Eph 4:13 | RWP | e4.org | Till we all attain ( μεχρ καταντησωμεν ο παντες ). Temporal clause with purpose idea with μεχρ and the first aorist active subjunctive of κατανταω , late verb, to come down to the goal ( ). "The whole" including every individual. Hence the need of so many gifts. Unto the unity of the faith ( εις την ενοτητα της πιστεως ). "Unto oneness of faith" (of trust) in Christ (verse ) which the Gnostics were disturbing. And of the knowledge of the Son of God ( κα της επιγνωσεως του υιου του θεου ). Three genitives in a chain dependent also on την ενοτητα , "the oneness of full ( επι- ) knowledge of the Son of God," in opposition to the Gnostic vagaries. Unto a full-grown man ( εις ανδρα τελειον ). Same figure as in and τελειος in sense of adult as opposed to νηπιο (infants) in . Unto the measure of the stature ( εις μετρον ηλικιας ). So apparently ηλικια here as in , not age ( ). Boys rejoice in gaining the height of a man. But Paul adds to this idea "the fulness of Christ" ( του πληρωματος του Χριστου ), like "the fulness of God" in . And yet some actually profess to be "perfect" with a standard like this to measure by! No pastor has finished his work when the sheep fall so far short of the goal.

‏ Ephesians 4:13

Till we all attain ( μεχρ καταντησωμεν ο παντες ). Temporal clause with purpose idea with μεχρ and the first aorist active subjunctive of κατανταω, late verb, to come down to the goal (Php 3:11). "The whole" including every individual. Hence the need of so many gifts.

Unto the unity of the faith ( εις την ενοτητα της πιστεως ). "Unto oneness of faith" (of trust) in Christ (verse 3) which the Gnostics were disturbing.

And of the knowledge of the Son of God ( κα της επιγνωσεως του υιου του θεου ). Three genitives in a chain dependent also on την ενοτητα, "the oneness of full ( επι- ) knowledge of the Son of God," in opposition to the Gnostic vagaries.

Unto a full-grown man ( εις ανδρα τελειον ). Same figure as in 2:15 and τελειος in sense of adult as opposed to νηπιο (infants) in 14.

Unto the measure of the stature ( εις μετρον ηλικιας ). So apparently ηλικια here as in Lu 2:52, not age (Joh 9:21). Boys rejoice in gaining the height of a man. But Paul adds to this idea "the fulness of Christ" ( του πληρωματος του Χριστου ), like "the fulness of God" in 3:19. And yet some actually profess to be "perfect" with a standard like this to measure by! No pastor has finished his work when the sheep fall so far short of the goal.