Ephesians 4:12
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Study Note
Study Note
The three-clause purpose statement — 'for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ' — has been central to debates about whether the gifts equip saints to minister (thus democratising ministry) or equip leaders to minister to saints (thus clericalising ministry). The Greek syntax, read without commas between clauses, strongly implies that equipping the saints is the goal, and that equipped saints then perform the work of ministry, which results in the body's edification — a lay-ministry model. The diverse gift-holders of verse 11 (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastor-teachers) are not the ministry's performers but its trainers, a distinction with profound practical implications for church structure. The goal of 'the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ' (v. 13) makes Christlikeness the telos of all ministerial activity.
Other Translations
for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:
unto the perfecting of the saints, for a work of ministration, for a building up of the body of the Christ,
For the training of the saints as servants in the church, for the building up of the body of Christ:
Cross References
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? …
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said …
For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go …
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear …
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose …
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much …
And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the …
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish …