Ephesians 4:11

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [ Autos (G846)] 'Himself,' by His supreme power. 'It is HE that gave,' etc. (the same One as HE in Ephesians 4:10.) GAVE SOME, APOSTLES. Their marks were a call from Christ Himself (Galatians 1:1): the working of miracles (2 Corinthians 12:12); the superintendence of the churches in all lands (Matthew 28:19;...

He returns to explain the distribution of gifts, and illustrates at greater length what he had slightly hinted, that out of this variety arises unity in the church, as the various tones in music produce sweet melody. The meaning may be thus summed up. “The external ministry of the word is also commended, on account of the advantages which it yields. Certain men appointed to that office, are employed in preaching the gospel. This is the arrangement by which the Lord is pleased to govern his church, to maintain its existence, and ultimately to secure its highest perfection.” It may excite surprise, that, when the gifts of the Holy Spirit form the subject of discussion, Paul should enumerate offices instead of gifts. I reply, when men are called by God, gifts are necessarily connected with offices. God does not confer on men the mere name of Apostles or Pastors, but also endows them with gi...

7-16 Unto every believer is given some gift of grace, for their mutual help. All is given as seems best to Christ to bestow upon every one. He received for them, that he might give to them, a large measure of gifts and graces; particularly the gift of the Holy Ghost. Not a mere head knowledge, or bare acknowledging Christ to be the Son of God, but such as brings trust and obedience. There is a fulness in Christ, and a measure of that fulness given in the counsel of God to every believer; but we never come to the perfect measure till we come to heaven. God's children are growing, as long as they are in this world; and the Christian's growth tends to the glory of Christ. The more a man finds himself drawn out to improve in his station, and according to his measure, all that he has received, to the spiritual good of others, he may the more certainly believe that he has the grace of sincere...

Verse 11. _HE GAVE SOME, APOSTLES_] He established several _offices_ in his Church; furnished these with the proper _officers_; and, to qualify them for their work, gave them the proper _gifts_. For a full illustration of this verse, the reader is requested to refer to the notes on 1 Corinthians 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:28; and to the concluding observations at the end of that chapter....

AND HE GAVE SOME, APOSTLES - He gave some to be apostles. The “object” here is to show that he has made ample provision for the extension and edification of his church On the meaning of the word “apostles,” and on their appointment by the Saviour, see the notes on Matthew 10:1. AND SOME, PROPHETS - He appointed some to be prophets; see the Romans 12:7, note; 1 Corinthians 12:28, note; 1 Corinthians 14:1, notes. AND SOME, EVANGELISTS - see the notes on...

EXPOSITION PRACTICAL PORTION OF THE EPISTLE. EPHESIANS 4:1 CHURCH PRINCIPLE OF GROWTH AND PROGRESS; THE CHURCH A BODY. EPHESIANS 4:1 I THEREFORE. Inference not only from last chapter, but the whole Epistle. Paul's interest in the Ephesians led him to a double application of the great subject which he had expounded: (1) to ask God on their behalf that he would bestow on them the full measure of the blessing to which of his grace they were entitled ...

AND HE GAVE SOME APOSTLES,.... That is, he gave them gifts by which they were qualified to be apostles; who were such as were immediately called by Christ, and had their doctrine from him, and their commission to preach it; and were peculiarly and infallibly guided by the Spirit of God, and had a power to work miracles for the confirmation of their doctrine; and had authority to go everywhere and preach the Gospel, and plant churches, and were not confined to anyone particular place or church; this was the first and chief office in the church, and of an extraordinary kind, and is now ceased; and though the apostles were before Christ's ascension, yet they had not received till then the fulness of the Spirit, and his extraordinary gifts to fit them for their office; nor did they enter upon the discharge of it in its large extent till that time; for they were not only to bear witness of Ch...

Ephesians 4:1. _I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;_ It is a loving call. Walk lovingly. It is the condescension of God that called you. Be, therefore, lowly. It is God in tenderness who has loved you. Be, therefore, meek, «forbearing one another in love.» Ephesians 4:3. _Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all._ Therefore, strive for unity. Woe unto those who divide believers that rob

GAVE In (1 Corinthians 12:8), the Spirit is seen as enduing the members of the body of Christ with spiritual gifts, or enablements for a varied service; here, certain Spirit-endued men, namely, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, are themselves the gifts whom the glorified Christ bestows upon His body the church. In Corinthians, the gifts are spiritual enablements for specific service; in Ephesians, the gifts are men who have such enablements. SOME The Lord, in bestowing the gifted men, determines, providentially, (for example); (Acts 11:22), or directly through the Spirit, (for example); (Acts 13:1); ...

2. THE MINISTRY AND ITS PURPOSE CHAPTER 4:7-16 _ 1. Ministry according to the measure of the gift of Christ (Ephesians 4:7)_ 2. The needed and permanent gifts (Ephesians 4:11) 3. The purpose and the goad (Ephesians 4:12) Each member in the body of Christ has a specific place for a specific work. See Romans 12:4 and 1 Corinthians 12:4. And the bestowal of gifts for service in the body is in His hands. He ascended upon high and triumphed over all enemies. He led captivity captive and gave gifts unt