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.
by which every part does its share,
“Every part” refers to each individual part. A healthy church is constantly under construction. This requires that each believer contribute what he has to offer. No individual is superfluous to this purpose.
The “part” is the means or instrument for measuring a determined extent, a portion measured. Each believer has something to contribute to the body of Christ. Each believer is important to the Lord and His church. Every believer has his own place and function.
causes growth of the body
When every member uses his spiritual gift, the church will grow. Edification is the end to which the church (characterized as a “body”) heads.
Life drawn from our Head flows through the “joint supply” and constantly causes the individual members to grow together. The entire process is energized by the Head making the church more compact—that is, a church in closer fellowship and in the mutual building up of one another.
PRINCIPLE:
Each believer has something to contribute to the edification of the church.
APPLICATION:
Every part of the body must function if the church is to grow into what it should be. Leadership cannot do all the ministry; it requires involvement by each member.
Growth ultimately comes from Christ, but the church grows as each member does its allocated task. The growth of the body is due to the active power that pervades it and not to the proficiency of the different parts. The concept of symmetrical development is the idea.
