Charles Ellicott Commentary Ephesians 4:16

"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 (ASV)

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted.—The word translated “fitly joined together” is the same one used in Ephesians 2:21, with more technical accuracy, of a building—“clamped” or “bonded together.” Here, the two words are applied to the union of the limbs of the body, as being “jointed,” and so “brought into close contact.” The latter word is used in Colossians 2:19.

By that which every joint supplieth.—This is a paraphrastic and inaccurate rendering. It should be, by every contact with the supply (of nutriment) from the head. The word used commonly has the meaning of “joint” (as in the parallel passage, Colossians 2:19), and is used this way by Greek physiologists. However, its original sense is abstract—the “joining” or “touching”—and this appears to be the simplest meaning here.

The term “supply” (Compare to Philippians 1:19, the supply of the Spirit) is, again, almost a technical word for the abundant outflow of strength and nervous energy from the head (the corresponding verb is used in 2 Corinthians 9:10; Galatians 3:5; Colossians 2:19; 2 Peter 1:5; and 2 Peter 1:11). Therefore, the phrase seems to be in closer connection with maketh increase (mentioned below) than with compacted together (mentioned above). The body grows in every part of its complex unity through contact with the divine supply of grace from the head.

According to the effectual working in the measure of every part.—These words describe the method of growth, just as the preceding phrase described its source. The “effectiveness” of every part “in measure” (that is, according to its right capacity and function) is the condition for corporate growth. Such effectiveness comes from direct contact with the central energy.

Maketh increase of the body unto the edifying (the building up) of itself in love.—Here, finally, we consider the function of the body itself. It is knit together by its divine organization; it is sustained by the supply from the head; and its several parts are kept in life by that supply. However, it grows as a whole and builds itself up by the uniting and vivifying power of love, which is the bond of perfectness.

Just as Saint Paul says of the individual in 1 Corinthians 8:1, Charity edifieth. Truth is, no doubt, the basis of unity; but love is its vital power, at once keeping together all who are united and drawing in those who are still separated.