A friend emailed over the weekend with a question about the translation of Ephesians 4:11-12 and how it relates to the idea of every member ministry. It’s an interesting discussion to consider.

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Eph 4:11-12, NIV 2011).

In this translation, the translators–like all translators–have made decisions that smooth over ambiguity in the original. In fact, a reading of the above may leave you wondering where the meat of the discussion is to be found. Well, compare the NIV 2011 above with the KJV below (or with the Greek New Testament).

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Eph 4:11-12 KJV)

The difference lies in the way the three phrases of v. 12 are handled (and relatedly to the translation of katartismon “equip/perfect,” a NT hapax legomenon). The NIV 2011 (and all contemporary translations that I’m aware of) links “equip” (“perfect” KJV) with what immediately follows, “for works of service” (“for the work of ministry” KJV).

Thus, in the NIV 2011, Christ gave apostles, etc., for two things:

1. to equip his people for works of service and
2. in order to build up the body of Christ

but in the KJV, Christ gave apostles, etc., for three things:

1. for perfecting (equipping) the saints
2. for the work of the ministry
3. for the edifying of the body of Christ

The discussion of the relationship of Eph 4:12 with every member ministry is concerned with whether the first phrase “to equip/perfect” is linked to “works of service.” In other words, are the saints equipped by apostles, etc., for ministry or are the saints simply equipped by apostles, etc., but not for ministry.

Caution in the Use of Ephesians 4:12

I cannot settle the question of the best translation for v. 12 because I see compelling lexical and contextual reasons in favor of both renderings; but I would like to comment on the use of these verses in relation to every member ministry.

First, the Greek original appears ambiguous to me; thus, we get the different renderings of the NIV and the KJV.[1. It is interesting to note, however, that according to Michael Horton, “the more recent translation does not even occur to” John Calvin in his commentary on Ephesians. Horton, Michael S. (2010). The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way. Zondervan. Kindle Edition, loc. 24041.]  This is not a matter of textual criticism per se but a question of to which phrase to join another particular phrase, not always an easy choice. Reading v.12 in Greek presents both options to me. I would therefore caution against utilizing Eph 4:12 to decide definitively the question of every member ministry, whether for or against. Read, interpret and apply humbly, and with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

As a result, I’m not sure I can agree when Michael Horton writes, “Reflecting the actual construction of the Greek, the older translation [i.e., KJV] draws three lines of purpose clauses…,” as if the newer translations don’t reflect the “actual” Greek in some way.[2. Horton, loc. 23646.] Instead, I think it makes more sense to assert that reflecting the “actual construction of the Greek” would entail preserving the ambiguity of the Greek. Nor do I appreciate the uncharitable statement of commentator Andrew Lincoln when he remarks on this verse that it’s “hard to avoid the suspicion that opting for the other view [i.e., NIV 2011] is too often motivated by a zeal to avoid clericalism and to support a ‘democratic’ model of the Church.”[3. Lincoln, Andrew T., Ephesians (WBC; Dallas: Word, 1990), 253, quoted in Horton, loc. 24041.] Why question the motive of every member ministry?

Secondly, I believe Michael Horton, for example, creates a false dichotomy between proper “ministry of the Word” and every member ministry.[4. “The same officers who are given for the completion (not equipping) of the saints are also given for the work of ministry and edification of the body. On this reading, Christ has given apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers for the ministry of the Word that brings the whole body to unity, maturity and completion in the truth. This is not to say that the body is complete in and through these offices alone, for there are other gifts mentioned elsewhere (esp. Ro 12 and 1Co 12). However, the focus here is restricted to that work of bringing unity and maturity to the body through sound doctrine” (Horton, loc. 23646).] He may have us believe that if a congregation is seeking to actively involve its members in the church’s ministries then there will be an undue exaltation of the people of the congregation to the detriment of the ministry of the word. This does not necessarily follow. Surely a local body can both prize the involvement of its members and prize the ministry of the word–unless, of course, there is something unscriptural about involving members, but I do not think this can be determined on the witness of Eph 4:11-12 alone.

Thirdly, what is “every member ministry” anyways?! Is it giving Joe Pew the pulpit on a Sunday? Or, simply allowing Mrs. Pew to bake bread and wash feet? Is every member ministry simply allowing each member to utilize his or her own God-given giftings? If so, has Horton set up a straw man of every member ministry, one which usurps the ministry of the word?