What is the "fullness of Christ" mentioned in Ephesians 4:13? Canonical Context “And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the FULLNESS OF CHRIST.” The phrase appears in a passage dedicated to Christ’s distribution of gifts for corporate growth. “Fullness” (πλήρωμα, plērōma) had already been applied to Christ Himself in 1:23 and 3:19; here it is presented as the shared destination of every believer. Immediate Literary Structure 1. 4:7-10 — Christ ascends, bestows grace-gifts. 2. 4:11-12 — Ministry offices equip saints. 3. 4:13 — Threefold target: unity of faith, knowledge of the Son, maturity equal to Christ’s fullness. 4. 4:14-16 — Result: stability, truth in love, corporate growth. Thus “fullness of Christ” is the climactic third element, summarizing perfection in faith, knowledge, and maturity. Systematic Dimensions 1. Christological: Christ is the plērōma of Deity (Colossians 2:9). His moral, spiritual, and functional completeness defines the standard. 2. Ecclesiological: The church is His body destined to embody that fullness (Ephesians 1:23). 3. Soteriological: Salvation is not concluded at conversion but progresses toward conformity to Christ (Romans 8:29). Historical Interpretations • Irenaeus (Against Heresies 5.17.1): identifies the plērōma as the perfect humanity and deity united in Christ, which He imparts to the church. • Augustine (Enchiridion 64): sees “fullness” as love consummated in the whole church. • Calvin (Inst. 4.1.2): stresses that the fullness is corporate, not individualistic, requiring the ministry offices of 4:11. Exegetical Nuances A. Objective Genitive: “Fullness that belongs to Christ.” B. Epexegetical: “The fullness, namely Christ.” Most modern commentators favor objective genitive due to 1:23’s precedent. Practical Outworking 1. Doctrinal Unity: Shared confession (Jude 3) guards against error (4:14). 2. Experiential Knowledge: Ginoskein “to know” relationally, cultivated through Scripture (Acts 17:11) and obedience (John 7:17). 3. Moral Maturity: Measured by “speaking the truth in love” (4:15), contrasting childish instability. Relationship to Other Pauline Uses • Ephesians 3:19 — Believers “filled to all the fullness of God,” petition in prayer. • Colossians 1:28 — Goal: “present everyone mature in Christ.” Fullness thus frames both prayerful aspiration and ministerial labor. Eschatological Horizon Fullness culminates in the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9). Now partial, then complete (1 Corinthians 13:10). Summary Definition The “fullness of Christ” in Ephesians 4:13 is the corporate, eschatological state in which the church, through Spirit-empowered sanctification and doctrinal unity, attains complete conformity to the character, wisdom, and glory resident in Jesus Christ, thereby perfectly reflecting Him to creation and fulfilling God’s creational purpose. |
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