to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,
Verse 12. For the perfecting of the saints. On the meaning of the word here rendered perfecting--καταρτισμον--. It properly refers to the restoring of anything to its place; then putting in order, making complete, etc. Here it means that these various officers were appointed in order that everything in the church might be well arranged, or put into its proper place; or that the church might be complete.
V/hen God gave the poor Jews a re- viving after a tedious captivity, by moving Cyrus to grant them liberty to go and rebuild the house of God, how soon did a storm rise, and beat them from their work. One prince furthers them, another obstructs them. The gospel church, Acts ix., had a sweet breathing time of peace ; but how long did it last ?
Commenting on Ephesians 6:10-20
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (7) He shows the aim of ecclesiastical functions, that is, that by the ministry of men all the saints may so grow up together, that they may make one mystical body of Christ. (p) The Church.