Ephesians 4 · Verse 12

Ephesians 4:12

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Ephesians 4:12, King James Version

Ephesians 4:12 in other translations

BSBto equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,
WEBfor the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ,
ASVfor the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:
YLTunto the perfecting of the saints, for a work of ministration, for a building up of the body of the Christ,
DARBYfor 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;
BBEFor the training of the saints as servants in the church, for the building up of the body of Christ:
WebsterFor the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

What does Ephesians 4:12 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
12. For--with a view to; the ultimate aim. "Unto." perfecting--The Greek implies correcting in all that is deficient, instructing and completing in number and all parts. for--a different Greek word; the immediate object. Compare Ro 15:2, "Let every one ... please his neighbor for his good unto edification." the ministry--Greek, "ministration"; without the article. The office of the ministry is stated in this verse. The good aimed at in respect to the Church (Ep 4:13). The way of growth (Ep 4:14-16). edifying--that is, building up as the temple of the Holy Ghost.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 12. For the perfecting of the saints. On the meaning of the word here rendered perfecting--καταρτισμον--2Cor 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, 1Cor 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 1Cor 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 labour might be varied according to circumstances, and though there might be helpers, as occasion should demand founding churches among the heathen, 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. Rom 14:19.

The body of Christ. The church. Eph 1:23.

(*) "edifying" "Edification"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
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, see the note on 2Cor 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 Eph 2:20, etc.; and its edification consists in its thorough instruction in Divine things, and its being filled with faith and holiness.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ephesians 4:7-16

Unto every believer is given some gift of grace, for their mutual help. All is given as seems best to Christ to bestow upon every one. He received for them, that he might give to them, a large measure of gifts and graces; particularly the gift of the Holy Ghost. Not a mere head knowledge, or bare acknowledging Christ to be the Son of God, but such as brings trust and obedience. There is a fulness in Christ, and a…

Read the full comment on Ephesians 4:7-16 →

Ephesians 4:12 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

πρὸςprostowardG4314
τὸνtontheG3588
καταρτισμὸνkatartismonperfectingG2677
τῶνtōnof theG3588
ἁγίωνhagiōnsaintsG40
εἰςeisforG1519
ἔργονergon[the] workG2041
διακονίας,diakoniasof ministry,G1248
εἰςeisforG1519
οἰκοδομὴνoikodomēn[the] building upG3619
τοῦtouof theG3588
σώματοςsōmatosbodyG4983
τοῦtou<the>G3588
Χριστοῦ·Christouof Christ;G5547

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ephesians 4:12

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:11-14

    Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

  • Ephesians 4:16

    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.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:27

    Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

  • Romans 15:14

    And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:4-5

    He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

  • Romans 14:19

    Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:26

    How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:12

    Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

  • 1 Timothy 1:12

    And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

  • Acts 14:22-23

    Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

  • Hebrews 6:1

    Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

  • Luke 22:32

    But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
perfection.
Lu 22:32; Joh 21:15-17; Ac 9:31; 11:23; 14:22,23; 20:28; Ro 15:14,29
1Co 12:7; 2Co 7:1; Php 1:25,26; 3:12-18; Col 1:28; 1Th 5:11-14
Heb 6:1; 13:17
the work.
Ac 1:17,25; 20:24; Ro 12:7; 1Co 4:1,2; 2Co 3:8; 4:1; 5:18; 6:3
Col 4:17; 1Ti 1:12; 2Ti 4:5,11
the edifying.
16,29; Ro 14:19; 15:2; 1Co 14:4,5,12,14,26; 2Co 12:19; 1Th 5:11
the body.
4; 1:23; Col 1:24

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Ephesians 4:11

    And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

  • Ephesians 4:12

    For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

  • Ephesians 4:13

    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:

Read all of Ephesians 4

Ephesians 4:12 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Para perfección de los santos, para la obra del ministerio, para edificación del cuerpo de Cristo;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		en vue du perfectionnement des saints, pour l’œuvre du service, pour l’édification du corps de Christ;
German
Elberfelder 1871		zur Vollendung der Heiligen, für das Werk des Dienstes, für die Auferbauung des Leibes Christi,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		ad consummationem sanctorum in opus ministerii, in ædificationem corporis Christi: