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The two parenthetical clauses, as it were, are assumed as facts:--
"Taking it for granted that there is no dislocation either of limb, nerve, organ or
circulation", and "taking it for granted that each one part is working proportionately",
then "the growth of the body will take place".
What a deal is "taken for granted"! Let us note these features carefully.
"ALL THE BODY . . . . . MAKES FOR GROWTH."--This is equivalent to saying,
"According to the measure of each one part makes for growth." All the body is
concerned with the growth of all the body. It is impossible for one member to merely
feed itself and further its own growth without wrecking the health if not risking the
reason and the life of the body.
"FITLY FRAMED AND KNIT TOGETHER."--The word translated "fitly framed
together" in 2: 21 and "fitly joined together" in 4: 16 is sunarmologeo. This word is
composed of "together", "adapt", and "collect" and Dr. Bullinger in his Lexicon well
expresses this by saying that it "joins together parts fitted to each other".
A very slight acquaintance with anatomy or physiology will impress the mind with the
perfect adaptation of the various parts of the body. There are no "square pegs in round
holes" when the unity is the unity of the spirit; there are, alas! too many such when the
unity is of the flesh. Unity is fullest when it is unobtrusive. We are not conscious of the
many perfectly-fitted and lubricated joints of our bodies until rheumatism spoils their
perfect fitness and brings the fact of joints to mind. The healthy man is not conscious of
the organs of his body. This is the unity that we desire, but the man-made thing is a
source of irritation and trouble all the time. "Leagues", "unions", "societies" are well
in their place, but they do not and must not be looked upon in the same light as the unity
of the spirit.
Not only is the body "fitly framed", but it is "knit together". Col. 2: 19 speaks not
only of "joints" but "ligaments". What is the "bond" that shall unite the whole body
together as one? Let Col. 2: 2 answer, "being knit together in love". This is the "bond
of perfectness". The unity of the spirit is held together by "the bond of peace", the unity
of the body by the "bond of perfectness--love". "In love" commences and closes this
section of Eph. 4: (see verses 15, 16). A loveless unity is not of God. If we are
members one of another we shall care for one another. When we think of what love is,
we can understand what a bond it can be:--
"Love--its longsuffering, its kindliness; its freedom from envy, vaunted self-assertion,
inflated arrogance, vulgar indecorum; its superiority to self-seeking; its calm control of
temper; its oblivion of wrong; its absence of joy at the wrongs of others; its
sympathy with the truth; its gracious tolerance; its trustfulness; its hope; its endurance"
(I Cor. 13: Farrar).
Here is the character of the "perfect man" as I Cor. 13: 10, 11 indicates. Is it my
character and yours, fellow-member? Wherever we fail in this, we fail to maintain unity