Ephesians 4:12

Steven Lo Vullo slovullo at mac.com
Sat Oct 12 15:09:41 EDT 2002


On Saturday, October 12, 2002, at 12:52 PM, David Bielby wrote:

> On the word KATARTISMOS in Ephesians 4:12 translated equipping in the 
> NASB
> can I get some feedback on the nuances of this term based on it's 
> context
> and possible classical meaning that Paul may have had in mind when he
> wrote this.  Specifically, did Paul have in mind the idea of setting 
> the
> parts of the body in place so they can function properly...all by
> themselves--? In the Classical era was this term sometimes employed as 
> a
> medical term?  (Eph 4:16 may be the contextual element that supports 
> the
> idea that KATARTISMOS may refer more to helping the body function all 
> by
> itself...fitting the parts together)

Dave, in my opinion this is one of those cases where we must decide 
between what makes for a colorful sermon and what is accurate. While it 
is true that BDAG sites Soranus (1st -2nd century A.D.) as evidence 
that KATARTISMOS was used as a medical term for "setting a bone," the 
sense "equipment" or "equipping" (with EIS, "for" something) is the 
suggested meaning, with "training" or "discipline" noted for 
consideration as glosses. The text is concerned with God's purpose 
(PROS) for giving some as apostles, prophets, evangelists, and 
pastor-teachers. It seems much more natural to understand that purpose 
as being "for the *equipping* of the saints for the work of ministry." 
Since "setting a bone" is a restorative process, the choice would be 
between "preparing the saints" and "repairing the saints." I think 
"repairing" is really a stretch. The immediately following metaphor has 
to do with "building up" (OIKODOMHN) of the body, which has to do with 
growing up to maturity from childhood (vv.13-16). The picture is not of 
a broken body in need of repair, but of a young body in need of growth. 
This growth comes about by the saints being equipped for service by 
those whom God has gifted for that purpose.
============

Steven R. Lo Vullo
Madison, WI




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