• Ephesians 4:16
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 16 ἐξ out of οὗ whom πᾶν all τὸ the σῶμα body συναρμολογούμενον being jointed together καὶ and συνβιβαζόμενον being made to go together διὰ through πάσης every ἁφῆς connection τῆς of the ἐπιχορηγίας supply κατ’ according to ἐνέργειαν operation within ἐν in μέτρῳ measure ἑνὸς of one ἑκάστου of each μέρους part τὴν the αὔξησιν growth τοῦ of the σώματος body ποιεῖται it makes for self εἰς into οἰκοδομὴν building up ἑαυτοῦ of itself ἐν in ἀγάπῃ. love.

  • Ephesians 4:16
    The Bible in Living English

    • 16* out of whom all the body, fitted together and conjoined by every joint which connects the supply, in accordance with the working of each individual part in measure, produces the growth of the body to its self-upbuilding in love.

  • Ephesians 4:16
    American Standard Version

    • 16 from 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.

  • Ephesians 4:16
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 16 Out of whom all the body—Fitly framing itself together And connecting itself, Through means of every joint of supply, By way of energising in the measure of each single part—Secureth the growing of the body Unto an upbuilding of itself in love.

  • Ephesians 4:16
    King James Version

    • 16 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.

  • Ephesians Study Notes—Chapter 4
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 4:16

      is harmoniously joined together: Paul uses a Greek verb that in this context describes the harmony of the human body, which is made up of many different members. Each member contributes to the well-being of the whole. Similarly, Christians in the congregation work together under Christ as their head. (Eph 1:22, 23; 4:4, 15) When individuals all work in harmony, remaining responsive to Christ’s headship, the congregation matures and maintains a spirit of love. (1Co 12:14-27; Col 2:19; 3:14) Paul uses the same Greek word at Eph 2:21 (see study note), where he describes the congregation as a building “harmoniously joined together.”

      made to cooperate: Lit., “made to go together.” According to one lexicon, the Greek verb means “to bring together into a unit, unite.”

      every joint: A human body is joined together through the major joints, or connections. Jesus Christ supplies the members of the body, or the congregation of anointed Christians, with the things they need “through every joint.” He does so by means of the arrangements for dispensing spiritual food, for communicating within the congregation, and for coordinating its activity. In this way, “the body” is well-fed spiritually, and each part receives direction for carrying out its assigned work. (Eph 4:7-16; see study note on Col 2:19.) Paul uses a term for “joint” that would commonly have been used by physicians. There is archaeological evidence of a medical school in Ephesus, which may be why Paul uses this analogy of the human body.