For the perfecting of the saints, &c,] The chosen ones, whom God has sanctified or set apart for himself in eternal election: the ministry of the word is designed for the completing the number of these in the effectual calling; and for the perfecting of the whole body of the church, by gathering in all that belong to it, and of every particular saint, who is regenerated and sanctified by the Spirit of God: for the best of saints are imperfect; for though there is a perfection in them, as that designs sincerity, in opposition to hypocrisy, and as it may be taken comparatively with respect to what others are, or they themselves were; and though there is a perfection of parts of the new man in them, yet not of degrees; and though there is a complete perfection in Christ, yet not in themselves, their sanctification is imperfect, as their faith, knowledge, love, &c.
Bible Commentary
Ephesians 4:12
Ephesians 4:12
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain
The Daily Devotional
One devotional. Every morning.
The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.
We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.
Continue tomorrow
Turn Bible study into a daily habit
Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.
Recommended reading
More for Ephesians 4:12
Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.
Other commentaries
Ephesians 4 — OverviewEphesians 4 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleWe have gone through the former part of this epistle, which consists of
several important doctrinal truths, contained in the three preceding
chapters. We enter now on the latter part of it, in which we have the…Ephesians 4 — OverviewEphesians 4 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeEphesians 4:1, He exhorts to unity; Ephesians 4:7, and declares that God therefore gives divers gifts unto men; Ephesians 4:11, that his church might be edified, Ephesians 4:16. and grow up in Christ; Ephesians 4:18, He…Ephesians 4 — OverviewEphesians 4 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe apostle having in the three former chapters treated of the doctrines of grace, and explained and established them, proceeds in the three following to exhort to the duties of religion; and in this advises to a…Ephesians 4:1-16Ephesians 4:1-16 · The Pulpit CommentaryCHURCH PRINCIPLE OF GROWTH AND PROGRESS; THE CHURCH A BODY.Ephesians 4:1-16Ephesians 4:1-16 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe unity of the Church.
The doxology has just died away with its ascription of glory to God in the Church throughout all ages, and now the apostle turns from his intercession to admonish the Ephesian Christians about…Ephesians 4:1-16Ephesians 4:1-16 · The Pulpit CommentaryExhortation.
I. TRANSITION FROM THE DOCTRINAL TO THE PRACTICAL. "I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you." There is a similar transition at Romans 12:1, "I beseech you therefore." In both cases the…
commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.commentaryRecommended resourceExplore this resource connected to the verse you are reading.devotionThe Eye and the HandYou are not a spectator; you are a vital organ in the Body. You have a job to do. This week, ask a close Christian friend: "What spiritual gift do you see in me?" Sometimes others can see our function better than we can.Discipledeck devotionThe Three Lights on the ShoreGod doesn't usually shout; He guides. If you are stuck, check your three lights. If they aren't lined up, the safest thing to do is drift; wait and pray. But if they are aligned, stop hesitating. Trust the Captain and pull into the harbor.Discipledeck devotion What Envy Does When No One Stops ItSin was crouching at the door. God warned him. He still opened it. Don't wait until it's a wildfire. Address it while it's still a sparkDiscipleDeckdevotionThe Grace That Breaks the CycleJoseph could have taken his revenge. He chose his restoration instead. Forgiveness doesn't excuse what happened — it breaks the cycleDiscipledeckdevotionThe Scalpel and the SwordHonesty without love is just brutality. Don't use your words as a sword to attack people; use them as a scalpel to heal them. Be a surgeon, not a soldier. Find out how to upgrade your words today. 👇DiscipleDeckdevotionThe Gentle DoveIf a dove was resting on your shoulder, you would walk carefully so you didn't scare it away. The Holy Spirit is that gentle Dove.DiscipleDeck