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
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all …
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath …
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of …
I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than …
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.