SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:12
con el fin de perfeccionar a los santos en la obra del ministerio, para edificacin del cuerpo del Cristo;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Ephesians 4:12
Verse 12. For the perfecting of the saints] For the complete instruction, purification, and union of all who have believed in Christ Jesus, both Jews and Gentiles. For the meaning of katartismov, perfecting, see the note on 2 Cor. xiii. 9. For the work of the ministry] All these various officers, and the gifts and graces conferred upon them, were judged necessary, by the great Head of the Church, for its full instruction in the important doctrines of Christianity. The same officers and gifts are still necessary, and God gives them; but they do not know their places. In most Christian Churches there appears to be but one office, that of preacher; and one gift, that by which he professes to preach. The apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, are all compounded in the class preachers; and many, to whom God has given nothing but the gift of exhortation, take texts to explain them; and thus lose their time, and mar their ministry.
Edifying of the body] The body of Christ is his Church, see chap. ii. 20, &c.; and its edification consists in its thorough instruction in Divine things, and its being filled with faith and holiness.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 12. 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. sin is in them, and committed by them, and they continually want supplies of grace; and the best of them are sensible of their imperfection, and own it: now the ministration of the word is a means of carrying on the work of grace in them unto perfection, or for the restoring or joining in of the saints; the elect of God were disjointed in Adam's fall, and scattered abroad, who were representatively gathered together in one head, even in Christ, in redemption; and the word is the means of the visible and open jointing of them into Christ, and into his churches, and also of restoring them after backslidings: for the work of the ministry ; gifts are given unto men by Christ to qualify them for it: the preaching of the Gospel is a work, and a laborious one, and what no man is sufficient for of himself; it requires faithfulness, and is a good work, and when well performed, those concerned in it are worthy of respect, esteem, and honour; and it is a ministering work, a service and not dominion: for the edifying the body of Christ ; not his natural body the Father prepared for him; nor his sacramental body in the supper; but his mystical body the church; and gifts are bestowed to fit them for the preaching of the Gospel, that hereby the church, which is compared to an edifice, might be built up; and that the several societies of Christians and particular believers might have spiritual edification, and walk in the fear of the Lord, and in the comforts of the Holy Ghost, and their numbers be increased, and their graces be in lively exercise.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 7-16 - Unto every believer is given some gift of grace, for their mutual help All is given as seems best to Christ to bestow upon every one. He received for them, that he might give to them, a large measure of gift and graces; particularly the gift of the Holy Ghost. Not a mere hea knowledge, or bare acknowledging Christ to be the Son of God, but suc as brings trust and obedience. There is a fulness in Christ, and measure of that fulness given in the counsel of God to every believer but we never come to the perfect measure till we come to heaven. God' children are growing, as long as they are in this world; and the Christian's growth tends to the glory of Christ. The more a man find himself drawn out to improve in his station, and according to his measure, all that he has received, to the spiritual good of others, he may the more certainly believe that he has the grace of sincere love and charity rooted in his heart. (Eph 4:17-24)
Greek Textus Receptus
προς 4314 τον 3588 καταρτισμον 2677 των 3588 αγιων 40 εις 1519 εργον 2041 διακονιας 1248 εις 1519 οικοδομην 3619 του 3588 σωματος 4983 του 3588 χριστου 5547
Vincent's NT Word Studies
12. For the perfecting (prov ton katartismon). Only here in the New Testament. In classical Greek of refitting a ship or setting a bone. The preposition for denotes the ultimate purpose. Ministering and building are means to this end. Hence its emphatic position in the sentence. For perfecting, see on mending, Matt. iv. 21; perfected, Matt. xxi. 16; Luke vi. 40; 1 Pet. v. 10. Compare 1 Cor. i. 10; Heb. xiii. 21. The radical idea of adjustment is brought out in ver. 13.
For the work of the ministry (eiv ergon diakoniav). Rev., much better, unto the work of ministering. Eijv unto, marks the immediate purpose of the gift. He gave apostles, etc., unto the work of ministering and building, for the perfecting, etc. The prevailing sense of diakonia ministry, in the New Testament, is spiritual service of an official character. See Acts i. 25; vi. 4; xx. 24; Rom. xi. 13; 1 Tim. i. 12; 2 Timothy iv. 5.
Edifying (oikodomhn). Rev., building up. See on Acts xx. 32. Notice the combination of perfecting and building. Building defines the nature of the work of ministry, and perfecting comes through a process.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:12 {For the perfecting} (pros ton katartismon). Late and rare word (in Galen in medical sense, in papyri for house-furnishing), only here in N.T., though katartisis in #2Co 13:9, both from katartizw, to mend (#Mt 4:21; Ga 6:1). "For the mending (repair) of the saints." {Unto the building up} (eis oikodomen). See #2:21. this is the ultimate goal in all these varied gifts, "building up."
