Ephesians 4:12

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ephesians 4:12

Ephesians 4:12. For the persecuting of the saints,— For the fitting out holy persons,—to the edifying, &c. Blackwall. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 4:12

12. For—with a view to; the ultimate aim. "Unto." perfecting—The Greek implies correcting in all that is deficient, instructing and completing in number and all parts. for—a different Greek word; the immediate object. Compare :-, "Let every one . . . please his neighbor for his good unto edification." the ministry—Greek, "ministration"; without the article. The office of the ministry is stated in this verse. The good aimed at in respect to the Church (Ephesians 4:13). The way of growth... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 4:1-16

1. Walking in unity 4:1-16The apostle began by stressing the importance of walking (or living) in unity. This is one of two classic New Testament passages on unity, the other being John 17. God will not enforce unity in answer to prayer. Believers have a responsibility to obey Him as well."Instruction, intercession and exhortation constitute a formidable trio of weapons in any Christian teacher’s armoury." [Note: Stott, p. 146.] Charity, unity, diversity, and maturity are the key concepts in... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 4:1-20

III. THE CHRISTIAN’S CONDUCT 4:1-6:20Practical application (chs. 4-6) now follows doctrinal instruction (chs. 1-3)."Now the apostle moves on from the new society to the new standards which are expected of it. So he turns from exposition to exhortation, from what God has done (in the indicative), to what we must be and do (in the imperative), from doctrine to duty, . . . from mind-stretching theology to its down-to-earth, concrete implications in everyday living." [Note: Stott, p. 146.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 4:7-16

The preservation of unity 4:7-16Having described the basis of Christian unity Paul next explained the means by which Christians can preserve it, namely, with the gifts that the Spirit gives. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 4:12

The purpose of all these gifted leaders is to prepare the rest of the saints to minister and so build up the body of Christ, the church. "Equipping" (Gr. katartismon) means preparing, mending, or restoring people to their proper use (Galatians 6:1; cf. Matthew 4:21; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Hebrews 13:21). The role of these leaders is to minister the Word to the saints in the church so the saints can minister the Word in the world (cf. 1 Timothy 3:15). All the saints should participate in service,... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Ephesians 4:12

4:12 (f-1) Pros . it directs attention to the object when reached, or when the subject is at, or with the object. 'The Word was with ( pros ) God,' John 1:1 Eis 'with a view to' here, and 'at' three times, ver. 13, refers to the object in the mind of the person. See Mark 11:1 , where 'to' (twice) is eis , and 'at' is pros . Christ; (g-26) Or 'of the Christ.' read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 4:1-32

Unity of the New Life. Rules for the New LifeThe Apostle passes, as usual, from doctrinal statements to practical exhortations; but doctrine is here and there introduced to support exhortation.1-6. ’Live in humility, in loving forbearance, and in unity, for we have one Body, one Head, and one Heavenly Father.’1. Prisoner] This looks back to Ephesians 3:1. ’He can no longer superintend them: they must walk alone. He lost his liberty in their service: they will do what he asks.’2. To a Greek,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 4:12

(12) For the perfecting . . .—The parallelism of the three clauses of our version of this verse does not exactly correspond to the original, though we notice that Chrysostom supports it, and therefore evidently saw nothing in the Greek to contradict it. The preposition (eis) used in the two latter clauses (which should be unto work of ministration, unto edification of the body of Christ) properly signifies “contact with a thing,” and the preposition (pros) used in the first clause, “direction... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ephesians 4:1-32

Ephesians 4:0 In the Memorials of Dr. McLeod Campbell (vol. I. p. 127), he observes, apropos of Edward living's dying conversations, 'I was finding no trace of the subject of the Church in anything she ( i.e. Mrs. Irving) was mentioning, until she said that in the course of that same last day he had asked her to read to him "the testament of the Lord to his Church the neglected testament"; when she read to him the fourth of Ephesians'. The Heavenly Calling Ephesians 4:1 When St. Paul bids us... read more

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