Ephesians 4:16

“From whom the whole body fitly joined gether, &c.] By which is meant, the church; (see <490123>Ephesians 1:23) sometimes it designs all the elect of God in heaven and in earth, but here the church militant, which only can admit of an increase; this body is from Christ, as an head, and the phrase denotes the rise and origin of the church from Christ, her dependence upon him, and union to him, and of its members one to another; she has her being and form, from him, and all her blessings, as her life and light, righteousness and holiness, her grace and strength, her joy, peace, and comfort, her fruitfulness and final perseverance; and her dependence is upon him for subsistence, sustenance,…”

“(Col 2:19). fitly joined together--"being fitly framed together," as in Eph 2:21; all the parts being in their proper position, and in mutual relation. compacted--implying firm consolidation. by that which every joint supplieth--Greek, "by means of every joint of the supply"; joined with "maketh increase of the body," not with "compacted." "By every ministering (supplying) joint." The joints are the points of union where the supply passes to the different members, furnishing the body with the materials of its growth. effectual working-- (Eph 1:19; Eph 3:7). According to the effectual working of grace in each member (or else, rather, "according to each several member's working"), proportioned…”

“From whom the whole body - The church, compared with the human body. The idea is, that as the head in the human frame conveys vital influence, rigor, motion, etc., to every part of the body; so Christ is the source of life, and rigor, and energy, and increase to the church. The sense is, “The whole human body is admirably arranged for growth and rigor. Every member and joint contribute to its healthful and harmonious action. One part lends vigor and beauty to another, so that the whole is finely proportioned and admirably sustained. All depend on the head with reference to the most important functions of life, and all derive their vigor from that. So it is in the church. It is as well…”

“From whom the whole mystical body fitly joined together - All the parts being fitted for and adapted to each other, and most exactly harmonizing with the whole. And compacted - Knit and cemented together with the utmost firmness. Maketh increase by that which every joint supplieth - Or by the mutual help of every joint. According to the effectual working in the measure of every member - According as every member in its measure effectually works for the support and growth of the whole. A beautiful allusion to the human body, composed of different joints and members, knit together by various ligaments, and furnished with vessels of communication from the head to every part. Ephesians 4:17”

“4:16 Each part of the body plays an important role and helps the other parts grow. Christ, the head of the body, works through the individual parts, makes them fit together, and is the ultimate source of growth (see Col 2:19). • When all believers are ministering effectively, the whole body will be healthy and growing and full of love (cp. 1 Cor 8:1). Love is the most important factor in Christian growth (1 Cor 13:1-13).”

“whom: Eph 4:12; Joh 15:5 fitly: Job 10:10, Job 10:11; Psa 139:15, Psa 139:16; 1Cor. 12:12-28; Col 2:19 the effectual: Eph 3:7; Th1 2:13 edifying: Eph 4:15, Eph 1:4, Eph 3:17; Co1 8:1, Co1 13:4-9, Co1 13:13, Co1 14:1; Gal 5:6, Gal 5:13, Gal 5:14, Gal 5:22; Phi 1:9; Col 2:2; Th1 1:3, Th1 3:12, Th1 4:9, Th1 4:10; Th2 1:3; Ti1 1:5; Pe1 1:22; Jo1 4:16 Ephesians 4:17”