Useful Bible Studies > Ephesians Commentary > chapter 4

The relationship that Christians have with Christ, and with each other

Ephesians 4:16

Each part of the body must operate properly for the human body to grow in a healthy manner. In this process, those parts that join the other parts of the body together are especially important. Health and strength must flow through every part of the body so that every part can grow properly.

Elsewhere, Paul has compared Christians to the parts of the body (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27). He describes all Christians, together, as the body of Christ. In other words, all Christians have a relationship both with Christ, and with each other. Those relationships matter, even as the connections in the body matter. For Christians, their relationship with each other needs to be a relationship of love (see 1 Corinthians chapter 13). In other words, Christians should care about each other; they should help each other as God gives them the opportunity. Then they all can develop in their knowledge of God and their trust in God. That is like when the human body is growing.

Paul describes Christ as ‘the head of the body’ (4:15; 5:23). For the human body to grow, the head has the responsibility to choose and to eat the right kind of food. In other words, without that supply from the head, the body cannot grow. It is the same for Christians. They must depend completely on Christ. The health, strength and life that Christians need for their relationship with God, come from Christ alone (John 6:53-56). We can only grow and develop as Christians as our relationship with Christ becomes closer and stronger.

Next part: The right and the wrong way for people to live (Ephesians 4:17-19)

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