the Second Week after Easter
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Efeso 4:12
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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
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.