Devine Scripture

Ephesians 4:12

What does Ephesians 4:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 4:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 4:12 means

The purpose of these gifted people is threefold and connected: to equip the saints, so the saints do the work of ministry, resulting in the building up of Christ’s body. Ministry is not the exclusive domain of leaders; all believers are “saints,” set apart to serve. Equipping means supplying what is lacking—training, truth, and encouragement—so that the whole church engages in service. The end goal is edification: the body strengthened in faith, love, and obedience. When leaders equip and saints serve, Christ’s church grows in health and effectiveness. This verse overturns spectator Christianity and calls every member into active participation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For the training of the saints as servants in the church, for the building up of the body of Christ:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

unto the perfecting of the saints, for a work of ministration, for a building up of the body of the Christ,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for the perfecting of the saints; with a view to [the] work of [the] ministry, with a view to the edifying of the body of Christ;

Context

This verse states the “why” behind Christ’s provision of leaders (verse 11). It forms the backbone of Paul’s vision for church life in this section. Verses 13–16 will describe the outcomes of such equipping: unity of the faith and knowledge, maturity, stability, and loving growth. The flow clarifies roles: Christ gives leaders; leaders equip; saints minister; the body is built up. The next verse will define the maturity toward which this equipping aims.

v.11And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

v.12This passage

v.13till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:14

    For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:1

    Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not:

  • John 21:15

    So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

  • Hebrews 6:1

    Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

  • Acts 20:28

    Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.

  • Acts 1:17

    For he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this ministry.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Ephesians 4

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Ephesians 4.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Ephesians 4:12.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary