Ephesians 4: 11-13  (Gifts given by Christ and their purpose)

        Summary:  Paul is coming off of an interruption in his original thought so that we might understand that in saying Christ ascended then he must have also descended in human form first.  Now he returns to his original point of what gifts specifically did Christ dive to men.  Paul names off some of these explicitly “the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and the teachers.”  He then reasons that these gifts have followed so that we might be equipped and therefore build up the body of Christ.  That this building up might continue until unity in Christ is established and the saints are mature in like stature with and through Christ.

Note:  The literal translation for the word for mature is to be “complete, reaching its end.”

Note:  The Greek word for evangelist comes from the Greek word for Gospel weaning “one who brings good tidings.”

Timeless principle: Paul is returning to the Gifts that have been given initially.  These gifts are played out in and through the church, being what we would refer to as “spiritual gifts” (e.g. teaching, evangelism, prophetic, etc.).  What is significant about these gifts?  This, as described by Paul, has a unique answer. These gifts have been given as instruments to equip the church.  Each one of us maintains the central cause of bringing about a better union of the church to both to one another and to Christ.  We are the hands and feet of Christ, different but perfectly designed to make up a single unified body whose head is Christ. 

An idea is mentioned here about reaching maturity in Christ.  This is why we dedicate ourselves to pursuing hard after God.  This is why we toil for His sake.  We do it so that we might be built into a dwelling place for God in the Spirit.  The idea of burying ourselves so that Christ might live in us should consume us.  All our efforts should be localized around the Gospel and its deadly results.  Our goal is to reach maturity in Christ.  The word for mature Paul uses here can literally be translated “complete, or reaching its end.”  We are striving so that we might be made complete and reach our end.  I want with all my passion to be able to say at the end of my life what Paul says in his last letter.  That being “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race.”  God let me finish my race for your glory, make me complete, provide me with strength to persevere.