The Meaning of Ephesians 4:16 Explained

Ephesians 4:16

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.

YLT: from whom the whole body, being fitly joined together and united, through the supply of every joint, according to the working in the measure of each single part, the increase of the body doth make for the building up of itself in love.

Darby: from whom the whole body, fitted together, and connected by every joint of supply, according to the working in its measure of each one part, works for itself the increase of the body to its self-building up in love.

ASV: 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Ephesians 4:16 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Jesus Christ is both the One into whom we grow ( Ephesians 4:15) and the One out of whom we grow as a whole church. The whole body grows as each part carries out its proper function. All parts of the body alluded to in this verse are Christians, except the Head, Jesus Christ. [1]
The church then is a diverse body composed of many different people who must give attention to preserving their unity ( Ephesians 4:7-16). Paul"s emphasis was on body growth more than on individual growth in this passage. Each believer contributes to body growth as he or she exercises his or her particular gifts (abilities) in the service of Christ.

Context Summary

Ephesians 4:11-19 - Building Up The "body Of Christ"
Apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, are the gifts of the risen Christ to His Church. There should be no rivalry among them. Each has his own work to do, as each wheel in a watch has its special function. None can do the work of another, and none should try to do it. The Apostles laid the foundations of the City of God, and the work of each is represented by a different stone. The pastor prepares the ground and sows the seed for the harvest which the evangelist reaps; but God will proportion the reward between them. The teacher is as much needed as the evangelist, but neither is so essential as God, who giveth the increase. Without that all labor would be in vain.
We learn from Ephesians 4:12 that the prime duty of all these agents is not to baptize, marry, and bury the saints, to comfort and console them, and to get them somehow into heaven, as the Arab guides get travelers to the top of the Pyramids. Their duty is to perfect, that is, to adjust the saints for the work of ministry, that they may contribute to the building up of the Church. A minister is a failure if he does all the work himself. The people must all be at work-in the quarries, or shaping the stones, or fitting them into their places. [source]

Chapter Summary: Ephesians 4

1  He exhorts to unity;
7  and declares that God therefore gives various gifts unto men;
11  that his church might be edified,
16  and grow up in Christ
18  He calls them from the impurity of the Gentiles;
24  to put on the new man;
25  to cast off lying;
29  and corrupt communication

Greek Commentary for Ephesians 4:16

From which [εχ ου]
Out of which as the source of energy and direction. [source]
Fitly framed [συναρμολογουμενον]
See note on Ephesians 2:21 for this verb. Through that which every joint supplieth (δια πασης απης της επιχορηγιας — dia pasēs haphēs tēs epichorēgias). Literally, “through every joint of the supply.” See note on Colossians 2:19 for απη — haphē and Philemon 1:19 for the late word επιχορηγια — epichorēgia (only two examples in N.T.) from επιχορηγεω — epichorēgeō to supply (Colossians 2:19). In due measure Just “in measure” in the Greek, but the assumption is that each part of the body functions properly in its own sphere. Unto the building up of itself (εις οικοδομην εαυτου — eis oikodomēn heautou). Modern knowledge of cell life in the human body greatly strengthens the force of Paul‘s metaphor. This is the way the body grows by cooperation under the control of the head and all “in love” (εν αγαπηι — en agapēi). [source]
Through that which every joint supplieth [δια πασης απης της επιχορηγιας]
Literally, “through every joint of the supply.” See note on Colossians 2:19 for απη — haphē and Philemon 1:19 for the late word επιχορηγια — epichorēgia (only two examples in N.T.) from επιχορηγεω — epichorēgeō to supply (Colossians 2:19). [source]
In due measure [εν μετρωι]
Just “in measure” in the Greek, but the assumption is that each part of the body functions properly in its own sphere. Unto the building up of itself (εις οικοδομην εαυτου — eis oikodomēn heautou). Modern knowledge of cell life in the human body greatly strengthens the force of Paul‘s metaphor. This is the way the body grows by cooperation under the control of the head and all “in love” (εν αγαπηι — en agapēi). [source]
Unto the building up of itself [εις οικοδομην εαυτου]
Modern knowledge of cell life in the human body greatly strengthens the force of Paul‘s metaphor. This is the way the body grows by cooperation under the control of the head and all “in love” (εν αγαπηι — en agapēi). [source]
Fitly joined - compacted [συναρμολογούμενον - συμβιβαζόμενον]
The present participles denote present, continuous progress. The two participles represent respectively the ideas of harmony or adaptation and compactness or solidity. See on Acts 9:22, and see on Colossians 2:2. [source]
By that which every joint supplieth [διὰ πάσης ἁφῆς τῆς ἐπιχορηγίας]
Lit., through every joint of the supply. For joint, see on Colossians 2:19; for supply, see on 2 Peter 1:5. The supply specifies it as peculiarly Christ's. The phrase joint of the supply signifies joint whose office or purpose it is to supply. Construe with the two participles, as Colossians 2:19. [source]
According to the working []
Construe with maketh increase. [source]
In the measure of every part []
According as each part works in its own proper measure. [source]
Maketh []
Notice the peculiar phrase; the whole body maketh increase of the body. It is a living organism, and its growth is produced by vital power within itself. [source]
In love []
As the element in which the upbuilding takes place. Compare Ephesians 3:17-19. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Ephesians 4:16

John 1:16 Of His fulness [ἐκ τοῦ πληρώματος αὐτοῦ]
These and the succeeding words are the Evangelist's, not the Baptist's. The word fullness ( πλήρωμα ) is found here only in John, but frequently occurs in the writings of Paul, whose use of it in Ephesians and Colossians illustrates the sense in John; these being Asiatic churches which fell, later, within the sphere of John's influence. The word is akin to πλήρης , full (John 1:14), and to πληροῦν , to fill or complete; and means that which is complete in itself, plenitude, entire number or quantity. Thus the crew of a ship is called πλήρωμα , its complement. Aristophanes (“Wasps,” 660), “ τούτων πλήρωμα , the sum-total of these, is nearly two thousand talents.” Herodotus (iii., 22) says that the full term of man's life among the Persians is eighty years; and Aristotle (“Polities,” iv., 4) refers to Socrates as saying that the eight classes, representing different industries in the state, constitute the pleroma of the state (see Plato, “Republic,” 371). In Ephesians 1:23, Paul says that the church is the pleroma of Christ: i.e., the plenitude of the divine graces in Christ is communicated to the Church as His body, making all the body, supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, to increase with the increase of God (Colossians 2:19; compare Ephesians 4:16). Similarly he prays (Ephesians 3:19) that the brethren may be filled unto all the pleroma of God: i.e., that they may be filled with the fullness which God imparts. More closely related to John's use of the term here are Colossians 1:19, “It pleased the Father that in Him (Christ) should all the fullness ( τὸ πλήρωμα , note the article) dwell;” and Colossians 2:9, Colossians 2:10, “In Him dwelleth all the pleroma of the Godhead bodily (i.e., corporally, becoming incarnate ), and in Him ye are fulfilled ( πεπληρωμένοι ).” This declares that the whole aggregate of the divine powers and graces appeared in the incarnate Word, and corresponds with John's statement that “the Word became flesh and tabernacled among men, full of grace and truth;” while “ye are fulfilled ” answers to John's “of His fullness we all received.” Hence John's meaning here is that Christians receive from the divine completeness whatever each requires for the perfection of his character and for the accomplishment of his work (compare John 15:15; John 17:22). [source]
Acts 9:22 Proving [συμβιβάζων]
The verb means to bring or put together: hence to compare and examine, as evidence, and so to prove. Used in the literal and physical sense in Ephesians 4:16. In Colossians 2:2, of being knit together in love. In 1 Corinthians 2:16, of instructing, building up, byputting together. In this sense the word occurs in the Septuagint. See Judges 13:8. [source]
Acts 19:33 And they brought Alexander out of the crowd [εκ δε του οχλου συνεβιβασαν Αλεχανδρον]
The correct text (Aleph A B) has this verb συνεβιβασαν — sunebibasan (from συνβιβαζω — sunbibazō to put together) instead of προεβιβασαν — proebibasan (from προβιβαζω — probibazō to put forward). It is a graphic word, causal of βαινω — bainō to go, and occurs in Acts 16:10; Colossians 2:19; Ephesians 4:16. Evidently some of the Jews grew afraid that the mob would turn on the Jews as well as on the Christians. Paul was a Jew and so was Aristarchus, one of the prisoners. The Jews were as strongly opposed to idolatry as were the Christians. [source]
Romans 11:25 In part [ἀπὸ μέρους]
Μέρος partis never used adverbially in the Gospels, Acts, and Revelation. In the Epistles it is rarely used in any other way. The only exceptions are 2 Corinthians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:3; Ephesians 4:9, Ephesians 4:16. Paul employs it in several combinations. With ἀπό from(1 Corinthians 1:14; 1 Corinthians 2:5), and ἐκ outof (1 Corinthians 12:27; 1 Corinthians 13:9, 1 Corinthians 13:10, 1 Corinthians 13:12), in which a thing is conceived as looked at from the part, either ( ἀπὸ ) as a simple point of view, or ( ἐκ ) as a standard according to which the whole is estimated. Thus 1 Corinthians 12:27, “members ἐκ μέρους severallyi.e., members from a part of the whole point of view. Also with ἐν inas Colossians 2:16, with respect to, literally, in the matter of. With ἀνά upthe idea being of a series or column of parts reckoned upward, part by part. Μέρος τι withregard to some part, partly, occurs 1 Corinthians 11:18; and κατὰ μέρος , reckoning part by part downward; according to part, particularly, Hebrews 9:5. Construe here with hath happened: has partially befallen. Not partial hardening, but hardening extending over a part. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

1 Corinthians 6:15 Members of Christ []
The body is not only for the Lord (1 Corinthians 6:13), adapted for Him: it is also united with Him. See Ephesians 4:16. [source]
Ephesians 2:21 Fitly framed together [συναρμολογουμενη]
Double compound from συν — sun and αρμολογος — harmologos (binding, αρμος — harmos joint and λεγω — legō), apparently made by Paul and in N.T. only here and Ephesians 4:16. Architectural metaphor. Into a holy temple (εις ναον αγιον — eis naon hagion). The whole structure with all the οικοδομαι — oikodomai Another metaphor for the Kingdom of God with which compare Peter‘s “spiritual house” (οικος πνευματικος — oikos pneumatikos) in which each is a living stone being built in (1 Peter 2:5). [source]
Ephesians 1:23 The fulness of him that filleth all in all [το πληρωμα του τα παντα εν πασιν πληρουμενου]
This is probably the correct translation of a much disputed phrase. This view takes πληρωμα — plērōma in the passive sense (that which is filled, as is usual, Colossians 1:19) and πληρουμενου — plēroumenou as present middle participle, not passive. All things are summed up in Christ (Ephesians 1:10), who is the πληρωμα — plērōma of God (Colossians 1:19), and in particular does Christ fill the church universal as his body. Hence we see in Ephesians the Dignity of the Body of Christ which is ultimately to be filled with the fulness (πληρωμα — plērōma) of God (Ephesians 3:19) when it grows up into the fulness (πληρωμα — plērōma) of Christ (Ephesians 4:13, Ephesians 4:16). [source]
Philippians 1:19 To my salvation [εις σωτηριαν]
For his release from prison as he strongly hopes to see them again (Phlippians 1:26). Lightfoot takes the word to be Paul‘s eternal salvation and it must be confessed that Phlippians 1:20 (the close of this sentence) does suit that idea best. Can it be that Paul carried both conceptions in the word here? Supply (επιχορηγιας — epichorēgias). Late and rare word (one example in inscription of first century a.d.). In N.T. only here and Ephesians 4:16. From the late verb επιχορηγεω — epichorēgeō (double compound, επι χοροσ ηγεομαι — epichoroshēgeomai to furnish supply for the chorus) which see in 2 Corinthians 9:10; Galatians 3:5. [source]
Philippians 1:19 Supply [επιχορηγιας]
Late and rare word (one example in inscription of first century a.d.). In N.T. only here and Ephesians 4:16. From the late verb επιχορηγεω — epichorēgeō (double compound, επι χοροσ ηγεομαι — epichoroshēgeomai to furnish supply for the chorus) which see in 2 Corinthians 9:10; Galatians 3:5. [source]
Colossians 2:19 By joints and bands [διὰ τῶν ἁφῶν καὶ συνδέσμων]
Joints ( ἁφῶν ) only here and Ephesians 4:16. The word means primarily touching, and is used in classical Greek of the touch upon harpstrings, or the grip of a wrestler. Not quite the same as joints in the sense of the parts in contact, but the relations between the adjacent parts. The actual connection is expressed by bands or ligaments. [source]
Colossians 2:19 From whom [ἐξ οὗ]
Fixing the personal reference of the head to Christ. Compare Ephesians 4:16. [source]
Colossians 1:18 The head of the body, the Church []
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]

What do the individual words in Ephesians 4:16 mean?

from whom all the body being joined together and being held together by every ligament of [its] supply according to [the] working in [the] measure individual of each part the increase of the body makes for itself to [the] building up of itself love
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 ἀγάπῃ

οὗ  whom 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
σῶμα  body 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: σῶμα  
Sense: the body both of men or animals.
συναρμολογούμενον  being  joined  together 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: συναρμολογέω  
Sense: to join closely together.
συμβιβαζόμενον  being  held  together 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: συμβιβάζω  
Sense: to cause to coalesce, to join together, put together.
πάσης  every 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
ἁφῆς  ligament 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἁφή  
Sense: bond, connection.
τῆς  of  [its] 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐπιχορηγίας  supply 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἐπιχορηγία  
Sense: a supplying, supply.
κατ’  according  to 
Parse: Preposition
Root: κατά 
Sense: down from, through out.
ἐνέργειαν  [the]  working 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐνέργεια  
Sense: working, efficiency.
μέτρῳ  [the]  measure 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: μέτρον  
Sense: measure, an instrument for measuring.
ἑνὸς  individual 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: εἷς  
Sense: one.
ἑκάστου  of  each 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: ἕκαστος  
Sense: each, every.
μέρους  part 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: μέρος  
Sense: a part.
αὔξησιν  increase 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: αὔξησις  
Sense: increase, growth.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
σώματος  body 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: σῶμα  
Sense: the body both of men or animals.
ποιεῖται  makes  for  itself 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.
οἰκοδομὴν  [the]  building  up 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: οἰκοδομή  
Sense: (the act of) building, building up.
ἑαυτοῦ  of  itself 
Parse: Reflexive Pronoun, Genitive Neuter 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἑαυτοῦ  
Sense: himself, herself, itself, themselves.
ἀγάπῃ  love 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀγάπη  
Sense: brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence.