4:13a-d

In the Greek text, 4:13 contains three phrases each of which start with the same preposition eis, “to”:

• to become unified…

• to become mature…

• to become perfect like Christ…

Commentators connect these phrases in many ways. The two main interpretations are:

(1) all three phrases are separate goals. For example:

13a This is to continue

13b
until all of us are united in our faith and in our knowledge about God’s Son,

13c
until we become mature,

13d
until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard. (God’s Word)

(Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word)

(2) the first two phrases are separate goals, and the third phrase further describes the second. For example:

13a This work must continue

13b until we are all joined together in the same faith and in the same knowledge of the Son of God.

13c We must become like a mature person, 13d growing until we become like Christ and have his perfection. (New Century Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The three goals for the church are that they shall:

(a) be united in their faith and knowledge of Christ (4:13b),

(b) become mature believers (4:13c) and

(c) become completely like Christ (4:13d).

4:13a

until: The word until here means that this is the goal of what Paul said in 4:11–12. Christ gave special abilities to some believers (4:11) in order to prepare all believers to work for him (4:12a) and to make us all united (4:12b). This will continue until we all become united (4:13b), mature (4:13c) and like Christ (4:13d).

we all: The words we all refer to all of us who are believers.

4:13b

reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God: Here, faith and knowledge are the means of our coming to unity. We become united because we believe in the Son of God and know him. In some languages, it will be clearer to translate these three abstract nouns (unity, faith, knowledge) as verbs. These are discussed below.

reach unity in the faith: Here, reach unity means “to come together like one,” “to become joined together as one” or “to become united.”

the faith: Here the faith refers to a general belief or trust in something or someone. There are two main interpretations.

(1) This refers to belief in the true Christian teachings. If you follow this interpretation, you could say:

by believing in the truth/teaching ⌊about Christ⌋ and knowing the Son of God

(2) This refers to belief in the Son of God. Some commentators say that “Son of God” is the object of both “knowledge” and faith. If you follow this interpretation, you could say:

by believing in the Son of God and knowing him

In 4:5a, Paul listed “one faith” and its meaning was “belief in the true Christian teachings.” The context suggested that the faith has the same meaning here. So, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

See faith, Meaning 1 in the Glossary for more information.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

are united by our faith and by our understanding of the Son of God. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
are all joined together in the same faith and in the same knowledge of the Son of God. (New Century Version)

the Son of God: The phrase the Son of God is a title for Jesus. This title was often used to refer to a savior who would be a descendant of King David. God would send this savior to rescue his people. This person was often referred to as the “Messiah” or “Christ.”

The title the Son of God also indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God. The relationship between God the Father and Jesus, his Son, is similar in some way to the relationship between human fathers and sons. God the Father does not have a physical body. He did not have a sexual relationship with Mary that resulted in her becoming pregnant and giving birth to Jesus. The Son of God existed eternally as the Son with his Father.

In areas where people do not understand the title the Son of God in this way, you may want to include a footnote that explains the correct meaning. Here is a suggested footnote:

This title refers to Jesus. It indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God. It does not mean that God the Father had a sexual relationship with Mary that resulted in her becoming pregnant and giving birth to Jesus. Mary became pregnant with Jesus in a miraculous way by the Holy Spirit of God.

In some languages, it is natural to speak of a son as a “child,” without specifying male or female. If that is true in your language, you may use a more general term, such as:

the Child of God

Other verses will usually make clear that Jesus was a male child. If you use a phrase such as “the male child of God,” be sure that it does not imply that God had another child who was female.

4:13c

as we mature: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as as we mature is literally “to a mature man.” The second goal of the church is to mature. Here, this refers to becoming fully grown, fully developed, like adults in our faith (in contrast to children in 4:14). The meaning is “mature as Christians.” For example:

mature in the Lord (New Living Translation (2004))

4:13d

to the full measure of the stature of Christ: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to the full measure of the stature of Christ is literally “at the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” It means “to become exactly like Christ, who is perfect.”

Paul is using a metaphor here, comparing the physical maturity of children to the spiritual maturity of Christians. Just as a child grows up until he becomes an adult like his parents, so we Christians are to grow up in our faith until we are like Christ.

In some languages people may not understand the meaning of the metaphor. If that is true in your language, consider translating the meaning directly. For example:

and become completely mature, just as Christ is

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard (God’s Word)
-or-
grow up and be strong the way Christ is strong

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