16
He makes the whole body grow and build itself up in love. Under the control of Christ, each part of the body does its work. It supports the other parts. In that way, the body is joined and held together.
Reference
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: χρώς (chrṓs)
the body (properly, its surface or skin)
Hebrew: bâsâr
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of aman
Hebrew: dâgâh
to spawn, i.e. become numerous
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Greek: κατασκευάζω (kataskeuázō)
to prepare thoroughly (properly, by external equipment; whereas G2090 (ἑτοιμάζω) refers rather to internal fitness); by implication, to construct, create
Hebrew: bᵉnâʼ
to build
Hebrew: ʼahab
affection (in a good or a bad sense)
Greek: ὑποκάτω (hypokátō)
down under, i.e. beneath
Hebrew: tᵉchôwth
beneath
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: Χριστός (Christós)
anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Greek: κλίμα (klíma)
a slope, i.e. (specially) a "clime" or tract of country
Hebrew: bether
a section
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: χρώς (chrṓs)
the body (properly, its surface or skin)
Hebrew: bâsâr
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of aman
Hebrew: maʻbâd
an act
Hebrew: hêm
they (only used when emphatic)
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: λοιποί (loipoí)
remaining ones
Hebrew: chabrâh
an associate
Hebrew: zôw
this or that
Greek: πάροδος (párodos)
a by-road, i.e. (actively) a route
Hebrew: ʼôrach
a road
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: χρώς (chrṓs)
the body (properly, its surface or skin)
Hebrew: bâsâr
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of aman
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Greek: ὁμοῦ (homoû)
akin to G260 (ἅμα)) as adverb; at the same place or time
Kingdom
Ephesians 3:7
Love
Colossians 2:2
Ephesians 4:15
1 Timothy 1:5
Philippians 1:9
Ephesians 3:17
Parallel theme
Colossians 2:19
John 15:5
Ephesians 4:12
1 Thessalonians 2:13
Verse Explanation
Paul compares the church to a body whose different parts work together under Christ the head, explaining that every member contributes to the growth and health of the whole community through love.
History
1st century AD: The body metaphor provided an effective picture of unity amid diversity in the multicultural early church.