Bible Studies

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Part 2 of this 4-part article on Ephesians chapter 4 continues where Part 1 ended.

(11) [[The sentence that begins here goes through verse 16 in the Greek. It builds on Eph. 4:7, 8. One point that Paul makes in this sentence is the key importance of the five-fold ministry in the body of Christ, according to the plan of God. He didn't set them in the church to cause strife and divisions, or to make some Christians (those in the ministry) better than (superior to) others.

A proper functioning five-fold ministry (including their being properly received by the body of Christ) is a powerful force to promote unity and the proper functioning of the body of Christ. Every five-fold minister who is functioning as he should, in the will of God, will work for the good of the body of Christ. One major problem that frequently surfaced in Paul's day was that many rejected his ministry (and that of his companions) for one reason, or another, none of them being valid reasons. This rejection caused great damage to the body of Christ. There also was a serious problem with false apostles (and other false ministers) and with ministers walking to a significant extent in the flesh.

It's true, of course, that to the extent those in the ministry haven't been called by God into the ministry they are functioning in, or to the extent they aren't being faithful in their Christian lives/ministries, they have the potential to cause great damage to the body of Christ, including serious problems with disunity. Another key point that the apostle makes in this sentence is the need for those not in the five-fold ministry to make their necessary, important contributions to the proper functioning of the body of Christ. All must contribute according to their measure assigned by God (see Eph. 4:7, 16).]] And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers [Each five-fold minister (speaking of those who truly were called by God into that ministry) has been equipped by the grace/gifts of God to fulfill that ministry. God must receive all the glory for everything good that is accomplished. Every minister (every Christian) must be found faithful. This is a very serious matter. We (and especially ministers) are affecting the lives of God's people. We will all answer to God.], (12) for [Greek "pros"] the equipping of the saints [[The KJV has "for the perfecting of the saints." The Amplified Bible has, "His intention was the PERFECTING AND FULL EQUIPPING [my emphasis] of the saints." The NIV has "to prepare God's people."

The Greek noun ("katartismos") used here wasn't used anywhere else in the New Testament, but the Greek verb this noun was derived from ("katartizo") was used thirteen times. The verb includes the ideas of perfecting, completing, putting things in proper order, mending, restoring, training, and equipping. The Greek noun "katartisis" was also derived from this verb. It was used one time in the New Testament, 2 Cor. 13:9, "this we also pray for, that you may BE MADE COMPLETE [my emphasis] (NASB)

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