EPHESIANS

W. J. Franklin

Chapter 4:12-16

REASONS FOR THE MINISTRY

"For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ"—V. 12. The first part of this verse would be better translated, "To fit His people for the work of the ministry"—Twentieth Century translation. Still another gives, "For the immediate equipment of God's people for the work of service"—Williams. The ministers are to help equip God's saints in the assembly to be of service in building up the body of Christ. This is the grand object of their being equipped. The word "Edify" is a form of the word "Edifice." The ministering saints build up the building or body of Christ by their helpful and sympathetic service. Saints help by instructing, teaching the Scriptures, showing people to have a heart occupation with Christ and the Word of God.

"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"—V. 13. These ministries are to continue until we come in the unity of the faith, or until we arrive at the unity of the faith.

Not only so, but we are to come to the knowledge of the Son of God. Marshal translates, "Full knowledge of the Son of God." Williams gives, "To perfect knowledge of the Son of God." No marvel that in Phil. 3, Paul expressed such deep desire for the knowledge of Christ Jesus, and again he said, "That I might know Him." May God give us the desire and capacity for this. &" A perfect man," or a man full grow, or as another has said it, "a mature manhood." That is, a man fully taught and grown up in the things of God. This is the whole assembly that is to grow up in Christ.

"Measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." This is ever the goal. Not a stature of littleness or emptiness, but the stature of Christ in greatness and fulness.

"That we hence forth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive"—V. 14. The word "That" again is "In order that," "Children" means, "Infants." This is in contrast to the preceding "Perfect (Full grown) man." A fully mature man in Christ is worthy of a place of trust in the assembly. An infant needs to be fed, watched over and protected. It is not God's will that we remain babes.

"Tossed to and fro" is translated by Weymouth, "Nor shall we resemble mariners tossed on the waves." This speaks of instability. It speaks of the sailor, blown from his course and missing the way.

Again we quote Weymouth—"According to man's cleverness and unscrupulous cunning that makes use of every shifting device to mislead." Marshal gives the following—"In cleverness unto the craftiness of error." Men are skillful in devising error. The word "Sleight" means, to play at dice, artifice. "Cunning" signifies, ready to do anything, hence, crafty, artful, wily. "Craftiness" indicates, to trace, to handle methodically, to handle cunningly, artifice or wile, a mode of trickery. Men have ulterior motives in religious things. Usually they are looking for fame or fortune or both. Few have unmixed motives. Few seek fully the glory of God and the benefit of His people. One translates the last part of this verse thus, "Craftiness tended to the methodized system of deceit."

"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ"—V. 15. "Speaking the truth in love." This is the second of three occurrences of the word "Love" in this chapter. Note Verses 2 and 16. Love for God and love for His truth as well as love for His saints, enable us to speak the truth in love. Love is the principle force back of speaking truth in a way that is pleasing to God. Some use the pulpit to abuse and thus manifest their own low spiritual condition. However, God's way is to speak the truth in love.

The word "Speaking" means, to speak or maintain the truth, to act truly or sincerely, to be true in doctrine or profession.

"Grow up in Him in all things." Many grow socially and educationally, but few grow in Him. Only as truth is fed into the soul can man grow in Christ. "In all things" speaks of a well rounded Christian experience. Not just go to seed on one topic as some seem to do on healing, for example. And though healing is a part of the precious Gospel of Christ, it is just one of the gifts of the Spirit. Holding exclusively to one gift or to one line of truth as a hobby makes us to become one-sided or lopsided. God desires that we develop with all His truth in our lives in balanced proportion.

"Which is the head, even Christ." Paul taught the saints to hold Christ as head at all times and not to permit angels or men to fill that place in life, thought or motive.

"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"—V. 16. Christ, personally, is the source of our supply. Though His people may be channels, they are completely dependent on Him even as the physical body is dependent on its head.

As every part of our physical body ministers in its own sphere and capacity, so each part or member of the body of Christ ministers and functions to the blessings of the other members. Verse 11 speaks of gifted men ministering to the saints. This verse shows that one may serve without having a special office, but simply by filling the little place given to him of God.