perfecting: The noun καταρτισμος (katartismos) presents an interesting picture. First, it appears
only here in the New Testament. Second, its meanings range from equipping to
preparing to training. In a related verb form in Luke 6:40, it bears the sense “fully
trained” rather than “perfect” as in the KJV: “Everyone who is fully trained
will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40 NR). In our passage, 4;12, the noun paints
the portrait of thoroughly preparing the Saints for their ministries, folding
in all members, women and men alike, “till we all come in the unity of the
faith” (4:12). That is, church leaders never assumed that recent converts had
grasped all that they needed to while investigating the gospel; everyone required
continuous training and education in doctrine and accepted procedures. (S. Kent Brown, The
Epistle to the Ephesians [Brigham Young University New Testament Commentary;
Provo, Utah: BYU Studies, 2023], 306)
