Study Desk

So Christ himself gave^(u) the apostles,^(v) the prophets,^(w) the evangelists,^(x) the pastors and teachers,^(y)

to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ^(z) may be built up^(aa)

until we all reach unity^(ab) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God^(ac) and become mature,^(ad) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.^(ae)

Then we will no longer be infants,^(af) tossed back and forth by the waves,^(ag) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.^(ah)

Instead, speaking the truth in love,^(ai) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,^(aj) that is, Christ.

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows^(ak) and builds itself up^(al) in love,^(am) as each part does its work.