P. Derek Overfield PhD Thesis - Research@StAndrews:FullText

2.4.3. Eph 4:10-13
We have argued in the above paragraph
for an interpretation of 7tATJPW/la.
in this passage that
is related to the interpretation of the term in 3:19
and npt to either or both of the Colossian texts.
But
we must admit that it is perhaps possible to provide
an interpretation of this verse such that it does indeed
harmonise with the understanding of the
7tATJP~
concept in Colossians.
Moule attempts such a harmonisation
and translates "the christians are to attain
to the full growth of manhood, the standard ( ~€~pov
consisting in the full stature nA~x'a.,) of the full
maturity belonging to Christ" 78
79
further expounded by Best:
The same view is
"When we pass to 4:13 we find that
what in 1:23 was a statement of fact
is now a standard of attainment:
the Church is to attain to the
measure of the maturity of the pleroma
of Christ; it is to attain 'to the
measure of the maturity of the
attributes and powers of Christ,
that maturity which comes when the
attributes and powers of Christ
completely fill it and it is in
actual fact the pleroma of Christ".
But these interpretations although claiming harmony
wi th the significance of 1tATJPWf.!a. in Colossians have
themselves acknowledged that a radical difference does
in fact exist between the two epistles.
In Colossians
the author is concerned to emphasise that it is in
Christ that ~~ 7tATJpW!J.O. 'tfl, e€6't11~o, dwe 11 s ; 7tA TJpW!J.a.
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