American Standard Version
Ephesians 4:16
16from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.
Ephesians 4:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
- English Standard Version (ESV)from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
- New King James Version (NKJV)from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Context of Ephesians 4:16
14that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; 15but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ; from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love. 17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart;
Read all of Ephesians 4Ephesians 4:16 word by word
ἐξ οὗ πᾶν τὸ σῶμα συναρμολογούμενον καὶ συμβιβαζόμενον διὰ πάσης ἁφῆς τῆς ἐπιχορηγίας κατ᾽ ἐνέργειαν ἐν μέτρῳ ἑνὸς ἑκάστου μέρους τὴν αὔξησιν τοῦ σώματος ποιεῖται εἰς οἰκοδομὴν ἑαυτοῦ ἐν ἀγάπῃ.¶Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Ephesians 4:16
- Ephesians 4:12for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:
- John 15:5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing.
- Job 10:10Hast thou not poured me out as milk, And curdled me like cheese?
- Psalms 139:15My frame was not hidden from thee, When I was made in secret, And curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
- 1 Corinthians 12:12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.
- Colossians 2:19and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God.
- Ephesians 3:7whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:13And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us the word of the message, even the word of God, ye accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also worketh in you that believe.
- Ephesians 4:15but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ;
- Ephesians 1:4even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love:
- Ephesians 3:17that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
- 1 Corinthians 8:1Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
- 1 Corinthians 14:1Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritualgifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
- Galatians 5:6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.
- Philippians 1:9And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;
Commentaries on Ephesians 4:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16From whom the whole body - Dr. Macknight has a just view of this passage, and I cannot express my own in more suitable terms: "The apostle's meaning is, that, as the human body is formed by the union of all the members to each other, under the head, and by the fitness of each member for its own office and place in the body, so the Church is formed by the union of its members under Christ, the head. Farther, as the human body increases till it arrives at…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16From whom the whole body - The church, compared with the human body. The idea is, that as the head in the human frame conveys vital influence, rigor, motion, etc., to every part of the body; so Christ is the source of life, and rigor, and energy, and increase to the church. The sense is, “The whole human body is admirably arranged for growth and rigor. Every member and joint contribute to its healthful and harmonious action. One part lends vigor and…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-16Verses 7-16 Unto every believer is given some gift of grace, for their mutual help. All is given as seems best to Christ to bestow upon every one. He received for them, that he might give to them, a large measure of gifts and graces; particularly the gift of the Holy Ghost. Not a mere head knowledge, or bare acknowledging Christ to be the Son of God, but such as brings trust and obedience. There is a fulness in Christ, and a measure of that fulness given…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16Each part of the body of Christ has an important role and helps other parts grow. Christ, the head of the body, works through each part. He makes them fit together. He is the ultimate source of growth (see Colossians 2:19). When all believers serve effectively, the whole body will be healthy, growing, and full of love (compare 1 Corinthians 8:1). Love is the most important factor in Christian growth (1 Corinthians 13:1–13).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. (Col 2:19). fitly joined together--"being fitly framed together," as in Ep 2:21; all the parts being in their proper position, and in mutual relation. compacted--implying firm consolidation. by that which every joint supplieth--Greek, "by means of every joint of the supply"; joined with "maketh increase of the body," not with "compacted." "By every ministering (supplying) joint." The joints are the points of union where the supply passes to the…Read the comment
Topics related to Ephesians 4:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ephesians 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries