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New Living Translation

Ephesians 4:12

Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Church;   Instruction;   Minister, Christian;   Perfection;   Sanctification;   Wisdom;   Thompson Chain Reference - Body of Christ;   Church;   Edification;   The Topic Concordance - Body;   Disciples/apostles;   Edification;   Evangelism;   Giving and Gifts;   Prophecy and Prophets;   Shepherds/pastors;   Teaching;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Christ Is God;   Christ, the Head of the Church;   Church, the;   Edification;   Ministers;   Perfection;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Apostle;   Church;   Gifts of the spirit;   Interpretation;   Minister;   Mission;   Pastor;   Paul;   Servant;   Teacher;   Work;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Body;   Build up;   Church, the;   Holy Spirit;   Holy Spirit, Gifts of;   Nahum, Theology of;   Romans, Theology of;   Union with Christ;   Worship;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Christianity;   Church;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Bishop;   Church;   Elijah;   Pentecost;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Apostles;   Ascension;   Baptism of the Holy Spirit;   Body;   Body of Christ;   Church;   Edification;   Ephesians, Book of;   Gift, Giving;   Humanity;   Instruction;   Pastor;   Preaching in the Bible;   Spirit;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Church;   Ephesians, Epistle to;   Peter, First Epistle of;   Presbytery;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Body;   Body (2);   Building ;   Edification;   Ephesians Epistle to the;   Fellowship (2);   Growth Increase ;   Mediation Mediator;   Minister Ministry;   Minister, Ministration;   Organization (2);   Perfect Perfection;   Restoration of Offenders;   Union;   Unity;   Work;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Apostle;   Ascension;   Edification;   Gifts in the Church;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Perfecting;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Kingdom or Church of Christ, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Bishop;   Body;   Edification;   Ephesians, Epistle to the;   Exodus, the Book of;   Grace;   Ministry;   Perfect;   Senses;   Spiritual Gifts;   Teach;  

Devotionals:

- Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life - Devotion for April 24;   Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for May 3;   Every Day Light - Devotion for October 11;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,
King James Version (1611)
For the perfecting of the Saints, for the worke of the ministerie, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
King James Version
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
English Standard Version
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
New American Standard Bible
for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ;
New Century Version
Christ gave those gifts to prepare God's holy people for the work of serving, to make the body of Christ stronger.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
Legacy Standard Bible
for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ,
Berean Standard Bible
to equip the saints for works of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,
Contemporary English Version
so that his people would learn to serve and his body would grow strong.
Complete Jewish Bible
Their task is to equip God's people for the work of service that builds the body of the Messiah,
Darby Translation
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;
Easy-to-Read Version
Christ gave these gifts to prepare God's holy people for the work of serving, to make the body of Christ stronger.
Geneva Bible (1587)
For the repairing of the Saintes, for the woorke of the ministerie, and for the edification of the bodie of Christ,
George Lamsa Translation
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Good News Translation
He did this to prepare all God's people for the work of Christian service, in order to build up the body of Christ.
Lexham English Bible
for the equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
Literal Translation
with a view to the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ,
Amplified Bible
[and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God's people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church];
American Standard Version
for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:
Bible in Basic English
For the training of the saints as servants in the church, for the building up of the body of Christ:
Hebrew Names Version
for the perfecting of the holy ones, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Messiah;
International Standard Version
to perfectequip">[fn] the saints, to do the work of ministry, and to build up the body of Christ1 Corinthians 12:7; 14:26; Ephesians 1:23; Colossians 1:24;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edification of the (church of the) Meshiha,
Murdock Translation
for perfecting the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edification of the body of the Messiah;
Bishop's Bible (1568)
To the gatheryng together of the saintes, into the worke of ministration, into the edifiyng of the body of Christe:
English Revised Version
for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:
World English Bible
for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ;
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, to the edifying the body of Christ;
Weymouth's New Testament
in order fully to equip His people for the work of serving--for the building up of Christ's body--
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
to the ful endyng of seyntis, in to the werk of mynystrie, in to edificacioun of Cristis bodi,
Update Bible Version
for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ:
Webster's Bible Translation
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
New English Translation
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ,
New King James Version
for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
New Life Bible
These gifts help His people work well for Him. And then the church which is the body of Christ will be made strong.
New Revised Standard
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
With a view to the fitting of the saints for the work of ministering, for an upbuilding of the body of the Christ;
Douay-Rheims Bible
For the perfecting of the saints, for the word of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Revised Standard Version
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
yt the sainctes might have all thinges necessarie to worke and minister with all to the edifyinge of the body of christ
Young's Literal Translation
unto the perfecting of the saints, for a work of ministration, for a building up of the body of the Christ,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
wherby the sayntes mighte be coupled together thorow comen seruyce to the edifienge of ye body of Christ,
Mace New Testament (1729)
thus fitly qualifying his servants for their respective offices, in order to build up the body of Christ:
Simplified Cowboy Version
Their jobs are to make top hands in all the outfits, which is the body of Christ.

Contextual Overview

2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. 7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. 8 That is why the Scriptures say, "When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people." 9 Notice that it says "he ascended." This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. 10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself. 11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

perfecting: Luke 22:32, John 21:15-17, Acts 9:31, Acts 11:23, Acts 14:22, Acts 14:23, Acts 20:28, Romans 15:14, Romans 15:29, 1 Corinthians 12:7, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Philippians 1:25, Philippians 1:26, Philippians 3:12-18, Colossians 1:28, 1 Thessalonians 5:11-14, Hebrews 6:1, Hebrews 13:17

the work: Acts 1:17, Acts 1:25, Acts 20:24, Romans 12:7, 1 Corinthians 4:1, 1 Corinthians 4:2, 2 Corinthians 3:8, 2 Corinthians 4:1, 2 Corinthians 5:18, 2 Corinthians 6:3, Colossians 4:17, 1 Timothy 1:12, 2 Timothy 4:5, 2 Timothy 4:11

the edifying: Ephesians 4:16, Ephesians 4:29, Romans 14:19, Romans 15:2, 1 Corinthians 14:4, 1 Corinthians 14:5, 1 Corinthians 14:12, 1 Corinthians 14:14, 1 Corinthians 14:26, 2 Corinthians 12:19, 1 Thessalonians 5:11

the body: Ephesians 4:4, Ephesians 1:23, Colossians 1:24

Reciprocal: Exodus 40:8 - the court Isaiah 61:6 - named Isaiah 62:6 - set watchmen Jeremiah 1:5 - and I ordained Jeremiah 3:15 - And I Matthew 13:27 - the servants Luke 1:2 - and John 17:8 - I have John 17:23 - made Acts 15:32 - confirmed Acts 20:32 - to build Romans 10:15 - And how 1 Corinthians 3:22 - Paul 1 Corinthians 6:15 - your 1 Corinthians 10:17 - we being 1 Corinthians 12:5 - administrations 1 Corinthians 12:12 - as 1 Corinthians 12:27 - General 1 Corinthians 14:3 - edification 1 Corinthians 14:31 - all may learn 2 Corinthians 3:6 - hath Ephesians 2:20 - built Ephesians 3:5 - as it Ephesians 4:13 - unto a Philippians 1:6 - will 1 Thessalonians 5:20 - General 1 Timothy 1:4 - godly 1 Timothy 3:1 - desireth

Cross-References

Genesis 4:3
When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord .
Genesis 4:4
Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift,
Genesis 4:14
You have banished me from the land and from your presence; you have made me a homeless wanderer. Anyone who finds me will kill me!"
Genesis 4:17
Cain had sexual relations with his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Then Cain founded a city, which he named Enoch, after his son.
Genesis 4:18
Enoch had a son named Irad. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech.
Genesis 4:23
One day Lamech said to his wives, "Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; listen to me, you wives of Lamech. I have killed a man who attacked me, a young man who wounded me.
Genesis 4:24
If someone who kills Cain is punished seven times, then the one who kills me will be punished seventy-seven times!"
Leviticus 26:20
All your work will be for nothing, for your land will yield no crops, and your trees will bear no fruit.
Leviticus 26:36
"And for those of you who survive, I will demoralize you in the land of your enemies. You will live in such fear that the sound of a leaf driven by the wind will send you fleeing. You will run as though fleeing from a sword, and you will fall even when no one pursues you.
Psalms 109:10
May his children wander as beggars and be driven from their ruined homes.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For the perfecting of the saints, c,] The chosen ones, whom God has sanctified or set apart for himself in eternal election: the ministry of the word is designed for the completing the number of these in the effectual calling and for the perfecting of the whole body of the church, by gathering in all that belong to it, and of every particular saint, who is regenerated and sanctified by the Spirit of God: for the best of saints are imperfect; for though there is a perfection in them, as that designs sincerity, in opposition to hypocrisy, and as it may be taken comparatively with respect to what others are, or they themselves were; and though there is a perfection of parts of the new man in them, yet not of degrees; and though there is a complete perfection in Christ, yet not in themselves, their sanctification is imperfect, as their faith, knowledge, love, c. sin is in them, and committed by them, and they continually want supplies of grace and the best of them are sensible of their imperfection, and own it: now the ministration of the word is a means of carrying on the work of grace in them unto perfection, or "for the restoring or joining in of the saints"; the elect of God were disjointed in Adam's fall, and scattered abroad, who were representatively gathered together in one head, even in Christ, in redemption; and the word is the means of the visible and open jointing of them into Christ, and into his churches, and also of restoring them after backslidings:

for the work of the ministry; gifts are given unto men by Christ to qualify them for it: the preaching of the Gospel is a work, and a laborious one, and what no man is sufficient for of himself; it requires faithfulness, and is a good work, and when well performed, those concerned in it are worthy of respect, esteem, and honour; and it is a ministering work, a service and not dominion:

for the edifying the body of Christ; not his natural body the Father prepared for him; nor his sacramental body in the supper; but his mystical body the church; and gifts are bestowed to fit them for the preaching of the Gospel, that hereby the church, which is compared to an edifice, might be built up; and that the several societies of Christians and particular believers might have spiritual edification, and walk in the fear of the Lord, and in the comforts of the Holy Ghost, and their numbers be increased, and their graces be in lively exercise.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For the perfecting of the saints - On the meaning of the word rendered here as “perfecting” - καταρτισμὸν 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 Christians may have every possible advantage for becoming complete in love, and knowledge, and order.

For the work of the ministry - All these are engaged in the work of the ministry, though in different departments. Together they constituted the “ministry” by which Christ meant to establish and edify the church. All these offices had an existence at that time, and all were proper; though it is clear that they were not all designed to be permanent. The apostolic office was of course to cease with the death of those who were “the witnesses” of the life and doctrines of Jesus (compare notes on 1 Corinthians 9:1); the office of “prophets” was to cease with the cessation of inspiration; and in like manner it is possible that the office of teacher or evangelist might be suspended, as circumstances might demand. But is it not clear from this that Christ did not appoint “merely” three orders of clergy to be permanent in the church? Here are “five” orders enumerated, and in 1 Corinthians 12:28, there are “eight” mentioned; and how can it be demonstrated that the Saviour intended that there should be “three” only, and that they should be permanent? The presumption is rather that he meant that there should be but one permanent order of ministers, though the departments of their labor might be varied according to circumstances, and though there might be helpers, as occasion should demand. In founding churches among the pagan, and in instructing and governing them there, there is need of reviving nearly all the offices of teacher, helper, evangelist, etc., which Paul has enumerated as actually existing in his time.

For the edifying - For building it up; that is, in the knowledge of the truth and in piety; see the notes on Romans 14:19.

The body of Christ - The Church; see the notes on Ephesians 1:23.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 12. For 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 καταρτισμος, perfecting, 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 same officers and gifts are still necessary, and God gives them; but they do not know their places. In most Christian Churches there appears to be but one office, that of preacher; and one gift, that by which he professes to preach. The apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, are all compounded in the class preachers; and many, to whom God has given nothing but the gift of exhortation, take texts to explain them; and thus lose their time, and mar their ministry.

Edifying of the body — The body of Christ is his Church, see Ephesians 2:20, c. and its edification consists in its thorough instruction in Divine things, and its being filled with faith and holiness.


 
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