| |
EPHESIANS 4:11-16
THE COMMUNICATION SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND GROWTH
Verse 11, the provision of the gifts
1. And He gave: This is a present active indicative of didomi, and refers to a
specific point in time that the Lord Jesus Christ gave gifts to the church.
A. It was planned in the counsel of the divine decrees.
Psalm 68:18
B. It was provided in the point of time that Jesus was
accepted by the Father in His session to the
Father's right hand.
C. It was administered by God the Holy Spirit in two
stages.
1. On the day of Pentecost:
This is the initial arrival of the Holy Spirit to the church,
and
with the Spirit came the gifts.
2. Subsequent to Pentecost, the
gift is given to the individual believer at the point of salvation when the
Holy
Spirit comes to indwell the believer. 1 Cor. 12:4-11; 1 Peter 4:10; Rom.
12:4-6
We know
this because EVERYONE has received a gift. This can only be the case if
everyone
receives it at the point of salvation.
2. Some apostles: The was the primary communication gift during the pre-canon
period of the church (the period of time between 30 and c. 90 AD).
It was limited to that period of time and therefore is a temporary gift.
A. The apostles actually received and administered
divine revelation
to the church and established a
body of doctrine to be followed.
B. There were only 12 apostles and the gift ceased when
those died.
C. Initially, they were primarily evangelistic in
function, and are later
replaced by the permanent gift
of evangelist.
D. See topic: Gift of Apostle
3. And: the Greek connective, DE, indicates addition in this sentence.
Each gift is introduced by this little word. This is important to know because
when the last gift is listed, it is a combination of two nouns that are joined
by KAI, the normal connective - and. This gives the two words a hyphenated
effect so that the two refer to one gift; pastor-teacher.
Both A. T. Robertson and Kenneth Wuest recognize this construction in the
Greek, as well as do most authorities.
4. some prophets: the prophAtAs is one who primarily spoke FORTH the word, but
also quite often received direct revelation from God (Eph. 3:5; 1 Cor. 14:30).
This was a pre-canon revelation gift that provided both doctrine and guidance.
Two passages show us the provision of doctrine.
(a) Romans 12:6 tells us that the teaching of the prophet was to be in
agreement with THE faith, and reflected the teachings of Christ and the
apostles.
(b) 1 Corinthians 14:3 tells us that the teaching of the prophet provided
edification, comfort and exhortation.
Several passages in Acts show us the guidance aspect of this gift.
Agabus is the best example as seen at Acts 11:27-28;
21:10-11.
See topic: Gift of Prophet
5. And (de) some evangelists: This is a permanent gift designed to proclaim
the gospel of salvation to unbelievers. It replaces the apostle gift as the
primary ambassadorship gift.
See topic: gift of evangelist
6. And (de) some pastor-and-teachers: this is the primary communication gift
during the post-canon period of the church age.
The word, pastor, is poimAn and refers to one who attends to the sheep.
It thus refers to the function of the primary communicator in the church who
meets all the spiritual needs of the sheep through teaching of the revealed
word of God.
It is the second word, didaskalos (teacher), that indicates HOW the shepherd
attends to the spiritual needs of the church. He teaches them.
See topic: gift of pastor-teacher
7. This verse represents both phases of church age communication; pre-canon
and post-canon.
A. The apostles and prophets received direct revelation
from God as per
Ephesians 3:5, “has now
been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.”
B. The pastor-teachers took the writings of the
apostles and prophets,
and taught them to the
people as per 1 Thesssalonians 5:12.
“But we request of you,
brethren, that you appreciate those who
diligently labor among you, and
have charge over you in the Lord
and give you instruction.”
Also, 1 Tim. 5:17,
“Let the elders who rule well
be considered worthy of double honor,
especially those who work hard
at preaching and teaching.”
Verse 12, the purpose for the provision
1. For the equipping of the saints: The preposition, pros, is used to indicate
the DIRECT purpose for instruction. It is first and foremost to provide
INFORMATION to the believer so that he can “grow in the grace and knowledge of
Jesus Christ” (2 Peter
3:15).
The noun is katartismos plus the definite article, and refers to all the
training that is accomplished to equip a man for success in military combat.
It thus becomes the perfect word to describe the training needed for the
believer who remains here on earth in a spiritual warfare. But more than that,
it first includes the development of spiritual and moral CHARACTER; the change
of one’s viewpoints and standards in order to bring them into conformity to
Divine viewpoint and standards.
This is in fact the FIRST reason that the believer remains here on earth.
