What does “the edifying of the body of Christ” mean (Ephesians 4:12)?

Ephesians 4:12 articulates God’s purpose for spiritual gifts and church leadership, stating that both were given “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (NKJV). This verse is situated within a passage about unity in the body of Christ, highlighting the collective growth for all believers.

In the context of Ephesians 4:1–16, the word edifying means “building up.” In the Pauline Epistles, the Greek word translated “edification” is used to describe the process of spiritual growth and maturity within the church. For example, in 1 Corinthians 14:12, Paul writes, “Since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel” (1 Corinthians 14:12, NKJV).

The “body of Christ” in Ephesians 4:12 is the church, a collective entity of both Jews and Gentiles under the headship of Christ (Ephesians 1:22–23). To edify the church is to build it up communally, aiding individual members in their spiritual growth and development into Christlikeness. Believers are supposed to “stir one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24–25). Expressing love, good works, fellowship, and encouragement is how we edify the body of Christ.

Paul’s emphasis on communal edification is important for several reasons. First, it shifts the focus from personal growth to communal growth. Just as we are eager to read Scripture or enjoy solitary prayers to God, we should be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3, ESV). Paul’s vision for the church is that every member contributes to building up one another, perfectly reflecting God’s purpose.

The concept of edifying the body of Christ relates to the distribution of spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit, which Paul discusses at length in 1 Corinthians 12. The purpose of spiritual gifts, Paul says, is “for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). Since these gifts are for the benefit of others, we should not hoard them as if they were only for our own good. To the contrary, we should use our gifts to serve one another: “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13, ESV).

Furthermore, Paul’s focus on edifying the body of Christ has a clear objective: “Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13, ESV). Here, the word knowledge means more than doctrinal knowledge. It primarily refers to experiential knowledge. We gain experiential knowledge of God by spending time with Him, meditating on His Word, worshiping Him, and fellowshipping with other believers. On this last point, Paul connects fellowship to protection against deceit and manipulation (Ephesians 4:14).

In conclusion, edifying the body of Christ is an essential element of Paul’s ecclesiology. Edifying one another is integral to the church’s identity and mission. When we edify or build one another up in love and truth, the church becomes what God intended it to be—“a holy temple in the Lord” (Ephesians 2:21).