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 came down is the same One who went up far above all the heavens, in order to fill all things. 11He Himself gave some to be emissaries, some as prophets, some as proclaimers of the Good News, and some as shepherds and teachers— to equip the kedoshim for the work of service, for building up the body of Messiah. 13This will continue until we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of Ben-Elohim—to mature adulthood, to the measure of the stature of Messiah’s fullness. 14As a result, we are no longer to be like children, tossed around by the waves and blown all over by every wind of teaching, by the trickery of men with cunning in deceitful scheming.

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, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
• John 21:15When they had finished breakfast, Yeshua said to 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.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs!”
• Acts 9:31So Messiah’s community throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had shalom and was built up. Walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Ruach ha-Kodesh, it kept multiplying.
• Acts 11:23When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was thrilled. He encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with heartfelt devotion.
• Acts 14:22They were strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to persevere in faith, and saying, “It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.”
• Acts 20:28“Take care of yourselves and all the flock of which the Ruach ha-Kodesh has made you overseers, to shepherd the community of God—which He obtained with the blood of His own.
• Romans 15:14Now I myself am convinced about you, my brothers and sisters, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and also able to counsel one another.
• 1 Corinthians 12:7But to each person is given the manifestation of the Ruach for the benefit of all.
• 2 Corinthians 7:1Therefore, since we have these promises, loved ones, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
• Philippians 1:25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for the sake of your progress and joy in the faith—
• Philippians 3:12Not that I have already obtained this or been perfected, but I press on if only I might take hold of that for which Messiah Yeshua took hold of me.
• Colossians 1:28We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present every person complete in Messiah.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up—just as you in fact are doing.
• Hebrews 6:1Therefore leaving the basic teaching of the Messiah, let us move on toward maturity—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of trust in God,
• Hebrews 13:17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as ones who must give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no benefit to you.
• Acts 1:17For he was counted among us and received his share of this office.”

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