priate bonds. 3. It is symmetrical. 4. It is a growth in love. Such is the general meaning of this passage ; though there is much diversity of opinion as to the meaning of some of the terms employed, and as to the relation of the several clauses.
First as to the meaning of the words: Συναρμο- λογέω (ἁρμός and λέγω) to bind together the several parts of any thing. Itis used of a building 2, 21, and of the human body. In both cases there is a union of parts fitted to each other. It is peculiarly appropriate here, as the church is compared to the body composed of many members intimately connected. Συμβιβάζω, to bring together, to convene, to jon, figuratively, to combine men- tally. It is properly used of bringing persons together, so as to reconcile them, or to unite them in friendship. It therefore serves to explain the preceding term. The church is figuratively a body composed of many joints or members ; and literally, it is a company of believers intimately united with each other. Hence the apostle uses both terms in reference to it. ‘Ady (ἁπτώ) pro- perly means touch, the sense of touch. Hence metony- mically feeling. Therefore dva πάσης ἁφῆς ἐπιχορηγίας may mean, ‘by every feeling, or experience of aid.’ The word however is sometimes used in the sense of band or joint. The parallel passage in Col. 2, 19, διὰ τῶν ἁφῶν καὶ συνδέσμων, by joints and bands, seems to be decisive for that sense here. The word ἐπιχορηγία (xopnyéw, χορός, ἄγω), supply, aed, has no difficulty in itself. The only question is what aid or contribution is meant, and what is the force of the genitive. The word
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