It is to GROW UP spiritually. Nothing else can be done if the believer does
not grow up in regard to his salvation. Thus the many commands to grow, but
none so succinct as at 1 Peter 2:2, “like newborn babies, long for the pure
milk of the Word so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.”
The communication gifts then provide the following:
(a) Induction into service through evangelism.
(b) initial instruction in the basics of Christianity. Heb. 6:1-3 with 5:1-14.
(c) advanced training as one learns to use the Sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God. Make full explanation of the word of God, Col. 1:25
Here at Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul writes about our struggle and putting on the
armor of God.
And he describes it at 2 Cor. 10:3-5,
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,
for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty in God for the
destruction of fortresses, destroying speculations and every lofty thing that
exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and taking every thought captive
into the obedience of Christ.”
2. To achieve spiritual growth we need to align with God’s policy for growth.
That is, we must identify with a bonafide communicator of the word and have
the humility to be teachable.
A. Principle of policy: Eph. 4:11-12; Titus 1:7-9; 1
Peter 5:1-3
God has designed the policy for growth. It is His plan to use others to teach
believers. God is not going to simply “zap” everyone with knowledge. The
revealed word of God in our bibles, is a very detailed and intricate work of
divine revelation, containing the very thinking of God, and all that He wants
us to know while living here on earth. It requires a similarly intricate and
detailed analysis in order to percieve “the whole counsel of God.” The
communicator has been equipped with divine ability in the spiritual gift to
assist him in the analysis and communication of God’s written word. The gift,
however, does not guarantee that the person will “get it right,” for there are
many distractions and enemies that can hinder the arrival at the proper
understanding of the text. Accordingly, even though our teachers are to be
highly respected, each believer still has the personal responsibility to
compare scriture with scripture and EXAMINE the content of the message. 1 Thes.
5:20-22, “do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything
{carefully}; hold fast to that which is good; reject every expression of
evil.”
B. Principle of preparation: 2 Tim. 2:2; Rom.
12:6; 1 Tim. 3:2-7
In view of the many deterrents to accurate understanding and teaching,
the communicators, even though possessing a spiritual gift that provides them
with divine ability to study and teach, still need to be prepared by others. 2
Timothy 2:2,
“And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many
witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others
also.”
And need to study diligently as per 2 Timothy 2:15,
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman, unashamed,
guiding straigt the word of truth.”
C. Principle of response: James 1:21; 1 Thes.
5:12-13; Heb. 13:7, 17.
Each believer needs to find a good teacher of God’s word and be faithful in
hearing and doing what is taught. Such teachers should always be respected and
honored as God’s communicators, however, because of the “human” factor that is
present in all aspects of Christianity, each believer who is taught by a
communicator has the responsibility to be LED, but not be brain washed. We all
must take what we are taught and use that to compare scripture with scripture
in order to arrive at what WE perceive to be an accurate understanding of
God’s word.
1Ths.
5:20-22,
“do not despise prophetic utterances.
But examine for approval everything; hold fast to that which is good;
reject every expression of evil.”
This passage becomes ever so much more important as we reaslize that today we
have no apostles and prophets who receive direct revelation from God. What we
have is a completed written revelation that requires diligence of study in
order to find God’s wisdom on the issues of worship and morality (2 Peter
1:3).
D. Principle of assembly: Hebrews 10:25
The communication gift is designed to function in a public assembly context.
This is the only place that “personal” shepherding of the sheep can take
place. Thus, we find the urgency for believers to assemble together, both for
instruction, and personal encouragement (Heb.
3:13).
At 1 Timothy 4:13, Paul writes,
“Until I come, give attention to the reading, to exhortation and teaching.”
At Colossians 4:16,
“And when this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of
the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter {that is coming} from
Laodicea.”
and 1 thessalonians 5:27,
“I adjure by the Lord, to have this letter read to all the brethren.”
The teaching aspect is a bit less restricted. In the same way that believers
can benefit from reading and studying the bible itself, likewise, there can be
benefit from reading and studying the writings of the Christian teachers who
have lived throughout the history of Christianity. Of course, the difference
is that the writings of these teachers is never to be considered inspired or
authoritative. They can be called upon for commentary and insight, but should
never be considered as divinely authoritative.
E. Principle of perception: 1 Cor. 2:10-14; 3:1-3
Much of Bible truth can be understood through normal human perception.
