Ephesians 4:16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

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

Whom

Ephesians 4:12

John 15:5

Fitly

1 Corinthians 12:12

Colossians 2:19

The effectual

Ephesians 3:7

1 Thessalonians 2:13

Edifying

General references

Romans 12:4

Bible References

Whom

thus fitly qualifying his servants for their respective offices, in order to build up the body of Christ:

I am the vine, you are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for independent of me ye can do nothing.

Fitly

For as the body is one, tho' it has many members, and all the members of that one body, tho' many, are one body: so also is the body of Christ.

not adhering to the head, from which all the parts of the body derive its nutrition, and being firmly united together by its joints and ligaments, receives a divine increase.

The effectual

of this I was made a minister, according to the gracious gift God bestowed on me, by the effectual operation of his influence:

nor do we fail of giving thanks to God continually, that, when you received the word of God, which we preach, you did not receive it as the doctrine of men, but as a doctrine that appears to be truly divine, by the influences it displays in you, who believe.

Edifying

but being sincere in mutual love, may be entirely united to Christ, who is the head:

according as he had chosen us in himself before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, free from vice, and devoted to virtue.

so that your souls may be possess'd with faith in Christ.

Now as to things offered to idols, 'tis certain that the knowledge you all pretend to have, swells you with pride, but 'tis charity that edifieth.

Social affection is patient, is kind; is a stranger to envy; is not insolently vain, nor arrogant: does not behave indecently,

Cultivate social virtue; then desire spiritual gifts, but chiefly that of explaining the prophetical writings.

for in the christian-dispensation, neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision, but an active benevolent faith.

and the favour I ask of him is this, that your kindness to me may be crown'd with farther improvements in knowledge and all prudence;

that their hearts might be comforted, and that being firmly united in love, they might possess the highest and fullest persuasion of the truth of this doctrine, by entring into this mystery, even of God the father, and of Christ,

never forgetting the effects of your faith, your charitable offices, and the constancy of your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ; of which God is our witness.

may the Lord make you increase and abound in mutual love, in love towards all men, as we do towards you:

As to brotherly love, I have no occasion to write about it, God himself having instructed you to love one another.

We are oblig'd, my brethren, to render thanks to God continually upon your account, as it is but just; since your faith still improves, and your mutual love is always increasing.

such a charge will produce that charity, which arises from purity, from a good conscience, and a sincere belief:

You that have purified your souls by the holy spirit, in obeying the gospel, which obliges you to an undisguised benevolence, let your hearts be mutually affected with the most disinterested ardour;

and we have known, and are convinced that God hath loved us. God is love; and he that cultivates social affection, dwelleth in God, and God in him.

General references

for as there are many members in one and the same body, but all the members have not the same office: