Devine Scripture

Ephesians 4:13

What does Ephesians 4:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 4:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 4:13 means

The target of equipping and ministry is corporate maturity. Paul envisions believers arriving together at “the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God.” Unity here is not mere agreement but shared, deep grasp of the gospel and of Christ Himself. The goal is a “fullgrown man,” the church collectively reaching maturity, measured by Christ’s fullness. Christ is the standard; His character and completeness set the bar. This is a lifelong, communal pursuit. As the church grows, it increasingly reflects Christ’s likeness and no longer lives in spiritual adolescence. Maturity is doctrinal, relational, and moral—truth and love embodied in a Christ-shaped community.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

till 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:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

till 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:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Till we all come to the harmony of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to full growth, to the full measure of Christ:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

till we may all come to the unity of the faith and of the recognition of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to a measure of stature of the fulness of the Christ,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Until we all meet into the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

until we all arrive at the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son ofGod, at [the] full-grown man, at [the] measure of the stature of the fulness of the Christ;

Context

Building on verse 12’s purpose, verse 13 describes the destination: unity in faith and knowledge, and maturity that mirrors Christ. It prepares for verse 14’s contrast with childish instability and susceptibility to error. The flow moves from goal (maturity) to danger (deception), then to the positive method (truth in love) and the source of growth (Christ as Head) in verses 15–16. Paul keeps the horizon high: every part of church life aims at Christlike fullness.

v.12for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:

v.13This passage

v.14that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;

Cross references

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

  • John 17:25

    O righteous Father, the world knew thee not, but I knew thee; and these knew that thou didst send me;

  • Ephesians 4:12

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

  • Acts 4:32

    And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not oneof themsaid that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

  • 2 Peter 1:1

    Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and the Saviour Jesus Christ:

  • Jeremiah 32:38

    And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:

  • Ephesians 1:23

    which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

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