placing `the One Body' first, commits all the precious teaching that is

implied in Ephesians 1:22,23 to our trust.

The second reference to the `Body' is found in Ephesians 2:16.  For

some time we have hesitated as to whether this is a reference to the Church

or to the `body of His flesh' as the parallel in Colossians 1:21,22 suggests.

The context, with its emphasis upon the creation of the `one new man', `the

both' `the twain', the breaking down of the `middle wall' and the abolition

of the enmity that existed in the decrees imposed in Acts 15, all points to a

dual reference.  It was in His own body that the enmity was slain, it was in

His own body that reconciliation was effected (Col. 1:21,22) but that

reconciliation brought about a new relationship between the two parties in

the church, and so the words `reconciled to God in one body' must speak of

the church as well as of the Lord.  This intimate association of the church

with the Lord is very precious, and this too we are called upon to `keep'.

These two references complete all that is said of the Body in Ephesians 1 to

3, the first passage speaks of the church as `His body', the second speaks of

it as being reconciled in `One body' and both titles apply to one company.

(See Col. 1:24 and 3:15).

The practical section of Ephesians contains six references to the

church which is His Body, and one reference to a man's own body, used in

illustration.  This makes seven references in all.

`(He ... ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all

things.) and He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,

evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the

saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of

Christ: till we all come in (unto R.V.) the unity of the faith ... the

fulness of Christ' (Eph. 4:10 -13).

The reader will see that this passage is the practical complement of

Ephesians 1:22,23.  `Far above all principality' is now repeated in another

form `Far above all heavens'.  The filling of `all in all' is shown to have a

definite relation to the Church, by the next statement in Ephesians 4:10

`that He might fill all things' ta panta, and the further statement that the

goal before the new ministry was `the fulness of Christ' (Eph. 4:13).

The apostles mentioned in Ephesians 4:11 must be a different company

from `the twelve' as Matthew 10 will make clear.

They have a specific ministry namely `perfecting the saints' which

means `re -adjusting after a rupture' -- a fitting term to explain the new

work to be done after the setting aside of Israel at Acts 28; and `the

building up of the Body of Christ', which Body was the subject of the new

revelation.  Later, when the unity of the faith had been attained and

apostles' and prophets' foundation work accomplished (Eph. 2:20), the

increase of the Body and its building up was carried on by living union with

the Head and between every member, `maketh increase of the body unto the

building up of itself in love' (Eph. 4:16).  An examination of Ephesians 5

will show that the endeavour to keep the Unity of the Spirit and especially

the first item `One Body' is not to be looked upon as a `spiritual' exercise

divorced from the daily round, but enters into the home life of believers and

the relationship of husband and wife.  There in the home, they may help to

keep this unity and set forth the union of Christ and His Church.  The more

we understand these seven items of unity, the more we shall be able to keep

the trust.  To appreciate the `Body' we must study the Scriptures that speak