The Pulpit Commentary — Ephesians — Section 167

least two inspired orders of teachers-and make no similar provi~ion for all future generations ?-T. C. Ver. i2.-771e design of t!u, ministry. It is to perfect the saints for Christian seryice and for sharing in the edification of the Church. The ministry is intende<l. to "equip or prepare for future enterprise by means of perfecting the power and adapta- tion of the man for his task." It prepares the saints for two services. I. '!'.HE WORK OF MINISTRY. It is maintained by some that this passage warrants all saints to preach the _gospel, because the four classes of officers spoken of are said to prepare saints for the work of ministry. If so, then these officers, or some of them, are still needed for the purpose; yet this is expressly denied. The passage, however, implies that the preparation in question is to be continuous, for it is to last till the end of time. The word "ministry," however, must be taken in a large sense to signify general spiritual service, that may assume a thousand different forms (Heb. vi. 10; Acts vi. 4; xi. 29; 1 Cor. xvi. 15; 2 Cor. ix. 12, 13; xi. 8; 2 Tim. iv. 11). Every believer is not only to be "fruitful in every good work," but to "hold forth the Word of life," though he should be neither trained nor called to the Christian pastorate. II. THE EDIFICATION OF THE CHURCH. This is the second end included in the Christian pastorate. The action of the ministry upon the saints is blessed to the enlargement of the Church, both in numbers and in spirituality. A revival of religion is always accompanied or followed by "a building up of the body of Christ."-T. C. Ver. 13.-The ministry not a temporary institution. It is to continue till the Church shall have arrived at its completed unity. This does not imply that there are still apostles and prophets in the Church. It is the ministry, not these particular offices, that is to continue in the Church. The ministry is to continue till the Church reaches its destined goal, which is here described in three forms. I. UNITY OF FAITH AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE SoN OF GoD. 'l'his implies: 1. That faith and knowledge are distinct from each other in nature, though they are insi,parab\e iu the experience of Christian men. Faith is fed by knowledge, and knowledg,', especially in the sphere of Divine realities, is based on faith. 2. That religion is not a mere matter of feeling, but intellectual as well, resting upon correct apprehension~ of Divine truth. 3. That the central Object of religion is the Son of God, not only apprehended, but appropriated by faith. It is eternal life to know him. 4. Tim~ saints have yet to attain to a truer faith and a larger knowledge of the Son of G°'l. All believers, it is true, have "one faith;" yet they are to attain to the unity of faith. Unity is a matter of degrees. Tho apostle does not, however, say that we are to i,egin with it, but to end with it. It is to be realized, not in the course of the dispen- sation, but as one of its blessed results. The unity of the faith includes more than the unity of the Spirit-that unity of mutual kindness and forbearnnce that will promote the other unity-for it points to the result of the Spirit's continuous working in the Church. There is an absolute truth indepen<lent of all our opinions, and the same to every man, whether he believes it or not. We shall not here attain to it; but we shall reach it when we are at length set free from our imperfections and our iufirmities. We shall then be of one mind, because we shall be conformed to one image. II. A PERFECT MAN. This points to the full development of our manhood. \Vo are fragmentary, one-sided, without a true adjustment of powers. 'l'he believer is imperfect both in faith and in knowledge, but he is growing into that unity of llfo which invoh-es perfect knowledge and perfect holiness. III. 'l'HE llEASUBE OF THE STATURE OF THE FULNESB 01' CHRIST. The true standard is conformity to Christ. The stature of the Church is ever expanding, as it receives of Christ's fulness, into that very fulness. The end of this growth cannot be seen in this life. The Bible nowhere represents the perfection of the Church as occurring on ea.zth. It is to be without spot or wrinkle when the day of its 11:lorious presentation comes. Thus the design of the Christian ministry is to labour for the perfection of the Church.-T. C. Vor. 14.-Warninga against •nstability and deception, The ministry has beer.. 166 THE EPISTLE 'l'O THE EPHESIANS. [oa. xv. 1-32.