"from whom all the body being joined together and being held together by every kindle of supply according to the energy of the measure of each individual part, the increase of the body, manufactures the building of itself in love."7
The translation of this verse is interesting, often I have read it having difficulty envisioning it as a body, with joints and ligaments, as it is often translated. I would see things like the word for kindle often translated as joint, this is haphé, it is derived from a word meaning "kindle, light" which seems to have no meaning as a joint of a physical body. This verse speaks of measures and parts, which is often translate as members, ligaments of a physical body. However, recently I came across this word, supply, and noticed it is derived from the word choros, "dance, chorus." Ahh, I said, the body is like a heavenly body or chorus.
This word for supply is epichorégeó, (epi, "upon, fitting" and chorégeó, "to lead a chorus") A chorus is anciently defined as a group of singers and dancers in a Greek play who sing and dance in concert, with the event, they take part or supply or contribute to the chorus.3 Today, we think of a chorus as a large choir of singers or a piece of music composed for such a choir. In music, a chorus effect occurs when individual measures, parts, converge or increase as one.4 Do you see the similarities of the Church and a chorus? individual measures, parts, giving energy, kindle for the increase of the body. And for what purpose? a harmonious sound, unity? the increase of the body makes for itself the building of itself in love.
The Latvian and Estonian Song and Dance Festivals are some of the largest choral events in the world, tens of thousands sing in chorus. Both have been declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.5 When we think of liberty America has had a small part, a measure, in the light of liberty being proclaimed on a lamp stand to the world. But liberty begins in the hearts of people, these of the Baltic states would gather and sing in chorus, songs of liberty. The light of Liberty and truth has always been put forth by the chorus of people, for the people. Each part, each measure stands as one in truth and unity. These who trust in God join in the chorus of the church, such is for the increase of the body, building itself up in love, the blessing of all nations.
The translation of this verse is interesting, often I have read it having difficulty envisioning it as a body, with joints and ligaments, as it is often translated. I would see things like the word for kindle often translated as joint, this is haphé, it is derived from a word meaning "kindle, light" which seems to have no meaning as a joint of a physical body. This verse speaks of measures and parts, which is often translate as members, ligaments of a physical body. However, recently I came across this word, supply, and noticed it is derived from the word choros, "dance, chorus." Ahh, I said, the body is like a heavenly body or chorus.
This word for supply is epichorégeó, (epi, "upon, fitting" and chorégeó, "to lead a chorus") A chorus is anciently defined as a group of singers and dancers in a Greek play who sing and dance in concert, with the event, they take part or supply or contribute to the chorus.3 Today, we think of a chorus as a large choir of singers or a piece of music composed for such a choir. In music, a chorus effect occurs when individual measures, parts, converge or increase as one.4 Do you see the similarities of the Church and a chorus? individual measures, parts, giving energy, kindle for the increase of the body. And for what purpose? a harmonious sound, unity? the increase of the body makes for itself the building of itself in love.
The Latvian and Estonian Song and Dance Festivals are some of the largest choral events in the world, tens of thousands sing in chorus. Both have been declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.5 When we think of liberty America has had a small part, a measure, in the light of liberty being proclaimed on a lamp stand to the world. But liberty begins in the hearts of people, these of the Baltic states would gather and sing in chorus, songs of liberty. The light of Liberty and truth has always been put forth by the chorus of people, for the people. Each part, each measure stands as one in truth and unity. These who trust in God join in the chorus of the church, such is for the increase of the body, building itself up in love, the blessing of all nations.
"God, bless Latvia! Our beloved fatherland, Bless Latvia, Oh bless it, we beseech thee! Where Latvian daughters bloom. Where Latvian sons sing. Let us dance happily there, In our Latvia!"6
And so God blessed Latvia, "Lettland." There is great energy in a chorus. "by every kindle of supply according to the energy of the measure " This word for energy is from ergō, "energy, power in action," it is a action that completes a purpose. The supply or chorus has its energy from each individual part. This word for increase speaks to this, "fit, join together, prepare, perfect." This fitting is how the whole body is being joined and held together, such is its energy (power to accomplish) the increase of the body, building itself in love.4
"towards the perfecting of the saints, for work of ministry, for the building of the body of Christ."3
This word for ministry is diakonia, "waiter or server" we see this literally in scripture as the disciples waited tables, served the church.8 Jesus said, "... I will build my Church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it."1 This word for build is from oikodomé, "the act of building, edification." This fits with scripture as Paul writes that it is for the edification, the building of faith. We often think of earthly measures, earthly buildings but the measures or gifts of the choir Jesus gives for the increase of the church in the edification or building up of itself into Love. The work of ministry would out flow from this. The church manufactures or builds itself up in love. To say the church is to sacrifice this chorus, this unity, this love for one another for some mission of reaching the lost, or helping the orphan... such is a contradiction of scripture. The transformation of the people must come first.
