“And not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.”
“by joints and ligaments”
“Joints”– ligature, ligament, part of the body’s joints which binds the different parts of the body together. The “joints” link various members of the body together. Joints and ligaments provide the body with coordination and action. We can sit and stand because we have ligaments.
Not only does Jesus hold authority over the church, but He dynamically influences its life by “joints and ligaments.” They give us nourishment and unite us to God.
Eph. 4:15,16, “But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
These Ephesian verses are parallel passages to our verse in Colossians. The “joints and ligaments” here are men given by Christ for equipping the saints for the work of the ministry. Gifted men such as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastor-teachers equip the saints for ministry.
“Joints and ligaments” refer to the means of God’s provision. Truth given by gifted men is the means for association with Christ. Doctrine is the primary resource we need to live the Christian life. Truth ties us all together. We link together by what we believe.
The truth of Christ joins together different nationalities, talents, and mentalities. We build muscle and strength by using the joints of the body. Mussel and strength are not necessarily the same thing. Strength comes from truth.
PRINCIPLE:
The “joints and ligaments” refer to gifted leaders in the body of Christ who edify the body of Christ by passing on God’s truth.
APPLICATION:
Spiritual vitality is dependent upon submission to the Head. Spiritually, the ministry of Christ consists in the communication of truth by gifted leaders. Are you “nourished” and “knit together” by leaders who carefully communicate the truth of the Word of God?
