No matter how obscure the individual may be, he may contribute to the harmony and vigor of the whole, (Harless), to which even what precedes did not belong, but: after Paul has stated whereby the body grows ( διὰ πάσ. 1999. (4) every member in the church should keep his place, just as every bone, and nerve, and muscle in the human frame should. διὰ πάσης ἁφῆς τῆς ἐπιχορηγ.] Works Referenced. Barnes's Ephesians 4:16 Bible Commentary From whom the whole body - The church, compared with the human body. Each one in “his place,” and laboring as he should there, will contribute to the general strength and welfare; “out of his place” - like nerves and arteries out of their place, and crossing and recrossing others - he will only embarrass the whole, and disarrange the harmony of the system. And compacted; firmly knit, so as not to be separated. What these channels of divine influence are, by which the church is sustained and carried forward, is clearly stated in Ephesians 4:11, where the apostle says, "Christ gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints." BibliographyCoke, Thomas. This of supply qualifies the joint, and means that every joint is a supplier of strength, as if it read every strength-supplying joint. One cannot grow spiritually without holding fast to the Head. Each believer contributes to body growth as he or she exercises his or her particular gifts (abilities) in the service of Christ. Love is to be the very atmosphere that permeates the church as we grow in Christ (Eph. As a body, the Church is also characterized by a compact organic unity. sunarmologeō) means properly to sew together; to fit together; to unite, to make one. It means here that the different parts of the body are “united” and sustained in this manner.By that which every joint supplieth - Literally, “through every joint of supply;” that is, which affords or ministers mutual aid. BibliographyEadie, John. The whole body fitly joined together and compacted. The snuffers and trays were as necessary as the magnificent lamp stand. In love - In mutual harmony. and Theod. The church of Christ is compared to a body. The church enjoys a similar compacted organization-all about her, in doctrine, discipline, ordinance, and enterprise, possessing mutual adaptation, and showing harmony of structure and power of increase. By that which every joint supplieth; or, by every joint or juncture of administration; i.e. BibliographySchaff, Philip. 1974. 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. 1832. b. to the thing figuratively represented. Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible. Unto the building up of itself in love. 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. All rights reserved. Cf. Read Introduction to Ephesians 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. So of the church. Everything is designed to he in its proper place, and nothing by the divine arrangement is lacking in its organization, to its perfection. The Church stands related to its source and Head, to Divine order, to all intelligent beings, to itself and all belonging to its laws and blessings, to this world and the next. The Head is never out of sight; it is visible to all from all its members. The Biblical Illustrator. One member of this Body dwells among Greenland’s icy mountains, another on India’s coral strand; one wears the black skin of the African, another the red skin of the American Indian; one the yellow skin of the Chinese, and another the tawny skin of the Malay; another still the white skin of the Caucasian; but all alike are members of the Body of Christ. Hofmann, Schriftbew. 2. The distinction consists only in this, that συναρμολ. It is not one clumsy mechanical piece, without either parts or joints, but a body of numerous organs for the accomplishment of different services. When is the last time you have heard or taught Christology, theology, pneumatology, hamartiology, soteriology, ecclesiology or eschatology? Ephesians 4:16-18 New International Version (NIV). Copyright StatementThese files are public domain and are a derivative of an electronic edition that is available on the Christian Classics Ethereal Library Website. But, none are overtaxed or overworked. ἑαυτοῦ on the part of the whole body proceeds—outside of which this cannot take place. give it this last sense, αἴσθησις, feeling, perception; and among others Mey. “Every member must exert himself to full measure, to the full extent” (Caldwell p. 192). ἑαυτοῦ. 17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. This is consistent with both the ultimate purpose of God (Ephesians 1:10) and the mystery of God revealed through Paul (Ephesians 3:6). The participles point to a present continuous progress; the former denotes the fitting together of the parts of a building, the latter the gathering together of persons into a compact society; the two ideas being adaptation and solidity. "As the head, Christ controls his body. Ephesians 4:17 to Ephesians 6:9.] 