Ephesians 4:12

“For the perfecting of the saints, &c,] The chosen ones, whom God has sanctified or set apart for himself in eternal election: the ministry of the word is designed for the completing the number of these in the effectual calling; and for the perfecting of the whole body of the church, by gathering in all that belong to it, and of every particular saint, who is regenerated and sanctified by the Spirit of God: for the best of saints are imperfect; for though there is a perfection in them, as that designs sincerity, in opposition to hypocrisy, and as it may be taken comparatively with respect to what others are, or they themselves were; and though there is a perfection of parts of the new man in…”

“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 Rom 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 (Eph 4:13). The way of growth (Eph 4:14-16). edifying--that is, building up as the temple of the Holy Ghost.”

“For the perfecting of the saints - On the meaning of the word rendered here as “perfecting” - καταρτισμὸν katartismon - see the notes on 2 Corinthians 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…”

“In this verse is noted the office of ministers; in Eph 4:13, the aim of the saints; in Eph 4:14-16, the way of growing in grace. And each of these has three parts, standing in the same order. For the perfecting the saints - The completing them both in number and their various gifts and graces. To the work of the ministry - The serving God and his church in their various ministrations. To the edifying of the body of Christ - The building up this his mystical body in faith, love, holiness. Ephesians 4:13”

“4:12 God’s gifts are given so that believers will build up the church (see 1 Cor 12:7; cp. 1 Pet 2:5). • to equip God’s people to do his work: All believers are called to active Christian service.”

“perfecting: Luk 22:32; Joh 21:15-17; Act 9:31, Act 11:23, Act 14:22, Act 14:23, Act 20:28; Rom 15:14, Rom 15:29; Co1 12:7; Co2 7:1; Phi 1:25, Phi 1:26, Phi 3:12-18; Col 1:28; Th1 5:11-14; Heb 6:1, Heb 13:17 the work: Act 1:17, Act 1:25, Act 20:24; Rom 12:7; Co1 4:1, Co1 4:2; Co2 3:8, Co2 4:1, Co2 5:18, Co2 6:3; Col 4:17; Ti1 1:12; Ti2 4:5, Ti2 4:11 the edifying: Eph 4:16, Eph 4:29; Rom 14:19, Rom 15:2; Co1 14:4, Co1 14:5, Co1 14:12, Co1 14:14, Co1 14:26; Co2 12:19; Th1 5:11 the body: Eph 4:4, Eph 1:23; Col 1:24 Ephesians 4:13”