Last Day's Essentials-11

Eph. 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Many seek to find out how many imperfections, failures, and carnal traits are allowable in religion, but few seek to bring Christians to the height of the gospel standard and to the unlimitations of the promises of God. The measure of the stature of the fullness is seldom mentioned much less demonstrated, while the stature of littleness, emptiness, and powerlessness of Christianity is often emphasized and demonstrated.

For...

πρός

pros

pros

A strengthened form of fore in front of, prior; a preposition of direction; forward to, that is, toward (with the genitive case the side of, that is, pertaining to; with the dative case by the side of, that is, near to; usually with the accusative case the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, that is, whither or for which it is predicated): - about, according to, against, among, at, because of, before, between, ([where-]) by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), + together, to ([you]) -ward, unto, with (-in). In compounds it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.

the...

ὁ, ἡ, τό

ho hē to

ho, hay, to

The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom): - the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

Reality - I had been tearing down the body of Christ. I had been beating the body of Christ. I had been driving them away. I should be building up the body of Christ-the pastor-teacher.

perfecting...

καταρτισμός

katartismos

kat-ar-tis-mos'

From to complete throughly, that is, repair; complete furnishing (objectively): - perfecting.

of the... see the above.

Seven Duties of Ministers

1. To perfect the saints (Eph. 4:12).

2. All the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:12).

3. To edify the body of Christ (Eph. 4:12).

4. To unify people in the faith (Eph. 4:13).

5. To unify people in doctrine (Eph. 4:13).

6. To perfect the church in Christ (Eph. 4:13).

7. To bring people to maturity in Christ (Eph. 4:13).

saints,...

ἅγιος

hagios

hag'-ee-os

From ἅγος hagos (an awful thing) compare properly clean, [a festival, or victim thereof]; sacred (physically pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated): - (most) holy (one, thing), saint.

for...

εἰς

eis

ice

A primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases.: - [abundant-] ly, against, among, as, at, [back-] ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for [intent, purpose], fore, + forth, in (among, at unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-) on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore (-unto), throughout, till, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-) until (-to), . . . ward, [where-] fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively.

the work...

ἔργον

ergon

er'-gon

From ἔργω ergō (a primary but obsolete word; to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication an act: - deed, doing, labour, work.

The intention of the gifts

The purpose of the gifted believers (Eph. 4:7-11) is to equip other believers for the ministry so as to give them stability doctrinally and practically and thus lead them to mutual edification. Like several other passages in Ephesians (Eph. 1:3-14, 1:15-23; 2:1-7; 3:1-13, 3:14-19; 4:1-7; 6:14-20), Eph. 4:11-16 is one long sentence in Greek.

The purpose of the gifted men is to prepare God’s people for works of service. More literally, this purpose is “for the perfecting or equipping (katartismon; cf. the verb katartizō in Mat. 4:21, ‘mending’ or ‘preparing’ nets; in Gal. 6:1, ‘restore’ for proper use; cf. 2Cor. 13:11; Heb. 13:21) of the saints unto the work of the ministry” (diakonias). Gifted people (Eph. 4:11) are to minister the Word to others so that they in turn are readied to get involved in ministering to others (cf. 2Tim. 2:2). The goal of all this is the building up or edifying of the body of Christ (cf. Eph. 4:16). This shows that all saints and not just a few leaders should be involved in the “ministry.” All saints are gifted (Eph. 4:7) to serve others spiritually.

of the ministry,...

διακονία

diakonia

dee-ak-on-ee'-ah

From to run on errands, attendant; attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the Christian teacher, or technically of the diaconate): - (ad-) minister (-ing, -tration, -try), office, relief, service (-ing).

for... see above.

the edifying...

οἰκοδομή

oikodomē

oy-kod-om-ay'

Feminine (abstraction) of a compound of a dwelling and the base of properly a edifice, that is, a roof; architecture, that is, (concretely) a structure; figuratively confirmation: - building, edify (-ication, -ing).

of the... see above.

body...

σῶμα

sōma

so'-mah

From safe - to save, that is, deliver or protect; the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively: - bodily, body, slave.

of Christ:...

Χριστός

Christos

khris-tos'

From to smear or rub with oil; anointed, that is, the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus: - Christ.