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 Living Translation (NLT)Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

Context of Ephesians 4:12

10He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) 11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

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 should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
• John 21:15So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
• Acts 9:31Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
• Acts 11:23When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.
• Acts 14:22strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
• Acts 20:28Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
• Romans 15:14Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
• 1 Corinthians 12:7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
• 2 Corinthians 7:1Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
• Philippians 1:25And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,
• Philippians 3:12Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
• Colossians 1:28Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
• Hebrews 6:1Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
• Hebrews 13:17Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
• Acts 1:17for he was numbered with us and obtained a part 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