Ephesians 4:12-13 in the King James Version of the Bible says, "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."

This passage is part of a larger section in the book of Ephesians where the apostle Paul addresses the believers in Ephesus and encourages them to live in unity and maturity as members of the body of Christ. In these two verses, Paul outlines the purpose and goal of the work of ministry and the edifying of the body of Christ, which is to bring believers to maturity and unity in their faith.

The first part of this passage emphasizes the purpose of the work of ministry, which is "for the perfecting of the saints." The word "perfecting" in this context refers to the process of making something complete or whole. In the Christian context, it refers to the process of spiritual growth and maturity in the faith. The ministry is also for "the work of the ministry," which indicates that believers are to be equipped and empowered to serve and minister to others. Finally, the purpose of the work of ministry is "for the edifying of the body of Christ," which means building up or strengthening the community of believers.

The next part of the passage describes the ultimate goal of this work of ministry and edification. Paul writes that it is "till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." This goal is twofold: unity in the faith and knowledge of Christ, and maturity in the faith to become like Christ.

The theme of unity is prominent throughout the book of Ephesians, and Paul emphasizes the importance of believers being unified in their faith and knowledge of Christ. This unity is not just a superficial or outward unity, but a deep and spiritual unity that comes from a shared commitment to the truth of the gospel and the person of Jesus Christ. The goal is for believers to be united in their understanding of the faith and their knowledge of Christ, which will lead to a deeper, more authentic unity within the body of Christ.

The second aspect of the goal is the maturity of believers to become like Christ. Paul uses the image of a "perfect man" and "the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" to describe this goal. The idea is that believers are to grow and mature in their faith to become more like Christ, both individually and collectively as the body of Christ. This involves growing in character, wisdom, and spiritual maturity, as well as living in a way that reflects the fullness of Christ's character and virtues.

The context of this passage is important for understanding its significance. Paul is writing to a group of believers in Ephesus who are facing various challenges and temptations to division and worldliness. He encourages them to live in a manner worthy of their calling as followers of Christ, and to pursue unity, maturity, and spiritual growth. This passage serves as a reminder of the purpose and goal of the work of ministry and edification within the body of Christ, and it provides encouragement and direction for believers to strive towards unity and maturity in their faith.

Symbolism in this passage can be seen in the image of the body of Christ, which represents the community of believers. The body is a metaphor for the unity and interconnectedness of the believers, as well as the diversity and different gifts and roles within the community. The goal of unity and maturity in the faith is also symbolized in the image of becoming like Christ, which represents the ultimate goal of the Christian life and the transformation of believers into the likeness of Christ.

In conclusion, Ephesians 4:12-13 in the King James Version of the Bible outlines the purpose and goal of the work of ministry and edification within the body of Christ. It emphasizes the importance of unity and maturity in the faith, and it provides encouragement and direction for believers to strive towards these goals. This passage is a reminder of the calling and responsibility of believers to live in unity and maturity as members of the body of Christ, and it serves as a source of inspiration and guidance for the Christian life.