Ephesians 4:7-13

Our gift from Christ is based on His grace.

God has given every believer gifts. These gifts are meant to be used for the building of His church. The gift is based on Christ’s design and will. We do not choose the gift or earn the gift. Jesus gives it to us based on what He desires. It is not something that we deserve or necessarily desire. It is a free gift that Jesus gives.

When Jesus ascended on high is a reference to he ascension of Jesus Christ after his resurrection. In the old testament when a king would win a battle he would take his captives and lead them through the city as a display of defeat. He would also require a payment from the defeated king. Paul points out that Jesus has set his captives free and given them gifts. When Jesus was resurrected from the dead he defeated sin and death. Those that make Him their Lord are prisoners of Christ that have been set free from the captivity of Satan. Where Satan keeps people in bondage and steals from them, Jesus set the captives free and gives them gifts.

The descention of Christ refers to His incarnation as a man. He stepped out of His glory to take on flesh of humanity. This is a tremendous descention. Just to think, He moved from a place of constant worship to a place that He was despised by his creation. He was so despised that they saw fit to treat him as a criminal and kill him. This is the depth by which his love went for us. That He would leave His glory to be treated as a criminal.

When Jesus subjected himself to the humble state of humanity and died a cruel death on a cross, the Father glorified Him back to His original state. However, this time He was able to save the creation that nailed him to a cross. Wow! What grace! this is the ascention that Paul is referring to. Jesus Christ will never have to subject himself to humanity ever again. He is Lord of all.

Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists , Pastors and Teachers

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary

apostles. See note on 2:20. A term used particularly of the 12 disciples who had seen the risen Christ (Ac 1:22), including Matthias, who replaced Judas. Later, Paul was uniquely set apart as the apostle to the Gentiles (Gal 1:15–17) and was numbered with the other apostles. He, too, miraculously encountered Jesus at his conversion on the Damascus Road (Ac 9:1–9; Gal 1:15–17). Those apostles were chosen directly by Christ, so as to be called “apostles of Jesus Christ” (Gal 1:1; 1Pe 1:1). They were given 3 basic responsibilities: 1) to lay the foundation of the church (2:20); 2) to receive, declare and write God’s Word (3:5; Ac 11:28; 21:10, 11); and 3) to give confirmation of that Word through signs, wonders, and miracles (2Co 12:12; cf. Ac 8:6, 7; Heb 2:3, 4). The term “apostle” is used in more general ways of other men in the early church, such as Barnabas (Ac 14:4), Silas, Timothy (1Th 2:6), and others (Ro 16:7; Php 2:25). They are called “messengers (or apostles) of the churches” (2Co 8:23), rather than “apostles of Jesus Christ” like the 13. They were not self-perpetuating, nor was any apostle who died replaced

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary

prophets. See note on 2:20. Not ordinary believers who had the gift of prophecy but specially commissioned men in the early church. The office of prophet seems to have been exclusively for work within a local congregation. They were not “sent ones” as were the apostles (see Ac 13:1–4), but, as with the apostles, their office ceased with the completion of the NT. They sometimes spoke practical direct revelation for the church from God (Ac 11:21–28) or expounded revelation already given (implied in Ac 13:1). They were not used for the reception of Scripture. Their messages were to be judged by other prophets for validity (1Co 14:32) and had to conform to the teaching of the apostles (v. 37). Those two offices were replaced by the evangelists and teaching pastors.

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary

evangelists. Men who proclaim the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ to unbelievers. Cf. the use of this term in Ac 21:8; 2Ti 4:5. The related verb translated “to preach the gospel” is used 54 times and the related noun translated “gospel” is used 76 times in the NT

MacArthur Study Bible NASB Commentary

pastors and teachers. This phrase is best understood in context as a single office of leadership in the church. The Gr. word translated “and” can mean “in particular” (see 1Ti 5:17). The normal meaning of pastor is “shepherd,” so the two functions together define the teaching shepherd. He is identified as one who is under the “great Shepherd” Jesus (Heb 13:20, 21; 1Pe 2:25). One who holds this office is also called an “elder” (see notes on Tit 1:5–9) and “bishop,” or “overseer” (see notes on 1Ti 3:1–7). Ac 20:28 and 1Pe 5:1, 2 bring all 3 terms together.

These Offices are meant to equip the saints and build up the church.

The reason God gives gifts is to carry on His redemptive purposes through the church. God has provided leaders with certain gifts that will prepare the church to do the work of the Lord. The Leaders primary function is to prepare the people of the church to do the work of the Lord.

As one can see, the apsotles laid the foundation of the church, The prophets taught the unwritten word of God, The evangelist traveled to share the gospel to the churches, pastors and teachers were given to make disciples .