a4:11
bRom 12:4-8
c1 Cor 12:8-10
e1 Tim 3:1-7

‏ Ephesians 4:11

4:11  a In his letters, Paul has four different lists of God’s gifts (see also Rom 12:4-8  b; 1 Cor 12:8-10  c, 28  d), none of which is comprehensive. Here the focus is on the gifts of leadership most needed for the growth of the church.

• Apostles are divinely commissioned missionary evangelists.

• Prophets speak messages from God for his people.

• Evangelists proclaim the Good News.

• Pastors (literally shepherds) care for God’s people (see 1 Tim 3:1-7  e).

• Teachers expound Scripture and God’s truths to the church.

• Pastors and teachers might refer to separate ministries or to two aspects of the same ministry.
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