Last Day's Essentials-15

Unity in the Body of Christ

Eph. 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Christ the head, and all of us really fit together, joined by the Spirit, made a part of that body, the beautiful body of Christ functioning together, coordinated together by the Spirit coming into the fullness. But we look at the body of Christ today in the world, and it is spastic. No wonder the world isn’t interested. You know, the church is so divided, divided over the dumbest things. It is only as we really come to that unity and love that the church will have a powerful witness before the world. Building up itself in love.

From...

ἐκ, ἐξ

ek ex

ek, ex

A primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence motion or action proceeds), from, out (of place, time or cause; literally or figuratively; direct or remote): - after, among, X are, at betwixt (-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for (-th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, . . . ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with (-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.

whom...

ὅς, ἥ, ὅ

hos hē ho

hos, hay, ho

Probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article definite article the); the relative (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that: - one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who (-m, -se), etc.

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.

whole...

πᾶς

pas

pas

Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole: - all (manner of, means) alway (-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no (-thing), X throughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.

body...

σῶμα

sōma

so'-mah

From 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.

Each member of the body is joined (Eph. 2:21) by being carefully fitted together, and each member is held or brought together by means of every supporting ligament (cf. Col. 2:19) according to the standard (kata, with the accusative) of the measured working (metrō, from metron) of each individual. This causes the body of Christ to grow (cf. Eph. 4:15) and build itself up (cf. Eph. 4:12) in love. The phrase “in love” occurs three times (Eph. 4:2, 4:15-16), thus pointing to the way unity is maintained. Significantly the word “measure” (metron) is also used three times in this context (Eph. 4:7, 4:13, 4:16). Each believer is to function in Christ’s body by God’s enabling grace in accord with the measure of the gift Christ bestowed on him (Eph. 4:7). When each believer accomplishes that measure, then the church grows properly (Eph. 4:16), coming ultimately to the measure of Christ-likeness (Eph. 4:13). Stunted growth comes when one does not allow his or others’ gifts to function.

The preservation of unity is the responsibility of God’s gifted people in the church (Eph. 4:7-16). In this unity of structure is variety of function. Paul emphasized body growth, not self-growth. Each individual contributes to this unified growth as he allows his particular gift(s) to function.

fitly joined together...

συναρμολογέω

sunarmologeō

soon-ar-mol-og-eh'-o

From union with or together and a derivative of a compound of an articulation and to lay forth (in its original sense of laying); to render close jointed together, that is, organize compactly: - be fitly framed (joined) together.

and...

καί

kai

kahee

Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words: - and, also, both, but, even, for, if, indeed, likewise, moreover, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yea, yet.

compacted...

συμβιβάζω

sumbibazō

soom-bib-ad'-zo

From union; with or together and βιβάζω bibazō (to force; causatively [by reduplication] of the base of to walk; a pace); to drive together, that is, unite (in association or affection), (mentally) to infer, show, teach: - compact, assuredly, gather, instruct, knit together, prove.

by...

διά

dia

dee-ah'

A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal or occasional). In composition it retains the same general import: - after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) . . . fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through (-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general import.

that which every... see whole above.

joint...

ἁφή

haphē

haf-ay'

From properly to attach oneself to, that is, to touch; probably a ligament (as fastening): - joint.

supplieth...

ἐπιχορηγία

epichorēgia

ep-ee-khor-ayg-ee'-ah

From to furnish besides, that is, fully supply; contribution: - supply.

according...

κατά

kata

kat-ah'

A primary particle; (preposition) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case [genitive, dative or accusative] with which it is joined): - about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to, touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, [charita-] bly, concerning, + covered, [dai-] ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from . . . to, godly, in (-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), . . . by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-) on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through (-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-) to (-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where (-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution or intensity.

to the effectual working...

ἐνέργεια

energeia

en-erg'-i-ah

From active operative; efficiency (“energy”): - operation, strong, (effectual) working.

in...

ἐν

en

en

A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), that is, a relation of rest (intermediate between to or into and from, out); “in”, at, (up-) on, by, etc.: - about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-) by (+ all means), for (. . . sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-) in (-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-) on, [open-] ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, [speedi-] ly, X that, X there (-in, -on), through (-out), (un-) to(-ward), under, when, where (-with), while, with (-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) prep.

the measure...

μέτρον

metron

met'-ron

An apparently primary word; a measure (“metre”), literally or figuratively; by implication a limited portion (degree): - measure.

of every...

ἕκαστος

hekastos

hek'-as-tos

As if a superlative of ἕκας hekas (afar); each or every: - any, both, each (one), every (man, one, woman), particularly.

εἷς

heis

hice

(Including the neuter [etc.] ἕν hen); a primary numeral; one: - a (-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some.

part,...

μέρος

meros

mer'-os

From an obsolete but more primary form of μείρομαι meiromai (to get as a section or allotment); a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application): - behalf, coast, course, craft, particular (+ -ly), part (+ -ly), piece, portion, respect, side, some sort (-what).

maketh...

ποιέω

poieō

poy-eh'-o

Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct): - abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do (-ing), execute, exercise, fulfill, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield.

increase...

αὔξησις

auxēsis

owx'-ay-sis

From to grow, that is, enlarge; growth: - increase.

of the... see the above.

body... see above.

unto...

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 edifying...

οἰκοδομή

oikodomē

oy-kod-om-ay'

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

of itself...

ἑαυτοῦ

heautou

heh-ow-too'

(Including all the other cases); from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive (dative or accusative) of a baffling wind; backward; him (her, it, them, also [in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons] my, thy, our, your) -self (-selves), etc.: - alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own (-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them (-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).

in... see above.

love...

ἀγάπη

agapē

ag-ah'-pay

From to love in a social or moral sense; love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast: - (feast of) charity ([-ably]), dear, love.