The Whole Body Fitly Joined Ephesians 4:16

Paul the apostle encouraged the Ephesian church members to “speak the truth in love” so they might “grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ”. This would prevent them from being “children” who were “tossed to an fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine” which was advanced by “sleight of men, and cunning craftiness”. Through “speaking the truth”, the Ephesians, according to chapter four and verse sixteen of Paul's letter, would allow the “whole body” to be “fitly joined together” where we read:

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

The verse begins, “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies,...” Paul began with the words, “From whom” or “out of, by and away from which or that” “the whole body” which means “each, every, any, all, the whole and everyone in a large or small number of men closely united into one society or family as it were” “fitly joined together” which means “closely framed and built members of the body” “and compacted” or “coalesced, joined, put, united and knit together” “by that which every” or “each, every, any, all, the whole and everyone” “joint supplies” which means “bond and connection contributes”. When the “truth” is spoken “in love”, the “whole body” of believers is not only benefitted, but also unified as well.

The verse goes on to say, “...according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Paul added, “according” which means “down from, through out, toward and along” “to the effectual working” which means “efficiency and strong operation” “in the measure” or “within the rule, standard of measure and judgment, extent, due and fit” “of every part” which refers to “each, every, any, all, the whole and everyone of the portion, lot and destiny”, “makes increase” which means “brings forth, produces, constructs, forms and fashions growth” “of the body” or “a large or small number of men closely united into one society or family as it were” “unto the edifying” which means “building up” “of itself” which refers to “the church” “in love” which is the Greek word “agape” and means “affection, goodwill, benevolence and unconditional brotherly love”. Each “part” of the body of Christ, the church, “builds up” the other “in love”.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see his emphasis on “unity” within the church by “speaking the truth in love” to one another. The motive of all of the members of the “body of Christ” should be “edification” and not “destruction”. Many times “truth” has been “ignored” which causes “winds of doctrine” to blow through the church, and often the “truth” is spoken in judgment rather than “in love” which causes division. Let us be aware of the importance of “the truth”, and let our motive always be to “build one another up” in Jesus Christ rather than being instruments of division.

Next time Paul tells the Ephesians not to “walk not as other Gentiles walk”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.