Matthew Poole and continuators on Ephesians 4:16

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together , and compacted by that which every joint supplieth , according to the effectual working in the measure of every part , maketh encrease of the body , unto the edifying of it self in love .

Christ the Head, v. 15.

The mystical Body, or Church of Believers, whereof every true Saint is a Member, Rom. 12.4, 5.

Viz. in the right place and order, both in respect of Christ the Head, and of the Members respectively. Some are eyes, some ears, some hands, some feet, 1 Cor. 12.15, 16.

Firmly knit, so as not to be separated.

Or by every joint, or juncture of Administration, i. e. whose Office is to administer Spirits, and nourishment to the Body. Bands are added to joints, Col. 2.19. which signifies the Ligaments by which the joints are tied one to another, aswell as the joints in which they touch. Qu. What are those joints and bands in the mystical Body? Ans. Every thing whereby Believers are joined to Christ, or to each other as Christians; especially the Spirit of Christ, which is the same in the Head, and all the Members: the gifts of the Spirit, chiefly Faith, whereby they are united to Christ; and Love, whereby they are knit to each other: the Sacraments likewise, Church Officers, v. 11. &c.

Either the Power of Christ, who as an Head, influenceth and enliveneth every Member; or the effectual working of every Member, in communicating to others the gifts it hath received.

According to the state, condition, and exigency of every part, nourishment is conveyed to it meet for it; yet more to one, and less to another, according as more is required for one and less for the other, and so to all in their proportion. Or else as each part hath received, so it communicates to others: all have their use and helpfulness to others, but not all alike, or in the same degree.

Either Body here redounds by an Hebraism, and the sense is, the Body (mentioned in the beginning of the verse) maketh encrease of it self, or without that redundancy, encrease of the Body is an encrease meet and convenient for the Body. The Apostle here changeth the Metaphor from that of a Body to this of an House, but to the same sense, and shews the end of this nourishment they ministred from one Member to another, viz. not its own private good, but the good of the whole Body, for the benefit of which each part receives its gifts from Christ the Head.

Either by the Offices of love; or it denotes the impulsive cause, whereby the members are moved thus to promote the common increase of the body, viz. Love to the Head and each other.