Joined and Held Together

The elbow joint and its ligaments, from Gray’s Anatomy, 1918

At a recent Bible study, we looked at Ephesians 4:15–16:

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (NIV 1984)

The word translated here as “ligament” (haphē, ἁφή) means a joint, a point of contact in the body, or a ligament. Derived from the verb haptō (ἅπτω), it has connotations both of touching closely, and of gripping tightly. The word is also used for a harpist’s touch on the strings, or a wrestler’s grip on his opponent. The Bible is demanding a strong and intimate relationship between Christians here. This applies to one’s local church, of course, but also to the Body of Christ spread out over time.

How can one have a relationship with Christians from back in time? One can simply read about their lives and their faith. One can read a book by someone like Augustine (Confessions, etc.) or Thomas à Kempis (The Imitation of Christ). Or one can sing a hymn by Ambrose, Gregory of Nazianzus, or Charles Wesley. Like this one:

“O light that knew no dawn,
That shines to endless day,
All things in earth and Heav’n
Are lustered by Thy ray;
No eye can to Thy throne ascend,
Nor mind Thy brightness comprehend.

Thy grace, O Father, give,
That I might serve in fear;
Above all boons, I pray,
Grant me Thy voice to hear;
From sin Thy child in mercy free,
And let me dwell in light with Thee.

That, cleansed from stain of sin,
I may meet homage give;
And pure in heart, behold
Thy beauty while I live;
Clean hands in holy worship raise,
And Thee, O Christ my Savior, praise.

In supplication meek
To Thee I bend the knee;
O Christ, when Thou shalt come,
In love remember me,
And in Thy kingdom, by Thy grace,
Grant me a humble servant’s place.

Thy grace, O Father, give,
I humbly Thee implore;
And let Thy mercy bless
Thy servant more and more.
All grace and glory be to Thee,
From age to age eternally.” – “O Light That Knew No Dawn” from the 4th century Greek by Gregory of Nazianzus