12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

Other Translations of Ephesians 4:12

King James Version

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

English Standard Version

12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

The Message

12 to train Christians in skilled servant work, working within Christ's body, the church,

New King James Version

12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

New Living Translation

12 Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ephesians 4:12

Commentary on Ephesians 4:7-16

(Read Ephesians 4:7-16)

Unto every believer is given some gift of grace, for their mutual help. All is given as seems best to Christ to bestow upon every one. He received for them, that he might give to them, a large measure of gifts and graces; particularly the gift of the Holy Ghost. Not a mere head knowledge, or bare acknowledging Christ to be the Son of God, but such as brings trust and obedience. There is a fulness in Christ, and a measure of that fulness given in the counsel of God to every believer; but we never come to the perfect measure till we come to heaven. God's children are growing, as long as they are in this world; and the Christian's growth tends to the glory of Christ. The more a man finds himself drawn out to improve in his station, and according to his measure, all that he has received, to the spiritual good of others, he may the more certainly believe that he has the grace of sincere love and charity rooted in his heart.