Building Strong Churches (Eph 4:1-6:23)

The Church: The Power To Grow (4:1-)

THE PLAN FOR A UNITY IN THE CHURCH: DEVELOPMENT - Resources of the church

Ephesians 4:7-16

Reading:

Songs:

Themes:

INTRODUCTION

A. Last time we examined “THE PLEA FOR A UNIFIED CHURCH: DEDICATION - Conduct of the Church” (Eph 4:1-6). Now let’s examine “THE PLAN FOR A UNITY IN THE CHURCH: DEVELOPMENT - Resources of the church.”

Discussion

I. GIFTS WERE GIVEN (4:7-10).

A. When he ascended ... he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men ... (4:7-8).

KJV

7 But <1161> unto every <1538> one <1520> of us <2257> is given <1325> (5681) grace <5485> according to <2596> the measure <3358> of the gift <1431> of Christ <5547>.

Textus Receptus

7 eni <1520> {A-DSM} de <1161> {CONJ} ekastw <1538> {A-DSM} hmwn <2257> {P-<1>GP} edoyh <1325> (5681) {V-API-<3>S} h <3588> {T-NSF} cariv <5485> {N-NSF} kata <2596> {PREP} to <3588> {T-ASN} metron <3358> {N-ASN} thv <3588> {T-GSF} dwreav <1431> {N-GSF} tou <3588> {T-GSM} cristou <5547> {N-GSM}

1. The contextual reference to “gifts” is probably to the miraculous gifts which the Holy Spirit bestowed on some people.

a. Certain tools were necessary for the church to mature and gifts were part of the Christian soldiers arsenal.

b. Most of the New Testament had not been written when Paul wrote the epistle to the Ephesians; and therefore, God provided special gifts to supply the infant church for their special needs.

(1) These gifts were given "according to the measure of the gift of Christ," that is, according to his sovereign purpose (Heb ).

(2) Today we mature by partaking of the word of God, which these gifts provided (Jer 31:33; Acts 20:32; Heb. 5:12-14; 1Pe 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18).

c. Paul listed the miraculous gifts (1Co 12:8-10).

(1) The "word of wisdom" appears to have been the doctrine of the gospel communicated by inspiration (cf. 1Co 2:6-13; Col 1:28; 2Pe 3:15).

(2) The "word of knowledge" may have been the power to retain the "word of wisdom."

(3) "Faith" in this verse was not the faith that comes from hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17), but that miraculous faith (cf. Mat 17:20; 1Co 13:2).

(4) "Gifts (plural) of healing" could indicate one of two things:

(a) All kinds of ailments were healed, or

(b) different ones had specific ability to heal specific diseases.

(5) "Prophecy" was not restricted to the prediction of the future, but it had to do with forth-telling or teaching (Act 13:1; 19:6).

(6) "Discerning of spirits" enabled one to determine if another was speaking by the Spirit of God or was a pretender.

(7) "Divers kinds of tongues" were different languages which they had never studied, but which God enabled them to speak (Act 2:4-8; cf. Act 19:6).

(8) "Interpretation of tongues" enabled one to make known the tongue in which another was speaking (1Co 14:27-28).

d. Those gifts didn’t change their talents but rather enhanced them.

e. The gifts enabled them to know the truth, marked them as having been sent of God (Joh 3:2) and to attract attention to the truth (Act 4:7-10).

8 Wherefore <1352> he saith <3004> (5719), When he ascended <305> (5631) up <1519> on high <5311>, he led captivity <162> (5656) captive <161>, and <2532> gave <1325> (5656) gifts <1390> unto men <444>.

8 dio <1352> {CONJ} legei <3004> (5719) {V-PAI-<3>S} anabav <305> (5631) {V-<2>AAP-NSM} eiv <1519> {PREP} uqov <5311> {N-ASN} hcmalwteusen <162> (5656) {V-AAI-<3>S} aicmalwsian <161> {N-ASF} kai <2532> {CONJ} edwken <1325> (5656) {V-AAI-<3>S} domata <1390> {N-APN} toiv <3588> {T-DPM} anyrwpoiv <444> {N-DPM}

2. The giving of gifts came after Jesus ascended back to heaven as he told the apostles (Joh 16:7).

a. Christ, by his death and ascension, has taken captive those things - sin (Joh 8:34), from fear of death (Heb 2:15), and when he comes again, he will redeem us from the captivity of death itself (1 Cor. 15:54-57; cf. Col 2:15). With the overcoming of sin, comes the destruction of the power of death (1Co 15:56a).

b. Verse 8, a quotation of Psalm 68:19, declares that David had written prophetically of Christ, declaring that Jesus had the capability to give "gifts unto men."

B. (4:9-10).

9 (Now <1161> that he ascended <305> (5627), what <5101> is it <2076> (5748) but <1508> that <3754> he <2597> <0> also <2532> descended <2597> (5627) first <4412> into <1519> the lower <2737> parts <3313> of the earth <1093>?

9 to <3588> {T-NSN} de <1161> {CONJ} anebh <305> (5627) {V-<2>AAI-<3>S} ti <5101> {I-NSN} estin <1510> (5748) {V-PXI-<3>S} ei <1487> {COND} mh <3361> {PRT-N} oti <3754> {CONJ} kai <2532> {CONJ} katebh <2597> (5627) {V-<2>AAI-<3>S} prwton <4412> {ADV} eiv <1519> {PREP} ta <3588> {T-APN} katwtera <2737> {A-APN-C} merh <3313> {N-APN} thv <3588> {T-GSF} ghv <1093> {N-GSF}

1. There is some question as to what “lower parts of the earth” means (v 9).

a. Some scriptures are difficult to understand, "But to say that some are difficult is not to say that they are incapable of being understood. Some are difficult because we have not done sufficient study. Often we have difficulty because we are not knowledgeable of the times in which the passage is couched. Others are difficult because not enough information is available in Scripture to find the answer. Some are difficult because the student has some false doctrine to defend. Others may be more difficult because they serve as the "strong meat" so necessary for maturity in the kingdom of God. This writer has been asked, "Why are not all passages in the Bible simple and easy to read and comprehend?" That would be the equivalent of asking why all food is not milk. The mature must have strong food in order to grow even more and become more mature and capable of guiding others in truth." ^[1]

b. The word `ascended' in this verse implies that he also descended (cp. Joh 3:13) declaring, the pre-existence of Christ with God. He had glory with the Father before the world was (Joh 17:5; cf. Joh 1:1) and before he came into the world (Mat 22:32; Joh 1:14; 3:13; 8:58; Php 2:5-9).

c. There is no question scripturally that Jesus was originally in heaven with God and was God (Joh 1:1) but what did Jesus do when he descended into the lower parts of the earth?

d. The phrase "lower parts of the earth" has received numerous explanations: Hades, the grave, and Hell.

(1) "lower parts of the earth," literal means a cavern or hidden area in the midst of the earth and has so been used in scripture.

(a) The term "the heart of the earth" was used to describe the place of Jesus' stay for "three days and three nights."

(b) Though when Jesus was buried, having so to speak, descended into the borrowed grave of Joseph of Arimathaea, and three days later, ascended from his grave when he rose from the dead, this is not the meaning of verse 9.

(2) Matthew used "lowest parts of the earth" to refer to the womb, indicating the symbolic use of this phrase. (Psa 139:13-15; Mat 12:40).

(3) “lower parts of the earth” was used of the earth in opposition to heaven (Isa 44:23).

(4) Jesus' "descent" was his incarnation, or his descent from Heaven, the highest and most exalted place, to earth, a lowly place (cp. Php 2:5-7).

(5) Other passages which use this terminology (e.g., Psa 63:9; Isa 44:23) would not be understood using the literal meaning.

10 He <846> that descended <2597> (5631) is <2076> (5748) the same also <2532> that ascended up <305> (5631) far above <5231> all <3956> heavens <3772>, that <2443> he might fill <4137> (5661) all things <3956>.)