We can learn about morality and history and even the academic facts of
spiritual truths. However, the ministry of the Holy Spirit in guiding and
teaching is imperative to protect us from the distorting influence of the sin
nature and the deception of false and untaught teachers. Thus, being in
fellowship is an imperative factor while learning God’s word.
For details on this see 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:3.
3. For the work of service:
The word FOR, is eis this time, and is used to indicate that what follows is
the result and purpose of proper training.
The word for work is ergon and indicates activity in the area of one’s
occupation or profession.
The word for service is diakonia and refers to the SECOND reason that the
believer remains here on earth. Every believer is an ambassador for Christ
with the job of taking the gospel message to unbelievers and the message of
fellowship and service to other believers. 2 Cor. 5:19-20
Every believer is a priest with the job of representing God to others and
others to God (1 Peter 2:5-10). This is done through teaching, example, and
prayer.
Every believer is a steward, with the job of functioning in the one spiritual
gift that God has given to him (1 Peter 4:10; Rom. 12:6).
4. For the building up of the body of Christ:
The preposition, eis, is used again to indicate a further result from the
training.
The word, building up, is oikodomA, and refers to a building of a structure or
HOUSE (oikos). In this case, the structure in view is the universal body of
Christ. The building up of the individual believer was covered under “the
training of the saints.” Here the NUMERICAL increase of the body is in view as
new people are added. The body is built up numerically through the addition of
members by the regenerating and baptizing work of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor.
12:13; Eph.
2:21).
And this of course is accomplished by successful ambassadorship activity
performed by TRAINED believer-priests.
Verse 13, The individual goal of each believer - MATURITY
1. Until: the adverb, mechri, is used to indicate an indefinite point of time
when a goal is reached. Spiritual growth does not have a rigid schedule for
its progress. However, the goal is for every believer, and anyone who fails to
make progress toward this goal is failing in God’s plan for his life (Heb. 6:1
with 5:11-14).
The subject is WE ALL, and is a general reference to all believers from the
point of time of birth into the family of God (the moment of salvation) UNTIL
the desired arrival at a place of consistent character expression and sinless
consistency - spiritual maturity.
The use of UNTIL here, is NOT giving a “time limit” for the presence of the
communication gifts. The temporary gifts will be discontinued according to
God’s plan for the time that the “church” is on the earth. That is, they will
be discontinued once God has provided a complete written revelation.
The permanent communication gifts will then use that completed written
revelation to guide believers into growth and service.
2. arrive: this is katantaO as an aorist active subjunctive to indicate the
specific point of time when the goal of spiritual maturity is reached. This
will, of course, be different for each believer, but such a time of arrival
can indeed be known as is indicated by Hebrews 5:12-14. The one who has
reached spiritual maturity is one who “ought to be teachers,” and “who because
of practice have their senses trained for discernment of good and evil.”
Every believer should be encouraged to be under the teaching ministry of a
qualified and good teacher of the Bible until such time as that believer
arrives at character stability and sinless consistency. However, even then,
the “communal” fellowship is part of local church activity so that everyone
can be supported and encouraged by one another. Hebrews 3:13 tells us, to
“encourage one another day after day, as long as it is {still} called “Today,”
lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
Thus, as long as the church age continues and believers remain here on earth,
they should assemble together for mutual encouragement, especially in times of
social and moral crisis. Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us, “and let us consider how
to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own
assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging {one another};
and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.”
3. to the unity of the faith: the unity of the faith refers to the SEVEN unity
doctrines that we studied in verses 3-6. The challenge to growth is to reach
an accurate understanding of these seven areas of truth. Unity in these areas
paves the way for unity in the many other doctrinal issues in the Word of God.
The description of spiritual maturity follows and simply builds upon the
language Paul used in Ephesians 3:18-19.
4. and of the full knowledge of the Son of God: the word, epignosis, refers to
knowledge that is built upon or surpasses previously learned knowledge.
It refers to ADVANCED knowledge that brings the believer to the place of
maturity and consistent imitation of Christ.
5. unto a mature man: teleios communicates the idea of COMPLETION. The
“complete man” is the one who evidences a consistent maturity experience of
radiating the character of Christ. James describes this as being, “complete
and whole, lacking in nothing,” James 1:4.
A. So that you may be: hina + present subjunctive of
eimi to indicate
the resultant status of
soul which comes from maintenance of fellowship
during the pressures of
normal Christian living.
B. Perfect: teleios = adjective which means, complete,
mature.
It therefore speaks of
the consistency which comes from maturity.
C. And complete: holoklāros only 2 times (1 Thes.
5:23) in the NT.
