[Greek] καταρτισμός (katartismos), [Latin] aedificatio, [Latin] apparatus: restoration, equipment, complete furnishing, perfection; Eph.4:12
Simeon the Godreceiver: painting by Alexei Yegorov (1830-1840). The Presentation of the Lord confirms (aedifies) that Simeon has seen the Messiah of the Lord.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means restoration, training, discipline, perfection, and equipment. The Greek artismos means repairing or restoration such as by an artisan. The Greek kata- represents completion, emphasis, or perfection. Plutarch’s Alexander 7 states “Since Phillip’s son’s nature as unyielding, but was easily led by reasoning into the path of duty, Phillip tried to persuade rather than command him, because he would not fully entrust the direction and training of the body to ordinary teachers.” Herodotus’ Histories 9.66 states “The general had with him a great army, as many as forty thousand men. He led these with a fixed purpose, telling them to follow him.”
New Testament: This term, not found in the Old Testament, means equipping, training, or furnishing. Paul and the other ministerial leaders are tasked with equipping the whole people of God in their ministry. This term pertains to building and edifying the body of Christ for the work of ministry. This equipping relates to the individuals’ and community’s strength (maturity). At the Presentation of the Lord, the Lord had finally furnished confirmation that Simeon has seen the Messiah of the Lord (Lk.2:30). How very much edifying for Simeon!
Scripture:
“To equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for the building up the body of Christ.” Eph.4:12
Paul calls upon Christians to equip themselves for work of ministry.
Conclusion:
Artisan, artistic, edifice (building), edification, apparatus
It is interesting how this this term is related to art. In fact, this term can be related to many aspects of life (instructing, leading, constructing, and equipping).
In the Old Testament, the related Greek verb katartizo is more narrowly defined to binding and uniting. This notion relates to worshipping or show allegiance to idols.
In the New Testament, this term relates to equipping (teaching and instructing) Christians for the work of ministry. In every generation, there is that call to learn about one’s faith and about scripture to equip the Christian to spread the gospel.
I hope I was able to equip you with good information and background about this term.
Update: With the events in Afghanistan, we are now seeing the restoration of the war on terror. A perfectly horrible situation.