10 o <3588> {T-NSM} katabav <2597> (5631) {V-<2>AAP-NSM} autov <846> {P-NSM} estin <1510> (5748) {V-PXI-<3>S} kai <2532> {CONJ} o <3588> {T-NSM} anabav <305> (5631) {V-<2>AAP-NSM} uperanw <5231> {ADV} pantwn <3956> {A-GPM} twn <3588> {T-GPM} ouranwn <3772> {N-GPM} ina <2443> {CONJ} plhrwsh <4137> (5661) {V-AAS-<3>S} ta <3588> {T-APN} panta <3956> {A-APN}

2. We know the one who descended and ascended was Jesus, because it is he that the scriptures declare fills all things (Eph 1:23).

a. In him all things consist (see Col. 1:17).

b. As Jesus ascended to heaven so will the faithful who are found in him.

Transition: We knowing that gifts were given but to whom were they given.

II. TO WHOM THE GIFTS WERE GIVEN (4:11).

A. And he gave some ... (4:11).

11 And <2532> he <846> gave <1325> (5656) some <3303>, apostles <652>; and <1161> some, prophets <4396>; and <1161> some, evangelists <2099>; and <1161> some, pastors <4166> and <2532> teachers <1320>;

11 kai <2532> {CONJ} autov <846> {P-NSM} edwken <1325> (5656) {V-AAI-<3>S} touv <3588> {T-APM} men <3303> {PRT} apostolouv <652> {N-APM} touv <3588> {T-APM} de <1161> {CONJ} profhtav <4396> {N-APM} touv <3588> {T-APM} de <1161> {CONJ} euaggelistav <2099> {N-APM} touv <3588> {T-APM} de <1161> {CONJ} poimenav <4166> {N-APM} kai <2532> {CONJ} didaskalouv <1320> {N-APM}

1. The term "apostles" referred specifically to the twelve (Mathias having replaced Judas) and the apostle Paul, not generally to those appointed by men (Act 14:14; Heb 3:1).

a. They were those who had witnesses to the Lord after he raised form the dead (Act 1:21-22; 10:41; 22:14-15; 26:16; 1Co 15:5-8; 1Jo 1:1-3).

(1) They had been personally been commissioned by Jesus (Mat 10:2-4).

(2) The Lord had promised to send the Holy Spirit to the apostles to teach them all things and bring all things to their remembrance (Joh 14:26; 15:26; 16:13).

(3) They had special inspiration (Joh 14:26; 16:13-16; Eph 2:20; 3:5).

(4) They had authority (Gal 1:8-9).

(5) They set in order what things were to be taught and practiced by Christians.

2. The term "prophets" referred to the New Testament prophets, such as Silas, Agabus, and others (Act 11:27-28; 13:1; 15:32).

a. Somewhat similar to the apostles, they made known God’s will.

b. Their service supplemented that of the apostles.

3. The term "evangelists" referred to those such as Philip (Act 21:8), Timothy (2Ti 4:5) upon whom some gift had been bestowed by the laying on of the hands of apostles such as Paul (2Ti 1:6) and Titus, who went about preaching Christ.

4. The term pastors (also called "overseers" (Act 20:28), "bishops" (Ti 1:7), "elders" (Act 20:17), and "shepherds" (1Pe 5:4) referred to those set apart to the specific care of the congregation.

a. They were given power even to lay hands on the sick and restore their health (cp. Jam 5:13-15).

B. Elsewhere we’re told that other also were given miraculous gifts.

Transition: Paul continued in this discussion of the gifts to explain the purpose for which the gifts were given.

III. THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH THE GIFTS WERE GIVEN (4:12-16).

Maturity

A. ... for the ... body of Christ ... (4:12-14).

12 For <4314> the perfecting <2677> of the saints <40>, for <1519> the work <2041> of the ministry <1248>, for <1519> the edifying <3619> of the body <4983> of Christ <5547>:

12 prov <4314> {PREP} ton <3588> {T-ASM} katartismon <2677> {N-ASM} twn <3588> {T-GPM} agiwn <40> {A-GPM} eiv <1519> {PREP} ergon <2041> {N-ASN} diakoniav <1248> {N-GSF} eiv <1519> {PREP} oikodomhn <3619> {N-ASF} tou <3588> {T-GSN} swmatov <4983> {N-GSN} tou <3588> {T-GSM} cristou <5547> {N-GSM}

1. “For the” (v 12).

a. “perfecting of the saints”

(1) The gifts given to some were for the purpose of instructing the saints in the full and complete will of God.

b. “the work of the ministry”

(1) Many have abused the term ministry and use it to mean a means of making an income, the sale of Jesus.

(2) ministry, Strong’s - 1248. diakonia DIAKONIA dee-ak-on-ee’-ah; from 1249; attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the Christian teacher, or techn. of the diaconate):— (ad-)minister(-ing, -tration, -try), office, relief, service(-ing).

1248 diakonia diakonia dee-ak-on-ee’-ah from 1249; TDNT-2:87,152; n f AV-ministry 16, ministration 6, ministering 3, misc 9; 34 1) service, ministering, esp. of those who execute the commands of others 2) of those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men 2a) of the office of Moses 2b) of the office of the apostles and its administration 2c) of the office of prophets, evangelists, elders etc. 3) the ministration of those who render to others the offices of Christian affection esp. those who help meet need by either collecting or distributing of charities 4) the office of the deacon in the church 5) the service of those who prepare and present food

(a) There are two different words in the original language of the New Testament (Greek) which designate the work of service:

i) the work of preaching (ERGON EVANGELISTES)

ii) the work of serving (ERGON DIAKONIAS) as with the sick and the hungry

iii) In context, ministry refers to the work of service of serving to the wants of the afflicted.

c. the edifying of the body of Christ”

(1) edifying, Strong’s - 3619. oikodomh OIKODOME oy-kod-om-ay’; feminine (abstract) of a compound of 3624 and the base of 1430; architecture, i.e. (concretely) a structure; figuratively, confirmation:— building, edify(-ication, -ing).

3619 oikodomh oikodome oy-kod-om-ay’ feminine (abstract) of a compound of 3624 and the base of 1430; TDNT-5:144,674; n f AV-edifying 7, building 6, edification 4, wherewith (one) may edify 1; 18 1) (the act of) building, building up 2) metaph. edifying, edification 2a) the act of one who promotes another’s growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness, holiness 3) a building (i.e. the thing built, edifice)

(a) The idea here is that of leading people to obedience so the Lord can add them to his church and of building up their character as members of the Lord’s church.

(b) If the saints would seek to build up their spiritual character through increasing their knowledge of the truth and obedience to it, if they would give themselves to caring for the needy and helpless, converting people to the Lord and encouraging faithfulness in the church would be easier.

13 Till <3360> we all <3956> come <2658> (5661) in <1519> the unity <1775> of the faith <4102>, and <2532> of the knowledge <1922> of the Son <5207> of God <2316>, unto <1519> a perfect <5046> man <435>, unto <1519> the measure <3358> of the stature <2244> of the fulness <4138> of Christ <5547>:

13 mecri <3360> {ADV} katanthswmen <2658> (5661) {V-AAS-<1>P} oi <3588> {T-NPM} pantev <3956> {A-NPM} eiv <1519> {PREP} thn <3588> {T-ASF} enothta <1775> {N-ASF} thv <3588> {T-GSF} pistewv <4102> {N-GSF} kai <2532> {CONJ} thv <3588> {T-GSF} epignwsewv <1922> {N-GSF} tou <3588> {T-GSM} uiou <5207> {N-GSM} tou <3588> {T-GSM} yeou <2316> {N-GSM} eiv <1519> {PREP} andra <435> {N-ASM} teleion <5046> {A-ASM} eiv <1519> {PREP} metron <3358>