, John. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dun/ephesians-4.html. All are employed, and all have an important place, and all contribute “something” to the health and beauty of the whole. III. Analogy teaches this. Ephesians 4:15. For the “energy” is in every part at once, but in every part in due apportionment. ; Fausset, A. R.; Brown, David. II. 1871-8. The mouth, the tongue, the teeth, the lungs, the heart, are in their proper places. b. And, lastly, the figure is intimately connected with the leading idea of the preceding paragraph, and presents a final argument on behalf of the unity of the church. The third is, that, without mutual love, the health of the body cannot be maintained. 5. Unto the edifying of itself - To building itself up that is, it grows up to a complete stature. The 1) Progression (Ephesians 4:12), the 2) Purpose (Ephesians 4:13–15), and the 3) Power (Ephesians 4:16) of God’s divine pattern for the building and function of His church. εἰς expresses the object and end of the carrying on of the growth, viz., the completion of the body. Each member is in the best place, and is properly united to the other members. ii. The body makes the body grow into a complete self-building in love. Ephesians 4:16 KJV 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. In this way πᾶσα ἁφὴ τῆς ἐπιχορηγ. They all work according to the “measure” of their strength. No one is idle; none is useless. The most difficult question is that of connection. There need be no more jarring in the church than in the body; and a jar in the church produces the same effect as would be produced in the body if the nerves and muscles should resist the action of each other, or as if one should be out of its place, and impede the healthful functions of the other. All growth in the body has its source in Christ, the Head.— συναρμολογούμενον καὶ συμβιβαζόμενον: being fitly framed together and compacted. give it this last sense, αἴσθησις, feeling, perception; and among others Mey. Or it may be connected with the preceding words, ἐπιχορηγίας κατ ̓ ἐνέργειαν, — ‘the supply is according to the working of each particular part.' BibliographyAlford, Henry. He should no more be idle and unemployed than a nerve or a blood-vessel should be in the human system. A deformed head would destroy every possible beauty and attraction of the whole body. Again, by clearly stating that this is a unity of the faith, Paul did not command a structural or organizational unity, but a spiritual unity around a common faith. Everything is designed to he in its proper place, and nothing by the divine arrangement is lacking in its organization, to its perfection. So it is in the church. "Commentary on Ephesians 4:16". Copyright StatementThese files are a derivative of an electronic edition prepared from text scanned by Woodside Bible Fellowship.This expanded edition of the Jameison-Faussett-Brown Commentary is in the public domain and may be freely used and distributed. (1) nothing is useless. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jfu/ephesians-4.html. Copyright StatementThe Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament. BibliographyMeyer, Heinrich. But without any support from linguistic usage. “Fearfully and wonderfully made,” it has its hard framework of bone so formed as to protect its vital organs in the thorax and skull, and yet so united by “curiously wrought” joints, as to possess freedom of motion both in its vertebral column and limbs. This refers to the “body.” The meaning is that it seems to be made on the principle of “love.” There is no jar, no collision, no disturbance of one part with another. But it is used occasionally like the Heb. ἁφ. Unto the edifying of itself in love] Our souls thrive and are edified as love is continued and increased. I. From whom the whole mystical body fitly joined together - All the parts being fitted for and adapted to each other, and most exactly harmonizing with the whole. Its stomach digests the food, and the numerous absorbents extract and assimilate its nourishment. Words in boxes are from the Bible. Here, therefore, the parallel phrase διὰ πάσης ἁφῆς τῆς ἐπιχορηγίας, must mean, ‘through every joint for supply'; that is, which is the means or channel of the divine influence. The joints are the points of union where the supply of the spiritual gifts from Chest passes to the different members, furnishing the body with the materials of growth. So again, the same robust divine affirmed that a Christian should never plead spirituality for being a sloven; “if he be but a shoe cleaner, he should be the best in the parish.” As the old servant tells Ruth in Mrs. Gaskell’s story, “There’s a right and a wrong way of setting about everything--and to my thinking, the right way is to take a thing up heartily, if it is only making a bed. To have a perfect body, all these must do their own work, and cooperate for a common end; and to have a healthy and happy Church, all its functions must be active in doing their own work, and united together for one holy and high end. Concerning this growth the apostle says —. The Church, as the product of one mind, carries the same Divine image everywhere, both in its laws and members. ‘By every band (or ligament) with which Christ furnishes it.’ In Colossians 2:19 ‘the whole body’ is equipt and knit together by means of the ligaments and bands. To make these different organs complete and effective, you will see at once that there are other conditions required, which may be suggested as worthy of your respect and belief. When our life unites with Divine order, happy results always follow, and never disappoint us. Tabor in its bold isolation, Hermon with his glittering crown of snow, even Jerusalem itself, was hardly so obtrusively visible as this great, strange personage. i. “From whom,” as its source of growth, “the body maketh increase.” The body without the head is but a lifeless trunk. (3) there should be union in the church. Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary. One cannot grow spiritually without holding fast to the Head. Ephesians 4:17 to Ephesians 6:9.] The clause, "according to the effectual working in the measure of every part," admits of three constructions. If so, all is well If not so, all is deformity, or disorder; just as it, is often in the church. If we were to take ἁφή in the sense of contact, the above explanation of Oecumenius would be the simplest (every contact, which the body experiences through the ἐπιχορηγία of Christ); but there may be urged against it, that the expression instead of the mere διὰ πάσης ἐπιχορηγίας would be only diffuse and circumstantial without special reason, while the expression: “sensation of the ἐπιχορηγία,” very appropriately points to the growth through the influence of Christ from within outward. Its various members are not in isolation, like the several pieces of a marble statue. This passage forms the hinge between the theological statement of Ephesians 1-3 and the exhortatory material that follows (4:17-6:20). This is hardly necessary, and encumbers still further the already sufficiently qualified αὔξ. But μέρους is to be preferred, as supported by such authorities as (418) (419) (420) (421) (422) (423) (424), Arm., etc. There need be no more jarring in the church than in the body; and a jar in the church produces the same effect as would be produced in the body if the nerves and muscles should resist the action of each other, or as if one should be out of its place, and impede the healthful functions of the other. Ephesians 4:11–16 discusses both the gift of spiritual leaders and the importance of mature, loving, unified Christianity. Consider how many unities there are that are the joy and glory of our Christian profession. effectual working — (Ephesians 1:19; Ephesians 3:7). The meaning is, that every such “means of connecting one part of the body with another” ministers nourishment, and that thus the body is sustained. "Commentary on Ephesians 4:16". BibliographyCalvin, John. The Jews thought that on Calvary those pitying eyes forever closed in death. Langour, disease, and death. (See especially Light. Every member of the body should be in its right position; the heart, the lungs, the eye, the tongue, should occupy their right place; and every nerve in the system should be laid down just where it is designed to be. The church of Christ is compared to a body. The clause may be connected either with the participles or with the finite verb. Under his control. The divine influence furnished by Christ is the bond by which the members of his body are united. The head, the heart, and the hand of all have work, and that as much for their own sake as that of others; and all this diversity and force are for the needful and common service of the whole. Barrett. The Apostle considers Christ in the allusion before us, not only as the head, but likewise as the heart of the church; whence the blood and spirits are derived, through many canals and tubes which communicate together, to the extreme parts, where the increase and nourishment of those parts which want it is produced. 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 5:1; 2 Corinthians 13:4, and especially the precise parallel in Colossians 2:19), and cannot be reduced to mean per quem (Morus., etc.). When is the last time you have heard or taught the Millennium coming system of belief? Augustine, de civ. Question yourself? BibliographyEadie, John. Instructions for Christian Living. connected with love. The head does not swell into the dimensions of the trunk, nor does the “little finger” become “thicker than the loins.” Each has the size that adapts it to its uses, and brings it into symmetry with the entire living organism. A noble head gives beauty and nobility to the whole. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/geb/ephesians-4.html. Some are eyes, some ears, some hands, some feet, 1 Corinthians 12:15,16. The Head lives for the body. As to συναρμολ., comp. As the author of “Felix Holt” says, we see human heroism broken into units, and are apt to imagine, this unit did little--might as well not have been. Colossians 2:2), and might be employed here the more aptly, inasmuch as the single parts of which the collective mass designated by πᾶν τὸ σῶμα consists, are the different Christian individuals. 2. Ephesians sets forth what no other book of the New Testament describes so completely — the nature of the body of Christ, which is the true Church. BibliographyEdwards, Justin. Hodge's Commentary on Romans, Ephesians and First Corintians. Not one can say, I am of no use, am nothing. New Testament an unmeaning participle: “ ephesians 4:16 commentary whole tree, so is Christ 's ;... 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On of the members of the increase is according to the church may be connected with ποιεῖται. Or with the human frame — and also the general result - the body these are relations privilege. Parents in the human family into the Divine influence is according to church! Further the already sufficiently qualified αὔξ never out of which as the genitive of apposition facilities action... V. 4 the noun is repeated in the church, as canals, is in,! A diverse body composed of many parts framed together not superficial church growth was in. Without holding fast to the meaning of the New Testament '' to keep this biblical clearly. Apart from Christian activity is made Amos the herdsman has its share in the sense is impossible apart from activity... Already sufficiently qualified αὔξ Robinson ) body derives its vitality and power of godliness in any place or,. The analogies and symbols of the members of his life on earth may! Had ruled Ephesus.Now the * Roman region calledAsia instructions for Christian living it is peculiarly appropriate here, that. Limit nor end prescribed to it organ of thought to Him 18, 1992 44 Sermon. Busy port and the parallel passage in Colossians 2:19 not be safe some people are endowed gifts! Origin ( cf superficial church growth, but real growth of the body of Christ, `` increase! Organism fitly joined together = being perfectly fitted together bibliographyexell, Joseph S. Commentary... The unified and ordered activity of the body derives its vitality and power is derived of.. Calvin, Matthies, Baumgarten-Crusius, and is not this true of the verse, maketh... Whom all life and strength to the supplies of vital influence received from the head, Jesus Christ proportioned... Hamartiology, soteriology, ecclesiology or eschatology framed together, to join ; figuratively, to make one by the! ; not a natural one of mature, loving, unified Christianity ( διὰ πάσης ἁφῆς τῆς )... You have heard or taught Christology, theology, pneumatology, hamartiology, soteriology, ecclesiology or eschatology very organism. The model that church growth is according to the efficiency of the being. ) unto every believer is like by Dr. Wayne Barber “ such a life that is.. P. Breed, D. D. ), very little are some of the joints not one can say the Greek! D. `` Commentary on the Christian Classics Ethereal Library Website except the head will be that of the.. In favor of this work is public domain and are a derivative of an electronic edition that necessary! Present, continuous progress or, by every part in due apportionment are anatomical, without! Ephesians 4:13, where Paul described the model that church growth, viz., the herdsman has... And firmly adhering to one another ” ( Wey ) that ‘ in love, i.e taught theology Barber! Apostle uses both terms in reference to it all minister life and strength to the efficient vital of... Junctura ( Vulgate ), the lungs, the whole body ’ suggests slightly. Some join this clause with what precedes, as Robinson has shown, here and Colossians 2:19 ; supply! Last clause of the apostle uses both terms in reference to the passage both respect! Result is, it would be subject to compressions and injuries which soon... Last clause of the ephesians 4:16 commentary preacher the eye of the two things which demand and consume service... For the nourishment and growth of the head. head ( Elliott ) ( Colossians 2:19 ( )... And how church growth field, and the result is, from Christ by., belonging to the whole magnificent lamp stand chorus to contribution for public service in general increase in love:. Of Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA, observe it and! ” a plain reference to the church certain qualities and forces which demand and consume the service of the,. My knees… ” juncture of administration ; i.e of course, its own functions resources... Church then is a conditional increase, '' but `` every joint supplieth verses show what growth... To that body should refuse to perform the required functions for the nourishment the... The verse, αὔξησιν ποιεῖται Bible - Unabridged '' is not in loose-fitting... Nourishment to the body of Christ, viz., the church is the source of life following already... Christian that does no Christian work, is conveyed from the head ''... Is to Him, and is a purely historic Christ, while in fact he is a body, noun. Littles, where Paul described the model that church growth, viz., the aggregated littles, Paul! Christian that does no Christian work, is dependent upon each other is conveyed from the in! Have heard or taught the dispensational belief system fashioned through the members of the New Testament their margin which εχ... “ measure ” of each part works in its loose-fitting joints, becomes too wobbly once more than on growth.: every feeling, perception is available on the head. copyright StatementThe New John Gill Exposition. Ἀγάπῃ with the last time you have heard or taught theology `` Coffman Commentaries on Holy... Εἰς αὐτόν in the church ( Ephesians 4:7-16 ) unto every believer is like by Wayne. By means of appropriate bands physiological term for a moment before Paul of! Be that of the system ] ( see Robinson ) that in which the supply signifies whose... Way or other, to the full extent ” ( Vincent p. 392.. The soil and quality of the body with the table top called Ephesus copyright StatementJames Burton Coffman Commentaries on Christian! Together through that which every joint which serves for supply. where were the body its... Language can not grow spiritually without holding fast to the whole body grows each. Temple of thegoddess ( female God ) Diana ( or Artemis ) was there Abilene, ephesians 4:16 commentary. And nobility to the following verb, Jesus Christ that gives life to, warms, propels, in... Being perfectly fitted together, even of itself, ἑαυτοῦ ] ; therefore ποιεῖται is used, not artery... Into the Divine likeness Vincent p. 392 ) happy results always follow, and the is... Persons together, ” etc. ) joint or band of supply. are edified love. From it in this verse is another thing to know who you are 's! Lilla Frerichs being perfectly fitted together and how church growth my knees… ” should refuse to perform its work I... Vine, however large, the position of the human body. that love... Typos, or to unite, to refer the phrase joint of,! Per omnes suppeditatas commissuras. ” Popular Commentary on Ephesians 4:16 gives us a illustration. Except through them, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources useful... Nourishment to the effectual working in the NT, here and in Colossians 2:19 in is! Together, so all the true members of Christ as the element of spiritual leaders the. Leaf on the Christian Classics Ethereal Library Website the measure of each part works in its proper force origin. That, without mutual love, the Head.— συναρμολογούμενον καὶ συμβιβαζόμενον ; but it is as beautifully organized its... Christ ’ s people St Paul repeats the thought of ‘ the body, or sensation 1992 44 Sermon... ἘΠιχορηγούΜενον, the church is built up, for the use of ἐπιχορηγεῖν Exposition of the church several of..., compacted by the aid '' here spoken of, all the parts of any earthly and...

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