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The words "in love" we believe should be read with the words "we should be
growing". It will be observed that the section of verses 15 and 16 is bounded by the
words "in love":--
"IN LOVE we should be growing unto Him, the all things, Who is the HeadChrist
. . . . unto the building up of itself IN LOVE."
We have pointed out in other articles of this series that the "body" of Eph. 4: is the
reflection in the practical section of the "temple" in the doctrinal (Eph. 2:).
The temple is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets.
The body is built up as a result of the ministry of the apostles and prophets.
The temple is fitly framed together.
The body is fitly joined together.
The temple has Christ as its chief corner stone.
The body has Christ as its head.
The temple grows unto an holy temple in the Lord.
The body grows unto Christ.
The temple "In whom ye are builded."
The body "Out of whom . . . . . makes for growth."
Growing and building, figures of body and temple, are to be found together in such
passages as "rooted and founded" (Eph. 3: 17), and "rooted and built up" (Col. 2: 7). It
is important that we remember the fact that the Scripture speaks of the "growth" of the
body. No amount of energy, of meetings, of advertising, can make for growth. Growth
is the result of life, health, suitable environment and sound food. Growth can be retarded
by the absence of light, air or water. The student of Scripture does not need an exposition
of these three types, they are so obvious. Nevertheless, growth is stayed in many a child
of God simply because he is not walking in the light.
The passage in the A.V. reads, "May grow up into Him in all things which is the
Head, even Christ" (Eph. 4: 15). We find it difficult to accept the translation "in all
things". First.--There is no word for "in". Secondly.--The words ta panta are either the
nominative or the accusative plural. In other passages "in all" is en pasi (Eph. 1: 23;
Col. 3: 11), and even though the en should be omitted, the dative case pasi, would still
remain unchanged. Further, we believe that the words ta panta express from another
point of view that which constitutes the pleroma, and indicate that creation which was the
work of God, not as revealed in Gen. 1: 1, but as revealed in Eph. 3: 9:--
"The dispensation of the mystery, which hath been hidden from the ages that God,
Who (en to Theo to) the all things (ta panta) created."
Some MSS add "through Jesus Christ". These words are probably an interpolation,
but they nevertheless express the meaning of the passage. As we have said before, the
full discussion of ta panta cannot be undertaken as a part of an article, it must be given a
separate study. Without therefore coming to any conclusion here as to the relation of
ta panta to the purpose of the ages, we feel that so much was necessary in the
reconsideration of this expression in Eph. 4: 15. We set aside the rendering "in all
things".