Section 291
80Cf. H. Schlier, Christus und die Kirche im Epheserbrief, pp. 28-37 (see p. 344, n. 58 above). See also J. Schneider, TDNT 2, pp. 942-43 (s.v. ἡλιϰία); G. Bornkamm, TDNT 4, pp. 811-13 (s.v. μυστήϱιον); E. Percy, Probleme, pp. 316-27.
81The Naassene “perfect man” is τέλειος ἄνθϱωπος, whereas the expression in Eph. 4:13 is εỉς ἄνδϱα τέλειον (ἀνήϱ is used instead of ἄνθϱωπος, perhaps because it is Christ who is the “perfect man”).
82The same thought is expressed in the two phrases εỉς ἄνδϱα τέλειον and εỉς μέτϱον ἡλιϰίας τοῦ πληϱώματος τοῦ Xϱιστοῦ, but it is expressed in fuller detail in the second phrase, a genitival structure typical of the style of Ephesians. The πλήϱωμα of Christ is not to be understood in any technical sense (gnostic or otherwise); it denotes his full manhood. Indeed, the genitive τοῦ πληϱώματος might be taken as an adjectival genitive after ἡλιϰίας, so that “the measure of the stature of Christ’s fullness” means “the measure of Christ’s full stature.” It is probable that ἡλιϰία has the meaning “stature” here (cf. Luke 19:3) rather than its earlier sense “time of life” (cf. John 9:21, 23, ἡλιϰίαν ἔχει, “he is of age”), but either would be appropriate.