Ephesians 4:8-16 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 4:12

For the perfecting of the saints , The chosen ones, whom God has sanctified or set apart for himself in eternal election: the ministry of the word is designed for the completing the number of these in the effectual calling; and for the perfecting of the whole body of the church, by gathering in all that belong to it, and of every particular saint, who is regenerated and sanctified by the Spirit of God: for the best of saints are imperfect; for though there is a perfection in them, as that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 4:13

Till we all come in the unity of the faith ,.... These words regard the continuance of the Gospel ministry in the church, until all the elect of God come in: or "to the unity of the faith"; by which is meant, not the union between the saints, the cement of which is love; nor that which is between Christ and his people, of which his love, and not their faith, is the bond; but the same with the "one faith", Ephesians 4:5 and designs either the doctrine of faith, which is uniform, and all of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 4:14

That we henceforth be no more children ,.... Meaning not children of men, for grace does not destroy natural relations; nor children of God, which is a privilege, and always continues; nor indeed children of disobedience, though the saints cease to be such upon conversion; but in such sense children, as they were when first converted, newborn babes, little children: there are some things in which they should be children still, namely, with respect to an ardent and flaming love to God and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 4:15

But speaking the truth in love ,.... Either Christ himself, who is the truth, and is to be preached, and always spoken of with strong affection and love; or the Gospel, the word of truth, so called in opposition to that which is false and fictitious; and also to the law, which is shadowish; and on account of its author, the God of truth, and its subject matter, Christ, and the several doctrines of grace; and because the spirit of truth has dictated it, and does direct to it, and owns and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 4:16

From whom the whole body fitly joined gether ,.... By which is meant, the church; see Ephesians 1:23 sometimes it designs all the elect of God in heaven and in earth, but here the church militant, which only can admit of an increase; this body is from Christ, as an head, and the phrase denotes the rise and origin of the church from Christ, her dependence upon him, and union to him, and of its members one to another; she has her being and form, from him, and all her blessings, as her life... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:8

Wherefore he saith - The reference seems to be to Psalm 68:18 , which, however it may speak of the removal of the tabernacle, appears to have been intended to point out the glorious ascension of Christ after his resurrection from the dead. The expositions of various commentators have made the place extremely difficult. I shall not trouble my reader with them; they may be seen in Rosenmuller. When he ascended up on high - The whole of this verse, as it stands in the psalm, seems to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:9

But that he also descended - The meaning of the apostle appears to be this: The person who ascended is the Messiah, and his ascension plainly intimates his descension; that is, his incarnation, humiliation, death, and resurrection. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:10

He that descended - And he who descended so low is the same who has ascended so high. He came to the lower parts of the earth - the very deepest abasement; having emptied himself; taken upon him; the form of a servant, and humbled himself unto death, even the death of the cross; now he is ascended far above all heavens - higher than all height; he has a name above every name. Here his descending into the lower parts of the earth is put in opposition to his ascending far above all heavens.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:11

He gave some, apostles - He established several offices in his Church; furnished these with the proper officers; and, to qualify them for their work, gave them the proper gifts. For a full illustration of this verse, the reader is requested to refer to the notes on 1 Corinthians 12:6-10 ; (note), 1 Corinthians 12:28-30 ; (note); and to the concluding observations at the end of that chapter. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:12

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 2 Corinthians 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... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 4:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 4:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 4:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 4:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 4:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:12

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