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The church of the One Body is the pleroma, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all,
and that, and nothing short of that, is its measure:--
"Unto the measure of the stature of the pleroma of Christ."
The great purpose of the ages, expressed in the word "fullness" and the part that the
One Body has in that great restoring work, is the measure of its growth. It is the answer
to the prayer of Eph. 3: 19:--
"To know that which surpasses knowledge--the love of Christ, so that you may be
filled up to (that is the `measure') all the fullness of God."
Such is the threefold object of the ministry of the apostles, prophets, evangelists,
pastors and teachers. The readjustment of the saints had "the fullness" in view. The
work of ministry had the "perfect man" in mind. The building up of the body of Christ
had the fullness before it, for the church is the fullness of Christ. This may be better
grasped if set out thus:--
Apostles, etc., given:--
(1). For the readjustment.
(2). For ministry.
(3). For building up the body of Christ.
Till we all arrive:--
(1). Unto the unity of the faith.
(2). Unto a perfect man.
(3). Unto the stature of the pleroma.
How definite such a ministry is. Here is no beating the air, no uncertain sound.
Happy are they who having thus clearly seen the Lord's will know no other service, hear
no other call, see no other open door, but gladly and whole-heartedly pursue this holy if
somewhat narrow way, realizing that to have the lowliest place in that great fabric, the
pleroma, outweighs all that man can give or say.