"For work of ministry" this word for work is not the same word as toil, which is "wearisome labor, toil, hardship" we are not to toil Jesus said, "consider how the lilies grow, they do not toil nor spin, moreover not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these."4 With heavy burdens men come to the cross, we trip them up when we do not build up their faith in love. Jesus said, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."5 To find rest in him is a valuable spiritual blessing, to be desired more than gold.
" For work of ministry." This word for work is derived from the word for energy, but where does the energy come from? does it come from having the mindset of sacrificial duty for the kingdom? to toil for Jesus, heavy burdened? No, the building of itself in love supplies the energy for the work, towards the perfection and edification of the saints into ministry. "until we might attain unity of faith and of the knowledge (surpassing knowledge) of the Son of God unto a man mature to a measure of stature (height, depth, width, length) of the fullness of Christ (of Grace and Truth)"7
Paul speaks of a Church being held together and joined together kindled by energy from each contributing part, each measure contributing to the increase of the body, manufacturing itself or building or edification of itself in love. Such a body can be likened to a heavenly chorus where each measure, each part, contributes to the One song, such a chorus is full of energy, of glory. Such a church in chorus, manufactures the building of itself, in Love, such to the glorification of God. And by such the world will know Jesus is from the Father, by our chorus.
Magnify
And so God blessed Latvia, "Lettland." There is great energy in a chorus. "by every kindle of supply according to the energy of the measure " This word for energy is from ergō, "energy, power in action," it is a action that completes a purpose. The supply or chorus has its energy from each individual part. This word for increase speaks to this, "fit, join together, prepare, perfect." This fitting is how the whole body is being joined and held together, such is its energy (power to accomplish) the increase of the body, building itself in love.4
"towards the perfecting of the saints, for work of ministry, for the building of the body of Christ."3
This word for ministry is diakonia, "waiter or server" we see this literally in scripture as the disciples waited tables, served the church.8 Jesus said, "... I will build my Church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it."1 This word for build is from oikodomé, "the act of building, edification." This fits with scripture as Paul writes that it is for the edification, the building of faith. We often think of earthly measures, earthly buildings but the measures or gifts of the choir Jesus gives for the increase of the church in the edification or building up of itself into Love. The work of ministry would out flow from this. The church manufactures or builds itself up in love. To say the church is to sacrifice this chorus, this unity, this love for one another for some mission of reaching the lost, or helping the orphan... such is a contradiction of scripture. The transformation of the people must come first.
"For work of ministry" this word for work is not the same word as toil, which is "wearisome labor, toil, hardship" we are not to toil Jesus said, "consider how the lilies grow, they do not toil nor spin, moreover not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these."4 With heavy burdens men come to the cross, we trip them up when we do not build up their faith in love. Jesus said, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."5 To find rest in him is a valuable spiritual blessing, to be desired more than gold.
" For work of ministry." This word for work is derived from the word for energy, but where does the energy come from? does it come from having the mindset of sacrificial duty for the kingdom? to toil for Jesus, heavy burdened? No, the building of itself in love supplies the energy for the work, towards the perfection and edification of the saints into ministry. "until we might attain unity of faith and of the knowledge (surpassing knowledge) of the Son of God unto a man mature to a measure of stature (height, depth, width, length) of the fullness of Christ (of Grace and Truth)"7
Paul speaks of a Church being held together and joined together kindled by energy from each contributing part, each measure contributing to the increase of the body, manufacturing itself or building or edification of itself in love. Such a body can be likened to a heavenly chorus where each measure, each part, contributes to the One song, such a chorus is full of energy, of glory. Such a church in chorus, manufactures the building of itself, in Love, such to the glorification of God. And by such the world will know Jesus is from the Father, by our chorus.
Magnify