Ephesians 4:16
What does Ephesians 4:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Ephesians 4:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ephesians 4:16 means
From Christ, the whole body is skillfully arranged and tightly knit. Every joint and part supplies something essential. When each part functions according to its measure—neither idle nor overburdened—the body grows. The increase is not mere numbers but edification: the body builds itself up in love. This shows the harmony of divine and human action: Christ is the source and architect, yet He uses the proper working of every member. No one is unnecessary; no one is sufficient alone. Love is both the context and the fruit of this growth. A healthy church depends on Christ and on the faithful service of every believer.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.
KJV
King James Version · 1611From 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Through whom all the body, being rightly formed and united together, by the full working of every part, is increased to the building up of itself in love.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862from whom the whole body, being fitly joined together and united, through the supply of every joint, according to the working in the measure of each single part, the increase of the body doth make for the building up of itself in love.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752From whom the whole body, being compacted and fitly joined together, by what every joint supplieth, according to the operation in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body, unto the edifying of itself in charity.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890from whom the whole body, fitted together, and connected by every joint of supply, according to [the] working in [its] measure of each one part, works for itself the increase of the body to its self-building up in love.
Context
This verse completes the unit on gifts and growth (verses 11–16). It circles back to the theme of unity in diversity introduced in verse 7, now displaying the church as a coordinated organism under Christ. Having established this positive vision, Paul will pivot in verse 17 to a strong ethical exhortation: do not live as the Gentiles do. The move is from corporate structure and aim to personal and communal conduct, contrasting the old way of life with the new humanity in Christ.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 5:13
For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another.
- Ephesians 1:4
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love:
- 1 Thessalonians 1:3
remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father;
- Job 10:10
Hast thou not poured me out as milk, And curdled me like cheese?
- 1 Peter 1:22
Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:
- Ephesians 4:12
for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:
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