# He gave these offices

The one to whom Christ gave the gifts can be stated clearly. AT: "Christ gave these offices to the church" or "He gave people with these responsibilities to the church (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

# to equip the saints

"to prepare the people he has set apart" or "to provide the believers with what they need"

# for the work of service

"so they can serve others"

# for the building up of the body of Christ

Paul is speaking of people who grow spiritually as if they were doing exercises to increase the strength of their physical bodies. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

# building up

"improvement"

# body of Christ

The "body of Christ" refers to all of the individual members of Christ's Church.

# reach the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God

The believers need to know Jesus as the Son of God if they are to be united in faith and mature as believers.

# reach the unity of faith

"become equally strong in faith" or "become united together in faith"

# Son of God

This is an important title for Jesus. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])

# become mature

"become mature believers"

# mature

"fully developed" or "grown up" or "complete"

# translationWords

* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/apostle]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/evangelism]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/pastor]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/teacher]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/saint]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/serve]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/body]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/christ]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/faith]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/know]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sonofgod]]