KJV: For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
YLT: unto the perfecting of the saints, for a work of ministration, for a building up of the body of the Christ,
Darby: for the perfecting of the saints; with a view to the work of the ministry, with a view to the edifying of the body of Christ;
ASV: for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:
| πρὸς | toward |
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Parse: Preposition Root: πρός Sense: to the advantage of. |
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| καταρτισμὸν | perfecting |
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Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: καταρτισμός Sense: complete furnishing, equipping. |
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| τῶν | of the |
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Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| ἁγίων | saints |
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Parse: Adjective, Genitive Masculine Plural Root: ἅγιος Sense: most holy thing, a saint. |
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| ἔργον | [the] work |
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Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular Root: ἔργον Sense: business, employment, that which any one is occupied. |
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| διακονίας | of ministry |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular Root: διακονία Sense: service, ministering, esp. |
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| οἰκοδομὴν | [the] building up |
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Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular Root: οἰκοδομή Sense: (the act of) building, building up. |
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| τοῦ | of the |
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Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| σώματος | body |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular Root: σῶμα Sense: the body both of men or animals. |
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| τοῦ | - |
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Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| Χριστοῦ | of Christ |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: Χριστός Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God. |
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Greek Commentary for Ephesians 4:12
Late and rare word (in Galen in medical sense, in papyri for house-furnishing), only here in N.T., though καταρτισις katartisis in 2 Corinthians 13:9, both from καταρτιζω katartizō to mend (Matthew 4:21; Galatians 6:1). “For the mending (repair) of the saints.” [source]
See note on Ephesians 2:21. This is the ultimate goal in all these varied gifts, “building up.” [source]
Only here in the New Testament. In classical Greek of refitting a ship or setting a bone. The preposition for denotes the ultimate purpose. Ministering and building are means to this end. Hence its emphatic position in the sentence. For perfecting, see on mending, Matthew 4:21; see on perfected, Matthew 21:16; see on Luke 6:40; see on 1 Peter 5:10. Compare 1 Corinthians 1:10; Hebrews 13:21. The radical idea of adjustment is brought out in Ephesians 4:13. [source]
Rev., much better, unto the work of ministering. Εἰς untomarks the immediate purpose of the gift. He gave apostles, etc., unto the work of ministering and building, for the perfecting, etc. The prevailing sense of διακονία ministryin the New Testament, is spiritual service of an official character. See Acts 1:25; Acts 6:4; Acts 20:24; Romans 11:13; 1 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 4:5. [source]
Rev., building up. See on Acts 20:32. Notice the combination of perfecting and building. Building defines the nature of the work of ministry, and perfecting comes through a process. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Ephesians 4:12
Rev., rendering the participle more literally, perfected. See on Matthew 4:21. The word signifies to readjust, restore, set to rights, whether in a physical or a moral sense. See 1 Corinthians 1:10, where Paul exhorts to be perfectly joined together ( κατηρτισμένοι ) in opposition to being divided. In Galatians 6:1, it is used of restoring a brother taken in a fault. Hence the meaning to perfect, as Ephesians 4:12. Used in medical language of setting a bone or joint. [source]
Rev., better, ministrations. Compare Ephesians 4:12. In the New Testament commonly of spiritual service of an official character. See Acts 1:25; Acts 6:4; Acts 20:24; Romans 11:13; 1 Timothy 1:12; and on minister, Matthew 20:26. [source]
See on 1 Corinthians 2:6; see on 1 Corinthians 3:1. As to the connection, Ephesians 4:13states the ultimate goal of christian training; Ephesians 4:14that which is pursued with a view to the attainment of that goal. Ephesians 4:14is subordinate to Ephesians 4:13, as is shown by the retention of the same figure, and is remotely dependent on Ephesians 4:11, Ephesians 4:12. The remote end, Ephesians 4:13, is placed before the more immediate one, as in Ephesians 4:12. See note. [source]
The Church is described as a body, Romans 12:4sq.; 1Corinthians href="/desk/?q=1co+10:17&sr=1">1 Corinthians 10:17, by way of illustrating the functions of the members. Here the image is used to emphasize the position and power of Christ as the head. Compare Colossians 2:19; Ephesians 1:22, Ephesians 1:23; Ephesians 4:4, Ephesians 4:12, Ephesians 4:15, Ephesians 4:16; Ephesians 5:23, Ephesians 5:30. [source]
Better, appointing me to his service. The conventional phrase “the ministry†gives a wrong impression. The term is general, covering every mode of service, either to God or to men. Διάκονοι ministersis used of the secular ruler, Romans 13:4. See also 1 Corinthians 12:5; 1 Corinthians 16:15; 2 Corinthians 3:7, 2 Corinthians 3:8; Ephesians 4:12, and on minister, Matthew 20:26. [source]
N.T.olxx. Rev. complete; but the idea is rather that of mutual, symmetrical adjustment of all that goes to make the man: harmonious combination of different qualities and powers. Comp. κατάρτισις perfecting 2 Corinthians 13:9: καταρτισμός perfecting(as accomplished), Ephesians 4:12: καταρτίσαι makeperfect or bring into complete adjustment, Hebrews 13:21. [source]