Joints – Part 3

We are looking in detail at Ephesians 4:11 – 16 (here @ BibleGateway).  Note that this passage is three sentences.  We looked at 11 and 12 yesterday which is one sentence.  We will look at 13 today, again one sentence.  Tomorrow we will finish with 14 – 16, also one sentence.  We will then summarize what we have seen.

4:13

μέχρι καταντήσωμεν οἱ πάντες εἰς τὴν ἑνότητα τῆς πίστεως καὶ τῆς ἐπιγνώσεως τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ, εἰς ἄνδρα τέλειον, εἰς μέτρον ἡλικίας τοῦ πληρώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ,

until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to [of JMC] the fullness of Christ.

Temporal Emphatic Purpose Essentially one cf. 4:3, 4:13 Purpose Purpose Emphatic Colossians 2:9 – 10

This passage sets the parameters for the ministry of the leaders.  The first clause tells us the length of time that the leaders will be engaged in the process, that is described as until unity is attained.  The implications of that at least include that job is ceaseless.  Further the scope of the leader’s ministry is emphatic.  The leaders are to engage with all the saints, not some, all.  The expected outcome, the result of this engagement by the leaders is rather daunting.  There are at least four metrics that are expected results:

1. Unity of the faith.
2. Unity of the knowledge of the Son of God
3. To maturity
4. To the fullness of Christ

Each of these deserve significant description on their own.  It would be incumbent on leadership in a body to define these.  It would seem that the leadership of a body as stewards of the grace of God would be held accountable for their engagement in this.