The Verse in Focus (Ephesians 4:16)
ἐξ οὗ πᾶν τὸ σῶμα συναρμολογούμενον καὶ συμβιβαζόμενον διὰ πάσης ἁφῆς τῆς ἐπιχορηγίας κατ’ ἐνέργειαν ἐν μέτρῳ ἑνὸς ἑκάστου μέρους τὴν αὔξησιν τοῦ σώματος ποιεῖται εἰς οἰκοδομὴν ἑαυτοῦ ἐν ἀγάπῃ
ἐξ οὗ: The Source of Growth
The phrase ἐξ οὗ (“from whom”) points back to Christ, the immediate antecedent in the previous verse. The preposition ἐκ with the genitive indicates origin or source. All that follows flows from Christ — the head from whom the body derives coordination, support, and growth.
πᾶν τὸ σῶμα: The Unified Whole
– πᾶν — “every” or “the whole.”
– τὸ σῶμα — “the body.”
This refers to the church as a single unified organism. The article and adjective together stress the totality and unity of the body.
συναρμολογούμενον καὶ συμβιβαζόμενον: Coordinated and Connected
These are two present passive participles, both nominative neuter singular agreeing with σῶμα:
– συναρμολογούμενον — from συναρμολογέω, “to fit together,” “to join in a structured way.” This describes precise structural unity, like architectural design.
– συμβιβαζόμενον — from συμβιβάζω, “to bring together,” “to unite in purpose,” also used for teaching or knitting together.
Together, they describe the church as a body precisely fitted and functionally bonded.
διὰ πάσης ἁφῆς τῆς ἐπιχορηγίας: Through Every Supporting Connection
– διὰ + genitive expresses means or agency: “through.”
– πάσης ἁφῆς — “every joint” or “connection.” ἁφή can mean a point of contact or linkage in a body.
– τῆς ἐπιχορηγίας — “the supply,” from ἐπιχορηγία, meaning a provision or contribution.
This phrase describes the means by which the body is sustained and functions — through every God-given connection that supplies what is needed.
κατ’ ἐνέργειαν ἐν μέτρῳ ἑνὸς ἑκάστου μέρους: Proportional Empowerment
This dense phrase emphasizes divine empowerment and individual contribution:
– κατ’ ἐνέργειαν — “according to the working,” referring to God’s active power.
– ἐν μέτρῳ — “in measure,” indicating proportion or appropriate degree.
– ἑνὸς ἑκάστου μέρους — “of each individual part.”
The grammar stresses that each member of the body contributes, and that contribution is empowered and proportioned by divine design.
τὴν αὔξησιν τοῦ σώματος ποιεῖται: The Body Causes Its Own Growth
– ποιεῖται — present middle indicative of ποιέω, “to make,” “to cause.” The middle voice reflects reflexive action: “it causes for itself.”
– τὴν αὔξησιν τοῦ σώματος — “the growth of the body.”
This is a remarkable theological claim: through God’s design, the church grows itself, when every part functions rightly under Christ.
εἰς οἰκοδομὴν ἑαυτοῦ ἐν ἀγάπῃ: The Goal of Loving Edification
– εἰς — “unto,” expressing purpose.
– οἰκοδομὴν — “building up,” referring to spiritual development and maturity.
– ἑαυτοῦ — reflexive: “of itself.”
– ἐν ἀγάπῃ — “in love,” the sphere and attitude in which growth occurs.
The church builds itself in love, not competition — emphasizing that love is the environment of maturity.
Growth from the Head Down
Ephesians 4:16 presents a complex yet beautiful portrayal of the church’s growth. Participles like συναρμολογούμενον and συμβιβαζόμενον emphasize unity in structure, while phrases like κατ’ ἐνέργειαν… μέρους highlight individual contribution. Greek grammar here is not decorative — it is architectural, showing how every believer fits and functions in the body. And at the center of it all: growth in love, flowing from Christ, the head.
