Eph 4:13-14 | KingComments | STEP | . “And He”, that is how the verse begins, that has the emphasis. He, Whose great glory and superiority you saw in the previous verses. He has ascended on high and is there the triumphant Man above all things. He has led captive the power that ruled over men. His victory and His power are not visible for the world yet at the moment. Yet He proves already His power in this world. Do you know how? It is because He, as He had promised ( ), gives gifts to the people He has delivered from the power of the enemy. That He gives gifts to the church is proof that He is above all things. The church is in the world, on the territory where satan rules. Yet satan has not a bit of authority over the church, but Christ has all authority. His power is so great that He uses former captives of satan as instruments to also redeem others and to build them up. Now you should read the following very well. It is said: “He gave some …” So it is not that He gave gifts to particular persons. That you can read for example in Romans 12 ( ). There somebody has a gift. The same goes for 1 Corinthians 12 ( ). But here the person himself has been given as a gift to the church by the Lord Jesus. In each gift mentioned here, you see something of what Christ is to His own. He is the Apostle of our confession ( ), the Prophet raised up by God ( ), the Evangelist, Who preached the gospel to the poor ( ), the good, great and chief Shepherd of the sheep ( ; ; ). The first who are mentioned are the apostles. Together with the prophets they have already been mentioned earlier. In Ephesians 2, they are the foundation builders of the church as the house of God ( ). In Ephesians 3, they are those to whom God has made known the mystery of the church in order to pass this on ( ). In both cases it is about a unique event, as building a foundation is something you only do once and a mystery that has been made known doesn’t have to be revealed anymore afterward. As such the apostles and the prophets, who are meant here, do not need successors. You will also search in vain for such a thing as ‘apostolic succession’ in the Bible. We have no apostles anymore. That becomes clearer if you think about the conditions to become an apostle. It is someone who 1. must have seen the Lord Jesus ( ) and 2. must be known by his signs ( ). The same goes for the prophets. It is not about Old Testament prophets. If that were the case, it would not have been said here ‘apostles and prophets’, but ‘prophets and apostles’. No, it is about New Testament prophets who together with the apostles have built the foundation of the church and to whom God has made known the mystery of the church. But even though these gifts are no longer present on earth as persons, we do have their service, namely, their books and letters that we have in the Bible. Apostles are Matthew, John, Peter and Paul and prophets are Mark and Luke. When we read their Gospels and letters and take them to heart, we will be made suitable more and more as members of the church to fulfill the task we have as members. The three following gifts are still as persons among us. Evangelists provide new ‘accretion’ to the church. Shepherds and teachers make sure that these new members get pastoral care, nourishment and teaching. . This is reflected in the multiple purpose that is mentioned in this verse. The service of the gifts is focused on “the saints”. The result of the service is that these saints finally will come to the “measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” ( ). So the gifts are focused on the saints, on you and me, first of all “for the equipping of” us. The meaning of that is that all members of the body will be made aware of which place they have in the body and also which function they fulfill as members. So it is about the functioning of the whole body and that can only happen when every member functions properly. The Lord Jesus cannot be satisfied with an inadequately functioning body. That’s why it is important that every member separately should make use of these gifts. That means to be occupied with God’s Word, by using Bible commentaries from teachers who are faithful to the Scripture, listening to their sermons, attending the gatherings where the Word is being explained and practiced. By the way, this doesn’t mean that we should not examine if the things they write or say are in accordance with God’s Word ( ). In this way members like you and I, are being equipped “for the work of service”. We shall become more and more capable to do the task that the Lord destined for us to do when He added us to the church through the means of His evangelists. This work of service is also not on its own, but is meant for “the building up of the body of Christ”. It is about the whole. You’re not a member just by yourself. It doesn’t work that way in the human body and neither in the spiritual body. Everyone is there for the other and is put to the service of the whole body. So it is not limited to some members of the body who you know and with whom you gather. And that whole body is there for Christ. . The work of the gifts is only ready when “we all attain to the unity of the faith”. As long as there are divisions, there is no ‘unity of the faith’. It is not a confession of faith made by men that in practice separates believers from one another anyway. Therefore each of the gifts that are given by the Lord Jesus is meant to bring all members together on the foundation of the one and whole truth of God. It is not possible to experience this unity of faith and at the same time be a member of a church or group. There is only one truth. And the only membership we read of in the Bible is the membership of the body of Christ. In heaven there will be no difference in views and neither will there be division. There will be unity in believing the one truth. The gifts are working on that already now. They will teach all members together the whole truth of faith. They therefore do not proclaim a number of truths of faith or dogma’s, but a Person. In the unity of faith it is about “the knowledge of the Son of God”. The concern of the gifts is that all members grow together toward Him, and are satisfied with Him Who is the eternal Son.. That is the characteristic of true service, a service that continues until all members have come “to a mature man”, that is until spiritual maturity. Spiritual maturity is measured by the fact that Christ is formed in them ( ). That is the meaning of “the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ”. This is how God measures the growth of the church. God cannot and will never lower that standard. We will heartily agree with that if we have gained an eye for the glory of the Christ of God Who has been given by God to the church. Now read Ephesians 4:11-13 again. Reflection: What is the task of the gifts?

‏ Ephesians 4:13-14

The Purpose of the Gifts

Eph 4:11. “And He”, that is how the verse begins, that has the emphasis. He, Whose great glory and superiority you saw in the previous verses. He has ascended on high and is there the triumphant Man above all things. He has led captive the power that ruled over men. His victory and His power are not visible for the world yet at the moment. Yet He proves already His power in this world. Do you know how? It is because He, as He had promised (Eph 4:8), gives gifts to the people He has delivered from the power of the enemy.

That He gives gifts to the church is proof that He is above all things. The church is in the world, on the territory where satan rules. Yet satan has not a bit of authority over the church, but Christ has all authority. His power is so great that He uses former captives of satan as instruments to also redeem others and to build them up.

Now you should read the following very well. It is said: “He gave some …” So it is not that He gave gifts to particular persons. That you can read for example in Romans 12 (Rom 12:6-8). There somebody has a gift. The same goes for 1 Corinthians 12 (1Cor 12:4-11). But here the person himself has been given as a gift to the church by the Lord Jesus.

In each gift mentioned here, you see something of what Christ is to His own. He is the Apostle of our confession (Heb 3:1), the Prophet raised up by God (Acts 3:22), the Evangelist, Who preached the gospel to the poor (Mt 11:5), the good, great and chief Shepherd of the sheep (Jn 10:11 ; 14; Heb 13:20; 1Pet 5:4).

The first who are mentioned are the apostles. Together with the prophets they have already been mentioned earlier. In Ephesians 2, they are the foundation builders of the church as the house of God (Eph 2:20). In Ephesians 3, they are those to whom God has made known the mystery of the church in order to pass this on (Eph 3:4-5).

In both cases it is about a unique event, as building a foundation is something you only do once and a mystery that has been made known doesn’t have to be revealed anymore afterward. As such the apostles and the prophets, who are meant here, do not need successors. You will also search in vain for such a thing as ‘apostolic succession’ in the Bible. We have no apostles anymore.

That becomes clearer if you think about the conditions to become an apostle. It is someone who

1. must have seen the Lord Jesus (1Cor 9:1) and

2. must be known by his signs (2Cor 12:12).

The same goes for the prophets. It is not about Old Testament prophets. If that were the case, it would not have been said here ‘apostles and prophets’, but ‘prophets and apostles’. No, it is about New Testament prophets who together with the apostles have built the foundation of the church and to whom God has made known the mystery of the church.

But even though these gifts are no longer present on earth as persons, we do have their service, namely, their books and letters that we have in the Bible. Apostles are Matthew, John, Peter and Paul and prophets are Mark and Luke. When we read their Gospels and letters and take them to heart, we will be made suitable more and more as members of the church to fulfill the task we have as members.

The three following gifts are still as persons among us. Evangelists provide new ‘accretion’ to the church. Shepherds and teachers make sure that these new members get pastoral care, nourishment and teaching.

