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Mystery, so there is no reference to the sonship of the believer in the prison epistles,
except the one passage which speaks of his "adoption", huiothesia, "to place as a son"
(Eph. 1: 5).
In the epistles of the Mystery the single reference to Christ as the Son of God is used
to encourage growth, and the single reference to the adoption of the believer points not
merely to sonship, but to the dignity of the firstborn son, the distinctive title of Christ in
Col. 1:, "Firstborn of every creature" and "Firstborn from the dead" (Col. 1: 15, 18), being
the counterpart. In Eph. 4: the believer is referred to a "measure". For the exercise of
grace in ministry the believer's attention is directed to "the measure of the gift of Christ"
(Eph. 4: 7-12). For growth and attainment, he is directed to "the measure of the stature
of the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4: 13, 14). For his individual share in the growth of the
body, each member is reminded of the "measure of every part", if the body is to increase
and edify itself in love (Eph. 4: 15, 16). The "perfect" man is in direct contrast with the
"children" who are tossed to and fro (Eph. 4: 13). The word "perfect", teleios, is often
placed in contrast with "babes" (Heb. 5: 14, with Heb. 5: 13; and I Cor. 2: 6 with
3: 1 & 13: 11).
"Be not children in understanding . . . . . in understanding be men" (I Cor. 14: 20).
Here the word translated "men" is teleios, "perfect" or, as it should be rendered in this
passage, "of full age". The word translated "stature" includes both height and age, the
two evidences of adulthood that are immediate to the eye.
"Add one cubit to his stature" (Matt. 6: 27).
"He was little of stature" (Luke 19: 3).
are proofs that the word helikia refers to height.
"He is of age" (John 9: 21).
"When she was past age" (Heb. 11: 11).
are proofs that the word helikia refers to age. Like teleios, the word indicates adulthood,
and it is this that the apostle has in mind in Eph. 4: 12. It is the "recognition" of the
Son of God by the adult believer which is placed in contrast with the "wind of doctrine"
that tossed to and fro the "babe", and which shows that practical issues are before us.
The secret of spiritual maturity, is NOT introspection, for the holiest saint will be
horrified at the evidences of corruption which he will find within. The secret of spiritual
maturity is the "recognition" of what Christ means to the believer as the Son of God,
the perfect Man, and true growth is "up into Him in all things which is the Head".
Finally, it is "the fullness" which is the goal here, "the measure of the stature of the
fullness of the Christ".
To appreciate in any adequate degree what is intended by this word "fullness" would
demand a life's study of the Scriptures, and to enter really into its meaning demands
resurrection glory as its atmosphere.