And again in verse 29:

`Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which

is good to the use of edifying (or building up)'.

Look at 1 Corinthians 8:1:

`Knowledge puffeth up, but charity (love) edifieth'.

This truth is expanded later in the chapter of love (13), and in its

two forms comes seven times in chapter 14 (verses 3 -5,12,17 and 26):

`He that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification ...'.

`He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that

prophesieth edifieth the church'.

`Forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel

to the edifying of the church ... Let all things be done unto

By comparing Ephesians 4 with Ephesians 2 we may learn something of the

sacred fellowship such ministry has with the Spirit of God:

`In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy

temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an

habitation of God through the (in) Spirit' (2:21,22).

In the doctrinal section the temple `grows', and the sphere of that

growth is `in Him' and `in Spirit'.  In the practical section the Body is

`built up' by the human instruments given and equipped by the ascended Lord.

All ministry is therefore but fellowship in the great work of God Himself.

It was His pleasure that upon the defection of His people Israel an elect

company should be called and gathered together as a holy Temple, a habitation

of God.  That indicates and limits the sphere and activity of the ministry

appointed under those terms.  We do not write these words in criticism of the

ministry of others, called under other economies, but we do recognize in them

our own all -sufficient authority for the work we seek to do and the ministry

we seek to fulfil.

To any reader who may be conscious of any indirectness of aim, or who

is easily turned aside by the criticism of others, or who is easily plunged

into despair because of opposition or non -success, we would suggest a quiet

prayerful weighing over of the dispensational grounds of his ministry and

stewardship, feeling sure that conviction as to that will carry strength for

all that follows.  Paul knew Whom he had believed, he was certain of the

nature of his call; the fact that all forsook him and many misjudged him then

became a light matter.  Let us give a r,sum, of these important features:

Perfecting or re -adjusting.  The first thing to decide as before

the Lord is the dispensation in which one is called to serve.

Ministry.  Then, and only then, can ministry be worthy of the

name; all other labour is in vain.

Edifying.  Never lose sight of this great feature.  While others

may feel called upon to pull down, and to expose error, let us

see to it that we steadily and surely, as in the troublous times

of Nehemiah, `build up the Body of Christ', thereby having