Grace and Growth

Ephesians 4:7–16 CSB

Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. For it says: When he ascended on high, he took the captives captive; he gave gifts to people. But what does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower parts of the earth? The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, to fill all things. And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.

Ephesians 4:7 CSB

Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Ephesians 4:8 CSB

For it says: When he ascended on high, he took the captives captive; he gave gifts to people.

Psalm 68:18 CSB

You ascended to the heights, taking away captives; you received gifts from people, even from the rebellious, so that the Lord God might dwell there.

Ephesians 4:9–10 CSB

But what does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower parts of the earth? The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, to fill all things.

Descended to the lower parts of the earth - this is NOT a reference to Jesus descending into hell to proclaim victory - this is not a reference to that. THe language doesn’t fit. It happened - Peter writes about it in 1 Peter 3:19.

But this doesn’t fit the vocabulary or intention here.

Lets go back to the Old Testament quote from verse 8 - Psalm 68:18

Now it is very important to grasp how the rabbis interpreted this, to understand the power of what is being said. The Jews understood this Scripture as a reference to Moses’ ascending the mountain to receive the gift of the law from Yahweh.

Now Paul is applying it to Christ and His descent in the Spirit to grant gifts of ministry to the church. Verse 9 and 10 are Paul’s commentary, or exegesis, of this Old Testament Scripture.

Basically Paul says if the Psalmist speaks of an Ascent of God, then there must have been a descent of God.

Which means that if Christ is God and He ascended to sit at the right hand of the Father, then that same Christ is the one who descended to grant gifts to His people.

So this descent that we read about here has nothing to do with the descent into hell - instead it has everything to do with the spirit descending to grant gifts - specifically gifts for His church to accomplish His mission!

Ephesians 4:11–13 CSB

And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.

The gifts granted by the Spirit are listed here as in 1 Corinthians. This list is just a shorter, limited to the ministries and order within the church. Apostels, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.

Apostles - pioneer missionaries of the early church, started new work, like Paul.

Prophets - those like Agabus and Philip’s daughters who under the inspiration of the Spirit, spoke God’s word to the church.

Evangelists -

Pastors and teachers - primarily responsible for the teaching ministry within the church - the discipleship

What is the ulitimate purpose of these gifts - apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers -

To Equip the saints for the work of ministry!

The word ministry here is the word Diakonia!

ALL members of the body are to do the work of ministry!

Some people attend church only for personal benefit. That’s not what being a member of the body looks like: that’s called being a leech.

God saved you and equipped you for the work of the ministry, the work of service - to build up the body.

Church leaders are equippers!

The entire body of Christ are the ministers!

And when we all work together the church progresses toward it’s goal of full maturity in Christ! This means being fully unified, having full knowledge of Christ, and reaching the full measure of Christ’s stature!

Ephesians 4:14 CSB

Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.

Little children

Tossed around - like a ship in a storm

tricked by human cunning -

I want to remind you that Paul calls the church the body of Christ, with Christ as the head. It makes perfect sense that we should be striving to grow into a body that fits the head!

A healthy church that is mature in measure and stature, fitting the head, is a church that is stable and and has a firm grasp on it’s convictions - feet planted firmly on the ground!

Ephesians 4:15 CSB

But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ.

Ephesians 4:16 CSB

From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.