Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

Question:

 “William C, Skreen,” asks for an explanation of Ephesians 4:13: “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” “What is the perfect man?”

Answer:

The object of ministry by Christ’s gifts (see verses 11 and 12), is the perfecting of the saints, and the edifying of the body of Christ, till each and all should arrive in one uniform basis of faith, and the full knowledge of the Son of God, to the stature of full grown men; no more remaining in the unhealthy state of babes, tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine. “A perfect man,” means simply “a full grown man” ― the fulness of Christ Himself being the measure of the stature desired; the Christian attaining it by growing up to Him in all things. This is put in contrast with the state of a babe. The state of soul of the individual is what is in question in verses 13-15.

You will find the word here rendered “perfect,” in the following passages: 1 Corinthians 2:6, “Them that are perfect” Let us therefore, as many as be perfect” Philippians 3:15; “Every man perfect in Christ,” Colossians 1:28; “Strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age,” Hebrews 5:15. There are many other passages in which it occurs. The thought is “full grown.”