Ephesians 4:16

16. From this head, Christ, the whole body (as in Ephesians 1:22-23) is organized and made to grow. This is now expressed very anatomically and complexly. The word body is repeated in the first and last part of the verse. The body makes the body grow into a complete self-building in love. It does this by three things: 1. A very compact organism, which is effected by, 2. Matter of supply, and, 3. Both in proportion to the vital energy of every proportional part. To analyze these three more fully: 1. From the vitality in the head we have an organism fitly joined together and compacted. This is a very tersely expressed image of a true Church unity, to which it is of vital importance that every Church should aspire. 2. This is effected by (to change the translation) every joint of supply. This of supply qualifies the joint, and means that every joint is a supplier of strength, as if it read every strength-supplying joint. 3. And this according to the efficient vital energy in the measure or proportion of every part. Paul traces these successive points, because each presents a topic and a lesson. 1. From our Head is all our life and vigour. 2. From Him we should be a bodily unit. 3. That unit supposes a powerful jointing of part to part, and part to whole. 4. To all this efficient compactness every member, however minute or obscure, should contribute. The model Church is vital in every part. Not one can say, I am of no use, am nothing. 5. And all this is an upbuilding in love. The love of Christ is the fountain; the love to each other is the unity; the love to the surrounding world is the stream, pouring itself forth in benevolence, purities, truths, and missions of gospel power. Were St. Paul’s ideal realized, what all-conquering gospel Churches we should have! Having thus far pictured his Church in itself, Paul will now illustrate its purity by contrasts with the opposite Church of the world, of Satan, and the anti-church of Gentilism. The contrast is twofold; touching sins of the spirit and sins of the flesh.