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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Ephesians 4:13 - 4:13
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Till we all attain (mechri katantēsōmen hoi pantes). Temporal clause with purpose idea with mechri and the first aorist active subjunctive of katantaō, late verb, to come down to the goal (Phi 3:11). “The whole” including every individual. Hence the need of so many gifts.
Unto the unity of the faith (eis tēn henotēta tēs pisteōs). “Unto oneness of faith” (of trust) in Christ (Eph 4:3) which the Gnostics were disturbing.
And of the knowledge of the Son of God (kai tēs epignōseōs tou huiou tou theou). Three genitives in a chain dependent also on tēn henotēta, “the oneness of full (epi̇) knowledge of the Son of God,” in opposition to the Gnostic vagaries.
Unto a full-grown man (eis andra teleion). Same figure as in Eph 2:15 and teleios in sense of adult as opposed to nēpioi (infants) in Eph 4:14.
Unto the measure of the stature (eis metron hēlikias). So apparently hēlikia here as in Luk 2:52, not age (Joh 9:21). Boys rejoice in gaining the height of a man. But Paul adds to this idea “the fulness of Christ” (tou plērōmatos tou Christou), like “the fulness of God” in Eph 3:19. And yet some actually profess to be “perfect” with a standard like this to measure by! No pastor has finished his work when the sheep fall so far short of the goal.