Ephesians 4:12

Christ gave these ministers to equip the saints for service, so the whole body of Christ is built up. Leaders train the people; the people do the work of ministry.

Cross-references · 40

• 1 Th 5:11–14Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.
• Eph 4:16From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.
• 1 Cor 12:27Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it.
• Rom 15:14I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, brimming with knowledge, and able to instruct one another.
• 1 Cor 14:4–5The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
• Rom 14:19So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
• 1 Cor 14:26What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.
• 1 Tim 1:12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service.
• 1 Cor 14:12It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.
• Heb 6:1Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God,
• 2 Cor 5:18All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
• Acts 14:22–23strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
• Luke 22:32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
• 2 Cor 4:1Therefore, since God in His mercy has given us this ministry, we do not lose heart.
• 1 Cor 4:1–2So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
• 2 Cor 6:3We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no one can discredit our ministry.
• Col 1:28We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
• Heb 13:17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.
• Acts 9:31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced a time of peace. It grew in strength and numbers, living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit.
• 2 Cor 3:8will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?
• 1 Cor 14:14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
• John 21:15–17When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.”
• Rom 15:2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
• Rom 12:7if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
• 1 Cor 12:7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
• 2 Cor 7:1Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
• Acts 20:28Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
• Acts 11:23When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to abide in the Lord with all their hearts.
• Rom 15:29I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
• 2 Cor 12:19Have you been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all of this, beloved, is to build you up.
• Acts 20:24But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
• Phil 1:25–26Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,
• Acts 1:25to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.”
• Acts 1:17He was one of our number and shared in this ministry.”
• 2 Tim 4:5But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
• Phil 3:12–18Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
• Col 4:17Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
• Eph 1:23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
• Col 1:24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church.
• Eph 4:29Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

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