It indicates the possession of
all one needs to fulfill the Christian
mandate given to him by God. It
is explained by the next phrase.
D. lacking in nothing:
1. lacking: leipo
(present middle participle) means to be deficient.
2. In nothing: en māden
3. This indicates then
that the goal of growth is to possess AND USE
all the operating assets needed to fulfill our ambassadorship.
4. 2 Pet. 1:3,
“everything we need for life and good-worship.”
5. Eph. 4:11-16 “grow up
in the sphere of all things with reference to
Him,
who is the Head, that is, Christ.”
6. Eph. 6:10-17, “the
whole armor of God.”
7. 2 Tim. 3:16-17,
equipped for every good work
6. To the measure of maturity: the Greek word, hAlikia, refers to progress in
DEVELOPMENT, whether it be physical or moral (Luke
1:52). In this
case, the “complete” MORAL development of Christ in His humanity is in view.
7. which is the fullness of Christ: It is Christ’s character that is the
pattern and the goal. We grow up INTO HIM in all things (verse 15) and radiate
His character; His love and righteousness, and experience His quality of life;
His peace and joy.
Although we use the idea of “complete” to speak of this maturity, it is only
to communicate some degree of consistency in moral and spiritual character.
But let us be sure to understand that such MATURITY is a relative term that
will never find TOTAL completion either in time or in eternity. Kenneth Wuest
in his commentary on Ephesians, page 102, writes,
“This process of conforming the saint to the image of Christ begins in this
life in the work of the Spirit in sanctification and is never completed in
eternity, for the finite can never equal the infinite nor even remotely
approach to it. Christ’s perfections are so wonderful that the saints will
ever bear but a dim reflection of them. This is the distance between
finiteness and infinity.”
The “fulness of Christ” echoes what Paul wrote earlier in chapter three in
reference to “the fullness of God.”
Eph. 3:19, “and to know the love of Christ, which
SURPASSES knowledge, so that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.”
(Ephesians 3 is not available on this site yet, so a summary of what it means
to be filled up to all the fullness of God is provided.)
UNTO ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD: summary
1. This is a phrase that describes spiritual maturity.
a. The fullness of God is His character.
His inherent happiness and
contentment; fulfillment and satisfaction; confidence and stability;
love and peace; His truth and
righteousness.
b. The fullness of God is all that is provided for the
believer in time - here on earth.
1. Full utilization of every
spiritual blessing. Eph. 1:3
2. Romans 8:32, “freely give us
ALL THINGS.”
3. 2 Pet. 1:3, “everything
pertaining to morality and worship.”
2. Being “filled up” refers to completion and overflowing influence in the
believer’s life.
a. Spiritual maturity is a place of completion. It is
being “complete
and whole, lacking in nothing”
as at James 1:4.
b. It is characterized by being CONSISTENTLY influenced
by the standards
and viewpoints of the WORD that
brought the believer to maturity.
3. “Unto” describes the source of completion and the source of the overflowing
influence.
a. The fulness of God is the measure of maturity or
completion.
b. The fulness of God is the overflowing influence.
4. The measure of spiritual maturity then, is the degree that the believer is
filled up to all the fullness of God. Eph.
4:13
5. What is it to be “filled up to all the fullness of God?”
a. Consistent participation with the person and work of
Christ.
1. Position: Eph. 3:6,
fellow heirs and members of the Body.
2. Experience: Gal. 2:20,
Christ now lives in me;
Heb. 3:14, FUNCTIONAL partners with Christ if we
remain faithful.
b. Consistent participation in the character of God.
Imitation: 2 Cor. 3:18;
Gal. 4:19; Eph. 2:22
Thinking and doing as
Christ did.
c. Consistent participation in the plan of God.
Production in priesthood
and ambassadorship.
d. Consistent participation in all divine provisions.
Knowing and living the reality
of Romans 8:28.
e. The divine nature becomes the only influlence in
life.
It directs everything
else. Lam.
3:24, “The LORD
is my portion;
Philip.
1:21, “for me, to live is Christ.”
f. John 15:11, having Christ’s quality of happiness in
your life.
6. John 1:16: The fullness of God and of Christ is the basis for all Christian
living.
It begins at salvation, “Even grace . . . “
And it continues throughout spiritual growth and living, “. . . upon grace.”
2 Cor. 3:18, “from glory to glory.”
7. So - being filled up to to all the fullness of God is a thorough knowledge
and utilization of all God’s grace provisions.
Personal spiritual fulfillment and spiritual production.
It evidences itself in a CONSISTENT maturity experience.