5. “All the body”: Every member of the church. 6. 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. "Commentary on Ephesians 4:16". Some are eyes, some ears, some hands, some feet, 1 Corinthians 12:15,16. “Passow.” The idea of harmony, or appropriate union, is that in the word.And compacted - συμβιβαζόμενον sumbibazomenonTyndale renders this, “knit together in every joint.” The word properly means, to make to come together; to join or knit together. above: see note there) supply (the joints are the points of union where the supply passes to the different members, and by means of which the body derives the supply by which it grows. The Spirit-filled life and two other special areas of submission. 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. 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. John Piper Sep 17, 1995 51 Shares Sermon. So also Colossians 2:19. This is not superficial church growth, but real growth of the body of Christ. Solomon built a temple. One is identity, the other is responsibility. Nothing more furthereth growth in grace and power of godliness in any place or person, observe it where and when you will. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/sdn/ephesians-4.html. Rom 6:1–11). He received for them, that he might give to them, a large measure of gifts … The English Standard Version translates verse 16 just a bit differently than the NIV and it brings out a … Ephesians 2:21 above. By that which every joint supplieth - Literally, “through every joint of supply;” that is, which affords or ministers mutual aid. 4. John Trapp Complete Commentary. ᾿εν μέτρῳ—“in the measure of every one part,” a plain reference to Ephesians 4:7. Without figure: From Christ the church accomplishes its progressive development according to an efficacy, which is not equal in all individuals, but appropriate to the degree of development appointed for each several individual. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tcc/ephesians-4.html. The only question is what aid or contribution is meant, and what is the force of the genitive. This sense of the exhortation carries with it a strong insinuation (especially if we take in the rest of the admonitions to the end of the Epistle) that the Mosaical observances were no part of the business or character of a Christian, but were wholly to be declined and laid aside by the subjects of Christ's kingdom. It is to be a general and complete increase of the whole body. We cannot, if we would, do without one another. 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. κ τ. λ. with τ. αὔξ. And no ordinance or member is superfluous. Each individual is so important and yet as a whole she is even more glorious. "Commentary on Ephesians 4:16". Ephesians 4:16 New King James Version (NKJV) 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. 5; Plato, Rep. p. 504 A comp. μέρους] is held by Harless to denote the several parts, which again in their turn appear as having the control of the other members (pastors, etc., Ephesians 4:11). 102 E, we have it in this sense— καὶ συμπλεκομένης οὐχὶ συμφώνους ἁφάς. For the former see on chap. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cal/ephesians-4.html. The truth of Christ appears in … Every member must refuse to embrace false teaching (4:14), and strive to uphold God"s truth with the utmost integrity. Every part labors to produce the great result. He says in verse 16: ". Not one can say, I am of no use, am nothing. According to the effectual working (Ephesians 1:19; Ephesians 3:7) - of grace, proportioned to the 'measure of each one part's [B Delta f g: but A C, Vulgate, melous for merous: 'member's'] capability of receiving growth: join this clause with "maketh increase," etc. (3) there should be union in the church. 4. 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. In its spiritual constitution it is a body of various elements, for the performance of high and gracious designs. 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. New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. There may be nothing wrong with the table's legs and the table top. One part is dependent on another; one part derives nourishment from another; and thus all become mutually useful as contributing to the support and harmony of the whole. According to the working, etc. According to the effectual working - Greek, “According to the energy in the measure of each one part.” Tyndale, “According to the operation as every part has its measure.” The meaning is, that each part contributes to the production of the whole result, or “labors” for this. In favor of the second is the position of the words — and also the congruity of the