“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.”
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work — the sōma continues to grow, united by every syndesmō ('ligament,' connecting tissue), each meros ('member') energeō ('working') kata metron ('according to measure') of dunamis ('power'), the entire ekklēsia oikodomē ('edifying itself') in agapē ('love'), a vivid image of organic, interdependent growth.
Church Fathers on Ephesians 4:16
“But speaking truth,” says he, “in love, may grow up in all things into Him, which is the Head, even Christ, from whom,” (that is, from Christ,) “all the body fitly framed and knit together, through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in due measure of each several part, makes increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.” He expresses himself with great obscurity, from his desire to utter everything at once. What he means, however, is…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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