He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 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.
Paraphrase:
Jesus ascended to heaven to fulfill all things.
Jesus gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.
The job of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers is to
perfect the saints for the work of ministry, and to edify the body of Christ.
The goal of perfecting and edification is a perfect, mature person who has
reached his full stature in the fulness of Christ by the unity of faith and
knowledge of Him.
Then that person will not be disillusioned by differing theology or deceived
by manipulated Scripture.
That person by speaking the truth in love will grow up in Christ.
Every member of Christ can increase His body and edify it in love by supplying
to it according to his full measure.
No comments:
Post a Comment