figure. When is the last time you have heard or taught theology? BibliographyConstable, Thomas. The preposition ἐκ marks the source. For the word, see on ch. The two participles represent respectively the ideas of harmony or adaptation and compactness or solidity. How blessed the relation of membership in this Body of Christ, His work employing our thought, our eyes, our hands, our feet, our lips! ; Fausset, A. R.; Brown, David. Hodge's Commentary on Romans, Ephesians and First Corintians. Dei, 22.18, and similarly Wycliffe—“bi eche joynture of undir seruynge.” But, with the majority of expositors, we take the word as explained by the parallel passage in Colossians 2:19, and as the Vulgate renders it-junctura. EXPOSITION. The body is fitly framed together, and compacted by the functional assistance of the joints. When is the last time you have heard or taught the Millennium coming system of belief? So we have seen a little twist or surprise in Ephesians 4:16 when we go back to look at where Paul got this idea from. His greatness becomes that of the Church, by virtue of the relation existing between them. No article is between it and the following noun indicating unity of conception. It is not meant to convey the idea that the Church is in any way a material and tangible body, presented to the senses like material substance generally. ); but it is more fitly connected with the οἰκοδομήν, as denoting the ethical element or condition of that consummation and completion of the Church which is the object of the long-continued process of growth. It is a body “fitly framed together,” etc. The recipients of the letter should make “every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit … Continue reading "Commentary on Ephesians 4:1-16" The contrast is twofold; touching sins of the spirit and sins of the flesh. 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. Love is just as much the element in which the edification, as that in which the growth, takes place). 2. 3. There are three things here which deserve our attention. Meyer errs in connecting ἐν ἀγάπῃ with the verb or the whole clause. maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love; the increase of the body the church, is either in numbers, when persons are converted and added to it; or in the exercise of grace, under the influence of the Spirit, through the ministration of the word and ordinances; and both these tend to the edifying or building of it up; and nothing is of a more edifying nature to the church than love, which bears the infirmities of the weak, and seeks for, and follows after those things which make for peace and godly edification, 1 Corinthians 8:1. Gimmicks, false teaching, doctrinal compromise, watered down morality, and fun and games will cause religious bodies to grow in number, but only God"s plan with cause a church to grow both in number and in real spiritual maturity. 16.] So it is in the church. ἑκ. not its own private good, but the good of the whole body, for the benefit of which each part receives its gifts from Christ the Head. See Ephesians 1:19. increase. ἐν μέτρῳ ἑνὸς ἑκ. It runs down through time and eternity; it pervades the universe of rational and responsible existence. 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. 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. Precisely so in Colossians 2:19 the joints and ligaments are mentioned together and are described as the parts by which the body receives its supplies ( ἐπιχορηγούμενον) and is kept compact together ( συμβιβαζόμενον).— κατʼ ἐνέργειαν ἐν μέτρῳ ἑνὸς ἑκάστου μέρους: according to an efficiency in the measure of each individual part. It is another thing to know whose you are. There is no member so obscure and feeble that he may not contribute something to the welfare of the whole; and no one is required to labor beyond his strength in order to secure the great object. Ephesians 1:1, Ephesians 1:2. Cross-References Psalms 95:6 – Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker Ephesians 1:10 – To be put into effect when the times reach their fulfill… Many pastors/teachers are teaching the feel good philosophy of our day. κατʼ ἐνέργ. The first participle occurs at Ephesians 2:21, and is there explained. This is hardly necessary, and encumbers still further the already sufficiently qualified αὔξ. Social life teaches the same doctrine. It is from him, ( ἐξ οὗ) He is the causal source, from whom all life and power are derived. This is a very tersely expressed image of a true Church unity, to which it is of vital importance that every Church should aspire. Paul"s emphasis was on body growth more than on individual growth in this passage. 