Eph 4:12. This is reflected in the multiple purpose that is mentioned in this verse. The service of the gifts is focused on “the saints”. The result of the service is that these saints finally will come to the “measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:13). So the gifts are focused on the saints, on you and me, first of all “for the equipping of” us. The meaning of that is that all members of the body will be made aware of which place they have in the body and also which function they fulfill as members.

So it is about the functioning of the whole body and that can only happen when every member functions properly. The Lord Jesus cannot be satisfied with an inadequately functioning body. That’s why it is important that every member separately should make use of these gifts. That means to be occupied with God’s Word, by using Bible commentaries from teachers who are faithful to the Scripture, listening to their sermons, attending the gatherings where the Word is being explained and practiced. By the way, this doesn’t mean that we should not examine if the things they write or say are in accordance with God’s Word (Acts 17:11).

In this way members like you and I, are being equipped “for the work of service”. We shall become more and more capable to do the task that the Lord destined for us to do when He added us to the church through the means of His evangelists. This work of service is also not on its own, but is meant for “the building up of the body of Christ”. It is about the whole.

You’re not a member just by yourself. It doesn’t work that way in the human body and neither in the spiritual body. Everyone is there for the other and is put to the service of the whole body. So it is not limited to some members of the body who you know and with whom you gather. And that whole body is there for Christ.

Eph 4:13. The work of the gifts is only ready when “we all attain to the unity of the faith”. As long as there are divisions, there is no ‘unity of the faith’. It is not a confession of faith made by men that in practice separates believers from one another anyway. Therefore each of the gifts that are given by the Lord Jesus is meant to bring all members together on the foundation of the one and whole truth of God.

It is not possible to experience this unity of faith and at the same time be a member of a church or group. There is only one truth. And the only membership we read of in the Bible is the membership of the body of Christ. In heaven there will be no difference in views and neither will there be division. There will be unity in believing the one truth.

The gifts are working on that already now. They will teach all members together the whole truth of faith. They therefore do not proclaim a number of truths of faith or dogma’s, but a Person. In the unity of faith it is about “the knowledge of the Son of God”. The concern of the gifts is that all members grow together toward Him, and are satisfied with Him Who is the eternal Son..

That is the characteristic of true service, a service that continues until all members have come “to a mature man”, that is until spiritual maturity. Spiritual maturity is measured by the fact that Christ is formed in them (Gal 4:19). That is the meaning of “the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ”. This is how God measures the growth of the church. God cannot and will never lower that standard. We will heartily agree with that if we have gained an eye for the glory of the Christ of God Who has been given by God to the church.

Now read Ephesians 4:11-13 again.

Reflection: What is the task of the gifts?

Grow up Into Him Who Is the Head

Eph 4:14. In the previous verses you saw that the Lord Jesus gave gifts to the church with a specific purpose, namely, to come to the fullness of Christ. That purpose will only be perfectly achieved when we are with the Lord in heaven.

But also for here and now a purpose is achieved when the gifts can practice their tasks on you and me. That purpose is that we stand firmly and will not be wiped out immediately when the enemy attacks us. When you and I as members of Christ are filled with the fullness of Christ, the doctrines of the enemy will not get a chance to toss us here and there. The enemy will do his utmost to prevent the members to grow together to be ‘a perfect man’, full of ‘the knowledge of the Son of God’ (Eph 4:13).

One of his tested means is sowing the seed of disunity among the members. He starts with driving a wedge in the unity. To him it doesn’t matter what the theme of the disunity is, whether it is a quarrel about a normal everyday thing, or a wrong doctrine about the Person or the work of Christ, as long as the members get into fights. The result is that the image of the fullness of Christ is not to be seen anymore.

When the members form a unity, when they are together and support each other, they are strong. When they are separated from each other, they are weak. Then the church is not a testimony anymore of the unity of the faith. And when the members are set up against each other, satan’s success really is complete. Because they are not firmly rooted in the teaching of the Scripture, they quickly drift about back and forth, when they hear people preaching their own ‘truth’. And when those ‘preachers’ know how to preach convincingly, they deceive a lot of people. Quite a few of television preachers are living examples of that.

