Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies… I. Observe, in the first place, THAT ALL THE TRUE MEMBERS OF CHRIST ARE ENTIRELY DEPENDENT ON CHRIST. Independence is the great principle of our corrupt nature — that sinful independence, that would lead the creature not to acknowledge its entire dependence on God. But let me say to such that hear me, be assured of this; the soul in that state Never can enter the kingdom of heaven. II. But observe now, that the members of Christ are not only dependent on Christ, BUT THEY ARE DEPENDENT UPON EACH OTHER. Look at a tree; is it not so? I see the branch dependent upon its stem, as the stem is dependent upon its root; but I see little branches dependent upon the other branches, and still smaller fibres dependent upon the smallest branches. And so is it in this figure before us: "from whom the whole body," in its parts "fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part." III. And now consider THE GREAT OBJECT AND END, FOR WHICH ALL THIS TAKES PLACE. It "maketh increase of the body." That is, "the whole body" in its parts "maketh increase of the body" as a whole. (J. H. Evans, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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