Ephesians 4:12

Ephesians 4:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
• New International Version (NIV)to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
• English Standard Version (ESV)to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
• New King James Version (NKJV)for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

Context of Ephesians 4:12

10The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, to fill all things. 11And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 14Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.

Ephesians 4:12 word by word

πρὸς τὸν καταρτισμὸν τῶν ἁγίων εἰς ἔργον διακονίας, εἰς οἰκοδομὴν τοῦ σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Forπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• the perfectingκαταρτισμόςkatartismos · preparationG2677
• of the saintsἅγιοςhagios · holy: saintG40
• forεἰςeis · towardG1519
• the workἔργονergon · workG2041
• of the ministryδιακονίαdiakonia · serviceG1248
• the edifyingοἰκοδομήoikodomē · buildingG3619
• of the bodyσῶμαsōma · bodyG4983
• of ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547

Cross-references for Ephesians 4:12

• Luke 22:32But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
• John 21:15When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.” “Feed my lambs,” he told him.
• Acts 9:31So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
• Acts 11:23When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts,
• Acts 14:22strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, “It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”
• Acts 20:28Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.
• Romans 15:14My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.
• 1 Corinthians 12:7A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good:
• 2 Corinthians 7:1So then, dear friends, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from every impurity of the flesh and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
• Philippians 1:25Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,
• Philippians 3:12Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
• Colossians 1:28We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.
• Hebrews 6:1Therefore, let us leave the elementary teaching about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God,
• Hebrews 13:17Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
• Acts 1:17For he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.”

Commentaries on Ephesians 4:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12For the perfecting of the saints - For the complete instruction, purification, and union of all who have believed in Christ Jesus, both Jews and Gentiles. For the meaning of , perfecting, see the note on 2 Corinthians 13:9. For the work of the ministry - All these various officers, and the gifts and graces conferred upon them, were judged necessary, by the great Head of the Church, for its full instruction in the important doctrines of Christianity. The…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12For the perfecting of the saints - On the meaning of the word rendered here as “perfecting” - ̀ katartismon- see the notes on 2 Corinthians 13:9. It properly refers to “the restoring of anything to its place;” then putting in order, making complete, etc. Here it means that these various officers were appointed in order that everything in the church might be well arranged, or put into its proper place; or that the church might be “complete.” It is that…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. 12God gives gifts to believers to help them strengthen the church (see 1 Corinthians 12:7; compare 1 Peter 2:5). to equip the saints for works of ministry: All believers are called to active Christian service.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. 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 Ro 15:2, "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…Read the comment

Topics related to Ephesians 4:12

• Church
• Instruction
• Minister, Christian
• Perfection
• Sanctification
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• Christ, Messiah
• Bitterness
• Compact
• Dark
• Forbear
• Grieve
• Lasciviousness
• Lowliness
• Renew

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