12 [a]For the repairing of the Saints, for the work of the ministry, and for the edification of the [b]body of Christ,

13 [c]Till we all meet together (in the [d]unity of faith and that acknowledging of the Son of God) unto a perfect man, and unto the measure of the [e]age the fullness of Christ,

14 [f]That we henceforth be no more children, [g]wavering and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the [h]deceit of men, and with craftiness, whereby they lay in [i]wait to deceive.

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:12 He showeth the end of Ecclesiastical functions, to wit, that by the ministry of men all the Saints may so grow up together, that they may make one mystical body of Christ.
  2. Ephesians 4:12 The Church.
  3. Ephesians 4:13 The use of this ministry is perpetual so long as we are in this world, that is, until that time that having put off the flesh, and thoroughly and perfectly agreeing betwixt ourselves, we shall be joined with Christ our head. Which thing is done by that knowledge of the Son of God increasing in us, and he himself by little and little growing up in us until we come to be a perfect man, which shall be in the world to come, when God shall be all in all.
  4. Ephesians 4:13 In that most near conjunction which is knit and fastened together by faith.
  5. Ephesians 4:13 Christ is said to grow up to full age, not in himself, but in us.
  6. Ephesians 4:14 Betwixt our childhood (that is to say, a very weak state, while as we do yet altogether waiver) and our perfect age, which we shall have at length in another world, there is a mean, to wit, our youth, and steady going forward to perfection.
  7. Ephesians 4:14 He compareth them which rest not themselves upon the word of God, to little boats which are tossed hither and thither with the doctrines of men, as it were with contrary winds, and therewithall forewarneth them that it cometh to pass not only by the lightness of man’s brain, but also by the craftiness of certain, which make as it were an art of it.
  8. Ephesians 4:14 With those uncertain chances which toss men to and fro.
  9. Ephesians 4:14 By the deceit of those men which are very well practised in deceiving of others.

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