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modern Ecclesiastic is absent. The ministry is that of one member serving another member, and all drawing from
the One Head:
`From Whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according
to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying (building
up) of itself in love' (4:16).
The Temple and the Body.
Here again practice answers to doctrine. God is building up a temple `upon the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone'. This temple is spoken of as being `fitly framed
together' (2:21). The very same word is translated in 4:16 `fitly joined together'. True ministry is along the lines of
God's purpose. A ministry worthy of our calling seeks to build up the One Body - the practical echo of the heavenly
and spiritual reality, the holy temple.
The perfect man and childhood.
Yet again, we must draw attention to another important echo of truth. In chapter 2 we read of the creation of
`ONE NEW MAN', and so in chapter 4 we read that the unity of the faith leads on to the `perfect man, unto the measure
of the stature of the fulness of the Christ'; and immediately it is added, `that we be no longer children'.
It will be remembered that the church at Corinth was in the period of childhood, that which was perfect not
having then come (see 1 Cor. 13:8-13). The Church of the One Body is in contrast with this period, and
consequently differs in many features. Associated with the `childhood' condition of Corinthians were miraculous
gifts (1 Cor. 12 to 14). These, however, were to cease and vanish away, as having no place in the perfect or
full-grown manhood stage.
We do not intend by this that Ephesians is a development of Corinthians (far from it), but the parallel remains for
our guidance. If we belong to a church which is a `perfect man', then those things which belonged to the
`childhood' period of another church can be no guide for us
.
The truth.
We now consider for a moment the walk that corresponds to the doctrine of the epistle. The apostle urges that
the believer shall no longer walk as the benighted Gentile, saying:
`Ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in
Jesus' (Eph. 4:20,21).
This truth is the echo, once more, of chapter 2. There the believer is viewed as having been quickened, raised
and seated with Christ, a member of a NEW MAN, and a new creation (2:5,6,15). Here he is taught the corresponding
practice:
`That ye put off concerning the former conversation the OLD MAN, which is corrupt according to the deceitful
lusts ... and that ye put on the NEW MAN, which after God is created in righteousness and holiness of truth.
Wherefore putting away THE LIE, speak every man TRUTH' (4:22-25 Author's translation).
The glorious doctrine of chapter 2 is expanded point by point in the worthy walk of chapter 4.
The walk morally
(2)
MORALLY.- The subject is continued in chapter 5. There the moral walk is threefold:
(a)
Walk in love (2-7).
(b)
Walk in light (8-14).