Ephesians 4:7-16 – Be a mature and stable Christian

In verses 7-13, Paul moved from unity to talk about diversity. Just like unity, diversity also finds its root in Christ. This diversity results because Christ gave different gifts to men for the work of the ministry.

Paul tells us here that believers are recipients of God’s gifts. These are given through Christ. By His death, we receive eternal life and that’s not all. He also gives gifts for the work of the ministry. Paul then substantiated it by quoting Psalm 68:18. In Biblical times, a conquering general would usually return home in a triumphal parade. He would ride into the city on a white horse followed by the booties of war which he had taken from the battle. It was a time of grand celebration when gifts were distributed. Here, Paul was painting a picture of the triumph of the Lord Jesus Christ. He had conquered death and removed the power of sin. As the conquering King, He now distributes gifts to His Church. The reason for these gifts is so that the body could be equipped and everyone could grow toward maturity. Each gift is given by Christ and therefore, He is the Source of these ministry gifts.

What are the ministry gifts? Paul here listed five gifts. He gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some as pastors and teachers. Are there five or only four gifts? Those who think it should be four say that the pastoral and teacher’s role always go together. However, each ministry gift is needed in the Church: the apostles and prophets are gifts that would lay the foundation and provide the system for the governance of the Church. The evangelists are gifts to gather the people in. The pastors are given to counsel and guide believers. The teachers are called to instruct and ground the believers in the faith.

What is the purpose? Paul said that they are given for service; to equip the saints for the work of ministry so that the Church would be built up. There is a hint here that all Christians are called to do the work of ministry. Christ gave the ministry gifts to the Church so that the believers could be equipped for the work of ministry. Therefore, the implication is that every one of us is called into service. The ultimate purpose of this is for the building up of the body of Christ. There is a two-pronged program for the edification of the Church. The Church is called to reach the unsaved as well as to mature the saved. 

The objective is found in verse 13: to have everyone reach maturity and share Christ-likeness. The whole aim was to make mature and stable believers who would not vacillate in their spiritual walk. When believers are stable, they will not be easily deceived and taken in by the schemes and trickeries of the devil.

Believers should no longer behave like children. Being a child is not wrong because it’s a natural phase of growth. However, with passing years, the child ought to grow and if he does not, something is drastically wrong. The clear evidence of a person still in his childhood would be his or her reaction to false teachings. They fall prey too easily to false teachings and never reach maturity (v.14).

Verse 15 tells us that believers are to grow up in all aspects into Him Who is the Head, even Christ. In verse 16, he gave us the result of a healthy and growing Church. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of this body. Every believer forms a vital part of that body. Their function would only be as good as their union with the Head, Christ Jesus. Just like the human body, a part not in vital union with the head cannot function effectively. The body would be paralyzed when it is not connected to the head. But when the whole body is connected to the head, every part would be functioning effectively, unity would be preserved and growth would be the natural outcome.

At what level of maturity are we individually? Are we growing as a believer? Do we still vacillate in our faith? Let’s stay connected to Christ, continue to grow in Him and then seek to glow for Him!