may refer to the mutual assistance furnished each other by the constituent members of the body. Thus Luther, who paraphrases the clause in question,—durch alle Gelenke, dadurch eins dem andern Handreichung thut —by every joint whereby one member aids another. Or it may refer to the supplies of vital influence received from Christ the head. ‘Through every joint of sup- ply,” then means, through every joint or band which is the means of supply. ‘The parallel passage in Col. 2, 19, is in favour of the latter view. There it is said: τὸ σῶμα διὰ τῶν ἁφῶν ἐπιχορηγούμενον, the body receiwing nourishment or supplies through the joints or bands. The nourishing and sustaining influence, the ἐπιχορηγία, is certainly in this case that which flows from Christ, and therefore the same interpretation should be given to the passage before us. As to the force of the case, it is by some taken as the genitive of apposition. * Joint or band of supply,” would then mean, the band which is a supply. The divine influence furnished by Christ is the bond by which the members of his body are united. This is true, but in Col. 2, 19, which, being the plainer passage, must be our guide in interpreting this, the supply is said to be διὰ τῶν adar, through the joints. Here, therefore, the parallel phrase, διὰ πάσης ἁφῆς τῆς ἐπιχορηγίας, must mean, ‘through every joint Jor supply ;’ that is, which is the means or channel of the divine influence. There is an obvious distinction between “the bands” and “the aid” here spoken of. The latter is the divine life or Holy Spirit communica- ted to all parts of the church; the former (the dd¢a/)
CHAP. Iv. VER. 16. 9248
are the various spiritual gifts and offices which are made the channels or means of this divine communica- tion.
The second point to be considered is the relation of the several clauses in this passage. The clause διὰ πάσης ἁφῆς, KTA. may be connected with the last clause of the verse, αὔξησιν ποιεῖται. The sense would then be, ‘ The body by means of every joint of supply makes increase of itself.’ This sense is correct and suited to the context. This however is not the most natural con- struction. The relative position of the members of the sentence is in favour of referring this clause to the pre- ceding participles. ‘The body joined together and united by means of every joint of supply.’ The parallel pas- sage in Colossians determines this to be the apostle’s meaning. He there refers the union of the body, and not its growth, to the bands (agai) of which he speaks. He describes the body as συμβιβαζόμενον διὰ τῶν afar, and therefore here συμβιβ. διὰ πάσης ἁφῆς, which are in juxtaposition, should go together.
The clause, “ according to the effectual working in the measure of every part,” admits of three construc- tions. It may be connected with the preceding parti- ciples—“ joined together by every joint of supply according to the working, &c., συμβιβ. dia—xara. Or it may be connected with the preceding words, ἐπυχο- ρηγίας κατ᾽ évépyecav,—the supply is according to the working of each particular part.’ Or thirdly, it may be connected with αὔξησιν ποιεῖται ; the increase is ac- cording to the working, &e. It is hard to decide be-