I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye
. walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with
all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one
. another in love ; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit . in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even . as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one . faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above . all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us
is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led cap- . tivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Now that he ascend-
ed, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower
. parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that
ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.
. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, . evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfect-
ing of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying
. of the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the
faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect
CHAP. Iv. vs. 1-16. 197
man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ :
14. that 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 de-
15. ceive: but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him
16. in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.