A 1:23.

The Church which is His Body.

B 2:16.

C 4:4.

The One Body.

D 4:12.

Gifts for building up.

E 4:16.

Fitly framed together.

Members for growth.

Christ the Head.

The Church and members.

Two passages fall within the doctrinal section, namely Ephesians 1:23 and 2:16, the remaining seven being

found in the practical section, chapters 4 and 5. Let us examine the doctrinal passage first, as these will supply the

fundamental teaching of Ephesians concerning the `Body'. These references to the Church the Body, are not

isolated, but form an integral part of the contextual argument, and just as we found the `Body' of 1 Corinthians 12,

vitally and inseparably connected with Moses, Israel, Abraham and spiritual and miraculous gifts, so we shall find

the reference to the Body in Ephesians 1:23 vitally and inseparably connected with the exaltation of the Saviour `Far

above all'. There are seven sections in the doctrinal portion of Ephesians, and Ephesians 1:23 falls within the third

of these subdivisions. (For the complete structure of Ephesians, see the article entitled EPHESIANS p. 275). The

following is its analysis:

A a 19.

Energy (energeia energeo). Mighty power.

Wrought in Christ.

B c 20.

Raised HIM. Heavenly places.

c 20,21. Seated HIM. This age or the coming one.

c 22,23. Gave HIM.

C The Church THE BODY. THE FULNESS.

A a 2:1,2. Energy (energeo). Prince of power of air.

b 2:2,3. Wrought in sons of disobedience.

B c 4,5.  Quickened US. Heavenly places.

c 6.

US. The ages to come.

c 6,7.  Seated

US. In heavenly places.

It is evident from this passage that the Church of the one Body is vitally and inseparably connected with Christ

in His exaltation `far above all' `in heavenly places'. Under the heading HEAVENLY PLACES2,6 this peculiar sphere

of blessing is discussed. It is sufficient here to say that this sphere is never spoken of in connection with any other

calling but that of the Mystery, which fact of itself lifts the Church of the one Body which is associated with it, into

a distinct place in the purpose of the ages, not to be confused with the promises made to Abraham or any other age

purpose that belongs to lower realms. These heavenly places are further defined as `far above all principality and

power' (Eph. 1:21), `far above all heavens' (Eph. 4:10). It is where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God (Eph.

1:20), and the superlative and marvel of grace is that this Church of the one Body is reckoned by God not only to be

`raised together' but also `seated together' in those self-same heavenly places `in Christ Jesus' (Eph. 2:6).

Then further, the title `the Body' is not the final title of this blessed company. The full measure of grace and

glory is realized when we read: `The church which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all' (Eph.

1:22,23). When the import of this world `fulness' is perceived (see the article entitled THE PLEROMA3) then

something of the place of this company of the redeemed will be realized. The second reference, namely Ephesians

2:16 will be found treated in the articles entitled MIDDLE WALL3 and RECONCILIATION4 and the references to the

one body in Ephesians 4:4 and 16 will be considered in the article entitled UNITY OF THE SPIRIT5. Finally the