Free Bible Commentary
“Ephesians 4:7-13”
Categories: Ephesians“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, ‘WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.’ (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) 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.”
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Since God has given “to each one of us grace” (verse 7), we must do our part to “preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (verse 3). God has given each individual Christian the full “measure” of “Christ’s gift” of saving grace and eternal salvation. Each and every member of a local church of Christ is responsible to contribute to the peace and unity of their spiritual family. No one is left out. No one is unimportant. No one is exempt from this responsibility. What Christ did for one, He did for all, and each of us must be grateful and responsible.
When Jesus arose from the grave, and “ascended on high” (verse 8) to the right hand of the Father in heaven, “He led captive a host of captives” (Psalm 68:18). This speaks to the victory that Christ secured over Satan and his forces of evil when He tasted death, but then defeated it, and ascended “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named” (Ephesians 1:21). Paul wrote in Colossians 2:15, “When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.”
Christ reigned and reigns triumphant over all His physical and spiritual creation, and to the Victor go the spoils. That is really the subject matter of Psalm 68 that Paul quotes in today’s verses. King David sings the praises of the Lord who returns to His people in total and complete triumph over His enemies. In this victory psalm, verse 18 actually reads, “You have ascended on high, You have led captive Your captives; You have received gifts among men, even among the rebellious also, that the LORD God may dwell there.” The Lord “received gifts” but He did not, and does not, keep them for himself. Paul, in citing this Old Testament verse, said that God “gave” gifts to men.
More on Ephesians 4:7-13 and these wonderful “gifts” for tomorrow.
Please come worship God with us today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ!
3741 Taylorsville Road. 9:30 AM Bible class. 10:30 AM worship period. 5:00 PM worship period.
Have a blessed Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
