Unity and Diversity: Final Part

V. This Unity that Paul is Speaking of is for a reason: Maturity
         Maturity is a true mark of Unity. We can not get in to the state of Maturity if we are not Unity. We need each other to cover our weakness and to correct our errors. The following are explanation of each phrase from verse 13 to 16.
Verse 13
        - Attain to the  unity of the faith: unto oneness of faith (of trust) in Christ which the Gnostics were disturbing.
        - the knowledge of the son of God: the oneness of full knowledge of the son of God, in opposition to the Gnostic vagaries.
         - A mature man: in sense of Adult as opposed to infants.
         - to the measure of the stature: boys rejoice in gaining the height of a man. But Paul adds to this idea “the fullness of Christ,” like the fullness of God.   
The main message is to putting away childish things(1Cor.13:11).

Verse 14
        - No longer to be Children: negative final clause with present subjunctive. Some                                                                        
                  Christians are quit content to remain “babes” in Christ and never cut their
                  eye-teeth (Heb.5:11-14), the victims of every charlatan who comes along.  
                  - to tossed here and there: to be agitated by the waves.
                  - Carried about: to carry round, whirled round by every wind of teaching. In some it is all wind, even like a hurricane or a tornado. If not anchored by full knowledge of Christ, folks are at the mercy of these squalls.
                 - Every wind of doctrine: Paul has covered the whole ground in this picture of Gnostic error.

Verse 15
    - in love: following the truth in love.
    - Grow up in all aspects into Him: it is the metaphor of verse 13 (the full-ground man. We are the body and Christ is the head. We are to grow up to His stature.

Verse 16.
- from whom: out of which as the source of energy and direction.
- Fitted and held together: join and united both to Christ the foundation by faith, and to each other by love.
- The proper working of each individual part: just “in measure” in the Greek, but the assumption is that each part of the body functions properly in its own sphere. No living could not retire from his or her part.   
 
VI.    Conclusion
In this world of anti-Christian bias we need all the more an extra measure of maturity, of grace, of gentleness, patience, and forgiveness. Each of us needs to keep our eyes on the Lord. Each of us needs to keep our eyes on the one faith. As members in the body of Christ we are continually being built up to maturity. Two area of maturity (a) maturity in personal area: mentioned above in humility, gentleness etc. (b) matures corporately: the personal maturity leads to corporate maturity. Finally, in this verses Paul showing us to knowing what is essential and what is not essential so that the body of Christ may grow with unity. It is the very purpose of God for believers.