Verse 14, the ULTIMATE goal of growth is TWO-FOLD.
V. 14, gives us the goal from the standpoint of DELIVERANCE - Stop being
children
V. 15, gives us the goal from the standpoint of PROGRESS - grow up into Him
1. So that we may no longer be: The purpose/result clause is introduced by
HINA and the subjunctive mood. Since the clause has TWO PARTS, we have two
verbs in the subjunctive mood.
First, we have the “to be” verb, eimi. In the same way that there is something
POSITIVE that results from growth, there is also something that is UNDONE
through growth.
2. children: The word, nepios, indicates “spiritually” IMMATURE, and speaks of
the hazards that attend immaturity. At Hebrews 5:13, the NASB translates this
word as BABES, and refers to one who is not accustomed to the word of
righteousness, but is limited to MILK (basic spiritual truths). Thus, at verse
6:1, the writer exhorts “US” to “press on to maturity.”
At 1 Cor. 3:1-3, Paul uses the word to speak of the baby believer who is
characterized MORE by carnality than spirituality.
And so, here at Ephesians 4:14, Paul writes about the goal of growth that
LEAVES BEHIND the spiritual inconsistency of being a baby, who is so often
influenced by the slightest WAVE of every day pressures or persecution, and
the varied WINDS of doctrinal or moral error.
3. Agitated by waves: The NASB reads, “tossed here and there,” but the Greek
has only one word, which means - agitated (kludonidzomai). This represents all
the various pressures that come our way from living in a cursed-earth
environment as representatives of God’s truth. It includes physical pressures
from illness and environmental disturbances. It includes all the emotional and
physical pressures of living in humna society. And it includes the pressures
from persecution.
4. and carried about by every wind of doctrine: This, of course, refers to any
direct or subtle attack on God’s standards of truth in the sphere of both
(life) MORALITY living and (godliness) WORSHIP (2 Peter 1:3).
Anything that is contrary to the revealed word of God as found in the 66 books
of the bible is false doctrine.
The source of false doctrine is from false teachers who use trickery and
deception in their attempt to influence others away from God’s truth.
5. by the social-trickery of men: The Greek word, kubeia, refers to using the
guise of a relaxed and trusting, game-playing social environment to break down
the guard of their intended victims.
6. by (using) craftiness: The preposition EN, is used again to indicate
MECHANICS.
This shows HOW they trick the unsuspecting IGNORANT believer. They use
CRAFTINESS. Thus the idea of USING craftiness is the sense of the
construction.
7. with (according to) the method of deceit: The preposition PROS, means with
the FACE of something, TO the face of something, and HERE, ACCORDING TO the
face of something. It indicates the reason or the controlling factor for this
promotion of false doctrine. Thus, according to THE PLAN of deceit.
The word method is methodeia and with the definite article, THE, indicates a
specific organized “force” or “power” that is SERVED through the promotion of
this false teaching.
It is THE plan of deception; the plan to undermine and discredit the character
and plan of God. This has been Satan’s goal since his fall.
Peter tells us, “your adversary, the devil prowls about like a roaring lion,
seeking someone to devour,” 1 Peter 5:8.
At Eph. 6:11, we learn that the armor of God protects us from the PLANS (methodeia)
of the devil.
See Topic: THE SCHEMES OF SATAN
THE plan; scheme; method - of deceit -
is Satan’s attempt to attack, discredit and counter GOD’S TRUTH.
It is called the doctrine of demons at 1 Tim. 4:1.
Satan appears as a messenger of light and his servants appear as servants of
righteousness, (2 Cor. 11;14-15).
Satan’s doctrines entrap the believer and enslave him to do Satan’s will;
reflecting the deeds of darkness. 2 Tim. 2:24-26
Satan is behind the doctrines of idolatry. 1 Cor. 10:20-21; Rev. 9:20
VERSE 15
The goal of growth from the standpoint of PROGRESS.
1. But following the truth: This is the VERB, alAtheuo. It does NOT mean to
speak. It means “to truth it,” that is, to do WHATEVER you do IN or ACCORDING
TO God’s truth. We could translate it as, “operating according to the truth .
. ,” but “following” indicates clearly enough that the believer is to USE
truth as his motivator and standard for progress.
2. in love: This indicates that the believer needs to have LOVE as the primary
motivator for everything he does in the Christian life. It refers to the
attitude of humility and dedication to God that is necessary for growth to be
successful. We need to have a positive mental attitude toward accepting the
word of God into our soul. We need to be TEACHABLE, and it is the attitude of
love toward God which makes us receptive to His word.
