In Ephesians 4:4-6, emphasis is given to those great fundamental facts of the Christian faith which are at once its unifying features. In vv. 7 – 16, the apostle writes of the diversity of gifts which characterize those who are members of Christ’s Body, the Church.
Ephesians 4:8: “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”
“If there were two lords, you might be divided into two parties; if there were two faiths, you might split up into two sections; if there were two baptisms, you might be right in having two denominations; if there were two fathers, there might be two families; if there were two indwelling spirits, there would be, and there must be, two sorts of people; but, in the true Church of Jesus Christ, there is “one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” – Spurgeon.
The Lord Jesus prayed for visible oneness in the Church before the world (John 17:20-21). Ephesians 4:4-6 interprets for us the meaning of His prayer. Our Lord never asked for a man-made union of organized churches into a grand federation, but He prayed for a Spirit-made, Christ centered, God-controlled unity per the Father’s plan of a living organism, the Body of Christ: One Spirit — One Lord — One God.
This is brought out in vv. 7-8; 11, where we are told that Christ Himself gives spiritual gifts to the members of His Church; but especially notice v. 8, which is a quotation from Psalm 68:18. The Lord Jesus went down into death, was raised and then ascended to Heaven. When He ascended, having conquered sin, death and Hell, He “led captives in his train” – (these were the Old Testament saints who up until the Ascension dwelt in Paradise) and then He received gifts from the Father in order that He might bestow these gifts upon the Church via the Holy Spirit. But who does He give these gifts to?
Are spiritual gifts only for a few members of the Body, the Church? – look at v. 7, and underline the words, “to each one of us”. That refers to every true believer. Every Christian, without exception, has received some gift from the risen and exalted Lord – see Romans 12:4, where we are told that we all have some “function”; also 1 Corinthians 12:4-5 and 1 Peter 4:10. It is wrong for any Christian to say, “There’s nothing I can do”, or, “My days of service are over now!” But note this wonderful fact: to every Christian has been given grace as Christ apportioned it (v. 7). You see, the nature of the gift determines the measure of grace that is supplied in order that we may exercise the gift. Grace is given to the preacher to preach, to the pray-er to pray, to the teacher to teach, to the helper to help (1 Corinthians 12:28), and so on! But do all have the same gifts?
In vv. 12 & 14, we are told of a three-fold purpose that the Lord has in giving these gifts to His Church.
How long will the gifts be needed in the Church? Only until – v. 12-13! When we are with Christ, who is the Head of the Body, the Church, then He will be “all in all” (Ephesians 1:23), and there will be no room for, or need of, the gifts! He will be ALL!
