Ephesians 4:7-16

Your life is much bigger than a good job, an understanding spouse, and non-delinquent kids. It is bigger than beautiful gardens, nice vacations, and fashionable clothes. In reality, you are part of something immense, something that began before you were born and will continue after you die. God is rescuing fallen humanity, transporting them into his kingdom, and progressively changing them into his likeness—and he wants you to be part of it.

Christ gives gifts to the church so that we might serve.

Ephesians 4:7–10 ESV

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

7

is a refrence from .

Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament Ephesians 4:7–11

Thus in 68:17–18 the psalm summarizes the military victories that God gave to his people as he led them from Sinai to Jerusalem. The gifts that God received “among humanity” (bāʾādām [sg.]) are the booty of war and the tribute that conquered peoples pay to him. These victories are God’s victories over his enemies and for his people. They bring to a triumphant conclusion his march with his people from Egypt to Sinai to Jerusalem.

Thus in 68:17–18 the psalm summarizes the military victories that God gave to his people as he led them from Sinai to Jerusalem. The gifts that God received “among humanity” are the booty of war and the tribute that conquered peoples pay to him. These victories are God’s victories over his enemies and for his people. They bring to a triumphant conclusion his march with his people from Egypt to Sinai to Jerusalem.

A precursor to the gifts given by Christ is his victory! The gifts represent the spoils of war and conquest. This is a discussion that takes into consideration the finished work of Christ! The basis of the gifts are Christ finished work.

In the discussion it is important to think that Christ ascended from earth to heaven. However before he ascended from earth to heaven he descended from heaven to earth.

Ephesians 4:7–8 ESV

7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”

Ephesians 4:7–16 ESV

7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 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, 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. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 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.

eph 4

Everybody in the body matters.

“EACH ONE Of US”

Ephesians 4:7 ESV

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

We must exercise our spiritual gifts so that the church is edified.

Ephesians 4:11–12 ESV

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 4

The term apostles primarily refers to people sent with a divine mission or task. They also served as spokesmen for God, bringing new revelation and understanding to the church.

Ephesians 4:11–13 ESV

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 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,

Apostles - primarily refers to people sent with a divine mission or task. They also served as spokesmen for God, bringing new revelation and understanding to the church.

Prophets - revealed God’s will to believers for the present (forthtelling) and predicted the future (foretelling).

revealed God’s will to believers for the present (forthtelling) and predicted the future (foretelling).

Evangelists - were gifted to spread the gospel and plant churches. Evangelists proclaimed the good news in word and deed and instructed others in evangelism.

were gifted to spread the gospel and plant churches. Evangelists proclaimed the good news in word and deed and instructed others in evangelism.

Daniel B. Wallace, “Perseverance of the Saints,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1876.

Shepherd - The one who oversees and teaches the church.

Ephesians 4:11–14 ESV

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 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, 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.

eph 4 11-

What do shepherds do?

They equip the saints for the work of ministry. - The saints to the work of ministry - the shepherd equips them to do that.

Don’t mistake unity in the body for uniformity.

Many Southern Baptist Church in 2019 - Have this paid ministry mentality that is unbiblical.

If I am the one primarily responsible for doing all the ministry then the ministry of RBC is going to be limited to me!

God makes us unique. He gives diverse gifts to the one body in order that we might be edified.

We must utilize our spiritual gifts so that the church is sanctified.

Ephesians 4:13–16 ESV

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, 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. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 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.

Ephesians 4:14–16 ESV

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. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 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.

Christ’s spiritual gifts gifts are gives