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. The choice lies between the other two. ποιεῖται. Colossians 2:19. See under Ephesians 3:18; Krüger, § 52, 8, 4. The whole body-, τὴν αὔξησιν τοῦ σώματος ποιεῖται—“carries on the increase of the body.” Colossians 2:19. objecti: every feeling in which the supply is perceived, experienced. An EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary (2800 word vocabulary) on Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. From whom; Christ the Head, Ephesians 4:15. The Church is the eyes of Christ (Matthew 9:36). Even in the embryo the organization is perfect, though it is in miniature, and harmonious growth only is required. αὔξησιν] in the N.T. Ephesians 4:16 (NIV) 16 From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. ἐξ οὗ] is equivalent neither to εἰς ὅν (Koppe), nor to per quem (Morus, Flatt, Holzhausen), but denotes the causal going forth, as Col. It is one in likeness. A basket was as necessary for Paul's safety at one time as his burgess ticket and a troop of cavalry at another. Cf. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dcc/ephesians-4.html. "Whedon's Commentary on the Bible". 3. Used by Permission. "Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament". Unto the edifying of itself in love] Our souls thrive and are edified as love is continued and increased. It is, in a sense, its own saviour or destroyer. To its good offices, the workman is said to look chiefly for coherence without splitting; and to its quiet influences, the neatness, the solidity, the comfort of his structure may greatly be ascribed. 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. It is one in relation. Love--, 4. Every member and joint contribute to its healthful and harmonious action. It “maketh increase of the body.” That is, “the whole body” in its parts “maketh increase of the body” as a whole. 1. This is a beautiful account of the anatomy of the human frame. This is seen in the similarity of fruit the vine produces. The whole round world has been laid under contribution to make up the body in which you live, move, and have your being. This letter, in … See on Acts 9:22, and see on Colossians 2:2. 1905-1909. 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. 'By every supplying joint.' Or, as RV, “fitly framed and knit together”. Therefore διὰ πάσης ἁφῆς τῆς ἐπιχορηγίας may mean, ‘by every feeling, or experience of aid.' (y) Charity is the knitting of the limbs together. κατὰ τὴν ἐνέργειαν, ch. For joint, see on Colossians 2:19; for supply, see on 2 Peter 1:5. By … Whatever is lofty, pure, noble in the conception of the Church, in the conceptions of the believer, is due to the Spirit of Christ acting through the mind of the Church. connected with love. If there be but one body, all that belong to that body should have one heart. Ephesians 1:19, Ephesians 3:7. ποιεῖται, in which the repetition of τοῦ σώματος is neither negligence (Rückert) nor a Hebraism (Grotius), but is introduced for the sake of perspicuity on account of the intervening definitions, as is often the case with classical writers (see Bornemann, Schol. The church is beautifully compared in this verse to the human body under the direction of the head, and rendered perfect by every member performing its appropriate office, so that there is a common interest, a common sympathy, and what promotes the good of one promotes that of all. Oct 18, 1992. in the right place and order, both in respect of Christ the Head, and of the members respectively. on Ephesians 2:21; συμβιβάζω is employed by classical writers of men or of single parts of things, which one brings together into an alliance, to reconciliation, to a unity (Herod, i. effectual working. And it is not to be taken here in any restricted aspect, for it is the Christian grace viewed in its widest relations-the fulfilment of the law. 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. And the Church is the hands of Jesus. The primary call is to unity. But it seems hardly controvertible that ἁφή does signify ‘joint’ ( συναφή) in the parallel Colossians 2:19; it is there (see note) joined with συνδεσμῶν so closely, as necessarily to fall into the same class of anatomical arrangements, and cannot mean αἴσθησις. Even in embryo the organization is perfect, though it is in miniature, and development only is required. Corporeal growth is not effected by additions from without. Observe, in the first place, that all the true members of Christ are entirely dependent on Christ. The erroneous are like a bone out of joint; it will cost many a hearty groan before they be reduced to their right place. John 5:29; Hebrews 9:21; Winer, § 30, 2 β. The first is what has now been stated. ◄ Ephesians 4:16 ► From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body to the edifying of itself in love. Were St. Paul’s ideal realized, what all-conquering gospel Churches we should have! 2. "Commentary on Ephesians 4:16". Used by permission of Broadman Press (Southern Baptist Sunday School Board). https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hmc/ephesians-4.html. Suffice it to say that we are in a real war in this age, and if we don"t get our act together the church is going to be buried in the world so far only Christ will be able to dig it out. ), The Church, Christ’s Body, a growing body, Concerning this growth, the apostle says--. 