A Perfect Man

Narrator: Ivona Gentwo
 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 11
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Q. “C.” What is the meaning of the expressions “a perfect man,” and “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” Ephesians 4:1313Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Ephesians 4:13)? Is ανδρα τελειον here the completed mystical Christ of 1 Corinthians 12 — “the church which is his Body”? Or, is it the individual normal state contemplated for every Christian in contrast with “children” of the following verse?
Is the “fullness of Christ” here the same as in Ephesians 1:2323Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:23), the fully developed growth or completeness of the mystic Christ; or is it the growth of the individual Christian to his normal stature in Christ, the effect of the ministry through the grace of Christ, already referred to in the previous part of the chapter?
A. “A perfect man” in this passage expresses the full grown normal condition of the individual Christian; “the measure of the stature of the fullness of (the) Christ” being that standard to which he is to reach, and to be conformed. Ανδρα τελειον is also the individual: there is really nothing whatever about the body of Christ — the mystical Christ and the church in this part of the chapter (Eph. 4:7-157But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (Ephesians 4:7‑15)). The expression is used in contrast with the “babes” of Ephesians 4:1414That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (Ephesians 4:14). Remark too that the apostle uses νηπιοι for babes; betokening an unhealthy state, as in 1 Corinthians 2:11And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. (1 Corinthians 2:1) etc.
The “fullness of Christ” here is not the same as in Ephesians 1:2323Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:23). Here it is all individual, as effected through the ministry spoken of before, or by whatever means the Lord works to bring about His purpose in result. In chapter 1:23 the body is Christ’s fullness, who is set over all things. In chapter 3, the saint in whose heart Christ dwells, is “filled into all the fullness of God” (Εις παν το πληρωμα το θεου). In Ephesians 4:1313Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Ephesians 4:13), the saint is to grow to a perfect man — the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ — his normal status as you say; the effect of the ministry through grace previously named.
Words of Truth, New Series 2:19, 20.