The enemy achieves his greatest success in churches where the believers remain babies or “children”. Those believers do not grow in the truth, they are stunted, immature. They know nothing about the unity of the church and, more seriously, they are not interested in it either. That’s why they have no stability and are an easy victim for sly people who just mislead them with their deceptions. With their deceptions they let the unstable members go astray. Often these believers remain dependent on a specific type of leader.

Every gift, every true servant, feeds a child in faith in a way that it doesn’t stay dependent on him. The true servant becomes happy when he sees that babies in faith are growing more and more into the Lord and more and more independent because of his teaching.

Eph 4:15. In his teaching he shall certainly make use of truth and love. Those are the right ingredients in order to grow into Christ. The verse begins with the word “but”, a word indicating that a contrast to the preceding follows. Truth stands against deceit and error, and love stands against craftiness. Both truth and love are necessary for healthy growth. Truth without love is weak and leads to carnal tolerance.

“Speaking [or: holding to] the truth in love” means that you, as a member of the body, are truthfully in your performance. You live from the truth and you reflect the truth. You do that in a spirit of love. Love is as it were the smell of a good perfume that surrounds you.

This was perfectly seen in Christ. Everything He said and did was truthfully and embedded in love. A result of that is, that what is said without the mind of Christ, is not really true. It comes from the flesh. To ‘impose the truth’ on somebody is not “speaking the truth in love”. I’m afraid that I’m not the only one who shamefully has to admit to have said things that were indeed true, but which were not surrounded by the perfume of love. Truth is only that which is also spoken or hold to in love.

The opposite is also true. Only that is true love that is in accordance with the truth. When you are only friendly and never speak of things that are wrong, you are not truthfully in love. Then love is hypocrisy, just fake. True love will point out the wrong to the other, for that wrong causes harm. When you do that, you prove that you love that person, as you prevent him from harm or you limit the harm.

What goes for the individual also goes for the church as a whole, and that is the main issue here. A companionship that holds to the truth in love is not easily tossed here and there by every wind of doctrine. That is a company of people where every believer has his own firm and inextricable link with Christ, the Head of the body. Together they grow up into Him in everything. All aspects of their common lives are permeated with the features of the Head. As already said, truth and love are the features of Christ. When these are found in His members, the result will be that they will look like Him and they will grow up into Him.

Eph 4:16. In his turn, growing up into Him is also the result of being linked with the Head. From Christ – as the Head of the body – everything flows, what is needed for the body to grow. The point is that the body grows. But the whole body consists of all parts that are linked to each other by joints. For the growth of the body it is necessary that every member grows. There should be no member doing his own thing, taking care of himself, apart from the Head. Such a conduct would obstruct the growth of the whole and can cause imbalance.

It is God’s purpose that each member grows by being linked with the Head. In this way every member will be able to work in such a way as is suited to the position he has in the body. The ‘teamwork’ between the members mutually will occur harmoniously. The joints, the invisible links between the members, will not do their job squeaking and creakingly.

God has decided the measure of every member. No member has to do more, but should neither do less than is appropriate to do. A hand should do only the work of the hand. It must not want to do the work of the foot or add that to his work, as that will break the balance of the body. Then the whole body is not visible anymore, but only some functions which also ‘perform’ even badly. In this way the Head, Who loves to see His reflection in His whole body, is dishonored.

When the members serve each other and make each other happy, it is the result of Christ’s work in them. He serves and makes happy. When the work of Christ can be manifested in this way in the members, they will together show Christ on earth. When the body functions that way from the Head, it builds itself up. Through the service the members serve each other with, they will grow up into Him, Who is the Head.

This rich verse ends with the words “in love”. Love is, just as for speaking the truth, the only suitable ‘climate’ in which the growth can be realized at its best.

Now read Ephesians 4:14-16 again.

Reflection: What is the point of these verses for you?