Ephesians 4:11-16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ephesians 4:2-16

Here the apostle proceeds to more particular exhortations. Two he enlarges upon in this chapter:?To unity an love, purity and holiness, which Christians should very much study. We do not walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called if we be not faithful friends to all Christians, and sworn enemies to all sin. This section contains the exhortation to mutual love, unity, and concord, with the proper means and motives to promote them. Nothing is pressed upon us more earnestly in the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Ephesians 4:1-32

With this chapter the second part of the letter begins. In Ephesians 1:1-23 ; Ephesians 2:1-22 ; Ephesians 3:1-21 Paul has dealt with the great and eternal truths of the Christian faith, and with the function of the Church in the plan of God. Now he begins to sketch what each member of the Church must be if the Church is to carry out her part in that plan. Before we begin this chapter, let us again remind ourselves that the central thought of the letter is that Jesus has brought to a... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Ephesians 4:11-13

4:11-13 And he gave to the Church some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers. This he did that God's consecrated people should be fully equipped, that the work of service might go on, and that the body of Christ should be built up. And this is to go on until we all arrive at complete unity in faith in and knowledge of God. until we reach perfect manhood, until we reach a stature which can be measured by the fullness of Christ. There is... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Ephesians 4:11-13

After Paul has named the different kinds of office-bearers within the Church, he goes on to speak of their aim and of what they must try to do. Their aim is that the members of the Church should be fully equipped. The word Paul uses for equipped is interesting. It is katartismos ( Greek #2677 ), which comes from the verb katartizein ( Greek #2675 ). The word is used in surgery for setting a broken limb or for putting a joint back into its place. In politics it is used for bringing... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Ephesians 4:14-16

4:14-16 All this must be done so that we should no longer be infants in the faith, wave-tossed and blown hither and thither by every wind of teaching. by the clever trickery of men, by cunning cleverness designed to make us take a wandering way. Instead of that it is all designed to make us cherish the truth in love, and to make us grow in all things into him who is the head--it is Christ I mean. It is from Christ that the whole body is fitted and united together, by means of all the joints... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 4:11

And he gave some apostles ,.... That is, he gave them gifts by which they were qualified to be apostles; who were such as were immediately called by Christ, and had their doctrine from him, and their commission to preach it; and were peculiarly and infallibly guided by the Spirit of God, and had a power to work miracles for the confirmation of their doctrine; and had authority to go everywhere and preach the Gospel, and plant churches, and were not confined to anyone particular place or... read more

John Gill

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

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