This it repeating the issue of BASIC LOVE that is seen at Ephesians 3:17-19,
“having been rooted and grounded in love,” which THEN leads to advanced
understanding of God’s plan and of the love of Christ, which surpasses
knowledge (the facts).
3. We may grow up in all aspects “into” Him:
The verb is auxano as an aorist a. subjunctive. The subjunctive mood is a
continuation of the RESULT clause started in verse 14, “so that (as a result)
. . .”
We grow “in the knowledge of Jesus,” 2 Pet.
3:18. “Grow”
here occurs in the aorist tense and speaks of the general principle and goal
of growth without emphasis on the ongoing process of growth.
4. Who is the head, that is, Christ: Christ is the head of HIS “spiritual”
body, which is the church. Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18
As the head, He is our EXAMPLE for character growth (love). At Eph. 5:2, we
are exhorted to “walk in love just as Christ loved us.”
And it is THROUGH or OUT FROM Christ that the body INCREASES in both number
and in the character consistency of the individual members.
Verse 16 THE ORGANIZATIONAL MECHANICS FOR GROWTH
1. From whom the whole body: this is the universal church made up of men and
women from many different races and social backgrounds, but all given perfect
spiritual “postional” equality IN CHRIST. 1 Cor. 12:13
A. However, the universal body which is a positional
entity, expresses itself in TIME through the many
LOCAL bodies or churches.
B. And each local body basically operates totally
independent from any other local body.
C. What is in view is the work of Christ to accomplish
EXPERIENTIAL growth in any local body that follows
His truth.
2. Being fitted together: Present participle is used to indicate the ongoing
process. The body receives its existence through Christ. This refers to the
growth of the body through the ADDITION of people.
3. and held together; another present tense with the same focus.
The word means “to unite.” In the passive voice, it receives the action of
“being united.” This refers to the functional unity which is built into the
local body through the proper working of the communicators who are responsible
for teaching God’s word.
4. through every joint of support; Everything God has provided for the
believer through His word. 2 Pet. 1:3-4
5. according to the proper working: kata + energeia + en metron (in measure).
The idea of “proper” comes from “in measure.” That is, each gift contributes
to the function and growth of the body according to the measure designed by
God.
6. of each individual part: This refers to the function of the communication
spiritual gifts in administrating truth to the members of a local body, as
seen at verse 11. The other gifts have a place for APPLICATION ministries, but
it is the communication gifts that SPECIFICALLY INCREASE the body.
Each individual believer may minister in both evangelism and exhortation, and
thus contribute to the growth of the body, but Paul has in mind the
ORGANIZATIONAL mechanics, not the contribution from individual believers.
7. causes the growth: This is a present tense to indicate the PROGRESS of
growth as these “mechanics” continue to operate.
8. of the body: This has emphasis on each individual who is edified in love.
The issue here is not growth in number of the body, but the personal growth of
each believer as he learns bible truth in the sphere of love.
Compare at Eph. 2:21-22 where BOTH aspects of “building” are seen.
V. 21, the BUILDING that is build on the foundation of the apostles and
prophets refers to the INCREASE in number of the membership of this body.
V. 22, YOU ALSO, refers to the individual believer who is being built up into
a “dwelling” in which God’s character can be showcased through the Spirit.
9. for the edification of itself in love: the word is oikodomA, and refers to
a “structure; a house” that is built in the soul. A house that is filled up
with various principles of divine knowledge.
By wisdom a house is built - Proverbs 24:3-4
10. in love: love is the ultimate character quality of this structure.
As all the other characteristics of Christian virtue are built, they are
emanating FROM Love and leading TO a greater manifestation and application of
love. 1 Cor. 13:4-7; Gal. 5:22-23; 2 Pet. 1:5-8
11. So then, love is the goal and love is the means. And the result is
basically, A LOVE STRUCTURE built in the soul.
A. Pursuing the growth process THROUGH basic love
dedication as at Ephesians 3:17.
B. Reaching the goal of the love structure which is the
experiential knowledge of Christ’s love
as at Eph. 3:19.
Compare with Philip. 1:9, “and this I pray, that your love may abound still
more and more in the sphere of full knowledge and all discernment.”
The rest of this chapter warns and exhorts the believer to avoid the OLD way
of life of darkness, but to pursue spiritual growth so that darkness won’t
have a HOLD and INFLUENCE in the believer’s life.
Continue to
Ephesians 4:17-19
|
|
