Different by Design

Ephesians 4:7 “7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”

Grace. Unmerited favor, and denotes enablement.

moves from “all” to “each one of us”

diversity (cf. Rom 12:4–5; 1 Cor 12:4–29).

Quote on screen

“Grace…In this context, it is a particular enablement given to each believer to empower them for ministry…Hence, each believer has received from Christ a measure of a gift to be used in a particular function in the body…” ~Harold Hoehner

Romans 12:6–8 “6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”

Ephesians 4:8 “8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.””

Ephesians 4:9 “9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?”

“Paul is not merely quoting one verse but the entire narrative movement of the psalm.”-Timothy Gombis (Professor of NT at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary at Cornerstone University)

Ephesians 4:10 “10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)”

“The point that Paul is trying to make is the fact that Christ, who ascended as victor, has the right to give gifts. For if Christ had been defeated, he would yet be in his grave and spiritual gifts would be useless to those whom he could not redeem.”~Harold Hoehner (quote not on screen)

Ephesians 4:11 “11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,”

Ephesians 4:12 “12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,”

Ephesians 4:13 “13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,”

Ephesians 4:14 “14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.”

Ephesians 4:15 “15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,”

Ephesians 4:16 “16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”