3. This phrase does not and cannot mean “to whom,” as Koppe gives it, nor “by whom,” as Morus, Holzhausen, and Flatt maintain. We need to keep this biblical ideal clearly before us. So is it in analogy with the Church; all in society morally depends upon the efficiency and the right use of its means and organs. So the Church universal has in it a Divine energy, and that in all its parts, by which its spiritual development is secured. But at the most the difference does not seem to go beyond the notions of joining ( ἁρμός = a joint) and compacting or making to coalesce.— διὰ πἅσης ἁφῆς τῆς ἐπιχορηγίας: by means of every joint of the supply. ii. The eye is in its proper place. Indeed the meaning Berührung, ‘point d’appui,’ would naturally lead to that of joint) of the (article just as παντὶ ἀνέμῳ τῆς διδασκ. Or do we love and adore Him? See under Ephesians 1:22-23. While this connection is upheld, the body is alive and healthy. The latter, to which TWH give the form συνβιβαζόμενον, expresses the general idea of putting together, but with various shades of meaning, e.g., reconciling one to another (Herod., i., 74); considering or concluding (Acts 16:10); demonstrating (Acts 9:22); instructing (1 Corinthians 2:16); and (as here and in Colossians 2:19) compacting or knitting together into one whole. 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. "Commentary on Ephesians 4:16". Ephesians 4:15. This is what makes this section so powerful. In both cases there is a union of parts fitted to each other. Love does not take selfish advantage of others, but rather sacrifices self for the good of others. ‘The whole body’ suggests a slightly different idea. Spiritual growth depends upon our "attitude" towards the Head. 4. See Jacobs, Delect. Its stomach digests the food, and the numerous absorbents extract and assimilate its nourishment. The argument of verse 16 is that believers need to cooperate with each other in ministry. 1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (3) there should be union in the church. 1983-1999. 1897. ἐξ οὗ—“from whom,” that is, from Christ as the Head. 2. διὰ, by, construed with ποιεῖται, makes. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/geb/ephesians-4.html. So numerous are the bloodvessels, that you cannot perforate the skin anywhere without piercing one; so numerous are the pores of the skin, that a grain of sand will cover thousands of them; so minute the ramifications of the nerves, that wherever the point of a needle penetrates, we feel it; and so numerous the absorbents, that million of them are employed in taking up the chyme of the food, and conveying it to the veins. BibliographyDerickson, Stanley. All other rights reserved. From which (εχ ου — ex hou). The word occurs only twice in the NT, here and in Colossians 2:19. Paul traces these successive points, because each presents a topic and a lesson. The foot, for instance, is in its proper place. 1685. 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. At one time, *Greek leaders had ruled Ephesus.Now the *Romans ruled the city. "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". Look at a tree; is it not so? One part lends vigor and beauty to another, so that the whole is finely proportioned and admirably sustained. Ephesians 6:16. Luke 11:36), and is hence of wider meaning than μέλους. But μέρους is to be preferred, as supported by such authorities as (418) (419) (420) (421) (422) (423) (424), Arm., etc. It is a mechanism in which all is so finely adjusted, that every part helps and is helped, strengthens and is strengthened, the invisible action of the pores being as indispensable as the mass of the brain and the pulsations of the heart. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cgt/ephesians-4.html. Note how the three verses go together. So it is in the church. They all work according to the “measure” of their strength. In closing, Stott offers the following comments: “Others lay great stress on the fact of the church"s unity as a theological concept clearly articulated in their minds, but appear to see nothing anomalous in the visible disunity which contradicts their theology. So in Colossians 2:19 - διὰ τῶν ἁφῶν καὶ συνδέσμων ἐπιχορηγούμενον. Maketh increase of the body - The body grows in this manner. ), and WH give it a place in their margin. App-17. It may signify, as in Lucian, de luctu 9, and often in Plutarch, contact, also holding fast, adhesion, and the like(229) (comp.