Ephesians 4:11-13

Day 33

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13

For the Equipping of the Saints
Ephesians chapter 4 delves into the critical attributes that should be common in a unified church.  A unified church begins with right attitudes such as humility, gentleness, patience, and love. A unified church also embraces right theology, especially concerning the triune work of God in the hope of our salvation by faith in Christ alone.  In this section of Ephesians 4, verses 7-13, Paul focused the church’s attention on the leadership God designed in order to deepen the unity of the church.  In the church, the leadership’s primary role concerns the development of each and every believer in their theological understanding as they use their gifts.  Knowing “how” and “why” we serve mitigates the misuse of spiritual gifts. “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6 Affirmation of right theology especially around these themes is critical. The listing of these theological truths is then followed by divinely appointed leadership to teach the depths of these truths.  Paul told the Corinthian church that concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware.  (I Corinthians 12:1) Again, right knowledge must proceed right gifting.

All believers have gifts that function within the ministry of the church for the mutual encouraging of the church.  However, using various gifts without a proper theological foundation leads to trouble.  The church at Corinth struggled mightily in this area of gifting.  Some in the church lorded over others through their view of superiority of gifting when compared to others.  The patronizing by some destroyed the unity of the church.  Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (I Corinthians 12:4-7) The gifts are for the common good. When gifts drive the user of gifts to help the community of believers, then unity grows.

In this case Paul told the church that the source of reliable, theological training came from apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors/teachers.  The apostles and prophets provide the foundational training of the church.  Remember what Paul said in Ephesians 2. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone. (Ephesians 2:19-20) In this text, the equipping of the saints, concerns the theological knowledge of the church.  In the verse that follows, Paul told the church that we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming. (Ephesians 4:14)  Paul told Timothy, the pastor at Ephesus, that All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.  (2 Timothy 3:16-17) The apostles and prophets provided scripture for the church.  Notice the same language here as in Ephesians.  The apostles and prophets, the scripture, equip believers to do the things needed for the proper functioning of the church.

Suggested Prayer:  God, teach me Your Word.  I submit my life to the authority and truth of the scripture.  Use that knowledge to refine my motives and to grant me the opportunity to build up the church through the gifts You have given to me.  I pray, Oh God, use me for the good of other believers.

Ephesians